The Greenwood Bulldogs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard Friday night against the Pea Ridge Blackhawks. A blocked punt on the opening possession set the tone for the Bulldogs, who went on to a commanding 56-7 victory over the Blackhawks. Greenwood’s offense found the end zone seven times, while the defense and special teams kept Pea Ridge searching for answers throughout the night.
Pea Ridge opened the game with possession of the football but was forced to punt after the Greenwood defense stalled the drive. The Bulldogs’ special teams unit blocked the punt, and Rodney Wirth caught the popped up loose ball for a touchdown. The Bulldogs were on top 7-0. Pea Ridge would punt again on its next possession, giving Greenwood its first offensive opportunity of the night. Senior quarterback Cruz Coatney went to work with passes to Braxton Canada and Ty Holt, while Rhett Holloway and Mario Dunbar moved the ball on the ground. Dunbar would get the call for the touchdown with 5:05 remaining in the first quarter, putting Greenwood up 14-0.
The Blackhawks were unable to get anything going on their next possession and were forced to punt again. Greenwood continued moving the ball through the air with Coatney finding Cooper Webb and Canada, while Holloway added runs to keep the drive alive. Coatney would find a leaping Ty Karnes for the touchdown with 2:23 remaining in the first quarter. After the Landon Franklin kick, Greenwood led 21-0. Pea Ridge attempted to answer on its next possession, but stops by Thomas Newcity and a pass breakup by William Rye kept the Blackhawks from finding the end zone. Pea Ridge ran out the remaining time in the first quarter, with Greenwood holding a 21-0 advantage.
The Blackhawks managed to move the ball into Greenwood territory to open the second quarter. A pass over the middle gave Pea Ridge a first down, but the Bulldogs’ defense would hold and force a turnover on downs. Greenwood’s next possession stalled, forcing the Bulldogs to punt for the first time in the game. Pea Ridge tried to get its offense going with a screen pass on third down, but the Greenwood defense stopped the play short of the first down marker. The Blackhawks elected to punt, giving the Bulldogs another opportunity to extend their lead.
Coatney continued spreading the ball around, finding Canada, Brayden Renick and Webb to move Greenwood down the field. A screen pass to Renick would finish the drive with a touchdown, putting the Bulldogs up 28-0 with 1:21 remaining in the first half. Pea Ridge’s next possession was short-lived after Drew Dickinson batted down a first-down pass, eventually forcing another Blackhawk punt. With less than a minute remaining in the half, Coatney picked up a first down with his legs before finding Canada down the middle of the field for another Greenwood touchdown. Franklin’s point after was good, giving the Bulldogs a 35-0 lead with 31 seconds remaining. Pea Ridge ran out the remaining time, sending Greenwood into the locker room with a five-touchdown lead.
Greenwood picked up right where it left off to begin the second half. Coatney connected with Canada before Dunbar broke free for a long touchdown run just 42 seconds into the third quarter. The Franklin kick put Greenwood up 42-0 with 11:18 remaining in the third. Things would not get any easier for the Blackhawks on their next possession, as Pea Ridge fumbled the football and Greenwood’s Colton Lacy came up with the recovery. Coatney would capitalize on the turnover, finding Holt for another touchdown with 7:40 remaining in the third quarter. Greenwood now led 49-0.
The Greenwood defense continued making plays, with Brayson Hunt coming up with a big stop to force another Pea Ridge punt. The Blackhawks would finally find the scoreboard on Greenwood’s next possession when they intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. The defensive score cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 48-7.
With the game well in hand, Greenwood continued moving the football on the ground. Drake Little took over the rushing duties, putting together a drive that would end with Little finding the end zone for a touchdown with 10:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. The score extended Greenwood’s lead to 56-7.
Pea Ridge would make one final attempt to put points on the board, driving deep into Greenwood territory. The Blackhawks reached the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line but were unable to get into the end zone. Greenwood’s defense held on fourth down, turning the ball back over to the Bulldogs. Greenwood ran out the remaining time in the fourth quarter to secure the 56-7 victory.
“I was proud of the 2nd D[efense] right there keeping them out.” Head Coach Jason Gill said. “Drake Little came in and running hard”
Greenwood is at home to finish out the regular season. This Friday will be against Clarksville, game starts at 7p.m.
