THE NUMBER 5 is for the Prince of Byrnes and the Pride of Greer.
Seatbelts on for this one, because these DBs were two of the best to ever come through the area — Prince Miller of Byrnes and Troy Pride, Jr. of Greer.
Let’s start with Miller. Miller was one of, if not the biggest pillars of Byrnes football’s early 2000s dominance. Miller was dominant from the start in his career.
He was in a rare class of players. It wasn’t often that freshmen started or had significant roles for Byrnes football. But Miller? He was different.
His lockdown ability at corner was his main calling card, but his pure speed and athleticism also left HC Bobby Bentley no choice but to use him in both the Rebels rushing and passing attacks on offense.
Miller — who in 2005 became the first player ever in SC to start on four straight state title teams — was named Mr. Football in 2005 and went on to a successful career at the University of Georgia. He enjoyed three seasons in the NFL before coming back to Spartanburg County to coach football.
And then there’s Troy Pride. Pride’s time came a little bit later, as he was the focal point of Greer High’s mid-to-late 2010’s success.
Pride was also a do-it-all machine, excelling as a WR and a returner. But it was Pride’s absolute dominance at cornerback that made him a box office player every week.
Again, buckle up for these stats. As a senior at Greer, Pride caught 41 passes for 848 yards and 13 TDs, rushed for 197 yards and three TDs, returned three punts for TDs and intercepted three passes on defense with one being returned for a TD.
Pride’s excellence in all aspects of the game earned him a scholarship to play at Notre Dame, where he also excelled. So much, in fact, that in the 4th round of 2020 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers came calling Pride’s name.
Pride is seeking further opportunities in the NFL, meeting with the 49ers as recent as three days ago. In his free time, you’ll find him back in Greer, where he’s hosted his TPJ Day of Play for six years running. He loves and consistently reps Greer, and the city loves him for it.
Miller and Pride (who both wore No. 5 in high school) are two of the best two-way players — and arguably the two most shutdown corners in Greer-area history.
5 days until high school football is back.
