Under the lights of Smith-Robinson Stadium for the first time in the 2024 season the Greenwood Bulldogs extended their home winning streak to sixty-five games and their home opener win streak to sixteen. For the Bulldogs it is not about the streaks or what the past is, it is about the current game and then the next game.
Northside would get the ball to open the game, but instantly found themselves in trouble. A Delay of game penalty, then a tackle for a loss by Senior Gage Hanna. On the next play, the Grizzlies would throw a pass resulting in an intentional grounding out of the endzone. Due to it being in the end zone, it is a safety. Greenwood was up 2-0 with 11:16 left in the first. After a catch by Senior Grant Karnes, Junior Kane Archer took the ball in from 36-yard line for the touchdown. Senior Hudson Meeker’s kick was good putting the score 9-0 with 10:37 in the 1st. On Northside’s next drive, a fumble from the Grizzlies caused by Senior Cash Archer was recovered by Northside. Senior Zach Edwards, with a tackle for a loss on third down, forced the Grizzlies to punt and end their drive. Catches from Senior Scott Holland and Junior Champ Davis put the Bulldogs on the three-yard line. Junior Wesley Raggio gets in the end zone, with the Meeker kick with 6:47 left in the game. 16-0, Greenwood with the lead. Northside’s next drive was highlighted by 2024 USAF Whole Athlete Award Winner Senior Kaylor Jasna getting a tackle for a loss. Northside would punt on the drive. A deep pass to Grant Karnes from Archer put the Bulldogs on the 6 yard line. A pass to Champ Davis had the Bulldogs one yard out from the endzone. Raggio would get the touchdown two plays later with Meeker’s point after putting the score at 23-0, 3:46 left in the firsst. The Grizzlies would make their way down to the Greenwood 39-yard line. A penalty brought the ball back to the Grizzly 45-yard line, where Northside would punt. On Greenwood’s next drive passes to Grant Karnes and Champ Davis, had the Bulldogs down to the 50-yard line as the time ran out in the first quarter.
A pass to Senior Isaiah Arrington from Kane Archer put the Bulldogs down to the 23-yard line. Champ Davis would take an Archer pass on the next play in for a Touchdown, Hudson Meeker would be perfect on the point after making it 30-0 with 10:58 in the half. The Grizzlies started on their own 16-yard line. Cash Archer produced a sack putting Northside on the 5-yard line. Northside would open up the offense throwing to Senior Cam Massey getting them to midfield. Senior Zach Zitzmann would stop the Northside momentum on fourth down, turning the ball over to Greenwood. Kane Archer would find Junior Cooper Bland for the touchdown from the 46-yard line. Meeker’s touchdown was good, making it 37-0 with 6:27 left in the half. Northside punts on their next drive. Runs from Wesley Raggio and Kane Archer put the Bulldogs down on the 1-yard line. Sophomore Mario Dunbar would punch it in, with a good point-after. Greenwood 44-0 1:51 in the half. Northside would run out the rest of the clock.
Greenwood opened the second half with the Sportsmanship rule in effect. Passes to Grant Karnes had the Bulldogs into the redzone. Isaiah Arrington would take a Kane Archer pass for the Touchdown; Landon Franklin’s kick was good making it 51-0 with 8:29 left in the third. Penalties on the Touchdown and the point after. Had Greenwood kicking from the Northside 15-yard line. Northside’s drive would end in a punt. Greenwood would run the clock out in the third quarter after a pass from Junior Cooper Goodwin to classmate Lawyer Thornsberry.
Opening the fourth quarter, Cooper Goodwin would take it in for the Touchdown. Franklin’s kick was good making it 58-0 with 10:44 left in the game. Northside’s drive would end in the punt, with Sophomore Jacob Berry getting a tackle for a loss. Sophomore QB Brayden Brewer would run the clock out on the game by taking a knee.
“I’m really proud of our kids. I mean all three phases. Offensively, you know, don’t punt again.” Head Coach Chris Young said after the game. “I thought Kane was more efficient with the ball tonight, did a great job protecting. Our ball protection was better.”
“Defensively, man, other than that 3rd and 21, those guys are really, really good.” Coach young said, “Like to see the improvement from last week to this week.”
The Bulldogs are home again next week against Springdale Har-Ber. The Wildcats beat the Farmington Cardinals 65-50 in Friday night action. In the last meeting of Greenwood and Springdale Har-Ber, it was 2020 and they replaced Northside on the schedule that season as fill-in game. Greenwood won that match-up 33-0. Kickoff is slated for 7p.m.
