It’s been a long time since Fort Smith Southside has beaten Greenwood, so long in fact that the Mavericks cancelled their contract with the Bulldogs in non-conference play a few years ago only to end up in the same conference in recent years. The Mavs’ double-digit losing streak against Greenwood continued this past Friday night – Halloween night – at Smith-Robinson Stadium as the Bulldogs “treated” the Southsiders to a 56-21 mercy rule loss.
The defeat dropped the Mavericks to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in league play, while the win improved Greenwood’s season record to a perfect 9-0 with one game remaining next Friday at Mountain Home. They are 6-0 in 6A West conference play in first place one game ahead of both Mountain Home and Shiloh Christian. The Bulldogs will meet the Bombers next week and will be heavily favored to win and close out a perfect regular season for the third consecutive year. Shiloh lost to Greenwood and beat Mountain Home to keep the conference race in limbo with the slim possibility of a three-way tie at season’s end.
But with that scenario unlikely, the teams that should make the playoffs from the 6A West include Greenwood (9-0, 6-0), Shiloh Christian (7-2, 5-1), Mountain Home (8-1, 5-1), Van Buren (5-4, 4-2), Fort Smith Southside (5-4, 2-4), and Lake Hamilton (2-7, 1-5). On the other side of the state, Benton (7-2, 5-1) and Sylvan Hills (8-1, 5-1) are tied for first place in the 6A East with El Dorado and Marion right behind with identical records of 6-3, 4-2. Jonesboro (4-5, 3-3) and Sheridan (3-6, 2-4) are fifth and sixth, respectively. But everyone knows the Greenwood Bulldogs are once again the team to beat in the playoffs.
After winning their 35th consecutive contest and their 75th straight game at home, the Greenwood juggernaut is poised to complete its third title three-peat in school history with a successful playoff run to claim yet another state championship in their final season in Class 6A, at least for now. Oddly enough, Greenwood is dropping down to Class 5A next year due to reclassification and the elevation of private schools like Shiloh Christian, Pulaski Academy, and Little Rock Christian to Class 7A, forcing some smaller 6A schools to move down to 5A, including Greenwood.
Prior to last Friday’s contest, the last regular season game at Smith-Robinson Stadium, all the seniors associated with the GHS football program were honored along with members of their families. That included all senior players, team trainers and managers, members of the band and spirit groups, and others who contribute to Greenwood’s success in many different ways.
Also prior to kickoff, the very first Isaiah Arrington Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Grant Karnes, a 2025 GHS graduate and current Arkansas Razorback walk-on receiver. Grant and Isaiah were both classmates and teammates. Arrington tragically passed away almost exactly a year ago in a house fire that also claimed the lives of his mom and younger sister. The $2,500 annual scholarship is administered through the Greenwood Athletic Foundation, and this year was also matched by the Arrington family for a total of $5,000.
Southside kicked off to start Friday’s festivities, and Greenwood’s Champ Davis gathered in the football near the GHS goal line and brought the hometown faithful to their feet with an exhilarating return all the way to the Marvericks’ 17-yard-line. GHS senior quarterback Kane Archer then passed to another senior, receiver Cooper Bland, reaching the seven and moving the chains. Another toss to Bland put the ball at the 1-yard-line before Archer flipped a short forward pass to Champ Davis, who cut left and over the goal line for the score. Kicker Landon Franklin added the extra point for a 7-0 Greenwood lead (11:18).
That early lead would grow swiftly as the home defense clamped down on the Southsiders, forcing quick punts and allowing the Greenwood offense to put up 21 unanswered points, all in the opening quarter. Starting from their own 27 on their next possession, the Bulldogs needed 11 plays to put up another six points, eight of those passes with only one incompletion. Archer had throws of 13, 11, 10, 11, 8, 8, and two yards while Wesley Raggio carried once for three yards and Mario Dunbar ran once for eight yards. The touchdown came on Archer’s two-yard toss to Champ Davis. The kick made it 14-0 (7:20).
Following the Mavs’ second punt, Archer and company took over at the Greenwood 20, but this time required only five snaps to reach the end zone. Senior Benton Hossley caught a first down pass at the 28 before Archer found Cooper Bland again at the 33. Kane Archer then ran twice to the Southside 36 before throwing deep to Champ Davis in the end zone over a defender for the score. Landon Franklin’s extra point kick was good and Greenwood led 21-0 at the 3:48 mark of the opening stanza, seemingly on their way to a decisive mercy rule win. But the Mavericks had other ideas.
