Going into the game, Greenwood found itself in a deja vu moment. In 2014 the El Dorado Wildcats came into Smith-Robinson Stadium on November 21st and handed the Bulldogs their last loss at home. A decade and sixty-eight home wins later, the Bulldogs were determined to not repeat the playoffs exit.
The Wildcats took the opening kickoff and were regulated to a punt on their first drive after a bad snap on third down. From there Greenwood drove down the field where Junior Kane Archer found Senior Grant Karnes for the touchdown. Senior Hudson Meeker’s kick was good, Greenwood on top 7-0, with 9:16 left in the first quarter.
El Dorado’s next drive would stall out ending in another punt after Junior D.J. Dobbins pass break-up down field. A long run by Junior Cooper Goodwin set Kane Archer up to find classmate Champ Davis for the touchdown. The ensuing point-after would be blocked making the score 13-0 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats found life on their next possession through the air getting down to the Greenwood 3-yard line. The Bulldog defense held tough in fourth down and turned the ball back over to the Greenwood offense. Ending the first quarter.
It would take a little bit of time, but Kane Archer finds a wide-open Grant Karnes for a 51-yard touchdown pass. Bulldogs up 20-0 with 9:53 left in the first half. The Wildcats woes would continue the next drive when Senior Cash Archer forced is first of two fumbles. Senior Paul Brixey scooped up the loose football for the touchdown. Greenwood commandingly in the lead 27-0 with 9:44 left in the second quarter.
El Dorado is once again forced to punt after stops from Senior Mark Garretson. Champ Davis would fumble the punt, scoop it up and gets caught up in traffic. The talented Junior escapes and almost breaks it loose for touchdown. Davis on the next offensive series gets the Kane Archer pass and fights to get into the end zone for the touchdown. 34-0 7:49 in the half. The Wildcats would punt on their next drive. Kane Archer finds Grant Karnes for his third touchdown on the night pushing Greenwood well into sportsmanship territory for the second half 41-0. El Dorado drove down and punted with thirteen seconds left in the half. Greenwood ran the clock out on the half.
El Dorado would recover the second half opening kickoff and drive down the field until a series of penalties halted the drive. Cash Archer would get his second forced fumble, putting him third in the state record book, for career forced fumbles. He would also recover the fumble. Greenwood drove down the field after passing to Champ Davis and Grant Karnes ending the third quarter. Junior Wesley Raggio took it in for the touchdown, Sophomore Landon Franklin’s kick was good making it 48-0 11:43 in the fourth quarter. Freshman Drew Dickinson would give the Bulldog fans a glimpse of the future laying a hit on the El Dorado receiver, forcing a punt two plays later. On the next series, Sophomore Mario Dunbar and Freshman Braxton Canada getting the offense moving on the Bulldogs last series. Greenwood would run out the remainder of the clock.
“It’s always good to practice on Thanksgiving,” Head Coach Chris Young said after the win. “We are a little bit spoiled. I think we take it for granted sometimes. You take a look there is a lot of teams around here not playing football.” This is the 10 consecutive season that Greenwood has made the semi-finals, 24th as program.
“Proud of the defense for getting the shut out. Proud of the offense, I think we scored every possession.” Coach Young said.
Asked about the Freshman moved up and that saw playing time against El Dorado; “We got some good freshman moved up. Things go right, hopefully you get some of those guys that you get five weeks of practice their Freshman year and they kind of learn the ropes.” Coach Chris Young said. “It just helps them [in] the future. There is some talented kids. You mentioned Braxton, Drew. William Rye is our third corner right now.”
Unofficially, Greenwood has its third consecutive year of two receivers going over 1000 yards in a season. Senior Grant Karnes with 137 yards and Junior Champ Davis had 181 yards to push them over the mark. The late Isaiah Arrington was also on pace to get 1000 yards, making it the first time in Bulldog football that three receivers reached 1000 yards.
Greenwood faces Mountain Home in the Semi-Finals. It will be the Bombers first trip to the round of four. Kickoff is slated for 7pm. Tickets will be available for purchase at GoFan.com during the week.
