The Greenwood Junior Bulldogs traveled to Dardanelle last Thursday and turned in an unbelievable performance in besting the hometown Sand Lizards in conference play, winning 35-6, invoking the mercy rule by halftime. While the visiting defense was running amok against Dardanelle, the Greenwood offense needed just six plays to score four touchdowns, while a pass interception by the defense accounted for the fifth TD. Three extra points and a two-point conversion also figured in the scoring as Greenwood won its sixth consecutive contest, improving to 6-1 overall and 6-0 in league play.
Greenwood’s first touchdown came with 5:24 showing on the clock on the Bulldogs’ first play from scrimmage after a Sand Lizards’ punt took an odd bounce, giving the visitors possession at the home 27-yard-line. On first down, quarterback Bentley Renick passed over the middle to receiver Coltyn Mourton for the touchdown. The extra point was good as well for a 7-0 lead.
The Jr. Dogs were unstoppable on defense, stuffing the Sand Lizards for losses or no gain on four of their first six snaps before an outside rush by Greenwood’s J.P. Beasley forced the Dardanelle punter to make a run for it out of the end zone. The play gave the visitors the ball at the home 4-yard-line, setting up Greenwood’s second score moments later, again on a single play. After a penalty moved the ball to the two, running back Parker Spencer carried for the touchdown and Leo Anaya added the extra point. That made the score 14-0 at the 2:35 mark of the opening period.
The Greenwood defense showed out on Dardanelle’s next possession that started at the Sand Lizards’ 27 after the kick return. The first two snaps resulted in losses back to the 21. Then on third down, pressure on the quarterback caused a bad decision and an errant pass into the heart of the defense, allowing Greenwood lineman Braydon Hunt to pick off the ball at the 15-yard-line. He then brushed off a would-be tackler before rumbling ahead into the end zone for the touchdown, striking a blow for defensive linemen everywhere. However, Leo Anaya’s extra point kick failed, leaving the score at 20-0 with 48 seconds left in the opening quarter.
Another Dardanelle punt soon followed, giving Greenwood the ball in great field position at the home 34-yard-line. Running back Truett Embree then rambled to the 21 before Bentley Renick threw a strike over the middle to Leo Anaya for six points. Anaya also added the extra point kick, making the score 27-0 at the 5:52 mark of the second period.
Greenwood’s final touchdown came just over four minutes later. After getting the football at their own 28, Bentley Renick lofted a deep pass downfield to receiver Hudson Ray, who made a great move to evade a tackle near the Dardanelle 25 before galloping for the touchdown. But a penalty flag erased that score and put the ball at the home 32-yard-line.
Next, a short pitch-pass to Myles Meeker netted 11 yards to the 21 before QB Bentley Renick scrambled out of the backfield, reversing course before gaining the sideline and crushing a defender inside the 5-yard-line before crossing the goal line. The snap-exchange on the PAT was mishandled, but Renick recovered and once again used his legs to run for a two-point conversion, making the score 35-0, invoking the mercy rule with 1:39 left in the half.
The second half flew by quickly with the running clock. The Bulldogs benched their offensive and defensive starters in favor of their reserves, but did attempt a long field goal of 43 yards by Josh Fitzgerald, though the kick failed. The Sand Lizards finally salvaged some pride by scoring their lone touchdown on a 13-yard run midway through the final stanza, but the point after kick was blocked by Greenwood.
The Junior Bulldogs will now enjoy a break from competition with an open date next week before hosting Siloam Springs at Smith-Robinson Stadium on the 22nd. Greenwood will close out its 2026 conference slate at Clarksville on October 29th before ending the regular season at Lake Hamilton in non-conference play the first Thursday in November. With continued good play, the GHS freshmen hope to wrap up their season with a nine-game winning streak and a perfect 8-0 record in league play for the championship under first-year head coach Cory Chambers. We wish them well.