The GHS freshmen Bulldogs moved to 5-2 on the season last Thursday night with a 42-6 victory over Siloam Springs at Smith-Robinson Stadium. Their two losses came a week earlier at Harrison (15-14) and on the road at Farmington (21-13) in their season opener. Along the way the Jr. ‘Dogs have pitched two shutouts against Dardanelle and Van Buren.
Like their older varsity brothers, the freshmen defense has set the tone for the season, giving up just nine points per game through seven contests. But they will be severely tested over the next three games, especially against Shiloh Christian on October 26th. Up next for Greenwood will be a trip to Pea Ridge this week and the season finale at home against Alma on November 2nd. Their two league losses have effectively eliminated the Jr. ‘Dogs from the conference championship race.
Last Thursday’s contest got off to a slow start offensively for Greenwood, which didn’t score until early in the second quarter. After punting on their first possession and turning the ball over on downs at the Siloam Springs’ 13, the freshmen ‘Dogs finally got going after a punt return by Ty Holt to the visitors’ 42-yard-line late in the opening period.
Subbing in for injured starter Mario Dunbar, eighth grade running back Drew Dickinson rumbled for 20 yards on first down to the Siloam Springs’ 22. For good measure, he carried twice more to the 7-yard-line on the last two plays of the period. Dunbar was helped off the field in the first quarter after being slung to the ground by his facemask, apparently injuring a leg on the play. He was unable to walk off the field without assistance and did not return to action.
After a penalty to the 12, Dickinson then ran off left tackle for the touchdown at the 7:54 mark of the second stanza. Kicker Landon Franklin added the extra point for a 7-0 Greenwood lead. Three more touchdowns would follow in quick succession as the Jr. Bulldogs led 28-0 at the intermission. Both Dickinson and Ty Holt had huge games for the home team.
Two-and-a-half minutes after their first score, the freshmen ‘Dogs struck again, but this time on special teams when Ty Holt returned a Siloam Springs punt 45 yards for the touchdown. Franklin’s PAT was good at the 5:20 mark for a 14-0 advantage. Then an interception by hometown defensive back William Rye ended the visitors’ next possession at the Greenwood 15-yard-line. Six plays later the Bulldogs scored again.
Quarterback Brayden Brewer passed to eighth grade receiver Braxton Canada for nine yards to the 24, and two snaps later threw to Ty Holt for 12 yards to the 38. Drew Dickinson then ran three times, the last carry for six yards and the touchdown. Franklin’s kick was good for a 21-0 Greenwood lead with 1:24 left to play in the opening half.
The fourth and final score of the first half came less than a minute later when Ty Holt picked off a Siloam Springs’ pass near midfield and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. The extra point try was good again and the home team led 28-0 at the break. Two more Greenwood touchdowns followed in the second half.
Their next score triggered the Arkansas Activities Association’s sportsmanship rule or the 35-point mercy rule, helping to shorten the duration of the game with a continuously running clock. The Bulldogs drove 57 yards for their next touchdown, the last four plays all passes that covered 44 yards, the final one from Brayden Brewer to Ty Holt for 23 yards and the score. The extra point made the score 35-0 with 3:19 left in the third quarter.
With the clock then running non-stop, the Jr. Bulldogs scored once more early in the fourth quarter with their second unit offense in the game. After the visitors turned the ball over on downs at their own 26-yard-line, Greenwood running back Danh Nguyen ran for eight yards to the 18 on first down before eighth grade receiver Jayden Campbell took a short flip pass and rumbled around right end for the score. The extra point was good for a 42-0 Greenwood lead.
In the final minutes, with the clock still running, the Jr. Panthers finally got on the scoreboard with a long run of 46 yards with about 40 seconds left to play. But the extra point failed, making the final, 42-6, as time expired. But freshmen head coach Luke Hales was not available for comments following the game. He was serving a mandatory one-game suspension after being ejected from the Harrison contest a week earlier. GHS varsity head coach Chris Young was on the sideline last Thursday along with the rest of the junior high coaching staff, Eric Daniel, Brian Sims, and Easton Barrett.