Marion

11-18-05 By: Brian Vaughn
   Greenwood completed their home season Friday night with a shootout win over Marion 44-34 to advance to the semi-finals to face Wynne. The rematch of the state title game from last year will take place the Friday after Thanksgiving.
   The Bulldogs will hold their second annual Thanksgiving practice at 9:00 AM at Smith-Robinson Stadium. Bulldog head coach Rick Jones invites all Bulldog fans out to the practice.
"There's no better way to spend Thanksgiving in Greenwood, Arkansas than watch the Bulldogs practice football," said Jones.
   The Greenwood Booster Club will provide Donuts and Coffee for those attending the practice.
   It was the run vs the spread attack as the upstart Marion Patriots came to down Friday with a large crowd for the four plus hour trip.
   Marion would strike first on a 2-yard run by Darcel "Diesel" Johnson after running 7 minutes of the first quarter off the clock on the drive.
   Greenwood needing to score fast against the grind it out Patriot offensive attack, was forced to 3 and out on their first possession of the night. It would be the only punt for the Bulldogs.
   After the Bulldog defense held Marion on 4th down, as the Patriots went for every 4th down during the night, the Bulldog offense went on a 76-yard 14 play scoring drive. Greenwood quarterback Daniel Stegall hit Scott Loyd on a 8-yard pass play on third down to tie the score at 7-7 after Mason Knox's PAT was good with 7:33 to go before the half.
   Mister do everything Cody Long would end the Patriots next drive with a fumble recovery. The Bulldogs were forced to attempt a field goal for the lead and Mason Knox would not disappoint on the 32-yard field goal attempt at the 5:20 mark of the second quarter.
The Patriots were again held on downs and the Bulldog offense was quick to answer as Stegall completed a 12 yard pass to Jared Morris for a Bulldog Touchdown.
The Diesel would hit the road next for a 80-yard touchdown for the Patriots.
   Marion and Greenwood would exchange interception in the final two minutes of the game with Greenwood's Kyle Walter's picking off a Patriot pass to set up the final scoring drive of the half for the Bulldogs.
   Stegall hit a running Jared Morris with just 13 seconds in the end zone to put the Bulldogs up 23-14 at the half.
   Marion would not quit though and battle back during the second half several times, making the Bulldogs to continue to answer the call and the Bulldogs showed they have know quit in them also.
   Up by just 3 in the final two minutes Stegall broke lose and went 45-yards for a touchdown, burning as much clock as possible to put the Bulldogs up 44-34.
   Marion was forced to throw after the kickoff and the Bulldogs held the Patriots one last time and regained possession and went into Victory formation with Stegall taking a knee to run the final ticks off the clock.
   Marion kept the ball for 31:06 minutes of the game with Greenwood only having it for 16:54.
   Marion put up 439-yards of offense with 444-yards rushing and -5-yards passing.
   Greenwood put up 432-yards of offense with 215-yards rushing and 217-passing.
   The Bulldogs will travel to the #3 seed out of the East Wynne on Friday.
   The Bulldogs would love a huge crowd to travel with them to Wynne and be extra loud and cheer them to victory over Wynne and a Return Trip To The State Championship Game.

Photo By: Mark Stallings
Greenwood quarterback Daniel Stegall pitches to William Ridener. Greenwod advances to the semi-finals for the second straight time.

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