Greene Central holds first football practice since Hurricane Florence

Greene Central coach Allen Wooten, left, goes over an early film session Tuesday in the Rams’ first practice since Hurricane Florence. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

Greene Central’s football team is back on the field — at least for practice.

The Rams held their first practice since Hurricane Florence on Tuesday, with most of the team in attendance. Greene Central coach Allen Wooten said with conditions in Greene County relatively good, holding practice was a way to bring the team back together.”

“We had about 40 of our 60 guys make it,” Wooten said. “Some areas were flooded along the Hookerton and Stantonburg ways, so we weren’t expecting everyone to be there but we were hoping to try returning to normalcy. We watched game film, spent about an hour and 15 minutes on the field and lifted weights. Really, it was a way to check on the family and see how everyone was doing while getting back to work.”

Savyone Best, a senior running back and linebacker with the Rams, said it was a gratifying experience to get back out on the gridiron.

“It felt pretty good to get back together on a united front,” Best said. “We were full of energy and pretty conditioned. A lot of guys worked out during the hurricane break, which was a blessing, so we came in prepared.”

Senior wide receiver and linebacker Jared Fields said not only was it good to get back to football, but the team may do more for Greene County.

“It’s nice to be back because we’ve been gone for a while,” Fields said. “We watched film and worked as a team, which felt great. Coach Wooten also talked about us helping hurricane victims — we want to show the community it’s more important than just the team and it’s better to come together as one.”

The opponent hasn’t been confirmed as of Tuesday evening — Greene Central may face Washington or Farmville Central if there is a game Friday — but Wooten said the Rams will be ready.

“If Washington is able to play we’ll face them, but if not we’ll get ready for Farmville Central,” Wooten said. “At the end of the day, after something like this it makes you remember that this is just a game — football isn’t life or death, it’s about growth and development.”