The Greenwood Bulldogs and Pulaski Academy Bruins traded punches Friday night in a game that remained in doubt until the final minute, with the Bruins escaping with a 35-33 victory.
Defense made its presence known early when Greenwood’s Bailey Thibedoux intercepted Pulaski Academy, giving the Bulldogs an early opportunity.
Greenwood capitalized with Cruz Coatney connecting with Brayden Renick, Cooper Webb and Braxton Canada, while Rhett Holloway added a run to move the Bulldogs into the Pulaski Academy red zone. Coatney finished the drive himself, punching it into the end zone to give Greenwood a 7-0 lead with 7:35 remaining in the first quarter.
Pulaski Academy answered after Greenwood penalties helped the Bruins escape trouble and move the ball to the Bulldog 2-yard line. A touchdown pass to Chase Hancock tied the game 7-7 with 5:11 remaining in the opening quarter.
Greenwood was forced to punt on its next possession despite a reception by Webb and a Holloway run.
The Bulldog defense appeared to have Pulaski backed up when Charlie Hudnall made a tackle for a loss, but the Bruins answered with a long touchdown pass to take a 14-7 lead with 2:27 remaining in the first.
After another Greenwood punt, Pulaski Academy ended the quarter driving into Bulldog territory.
Greenwood’s defense held when Bryar Hackler helped stop the Bruins on downs. The Bulldogs were unable to take advantage and punted the ball back, but Thibedoux came up with his second interception of the night to end another Pulaski possession.
The Bulldogs again punted, and Pulaski Academy’s William Rye later intercepted a Greenwood pass in the end zone.
Greenwood finally found its offensive rhythm again late in the second quarter. A pass to Renick was wiped away by a holding penalty, but Coatney responded by finding Canada and Brayden Brewer for a pair of big completions. Mario Dunbar finished the drive from a yard out, tying the game 14-14 with 5:40 remaining in the half.
The Bulldog defense gave Greenwood another opportunity when Terry McGinster came up with a big tackle for a loss on third down. Pulaski went deep on fourth down, but the pass fell incomplete.
Greenwood drove all the way to the Pulaski 1-yard line but was stopped on downs. The Bruins took advantage, moving the length of the field and scoring on a passing touchdown with just 21 seconds remaining in the half to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
Greenwood wasted little time answering in the third quarter.Runs from Dunbar and Holloway moved the Bulldogs down the field before Holloway broke free and went the distance for the touchdown. Landon Franklin’s extra point tied the game 21-21 with 10:31 remaining in the third. Pulaski Academy began driving again, but Hackler stepped in front of a pass for an interception to stop the Bruins.
Greenwood stalled near midfield and punted, but the Bulldogs quickly got the ball back when Pulaski fumbled a fourth-down snap.
This time Greenwood took advantage. Coatney found Canada for the touchdown with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point failed, but Greenwood had reclaimed the lead, 27-21. Brayson Hunt came up with a sack on Pulaski Academy’s next possession as the Bulldog defense forced another stop. Greenwood looked to extend the lead with Dunbar and Holloway carrying the ball, but a Coatney pass was tipped and intercepted, giving Pulaski another opportunity. The Bruins worked their way down the field before Hancock hauled in his second touchdown reception of the night. The extra point put Pulaski back in front 28-27 with 7:18 remaining in the game.
Greenwood punted, and Pulaski Academy drove deep into Bulldog territory. A fumbled pass ended up being recovered by the Bruins in the end zone for a touchdown, stretching the Pulaski lead to 35-27 with 3:14 remaining. The Bulldogs weren’t finished.
Coatney connected with Canada and Renick as Greenwood hurried down the field. Facing fourth down, Coatney used his legs to keep the drive alive before later finding Canada for his second touchdown reception of the night. Greenwood went for two and the tie, but the conversion failed, leaving Pulaski Academy in front 35-33 with 1:37 remaining. The Bulldog defense did its job one more time, forcing Pulaski Academy to punt and giving the offense one final opportunity. Backed up at its own 2-yard line, Greenwood faced fourth down with 50 seconds remaining. Coatney tried to keep the Bulldogs alive with a run but was brought down short of the first-down marker. Pulaski Academy took possession and ran out the remaining seconds to secure the 35-33 victory. Greenwood showed its ability to answer throughout the night, overcoming deficits of 14-7 and 21-14 before taking a 27-21 lead in the third quarter. The Bulldogs forced multiple Pulaski Academy turnovers, including two interceptions by Thibedoux and another by Hackler, but the Bruins made enough plays late to leave with the two-point victory. Final: Pulaski Academy 35, Greenwood 33
