It’s almost basketball season, so the term “rebound” would be appropriate in describing last Thursday’s 49-20 gridiron victory at Van Buren’s Blakemore Field. In the wake of the heartbreaking 28-27 road loss at Harrison a week earlier, the Greenwood Junior High Bulldogs dismantled the Jr. Pointers on their home field behind a big play offense and a stingy defense.
The Jr. ‘Dogs led 28-6 at the half and 49-14 before a late score by Van Buren against Greenwood’s second unit defense. The win moved the visiting Bulldogs to 7-1 on the season with one game remaining this Thursday at home against Alma.
Greenwood defeated the Jr. Airedales in non-conference play in the season opener, 21-6, but this week’s game will count in the River Valley Conference standings. A win over Alma combined with a Van Buren victory at Harrison would leave Greenwood and Harrison tied at 6-1 in RVC play, though Harrison would still have the edge for the conference crown because of the tiebreaker.
The opening kick by Van Buren went out-of-bounds, giving Greenwood the ball at its 35-yard-line, and it didn’t take long for the Jr. Bulldogs to strike. After a penalty negated a pass play into Van Buren territory, running back Hunter Wilkinson caught a short toss for a 13-yard gain to the Pointers’ 49.
Another quick pass from quarterback L.D. Richmond to receiver Peyton Carter was good for big yardage down the Greenwood sideline to the Van Buren nine. Richmond then threw twice to Wilkinson and Jase Strozier for short gains, before Wilkinson ran it in from two yards out. The kick by Luis Morales was good for a 7-0 Greenwood lead.
The defense then did its part, forcing a Van Buren punt on the Jr. Pointers’ first possession, giving Greenwood the ball again at its own 29. Just two snaps later the visitors were celebrating in the end zone once again after running back Caden Franks raced 70 yards around right end for the touchdown. The extra point attempt failed, however, leaving the score at 13-0.
The home team got on the scoreboard as the game moved into the second quarter. A penalty on the kickoff helped Van Buren secure good field position at the Greenwood 40 to start its scoring drive. Nine plays later the Jr. Pointers scored on a 10-yard quarterback keeper. The two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 13-6 with 6:54 left in the first half.
But the visitors responded with two more second quarter scores to take control of the game. The first touchdown came at the end of a short five-play drive, mostly on the strength of Hunter Wilkinson’s ability to run after catching a pair of short passes, finding ample room down the Greenwood sideline, first to the 50 and then again to the 11-yard-line.
Wilkinson got the call a third time, this one a handoff from Richmond, moving the ball to the Van Buren seven, before Franks relieved him and ran twice, scoring from one yard out. The point after was good by Morales for a 20-6 Greenwood lead (5:32).
But the Jr. ‘Dogs weren’t done scoring in the first half. After another Van Buren punt, Greenwood marched 78 yards in just four plays for their final touchdown before the break. The big play was a 55-yard pass play from Richmond to Carter that reached the opposition 23-yard-line.
Three plays later, a high shotgun snap was deftly handled by Richmond, who turned the busted play into a 19-yard TD run. The kick was good, but a penalty on Van Buren gave Greenwood a chance to go for two points. Hunter Wilkinson then scored, increasing the visitors’ lead to 28-6 at the half.
The second half featured three more Greenwood touchdowns, but not until Van Buren scored its second TD on the Pointers’ opening possession. The score came on an 8-yard quarterback keeper at the end of a five-play drive. A two-point pass play was good.
Leading 28-14, the Jr. Bulldogs then proceeded to put the game away with 21 unanswered points, and once again the big play was the key. A three-play drive was highlighted by a 62-yard scoring run around left end by Wilkinson. The kick by Morales made the score 35-14 (5:07).
The defense then came up big with a pass interception by Bryson Pettigrew at the Greenwood 30-yard-line. From there the Jr. ‘Dogs needed just one play to score again, as Richmond connected with Wilkinson again, this time near midfield. The stellar running back/receiver made the catch and turned the reception into a 70-yard touchdown play. The extra point made the score 42-14 (1:20).
Greenwood’s final score came in the fourth quarter with the starting offense on the sidelines. On third down, reserve running back Hayden Wells found a gap in the middle of the Van Buren defense and exploited it for a 60-yard TD run with 1:48 remaining to play. The PAT was good.
Against Greenwood’s second team defense, Van Buren marched down the field quickly in the final minute of play, scoring on a 28-yard run with 12 seconds left to play. The conversion failed, making the final score, 49-20.
After the contest, Greenwood Head Coach Shannon Rhea addressed his team on the field, then spoke to the Greenwood Dog Pound about the much-needed victory following the tough loss at Harrison.
“I thought they practiced well,” said Rhea of his team’s preparations for Van Buren. “[We] were concerned about [Van Buren’s] quarterback. When he runs, he’s the best running back we’ve seen in the conference. But we came out early and hit him, and I think it got him frustrated a little bit.
“We played hard. We tackled well. We made some adjustments on defense. Our offense was clicking. I was really pleased with the way we responded. We had enthusiasm all night. The kids were bouncing around, and that’s all we can ask,” the coach added.
As for Hunter Wilkinson’s big game, Rhea said, “They’re keying on him. They know that he’s our bell cow, and we hit him on a couple of [big] plays. He breaks tackles and he’s going to be a good one for us later on down the line. He’s a strong kid and he’s able to break that first tackle, and there’s not too many guys going to catch him.”
The coach was also asked about the second team offense scoring late in the game. “Those guys have been practicing hard and you want to try and get them in the game,” he said. “I’m glad that we got most everybody in, and that’s a reward to them.”
As for the conference title and the season finale against Alma, Rhea said, “We’re playing like we’ve still got a shot, and we’ve got to come out and be ready to play Alma. That’s going to be a big game for us.” Kickoff Thursday at Smith-Robinson Stadium is set for 7 p.m.