After a First Round Bye, the Greenwood Bulldogs (9-2) went to work by dismantling the Cyclones 42-7.
It was a cold night at Smith-Robinson Stadium for Friday nights AAA State Playoff Quarterfinal matchup between the Greenwood Bulldogs and Russellville Cyclones. In the previous matchup on October 21st, Russellville kept the game close until halftime. This round would not go the same for the Cyclones.
Greenwood, in their 27th consecutive Playoff berth dating back to the 1996 State Championship Runner-Up season, got off to a quick start. Russellville would receive the opening kickoff and get a first down before Landon Nelms would grab an interception on 3rd down. A penalty would negate the run back but set still set the Bulldogs up in Cyclone territory. The ‘Dogs would get in on a toss from Hunter Houston to Isaiah Arrington around the left side but a penalty would call that back. Another penalty on the ensuing play would set the ball near where Greenwood started the drive. Not to be denied, Houston would find Junior L.J. Robins down the home sideline to put the Dogs again in scoring position. Houston would take the keeper on the next play for the Touchdown. Bodey Steinfeldt’s kick is good, 7-0 5:29 left in the first. Russellville would get their 2nd 1st down of the 1st quarter but stall out midfield electing to punt on 4th down. Hunter Houston took to the air and found an open Isaiah Arrington down the home sideline for 6. Steinfeldt’s kick is good to push the score to 14-0 with 2:03 left in the 1st. Russellville would punt on their next drive after a sack on first down from Kaleb Garner. The Linebacker made his presence known on the Cyclone offense several times pressuring the QB and tackling the running back behind the line of scrimmage. On Greenwood’s next drive a rare mistake from Jake Glover put the ball on the turf turning the ball back over to the Cyclones. Russellville would stall out midfield and punt to start the 2nd quarter.
The ‘Dogs would make quick work of the field position as Hunter Houston finds L.J. Robins on a quick screen, Robins would do the rest getting skinny between two defenders than running 72 yards for the T.D. Steinfeldt would make it 3 for 3 on extra points, 21-0 11:41 2nd quarter. Russellville’s chances would soon diminish as they took to the air on a Halfback pass that would be intercepted by Junior Braden Skaggs. Greenwood averted a turnover after the ball popped out and recovered. Houston would then find L.J Robins and Noah Chaser to get down the Russellville 11 yard line. Hunter would then go back to Robins in the front corner of the end zone for a T.D., kick would be good putting the score 28-0 with 8:43 left in the half. Russellville would under throw a pass giving Greenwood their 3rd Interception of the game and Landon Nelms his 2nd of the game 6th on the season. Greenwood would trade back the interception on a pass intended for Arrington. The Cyclones could not get the ball moving and would punt with 3:25 remaining in the half. Greenwood rely on the running game with Brayedan Davis to wind the clock down and get into scoring position. Hunter Houston would pass to Noah Chaser to get them in position again with L.J. Robins getting the call to points on the board. The extra point would be blocked to put the score 34-0 with 0:32 left on the clock. Russellville would run out the clock to go into halftime.
Greenwood would receive the 2nd half kickoff, the ‘Dogs would drive down the field with Brayedan Davis taking it in from 31 yards out. Greenwood would go for two with Senior Left Tackle Cooper Young snagging the Hunter Houston pass then scrambling to make the Two-Point Conversion good. 42-0 Sportsmanship rule went into effect with just over 10 minutes in the 3rd quarter. Greenwood’s defense would stifle the Cyclone offense just as they had in the first half, Brady Mackey would sniff out the option play perfectly forcing Russellville to punt again. Greenwood would punt on their drive as well. Russellville would have their longest drive with Tracey Daniels finding the end zone for their only score.
Greenwood punt on their next drive in the 4th quarter. Russellville will try to get something going on their drive but would find the waiting hands of Kaylor Jasna as he snagged the teams 4th interception on Greenwood’s 17 yard line returning it all the way to the Cyclone 21 yard line. A penalty would take away some of the return. Senior Josiah Spicer would get several carries to run the clock, with Freshman QB Kane Archer taking a knee to end the game.
Greenwood wins 42-7
Asked about the Bye Week in the post game interview, Head Coach Chris Young had this to say, “You’re always worried when you get a bye coming out, we were really banged up against Little Rock Christian. The Bye Week was good, in that we got some healing. You saw four guys on defense that hadn’t been out there.”
“The most thing I’m most proud of is we get another week with these Seniors, we got a great group of guys with our Senior Class.”
With the win it means Greenwood gets to practice once again on Thanksgiving at 9am.
