Poteau

9-8-06 By: Patrick Crumby
    POTEAU – The Pirate student section was seen to have a shirt that read, "Last year 35-0...This year we will score by golly!" They were right.
   The Border Feud did not start off in typical Greenwood-Poteau fashion, the Pirates known for a strong ball control running game came out throwing the football and went a quick three and out only chewing 3 minutes off the clock.
   It would not take the Bulldogs long to light up the Pirate scoreboard, Wilson commanded an excellent 4 play drive that ended up with Bulldog Senior Nathan Staton catching a 21 yard pass one handed in the back of the end zone for a quick 6-0 lead, Matt McKnight followed with the extra point to make it 7-0.
   The Pirates would respond with a very physical drive that took five minutes off the clock, the Pirates followed with the extra point to tie it up 7-7.
   The Bulldogs would follow with one of the most exciting plays of the night, the Pirates kicked off and Bulldog junior Travis Sandifer would go 98 yards untouched all the way to the end-zone and that got the huge visiting Greenwood crowd up on its feet, McKnight followed with the extra point to make it a quick 14-7 lead.
   The Bulldog defense stepped up on the next series causing Poteau to go 3 and out and botch a very short punt only back to the Pirate 25 yard line.
   The Bulldogs took advantage of the short field position with Tyler Wilson getting the Bulldogs down to the 10 yard line on a quarterback scramble.
   Penalties and huge yard losing sacks would force the Bulldogs into a 4th and goal from the 37 yard line and force a Bulldog punt.
   The Bulldog defense would force Poteau into a punt once again and Staton had another nice punt return setting up shop for the Bulldogs at the Pirate 48.
   It would only take two plays before Junior Quarterback Tyler Wilson would find Sophomore Zach Turpin on a 60 yard pass, that Tyler Wilson had to do some great moves and jukes to get free to complete the pass, at this point the Bulldogs were in command, McKnight followed to give the Bulldogs a 21-7 lead.
   The Bulldogs would tack on 7 more and the Pirates would kick a pair of field goals to make the half-time score 28-13. The stunning stat of the first half was first downs for the Bulldogs.
Poteau had 11 and Greenwood had only 2 and still managed a 15 point Bulldog lead. However, the second half would not open well for the
   Greenwood squad managing a quick 3 and out as the Pirates found some relief in slowing down the Bulldog offense.
   The Bulldog defense would again provide another second half shut-out for the second straight week and the Pirate defense would not slow down the Bulldog Offense as the score finished up 49-13.
   This week the Bulldogs will once again travel to Springdale, AR to face the number one team in class 3A, the Shiloh Christian Saints. Flashback a year ago, the Bulldogs and Saints provided an excitable game that had both teams exchanging scores and blows like a heavyweight fight with the Bulldogs prevailing 45-42 in a game that saw over 1,000 yards of total offense.
   Bulldog fans can expect a record crowd at Champions Stadium at Lindsey field as many fans will be there from Springdale due to the Bulldogs being in Ohio this week.