The Bulldogs take a 24-0 win over the previously unbeaten Lake Hamilton Wolves
On a warm night in October the Greenwood Bulldogs added to their total of shutout victories over Lake Hamilton. November 4, 2016 was the last time the Wolves saw the end zone at Smith-Robinson Stadium, tonight things did not change.
Greenwood would defer to the 2nd with the Wolves receiving the kick. The defense stood tall with stops coming from Seniors Logan Taylor and Evan Williams, forcing a Lake Hamilton kick. Greenwood takes over but finds themselves in a similar situation having to punt on fourth down. The Wolves look as if they find a wrinkle in the Greenwood Defense and get the first 1st down of the game, Coach Jason Gill and Staff iron that out and get the defense to stand tall and hold the visitors to a punt. Greenwood gets the ball and gets to work as just as they have for the last 6 games. Hunter Houston finds L.J. Robins and Grant Karnes to get the Bulldogs in the Red Zone. After a few attempts Houston hammers it in from 1 yard out for the first TD. Bodey Steinfeldt came on to kick the extra point to make it 7-0. Lake Hamilton punts again after stops from Cash Archer, Eli Whitaker, and Evan Williams. End of the 1st quarter 7-0.
Hunter Houston throws to Peyton Presson and L.J. Robins to get the ‘Dogs within scoring distance. Jake Glover finishes off the drive with a TD, Steinfeldt tacks on the extra point to put Greenwood up 14-0 with 6:32 left in the first half. Lake Hamilton and Greenwood would trade punts on three consecutive drives. After Lake Hamilton’s punt Hunter Houston took to the air finding Presson for the first down, then going back to Grant Karnes for the Touchdown. Point after was good. Lake Hamilton would run out the clock and Greenwood would take the 21-0 lead going into the half.
First drive of the 2nd half Greenwood drives down into Lake Hamilton territory and then fumble turning the ball over to Lake Hamilton. The Wolves drive down into Greenwood territory but are stopped as the defense again rises to the occasion with several Bulldogs making the stop on 4th down. Greenwood drives down to the Wolves 5 yard line and go for the Field Goal on 4th down. The Steinfeldt kick is good for 3 points to make the score 24-0 early in the 4th quarter.
Lake Hamilton and Greenwood would put together time consuming drives that would end in punts. on the last drive that would be Lake Hamilton’s last chance to put points on the board they are stopped as time runs out. Greenwood wins the game 24-0 making this the 12th game the Bulldogs have won against Lake Hamilton.
“You talk about preparation, we’ve prepared like crazy these last two weeks.” Head Coach Chris Young said about the lead up to this game that included a Bye Week. “I can’t give enough credit number one to Coach Gill and our defensive staff.” Going further into what it took to shut out a very talented Lake Hamilton, “You’ve got to give credit to our scout team. We have talked about it for two weeks our scout team guys, they were awesome for two weeks. They truly helped us win tonight.”
“Offensively we did what we had to do, we slowed down, we quit throwing the ball, we were just trying to run the clock to limit their possessions once you get up 21.” Coach Young said about an abnormal night offensively compared to the other games this season. Since 1996 when Jerry Clay was the Wolves Head Coach, Greenwood seems to play on a different level against Lake Hamilton. “We told our guys three times in the last two years they have been 10 points up on us. Twice at their place and once at the State Championship (2020) and had the football. We just talk to our guys about it’s a long game. Same thing when we go up fourteen to nothing, we have got to continue to play. They are a quality football team, they are well coached, they are good at what they do. Luckily we came out on top. There’s a good chance you’ll see those guys again.”
Next Week the Bulldogs travel to Russellville, who beat Greenbrier 27-21, on Friday. Live Stream to be provided by Greenwood Dog Pound and the Greenwood Sports Center. As the season winds down there is one home game left in the season against Pulaski Academy and then the regular season finale on the road against Little Rock Christian.
