Coach Chad Smith led the Green Wave to the second round of the state AAAA Division II playoffs in his first season at the helm of Easley. Repeating that feat will take some special efforts this year.
Last season Easley had seven home games due to construction at Daniel High School. Easley finished the season with an 8-3 record for the regular season, then defeated Beafort 33-14 in the first round of the AAAA Division II playoffs. The next week Easley fell to Georgetown, ending the Green Wave’s season with a 9-4 record.
It was Easley’s first trip to the playoffs since 2000, when Easley lost in first round to Richland Northeast 35-7. It was Easley’s first playoff win since 1997, when Eric Meekins led the Green Wave to a 12-2 record.
This season Easley only has four games scheduled at Brice Field. Coach Smith says the way his players need to combat that is to work extra hard to host a playoff game, something Easley has not done since 1997.
By South Carolina High School League rules, teams cannot begin practice until Friday, July 29. Easley is taking advantage of that restriction by having its first practice at midnight July 29. The early morning practice is meant to show that the Green Wave is ready for the 2011 football season. The cooler nightime temperatures will probably help make the practice more bearable for the EHS athletes.
In addition, a special day of Green Wave football is planned for Saturday, July 30. The day will begin with a 2-hour practice from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.
From 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., the team will meet with members of the local media as well as Green Wave fans. Autographs will be signed.
At 11 a.m. in the Easley High School cafeteria, a hot dog dinner fundraiser will begin.
The EHS Mom’s Club and the EHS Touchdown Club will be selling hot dog plates, featuring Joe’s Chili from the Easley Ice Cream Parlor, for $5. The sale will last until 1 p.m.
Then from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., the team will conduct a public “meet and greet” at Wal-Mart in the new Easley Center.
Easley has set is pre-season scrimmage schedule too.
On Aug. 2, Easley will scrimmage Carolina at Brice Field at 9 a.m.
On Aug. 4, Easley will travel to Pendleton for another 9 a.m. scrimmage.
On Aug. 9, Easley will scrimmage Pendleton and Liberty on Brice Field beginning at 9 a.m.
On Aug. 11, Easley will host the annual Easley Football Jamboree.
In the first quarter, Liberty will play Woodmont. In the second quarter, Daniel will play Berea. In the third quarter, Pickens will play Hanna.
In the fourth quarter, Easley will play Pendleton.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Easley opens its season Aug. 19 at West-Oak High School.
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