The Greenwood Junior High Bulldogs (5-1) have won five consecutive games and remain unbeaten in River Valley Conference play after defeating the Darby Rangers last Thursday, 34-14. The game was played at Mayo-Thompson Stadium on the campus of Forth Smith Northside High School.
The victory sets up a River Valley Conference showdown with unbeaten Harrison (7-0) next Thursday at Greenwood’s Smith-Robinson Stadium. The game also has an early start time (6:30 p.m.) to accommodate Harrison, due to the distance and travel time between the two towns.
Last week’s win at Darby appeared effortless at first, leading 27-0 late in the second quarter, allowing Head Coach Shannon Rhea and his staff to begin substituting early. But the Rangers scored once in the third quarter and again early in the fourth to trim the Greenwood lead to 27-14, forcing a change of plans.
After Darby’s second score, Coach Rhea sent the first team offense back into the game, and they needed just two plays to score and restore order, making the final 34-14.
The Rangers received the opening kick and completed a long pass into Bulldogs’ territory, but the receiver fumbled the football, scooped up by Greenwood’s Fletcher Gill and returned a short distance to midfield.
From the Greenwood 49, quarterback Noah Jantzen passed to Bryce Caldwell at the Darby 40, before Sebastian Crumb ran for an apparent touchdown. But the play was called back due to a penalty, putting the pigskin at the Darby 47.
Colin Dagget then ran to the 32, before Jantzen shoveled the ball to Crumb, who found running room around the left side to the 14. Dagget then ran three straight times, the last one for the 1-yard touchdown. Ben Moy added the extra point for a 7-0 Greenwood lead.
But another Darby turnover led to another quick score by the Jr. ‘Dogs. Greenwood’s Cameron Krone hit a Rangers’ receiver, forcing another fumble, scooped up by Colin Dagget and returned 21 yards for the score. Moy added the extra point for a 14-0 lead with 2:39 left in the opening quarter.
Moments later the Rangers were forced to punt, giving Greenwood the ball at the Darby 45. Dagget then ran to the 33 before Jantzen passed to Luke Brewer at the 19 for a first down.
Three players later, early in the second quarter, Jantzen threw to Krone for seven yards to the 13, bringing up fourth down. Jantzen then connected with Sebastian Crumb at the seven to move the sticks and keep the drive alive. Another pass to Brewer reached the one, and Krone carried in for the score on the next snap. Moy’s extra point try sailed left.
Leading 20-0 with 6:18 left in the first half, Greenwood was not done scoring. Forcing Darby to punt from deep in its own territory, the Jr. ‘Dogs got the football in great field position at the Rangers’ 32.
Dagget ran on first down to the 18, the Krone ran twice, the first time for four yards and the second time for the 14-yard touchdown around right end. Moy’s kick was good for a 27-0 halftime lead.
Not wanting to unnecessarily run up the score, Greenwood began subbing late in the second period and early in the third. But a pass interception by the Rangers followed by a 46-yard touchdown run made the score 27-7 with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter.
After the Jr. Bulldogs missed a 40-yard field goal try, the Rangers drove 80 yards in 10 plays against Greenwood’s defensive reserves, making the score 27-14 with 4:40 left in the game.
The lead was likely still safe, but Coach Rhea wasn’t taking any chances, putting the first team offense back on the field for one series. From the visitors’ 38, Dagget ran once to the Darby 47 before Jantzen handed the ball to Krone, who burst through the middle to daylight for the long TD run. The PAT was good, making the final score, 34-14.
After the game Coach Rhea talked about the win and the frustration of losing the big lead in the second half. “It was kind of disappointing,” he said. “We were trying to get [the reserves] some playing time, but Darby made some scores on that bunch. But we got a lot of [players] in. That was the main thing.
“Our first bunch did well,” said Rhea. “We were up 27-0 at half. [The offense] did a good job of moving the ball and made some good plays. The [first unit defense] is doing [well]. We’re trying to get [the backups] some experience and it will help them down the line.”
Asked about the conference race, Rhea said, “It’s just us and Harrison. [They’ve] been smoking people. It’s going to be a [tough] game. We’re going to have to play [well].”
The Jr. Goblins are unbeaten and have given up just 20 points on the season, while averaging more than 38 points per game. Greenwood has allowed 55 points per game, but only about half of those came against the #1 defense. The Jr. ‘Dogs are averaging 26.5 points per game on offense. On the surface the stats favor Harrison, but stats can be deceiving, and Greenwood has home field advantage.
Rhea also said his team is getting healthier after some early season injuries. “We’re getting some guys back,” he said. “We got Chris Daggs back. He was a starter for us and he came back this week and hopefully can help us on the D-line against Harrison. We also got Cooper Culverson back and I think he played pretty well tonight. It’s good to have them back.”