12 YEARS AGO, the “Hail Mario” won Greer the Jacket Bowl at the buzzer.
With the score tied at 22 between Union County and Greer in the 20th edition of the famous “Jacket Bowl,” Greer faced a 4th-and-18 from the UC 40-yard line.
Just seven seconds remained.
Greer QB Mario Cusano took the snap and scrambled, rolling to his right after getting good blocking from his offensive line. He pointed down the field, directing one of his receivers where to run.
That receiver was WR/TE Zechariah Glidden, who somehow — despite Union dropping 8 into coverage — had slipped open near the corner of the end zone.
Cusano delivered an absolute dot to Glidden at the 5, and the junior galavanted into the end zone as time expired. The visiting Greer fans and players erupted in celebration.
“Jackets win! Jackets win! Kiss your mama! Jackets win!” exclaimed the great Robbie Gravley of Yellow Jacket Sports Network on the incredible game-winning call.
Greer RB Adrian McGee rushed for 125 yards that evening, while WR Dorian Lindsey had 113 total yards and three total TDs. A young rising star at Union — WR Shi Smith — had 167 total yards and two TDs himself.
It was another instant classic in what has been a historically-close rivalry between Union County and Greer. Though it wasn’t officially referred to as “The Jacket Bowl” until the late 1990s, the teams have played consistently dating back to their first meeting in 1926 — a 6-0 Greer win.
Greer narrowly leads the all-time series, 27-24-2.
This year, the rivalry will be renewed for the first time since 2021, with Greer traveling to Union County on August 28 for a non-region matchup between the Jackets.
The season can’t get here any sooner.
12 days until high school football is back.
