Action did not take long to happen as 5 other teams converged upon Smith-Robinson Stadium to take part in Greenwood’s Team Camp. Representing the Class 7A were Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Springdale Har-Ber. Class 6A were Greenwood, Pulaski Academy, and Russellville. The lone Class 5A team was Alma.
Fayetteville is looking to better their 7-5 record last fall and is capable of doing so with Minnesota commit Drake Lindsey at QB. While they did boast 5-2 record in conference they were beat in the playoffs by Conway. Greenwood will see Fayetteville again for the annual AAA Benefit Game when Fayetteville makes the trip back down I-49 to play in Greenwood on August 15th.
Bentonville is coming into the season as state runner-up in Class 7A and had several weapons on display at the team camp. They have an incoming Sophomore class that dominated their Freshman season. This team is traditionally a power in the 7A West and this looks to be another great Tiger team led by Greenwood Alum Jody Grant.
Springdale Har-Ber is under new leadership this season under Head Coach Brent Eckley. Coach Eckley’s previous spot was at Jackson, Missouri where he turned the program into a championship-level program in Class 5. Har-Ber finished 1-10 last season, their lone win coming from defeating cross-town rival Springdale.
Pulaski Academy is the reigning State Champion in Class 6A by avenging a loss to Greenwood in the regular season. the Bruins, similar to Greenwood, never have a rebuilding season, but very similar to Greenwood they had a different QB at the helm. Junior Brandon Cobb, who saw considerable time late in the season, was at QB for the Bruins.
Russellville was a Class 6A playoff contender in 2022. In the regular season the Cyclones kept it close to Greenwood in the first half before falling 42-21.
Alma started off their 2022 season with a bang, by winning their first for games. A 43-8 loss in Farmington seemed to turn the momentum not in their favor as the Airedales would only win two more games and inevitably miss the Class 5A playoffs.
Greenwood will be in action this coming week as they travel to Northside for that team camp on Wednesday and a 7 on 7 tournament in Alma on Friday.
