Just over a year ago, Jaiden Greathouse and Kobe Skortz were suiting up for what would be their final high school football game as Owensboro fell to Frederick Douglass in the Class 5A State Semifinals.
Now, the former Red Devil duo are cheering their alma mater on as they have a rematch with the Broncos Friday at Rash Stadium for a spot in next week’s state championship at Kroger Field in Lexington.
For Greathouse, being a Red Devil is in his blood.
“My whole family graduated from Owensboro so it’s kind of a tradition,” he said. “Got my granddad as a coach, you’ve got to love Owensboro when you’re in my situation.”
Skortz said being a Red Devil is a badge of honor he wore proudly.
“An Owensboro Red Devil is someone, in my opinion, that’s relentless and will lay everything they’ve got down for one another,” he said. “Go to battle for one another.”
Looking back, Greathouse and Skortz remember the game against the Broncos to be a tough game but both are thinking the Red Devils get redemption from a year ago.
Greathouse said he’s excited to see the younger players have a shot and said there were a couple of things that stood out about them during his senior season.
“I’d say they were more on the disciplined side,” he said. “Coach told them to do something, they were going to do it immediately, ask no questions. They were focused. We had a whole lot of seniors so the young guys that did play, they kind of fit in because you got to.”
In was in practice that Skortz saw something special in some of the younger players that are making an impact this season.
“We always kept everyone to a higher standard and we tried to do it with the young folks too,” he said. “We tried to set the tradition so they can follow it … What really stood out, on scout team, some of the freshmen and younger guys would start making these plays and you could see flashes of potential. I knew some of these players that were young, were going to be something when they got their opportunity.”
It’s always assumed that most teams enjoy each other’s company but that’s not always the case. Greathouse said that was definitely true when it came to the Red Devil locker room.
“We’ll be clownin in there, going back-and-forth joking,” he said. “We loved it. I guarantee every senior on the team from last year would love to get back in them pads.”
The postseason is a time to leave it all on the field and both players said they expect Owensboro to do that Friday night.
“In the playoffs, it’s win or go home,” Skortz said. “Everyone just going out there and giving everything you’ve got. If you lose, you’re going home. Obviously we didn’t want to go home last year but everything is notched up a little bit higher, the intensity, everything.”
Skortz said a win Friday would put the rest of the state on notice that the Red Devils are a team to be worried about.
“I feel like Owensboro, this side of the state doesn’t get much recognition,” he said. “It’s all the Louisville, Lexington side. I feel this would be a big statement game. Just to show Owensboro can compete with the rest of the state.”
