In a 28-21 Drag Race of a first half, the Bulldogs find another gear in the 2nd half to pull away from Greenbrier 49-21.
It was a night of things for the Greenwood Bulldogs as they played Greenbrier for the first time since 2011. Last week against Van Buren, game situations mirrored this week. Greenwood scored a touchdown to go into half 28-21. A Bulldog had a 5 touchdown performance. The opposing team did not score in the second half. Grant Karnes caught a long pass down the opposite sideline. Several similarities between the two consecutive game.
Before the game Randy Rainwater and the Drive Time Sports High School Preview team pointed out that Greenwood had scored 256 total points going into Friday nights contest against Greenbrier. The closest school had 220 points. With last nights win it pushed the total to 305 total points. One thing is for certain the Bulldogs see the end zone and find a way to get there.
Greenbrier would receive the opening kick, but the opening drive would end in a punt. Greenwood would slog through a penalty induced drive with Senior Running Back Jake Glover finding the end zone on his first of five touchdowns on the night. Greenbriar helped by a questionable pass interference call drives down with Parker Roberts breaking free and putting the Panthers on the board, PAT would be good tying the game at 7-7 with 5:40 left in the first. Greenwood would use up most of the rest of the 1st Quarter clock to get Hunter Houston to get the rushing touchdown. the point after attempt would fail leaving the score 13-7.
Greenbrier would fumble with the Bulldogs setting up shop then driving down the field. Jake Glover would get the call again, going around the end for the touchdown. Hunter Houston would take in the 2-pt conversion to put Greenwood up 21-7 in the 2nd. Greenbrier drives down the field and on play that Greenwood’s defense looked to have the QB cornered, he finds an open receiver at the back of the end zone. 21-14. Greenwood’s next drive would end on a fumble on what looked to be an incomplete pass. Greenbrier would take over and throw a deep pass to their Air Force Academy commit Carter McElhany to tie the game 21-21. Greenwood would get the ball with over two minutes left in the half. Driving down with several passes from Houston to Aiden Kennon, Jake Glover again punches it in for TD number 3 on the night. The kick is good 28-21. Greenbrier would run one play then run the rest of the clock out. Halftime 28-21 Greenwood on top.
Greenwood gets the ball starting the half and they waste no time finding the end zone. Hunter Houston tosses it to sprinting Grant Karnes down the home sideline. Field Goal is good, ‘Dogs lead 35-21. The next series for both teams would end in a punt. The series for Greenwood would end with a punt and end the 3rd quarter.
Greenbrier would punt to near mid-field to start the 4th quarter drives. Jake Glover would get the hand off on Greenwood’s series and take off to the end zone. Pushing Greenwood into the 40 point territory, PAT good 42-21. Greenbrier would punt on the next series. #33 Jake Glover would almost get stopped at the line then pop out and rumble down to the end zone capping a 5 touchdown performance. Field goal was good, Greenwood gets to 305 points scored this season 49-21. The Panthers would turnover on downs on their next series. Senior Javon Williamson almost pulls off the same thing as Glover but is tackled. Hunter Houston takes a knee to end the game. Greenwood 49 Greenbrier 21.
Head Coach Chris Young said after the game “They [Defense] did a lot better in the second half made some adjustments. Disappointed how we played in the first half defensively, the disappointed how we played the second half offensively.” On Greenbrier “They’ve got some really good football players, they throw it and catch it really well. 31 [Carter McElhany] he gets behind you’re not going to catch him.”
“Proud of how our defense played in the second half.” Coach Young said.
Next week Greenwood is on a Bye Week due to starting the season with Week 0. The remainder of the schedule is a gauntlet of teams that have made runs to State Championship game appearances. Lake Hamilton (2020), Russellville (2016), Pulaski Academy (Class 5A 2014-2022), Little Rock Christian (Class 5A 2018-2019). Asked about if there was any special preparation with the Bye Week coming up, “We are going to give the kids time off this week. It gives us some extra time for Lake Hamilton, they run something we don’t see, we don’t prepare for during the year.”
If you are looking for some Friday night football action. The Charleston Tigers take a trip down to northern Scott county to take on the Mansfield Tigers.
Author Note: Due to restraints on photo size, the quality may be diminished, for full size high quality images please visit “Greenwood Bulldogs Football” on Facebook.