Starting from their own 20 after the Greenwood kickoff, Southside got a long run from scrimmage on first down, crossing midfield all the way to the GHS 23. Moments later, just when it appeared their backs were against the wall, the visitors converted a fourth-and-long situation into a 14-yard touchdown pass from QB Blake Forsgren to receiver Wilson Key. The kick was good to stem the Bulldogs’ rout, at least temporarily, cutting the GHS lead to 21-7 at the 2:06 mark.
But the Bulldogs weren’t deterred in the least, responding with another scoring drive of eight plays in 2:19 to go up by 21 points once again. A first down pass from Archer to Champ Davis reached the Southside 46, moving the sticks for another first down. Wesley Raggio ran to the 41 and Mario Dunbar got a yard to the 40 before a convenient Southside penalty on fourth down gave the Dogs new life at the 35. Archer found Davis again at the 29 before Dunbar carried to the 23 on the last play of the first quarter. The second stanza began with a pass to Braxton Canada to the 15 before Archer connected with Brayden Renick, who made an outstanding catch while staying in bounds on the left side of the end zone. The PAT made it 28-7 (11:47).
But the first half scoring was far from over, with both teams combining for an additional 21 points. Southside rallied its offense for another touchdown just over three minutes later after a 74-yard drive in nine plays, the biggest of which was a 40-yard QB scramble for the touchdown. The extra point cut the Greenwood lead in half at 28-14 at the 8:12 mark of the second quarter.
The Bulldogs answered back in less than two minutes for their fifth touchdown of the half after a lightning quick four-play drive that set a state record for Kane Archer in the process. Braxton Canada, in his first game back after a leg injury earlier in the month, returned the kickoff to the home 37, setting the stage for the scoring drive. Archer began the offensive set by deftly weaving his way for nine yards to the 46 before handing off to Mario Dunbar to the 47.
Archer then ran again to the 40, setting up the next play, a significant career milestone for him and one for the Arkansas high school record book. Forced to scramble, the nimble senior traversed the 40 yards to the visitors’ end zone, making it look exceedingly easy. It was his 50th career rushing touchdown to go along with more than 100 passing TDs, something never done in state history. Franklin’s extra point kick made the score 35-14 (6:35).
Unimpressed and probably unaware of Archer’s accomplishment, the Mavericks had one more retort left in them, marching 71 yards in 13 plays, including a critical pass interference penalty against the Bulldogs. GHS linebacker Bryer Hackler sacked the Southside quarterback at the home 21, slowing the Mavericks’ advance, but the touchdown eventually came on a 14-yard pass from Blake Forsgren to Wilson Key. The point after cut the GHS lead to 35-21, significant but not yet a blowout. That would all change in the second half.
Challenged by their coaches at halftime, the GHS defense regrouped and pitched a shutout in the second half while Archer and his offensive teammates added the three more scores needed to invoke the 35-point mercy rule, their fifth such victory in succession this season. That’s not to say the Mavericks didn’t make it interesting in the second half. On the opening possession of the third quarter the visitors marched 70 yards to inside the GHS 5-yard-line before losing a fumble, recovered by Greenwood senior linebacker Travir Shelton. The turnover seemed to take the starch out of the Marvericks, for they never threatened again in the half.
From their own 3-yard-line, the Bulldogs then drove 97 yards in seven plays for their sixth touchdown. Archer began the series with a pair of runs to the 26 before passing to Mario Dunbar at the 33 and to Cooper Bland at the 41. Bland caught another pass at the GHS 47 before Dunbar rumbled to the Southside 48. After a penalty cost them five yards, the offensive line gave Archer an eternity in the pocket to dance around and direct traffic downfield before locating Bland wide open near the 20 for the reception and TD run. Landon Franklin’s kick was good for a 42-21 GHS lead (4:16).
After another defensive stop, the Greenwood offense returned to the field two minutes later for another quick-strike touchdown drive. From the home 15, Archer connected with Cooper Bland on a deep sideline pass to the Southside 47. After an incompletion, Archer handed off to Champ Davis, then accompanied the receiver/RB down the left side of the field, his blocks helping to spring Davis for the 47-yard touchdown. Franklin’s kick made the score 49-21 with 1:39 left in the period.
