GHS Mr. Football nominees and winners

All conference, and an all around athlete, Dabbs was the workhorse of Greeneville's offense. He gained 2,422 yards and 31 touchdowns his senior year.    Against Knox Central in the second round of the playoffs, Dabbs carried the ball 42 times for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Cade Ballard became the first Junior from GHS to win the Mr. Football award, having helped the team to a perfect 15-0 record and their third state championship.  Cade passed for 3,148 yards (a school record) and 38 touchdowns (a school record), and ran for 985 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Cade Ballard became the 18th player in Division 1 to be named Mr. Football in back-to-back years. Cade passed for 9,399 yards, 123 touchdowns, and only 9 interceptions, rushed for 2,669 and 60 touchdowns, and started all 55 games of his high school career.  He received a commission to West Point upon graduation.

A cornerstone of Greeneville’s success, Ty Youngblood started all 52 games of his high school career and emerged as the defensive leader of the Devils beginning his sophomore season. His impact extended far beyond the stat sheet, anchoring a program that compiled an extraordinary 49 and 3 record during his time on the field. Like many standout players in recent years, Youngblood often finished his work by halftime as Greeneville built commanding leads.

Even with limited second half action, Youngblood recorded 209 solo tackles, 162 assists, and 34 tackles for loss. On offense, he added another dimension to his game, carrying the ball 305 times for 2,070 yards and 41 touchdowns.

A model student athlete, Youngblood maintained a 3.96 GPA and scored a 30 on the ACT. He will continue his academic and athletic career at Furman University.

With Greeneville trailing Science Hill 21 to 0, an 80 yard touchdown run by then sophomore Mason Gudger helped ignite one of the most memorable comeback victories in Devils history. That play marked the beginning of a remarkable career defined by speed, strength, and consistency.

Gudger rushed for 4,134 yards during his time at Greeneville High School, ranking second all time behind Brigham Lyons with 4,470 yards. His 204 points in a single season, scored on 30 rushing and 4 receiving touchdowns, established a new school record for total points in a season.

Among his many highlights, Gudger’s 98 yard touchdown run from scrimmage against Elizabethton in the 2020 quarterfinals remains a school record and one of the signature moments of Greeneville football.

Over his career, Gudger accumulated 5,205 all purpose yards: 4,134 rushing (64 TDs), 524 receiving (6 TDs), 44 on punt returns, and 503 on kickoff returns (1 TD). He accounted for 71 total touchdowns and consistently demonstrated excellence on and off the field, maintaining a 3.63 GPA at Greeneville High School.

Carson Quillen left an indelible mark on Greeneville football, shattering records and redefining versatility during his four year career with the Devils. He became the first player in school history to record more than 2,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, a testament to his rare combination of power, speed, and skill.

Quillen finished his career with 3,642 rushing yards, surpassing Dustin Moore to become the number four all time career rushing leader at Greeneville High School, trailing only Brigham Lyons (4,670), Desmond Dabbs (4,391), and Mason Gudger (4,134). His 468 career points are the most in school history, and his 32 touchdowns in a single season stand as another long lasting record.

Beyond football, Quillen excelled on the baseball diamond, where he was named Class 3A Mr. Baseball, led the Devils to two state championships, and earned Most Valuable Player honors twice. A true multiple sport standout, Carson Quillen now continues his athletic and academic journey at Vanderbilt University on scholarship.