After last week’s game against Shiloh Christian, several questions throughout the week arose. How would the Bulldogs respond the next week, and would Kane Archer be ready to go. Those questions were answered quickly as Greenwood rolled the Cyclones on Homecoming night.
The Bulldogs would defer the kickoff allowing the defense to set the tone. Russellville would punt on their first drive after plays from Senior Cash Archer put them facing 4th down. Greenwood got on the board on the ensuing drive with a pass from Junior Kane Archer to Senior Grant Karnes. Senior Hudson Meeker’s kick was good putting the score at 7-0. On the next drive for Russellville, Senior Kaylor Jasna intercepted the Cyclone pass and ran it in for a Touchdown. The point after was good, Greenwood with the lead 14-0. Russellville’s next drive would end in a punt. Grant Karnes would find the endzone again on a pass from Kane Archer. Hudson Meeker’s kick was good pushing the lead to 21-0. Russellville’s drive ended with a punt again, being a short punt, it put the Bulldogs in prime position. Greenwood would run the rest of the first quarter clock deep in Cyclone territory.
Opening the second quarter, Junior Wesley Raggio got the call and took it in for the touchdown, point after was good. Greenwood with a commanding lead 28-0. Russellville’s offensive woes continued as the Cyclones fumbled and Junior Cody Johnson recovered the ball. Kane Archer would find Junior Champ Davis for his first touchdown on the night. Greenwood up 35-0 in the 2nd quarter. Russellville committed their third turnover when Senior Isaiah Arrington intercepted the Cyclone pass. After a deep pass to Champ Davis that was caught on a tip from the Russellville defender. Kane Archer took the ball in himself for the touchdown, after the point after the score was 42-0 with 4:16 left in the half. Russellville’s next drive ended with a blocked punt by Cash Archer and Senior Mark Garretson picked up the ball and ran down to the Russellville 10-yard line. The Bulldogs scored with a 11-yard touchdown from Kane Archer to Champ Davis. Landon Franklin’s point after was good making the score 49-0 under a minute left in the half. The Cyclones were driving down the field when the Russellville pass was intercepted by Senior Zach Zitzmann. The Bulldogs ran out the clock on the half.
Opening the second half, a 66-yard touchdown pass from Kane Archer to Isaiah Arrington put the score at 56-0 after the Landon Franklin point after. Russellville drove down the field on the ensuing drive to get on the board 56-7 with 3:59 in the third quarter. Greenwood would then make a swap at Quarterback on their next drive with Cooper Goodwin. The Bulldogs would run the time out on the third quarter.
Goodwin found classmate Cooper Bland for a 17-yard touchdown. The point after was good to put the score at 63-7 with less than nine minutes left in the game. Russellville would use a majority of the fourth quarter to drive down and score. 63-14. The clock ran out on the kickoff.
“I thought our kids performed really well. Offensively and defensively. Came out our twos on offense in the 2nd half played really well.” Head Coach Chris Young said, “Our 1’s are playing really good. But you know it’s a long season we have got to find some backups.”
The win was Head Coach Chris Young’s 51st victory as the Head Coach. It was also Greenwood’s 66th home win in a row as well as the whole programs 24th victory in 25 games this season. “I’m lucky to be a part of this program. It’s just a special place. Our crowd was awesome tonight. Our student section, our spirit groups. Our parents support us like nobody else.” Coach Young said when the milestone was mentioned.
The Bulldogs are on the road next week against Siloam Springs. The Panthers are experiencing some success this season as they sit 2-3. Kickoff is at 7pm, and the Live Stream starts at 6:30 on Greenwood Sports Center.
