After an open date last week, the Greenwood Bulldogs returned to action this past Friday night at Lake Hamilton, defeating the Wolves in dominant fashion, 42-0. But even more remarkable, it was Greenwood’s third consecutive shutout win over Lake Hamilton, one of the better teams in Class 6A over the past decade. It was also another 6A West conference victory for the Bulldogs, now 5-0 in league play with three games left against Russellville, Pulaski Academy, and Little Rock Christian.
The Bulldogs and Wolves met in the state championship game in 2020 with Greenwood coming out on top, 49-24. But that was the last time Lake Hamilton scored on the Bulldogs. The Wolves lost 35-0 in 2021 and 24-0 in 2022. Altogether, Greenwood has outscored Lake Hamilton, 108-0, over the last three seasons. That’s almost inexplicable, but surely part of the answer lies in the manner of play employed by the Wolves, a very methodical, run-oriented offense designed to burn the clock and keep the ball away from Greenwood’s rapid-fire offensive style. It makes sense as an offensive strategy, but its practical application has been only partly successful.
Greenwood was limited to just six offensive possessions Friday night, but they scored on each series while the GHS defense continued its fine play with their second shutout of the season. The Bulldogs are averaging over 49 points per game while holding the opposition to an average of just over nine points per contest, and many of those points were scored against Greenwood’s #2 defense late in games. It’s a powerful combination that’s proven deadly to seven opponents so far this season.
But the season’s toughest foes lie just ahead as the regular season draws to a close. Greenwood (7-0, 5-0) will host Russellville (3-5, 2-4)) next Friday, which will serve as the 2023 Homecoming game for the Bulldogs. The Cyclones are one of several 6A West teams still battling to make the playoffs. Six league teams will qualify for the postseason. But the last two games of the regular season will feature Greenwood at Pulaski Academy (6-1, 4-1) and at Smith-Robinson Stadium against Little Rock Christian (6-1, 5-0). The Bulldogs’ postseason path will be determined over the next three weeks.
True to form, the Wolves kept the football for the first seven minutes of the game Friday night. After receiving the opening kickoff, Lake Hamilton manufactured a 14-play drive that reached the GHS 23 before giving the ball up on downs. The ‘Dogs then responded with a six-play scoring drive that ended with a 51-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Kane Archer to junior receiver Grant Karnes down the sideline. A wide-open Karnes hauled in the pass near the Wolves’ 20-yard-line before strolling in for the score. Senior kicker Bodey Steinfeldt added the extra point.
Greenwood’s next score came after a Lake Hamilton punt to the GHS 15 following a penalty with just 36 seconds left in the opening quarter. Fourteen snaps later the Bulldogs reached the end zone for the second time. Kane Archer completed all five of his passing attempts, including the 20-yard TD pass to senior L.J. Robins. The young QB completed his first 17 pass attempts in the game. Steinfeldt’s kick was good again for a 14-0 GHS lead (7:57).
Greenwood would score once more before halftime after the visiting defense forced another Lake Hamilton punt. Starting from their own 20 with just 2:23 left in the half, the ‘Dogs needed 10 snaps to go the distance, 85 yards after a penalty. Archer remained perfect on the drive, completing all six of his throws, while his seventh attempt was foiled by a pass interference call on the Wolves that set up the touchdown. From the Lake Hamilton 14, Archer then scrambled out of the pocket and exploited a hole in the Wolves’ defense to reach the end zone. The extra point was good for a 21-0 GHS lead at the half.
The Wolves kicked off to start the third quarter, attempted an onside kick that backfired when Greenwood’s Kaylor Jasna fielded the bouncing ball near the sideline and found open space deep into Lake Hamilton territory to the 26. Two snaps later, Archer passed to L.J. Robins for 10 yards to the 14. Archer kept the ball on the next play, reaching the 5-yard-line. Senior Brayedan Davis then ran twice, the last carry for three yards and the touchdown. Steinfeldt’s kick made it 28-0 (10:26).
But it didn’t take long for the visitors to score again, this time by the defense. On the first play after the kickoff, Greenwood defensive back Braden Skaggs picked off a Lake Hamilton pass at the Wolves’ 37 and returned it down the visitors’ sideline for a touchdown. Steinfeldt added the extra point and the Bulldogs led 35-0, invoking the mercy rule to shorten the remaining time. But Greenwood would score one more touchdown.
Another Wolves’ punt gave Greenwood the ball at the Bulldogs’ 20-yard-line, pushed back to the 15 after a penalty, but Brayedan Davis ripped off a 16-yard run to the 31 to get the drive started. Kane Archer then completed passes to Robins and Karnes, reaching midfield. After a penalty moved the ball to the Wolves’ 44, Archer scrambled to the 31 before throwing his first incomplete pass, an intentional throwaway out-of-bounds.
Two snaps later, junior receiver Isaiah Arrington was nearly tackled in the end zone, drawing a flag for pass interference and moving the ball to the 16-yard-line. Grant Karnes then made a nice two-handed overhead catch at the goal line for the game’s final touchdown. Junior Hudson Meeker added the extra point for a 42-0 GHS lead midway through the fourth quarter, with the clock still running.
Lake Hamilton ran out most of the remaining time against Greenwood’s #2 defense, driving over 70 yards to the GHS 7-yard-line before a fourth down pass fell incomplete, preserving the shutout. Roughly a minute was left on the clock when Greenwood took possession of the ball, but neither side was interested in running another needless play, so the officials allowed the clock to expire as both teams headed to midfield to shake hands.
After the game, GHS Head Coach Chris Young spoke briefly with the Dog Pound’s sideline reporter, Richie Cagle. “Shutting out those guys (Lake Hamilton) is tough, so I’m really proud of [our defense]. Offensively, we [scored] on all six possessions. Coach [Stephen] Hogan, our offensive coordinator, [his wife] had a baby yesterday, and we told him to stay home. But he snuck off and drove here. He got here right before the game, and he did a great job scoring on every possession. So, he’s got a pretty little girl and a wife back home, so I’m sending him back to you. I’m just so proud of our kids and coaches tonight.”
In his pre-game interview, Coach Young also revealed that with the return of Isaiah Arrington, the Bulldogs are as healthy as they’ve been all season, and still hope to get senior receiver Peyton Presson back in time for the playoffs. Presson has been sidelined all season but is one of the team’s most reliable short-yardage receivers when healthy.
Statistically, the Bulldogs were led by Kane Archer, completing 18 of 20 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 50 yards on six carries and another touchdown. Brayedan Davis carried 12 times for 44 yards and a score, giving him almost 900 yards on the season. He also had three catches for 30 yards. All stats are unofficial.
Grant Karnes led the GHS receivers with six catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns. L.J. Robins had five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Arrington, just returning from his injury, had two catches for 19 yards. Senior Noah Chaser and sophomore Cooper Bland also caught one pass each.
Up next for Greenwood is Russellville on Homecoming night at Smith-Robinson Stadium. Homecoming festivities will take place prior to the game, so fans should arrive early before the 7 p.m. kickoff.