South’s secret: junior Fletcher

Curt Phillips gets the headlines and the spotlight.

Phillips’ receivers catch the touchdowns and run the fancy routes.

And Sullivan South’s quick and talented offensive line tends to receive the thinking fan’s credit for the Rebels’ uncanny tendency to put up points and rack up yards this season.

But South’s offense (11-1) also has a secret weapon: 5-foot-8, 178 pound junior running back Taylor Fletcher.

"Yeah, I guess I am if I think about it," Fletcher said. "I try and do the best whenever I can. I don’t get [the ball] as much as I like to. But whenever they call upon me I just try and get it and do my best."

Fletcher’s best has definitely been good enough.

The junior Rebel has compiled 800 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 111 carries (7.21 yards-per-carry average), while adding 126 receiving yards and a TD on four receptions.

More importantly, Fletcher has consistently stepped up big when South has needed him most.

Opposing defenses have taken a "stop Phillips and you stop South" approach as of late. And Fletcher has made them pay.

He recorded four touchdowns in the Rebels’ 41-21 come-from-behind victory over Morristown East on Nov. 9. And Fletcher’s hard-nosed, never-say-it’s-over running ignited a dormant South offense in the Rebels’ 28-21 comeback win over Tennessee High on Nov. 2.

"The beauty of having somebody like Taylor is it takes the pressure off Curt," said South assistant coach and offensive specialist Hunter Jordan. "He runs the ball really, really hard. He’s got great moves and he sees the holes. And he plays a lot bigger than he looks. He’s powerful."

This season has also been one of retribution for Fletcher.

Fletcher broke his right foot in a game against Dobyns-Bennett last season, and he worked hard during the offseason to add muscle weight, specifically in his legs. The extra strength has allowed Fletcher to break arm tackles, push piles and turn into one of South’s top pass blockers.

"He does a great job," Jordan said. "He sits back and helps out on any missed assignments. If [a team] sends more than we can block, he does a great job of picking up whomever is coming."

Fletcher’s selfless devotion hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates, either. Phillips is often quick to credit Fletcher’s strong all-around performances after South victories.

"You can’t be greedy," Fletcher said. "This is a team sport. You’ve got 11 guys and you’ve got to love each other. If you’re bumping heads, you’re out."

Speaking of … how about the Rebels’ big Division I Class 4A state quarterfinal playoff game against Greeneville at 7 p.m. on Friday evening? The Greene Devils (10-2) were the last team to hand South a loss – a 24-21 Greeneville win on Sept. 14 – and since then, the Rebels have reeled off nine straight victories.

"To knock them out would just be a load off our chest," Fletcher said smiling. "We could keep on going down the road. And it would shut everybody up."

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