No Payne, no gain: Greenback defense shines through 2026 season

Throughout the historic 2026 season for Greenback football, its defense has let in 61 points across eight games. In other words, when playing against Greenback, other teams are projected to score one touchdown per game. On the other side of the ball, Greenback has scored a total of 340 points throughout the season, meaning they're projected to score nearly 43 points per game. Whether you want to argue if the defense sets up the offense or vice versa, it's extremely difficult to ignore the defensive prowess that Greenback carries into each game, and that is thanks to their defensive coordinator, Zach Payne. In the Cherokee's last four games, Payne's defense has only let in 12 total points, compared to scoring 166 points. However, Payne and the rest of the coaching staff don't get ahead of themselves, even with outstanding stretches like this one.'It takes four days of preparation to get to pay day on Friday," Payne told the Daily Times. "It doesn't matter who it is, we want to be 1-0 at the end of every week." In their region game against Oakdale, that message was no different. 'When you're playing a team like (Oakdale), running the double-wing and a lot of misdirection, you have to have your eyes right, footwork right and have to have good leverage,' Payne said. 'We played with great energy, we played as 11 and we focused on the details; when you put those three things together good things happen.' Greenback's defensive performance against the Eagles was arguably their best all season. The Eagle offense had -11 total yards, Greenback forced three fumbles, coming from Cameron Wilbur, Cade Breedlove, and Connor Shoupe, as well as getting an interception from Lincoln Swann. With each four and out and turnover the Cherokees got, Cody Wilhite and his offense stepped on the field and delivered a scoring drive. In short, Greenback was dominant. 'We want to try to find the areas of emphasis: what we can attack, how they can attack us and other preparations for what our opponents are doing,' Payne said. Payne is a humble guy. He gives all the credit to the players out on the field, saying how all 11 guys have been key contributors throughout the year. He also says that the Cherokees have great leadership, from the defensive frontmen Cooper Barrow and Jay Bailey to linebacker Elliott Lindsey. 'We're blessed with depth, we rotate in around 15 guys on defense every night and we can count on every single one of them," Payne said. "The big thing this year is that it doesn't matter who's on the field, they're all playing for each other, they're playing fast and they're playing physical." In order to be successful on defense, Payne says that each player needs to have energy, effort and attention to details. That's what the coaching staff at Greenback 'preaches on a daily basis' in order to be 1-0 at the end of each week. The players buy into it: Payne says they show up each day with tons of energy, they play with relentless effort getting 11 players to the football, and they focus on the details. In Payne's mind, being 11 and to keep attacking is how they roll, and the fans see that every week of Greenback football. 'It's a blessing to be here. I think a lot of this community and a lot of these kids instantly bought into the mission as to what this season was going to be after we got put out by Rockwood last year," Payne said. "They've relentlessly worked every day on their craft, understanding their assignments and the little details that we coach on a daily basis. 'We've been able to really expand upon the foundation that was laid on what we call 'year zero' last year, and it's amazing to come out here every Friday night and watch these kids play, because that's what it's really all about.'