A poor Southside punt set up Greenwood’s final scoring opportunity, starting at the Marvericks’ 44-yard-line. On first down, Archer carried to the 36 before giving to Davis again to the 24 on the last play of the quarter. Braxton Canada caught Archer’s pass to open the final stanza, good for 20 yards to the visitors’ four. Wesley Raggio then carried in for the touchdown, invoking the mercy rule for the final 11:46 of the game. Franklin’s kick made the final score 56-21. With the clock running non-stop, the Southsiders used up most of the remaining time on their final possession, reaching the GHS 25 before running out of downs.
Unofficially, Kane Archer completed 24 of 28 passes for 313 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing 10 times for 129 yards and a score. Teammates Champ Davis and Cooper Bland were also top contributors. Davis had six receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, plus two carries for 59 yards and a score. Bland made eight catches for 136 yards and one touchdown. Braxton Canada, Mario Dunbar, Benton Hossley, and Brayden Renick also had two short catches for touchdowns.
"He had a great game," said Head Coach Chris Young of Archer. "But he has figured out is he has playmakers around him, and he let those guys do their thing. It was a team effort on offense all night." Archer finished the night with six touchdowns, throwing for five and running for another, adding to his growing legend in both GHS and Arkansas high school football history.
Asked about his 50/100 milestone and doing something never done in Arkansas prep sports history, the GHS quarterback said, "The group of guys and coaches that led me to have this success is special. This place is unmatched – the coaches, the culture, the fans and the community. I couldn't do it without all those people. It's a record, but the job isn't done. We’re looking for a state championship and [to] go perfect."
“Our offense was really good tonight,” said Coach Young. “Coach [Stephen] Hogan and Coach [Austin] Moreton did a great job game planning, and our guys just performed really well. Champ [Davis] was special tonight. We were able to get him the ball in the backfield, and we saw what he can do with the ball in his hands. Kane was really efficient with the ball and protected it, and the offensive line gave him time and opened up some holes to run [through]. Our line got great movement up front and was solid all night. I [also] thought our receivers were good with and without the ball. We stress being great without the ball, so overall, offensively, I’m really proud of them.”
As for his defense, Young shared his disappointment with giving up 21 first-half points to the Mavericks, but acknowledged the huge turnaround in the second half. “I was proud of our defense. They made some adjustments. I was frustrated in the first half. We’ve got to cover better than that. I think our defense let their guard down when it was 21-0. But give credit to Southside. They’ve got two really good wide receivers and a good quarterback, and they were tough to cover. But Coach [Jason] Gill went in [at halftime] and made some good adjustments, and I thought we came out and competed harder in the second half. We know we’ve got to put together a complete ballgame to get where we want to go, so it will be good film for us to study and get better.”
Asked about celebrating senior night, the coach said, “This is a great group of seniors. It’s a group that has an opportunity to do something [special], and that’s saying something when we’re talking about Greenwood football.” He was referring to the chance to win back-to-back-to-back state championships, matching the 2005-07 and 2010-12 Bulldogs. But there are at least three more meaningful games remaining before reaching the state title game on Saturday, December 6th, and the very next step is winning on the road at Mountain Home next Friday.
“It’s a big game,” said Young. “We could be anywhere from the #1 seed to the #3 seed in the case of a three-way tie,” a reference to Mountain Home and Shiloh Christian, both of which are one game behind Greenwood in the standings. “We’re focused on putting forward our best effort and getting after Mountain Home. They’re a good football program, and it will be a great challenge. But we like loading the bus and driving up there and rallying the troops and going to battle.”
The two schools are located around 190 miles apart – about a four-hour bus ride from Greenwood – so it will be nearly an all-day proposition making the trip, arriving back home in the wee hours next Saturday morning. Due to scheduling quirks and the nature of the playoffs, the Bombers have made four consecutive trips to Greenwood in the past three years. The Bulldogs last trip to Baxter County was in September of the 2023 season, a 55-7 GHS rout. The two squads met twice in 2023, twice in 2024, and could meet twice again this season based on their playoff standings.