9-2-05 By: Brian Vaughn

   In what was the most hyped up game to start the 2005 high school football season according to state high school message boards between Greenwood (1-0) and Shiloh Christian (0-1) would give the fans all they wanted and more.

   This was the second of a two year contract with Greenwood winning 36-0 last year. Many fans will be waiting to see in the off season if this contract is renewed and this developing rivalry is allowed to grow.

   The marathon game that pitted high octane offenses on both sides of the ball did not conclude until 10:35 Friday night and the game was not decided till nearly that time.

   The teams combined for 87-points and 1,098 yards of offense.

   Shiloh Christian wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard as David Ingram found the end zone from 6-yards out just a minute and 35 seconds into the contest. Which was set up by a 48-yard pass by Matt Simpson to Crosby Tuck?

   Shiloh's Tuck would flex some muscle into the end zone once again to give Shiloh the 14-0 lead on a 6-yard pass with 3:42 to go in the first quarter.

   “We never stopped them,” said Greenwood head coach Rick Jones. “At 14-zip, it looked pretty bad.”

   The top ranked Bulldogs in class AAAA by Hooten's, The Democrat-Gazette and Associated Press would put on their first rally of the night in the second quarter as Greenwood's Daniel Stegall found the end zone on a 1-yard run with 5:51 to go before the half and Stegall found Jared Morris for a 9-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left before the half. The extra-point attempt by Mason Knox was blocked, but the Bulldogs weren't done before the half.

   The Bulldog defense swarmed Simpson on the Saints next offensive play forcing Simpson to fumble. Greenwood's Kyle Martin recovered the fumble and gave the Bulldogs another chance at the lead from the Saint's 10-yard line with 20 seconds before the half.

   Only able to gain 5-yards the Bulldogs were forced to attempt a 22-yard field goal to try and get the lead before the half, but the went wide and the Saints kept the lead at the half at 14-13.

   The third quarter seemed to last an hour with both teams lighting up scoreboard. Greenwood took a 10-point lead with touchdowns by Cody Long and Daniel Stegall. Greenwood showed Shiloh that they could air it out too as Long completed a 76-yard pass from Stegall for the touchdown. Stegall added the other one on an 11-yard run with 5:30 to go in the third.

   The Saints would come marching back though with touchdowns of their own by the speed of Eric Shaffer on a 57-yard touchdown run and an 8-yard run by David Ingram. This tied the game at 28-28.

   Greenwood took the lead for good on a 20-yard field goal by Mason Knox just into the fourth quarter.

   The two teams continued to slug it out during the fourth quarter with the Saints pulling to within 3 on a 15-yard pass from Simpson to Tuck 45-42 with 3:19 to go in the game.

   Greenwood with the clock in their favor got the must have first downs and Stegall and company went into victory formation with 20-seconds left and took the knee to run out the clock, giving the Bulldogs the 45-42 victory.

   “Our kids have character,” said Jones. “We work too hard to give up.”

   Daniel Stegall rushed for 199-yards and was 23 or 27, 87 percent passing and 328-yards with one interception. The big question mark on the new receiving corp. might have been answered as Nathan Staton brought in 8 catches for 132-yards and Cody Long 2 catches for 76-yards.

   Greenwood will have their home opener this Friday at Smith-Robinson Stadium against Poteau. Poteau under new coach Jeff Broyles destroyed Spiro last Friday 42-7.

   The Bulldogs young defense will be forced to grow up even more this week as the Pirates will look to run the ball and control the clock.

   Jacob Mills is expected to return to action this week.

   The GHS cheerleaders are hosting a tailgate party before the game on the practice field starting at 5:00 tickets can be bought from any cheerleader or the school.

   Videos and DVDs of the Greenwood/Shiloh Christian game are available and can be ordered through the website or can be purchased at the Booster Club booth at the Poteau game.

   The entire 2004 and 2000 seasons are also available at the booster club booth. VHS are $10.00 and DVDs $15.00.