For the fifth time in the past six years and the 13th time in the past 21 seasons the Greenwood Bulldogs will be playing in a state championship game in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. This season it will be against the Lake Hamilton Wolves (11-1) in the 6A title contest next Saturday, December 5th, at 6:40 p.m.

Of their 12 previous trips to “The Rock,” the ‘Dogs have won nine state crowns, the first coming under former head coach Ronnie Peacock in 2000 and the last eight under the recently departed Rick Jones. Their 10th state championship in school history could come in current head coach Chris Young’s very first season at the helm after taking over from Jones.

After a perfect (10-0) regular season and a spotless run through the first three rounds of the playoffs, the 13-0 Bulldogs are poised to polish off the 2020 campaign with another win over Lake Hamilton and another trophy to bring home to Greenwood. The Bulldogs and Wolves both play in the 6A West conference and have been ranked as the top two teams in 6A for most of the season. Greenwood won at Lake Hamilton in the regular season finale, 38-28.

The Bulldogs earned the right to play in Little Rock with mercy rule wins over all three of their playoff opponents, winning 55-7 over West Memphis, 49-13 over Mountain Home, and 51-7 over Marion this past Friday night. Lake Hamilton beat Sheridan (49-36), El Dorado (50-14), and survived Sylvan Hills in overtime (21-20) last Friday.

Coach Young and his staff have done a commendable job getting the Bulldogs through this most unusual of seasons overshadowed by the Covid-19 global pandemic that has sidelined coaches, players, and entire teams across the state and around the country. Of course, many others have helped the team avoid the virus this season, not the least of which are the players themselves, who have exercised remarkable discipline through internet-based learning, wearing masks, and social distancing, not an easy task for the average teenager. But now their greatest goal is in sight.

Greenwood’s most recent playoff victims were the Marion Patriots (4-8), who traveled all the way from Crittenden County adjacent to the Mississippi River as 32-point underdogs, according to Hooten’s Arkansas Football. Winners of just two regular season games, the Pats were the six-seed from the 6A East and likely would have lost to Benton in the opening round. But the Panthers were defeated by Covid-19, forcing the quarantine of dozens of players, resulting in a forfeit. Yet to their credit, given new life, the Patriots defeated Van Buren, 55-34, to advance to the semi-finals against Greenwood.

But whatever magic the Patriots used against the Pointers did not carry over to Smith-Robinson Stadium last Friday night as the Bulldogs led 34-7 at the half before invoking the mercy rule late in the third quarter. Making matters worse for the visiting Pats, they lost senior starting quarterback Daedrick Cail to injury just before halftime and he did not return.

Weather for the contest was chilly with the temperature at kickoff around 50 degrees and a brisk wind coming out of the north end zone. The wind visibly affected kickoffs, but had little impact on the game itself. The Bulldogs just had too many offensive weapons for Marion to contend with, and the normally stingy GHS defense continued its fine play, allowing just one first-half touchdown. In a nice gesture to one of Greenwood’s best defensive players, Coach Young allowed senior Tayshaun Leader to dress out for the game after missing the entire season with an injury.

Prior to the game, Coach Young was asked about practicing on Thanksgiving Day, a longstanding tradition in Greenwood. “It’s a special time for us. We really enjoy that,” said Young. The coach acknowledged the fans in the stands Thanksgiving morning and a few former Bulldogs who returned during the holiday weekend, including former players Luke Hales along with Jabe and Jax Burgess. Hales observed and helped in practice during the week and plans to enter the coaching profession. “Any time we get our former players in here we love seeing those guys,” said the coach. “It’s just something extra that makes it really special.”

As for his team’s success this season, the first-year GHS head coach said, “I’m just really proud of our kids. Our senior class is really special, not only accepting me, but the new coaches we have on the staff. Their leadership has just carried this team. They laid the foundation for our success, along with our coaching staff. To be honest, I don’t think there’s a better staff around. I’m really fortunate. The administration allowed us to go out and hire the best.”

The coached was also asked to size up last Friday’s opponent. “They are a very Jekyll-n-Hyde team,” said Young of the Patriots. “Three of the toughest teams they’ve played this year they have whipped (Sylvan Hills, Sheridan, Van Buren). We’re not really sure what to expect. They’ve got great athletes, and sometimes they play really well, and sometimes they don’t. Offensively, they can score in a hurry, so it’s going to be important for us to get off to a quick start.”

Marion received the opening kick and managed to make a first down before punting against the wind, giving Greenwood good field position at the 50-yard-line. The Bulldogs then needed nine plays to score the first of their seven touchdowns, and only two snaps resulted in passes as Greenwood took advantage of Marion’s three-man defensive front to run the ball effectively. The GHS offense rolled up over 400 yards of offense as senior running back Hunter Wilkinson continued his string of superlative performances, crossing the 1,500-yard mark for the season in the second half. Senior QB L.D. Richmond also had several nice runs for the Bulldogs to supplement his usual passing skills.

Richmond pitched the ball to Wilkinson on first down for six yards to the Marion 44, jumpstarting Greenwood’s opening possession. Richmond then ran a QB draw to the 38, moving the sticks for a first down. His first pass went to Wilkinson as well for nine yards to the 29, followed by another keeper to the 21. Wilkinson then got eight yards on another pitch and Richmond ran the draw again to the 7-yard-line. A short toss to senior Caden Brown reached the five before Wilkinson carried to the one, allowing Richmond to leap onto the pile for the touchdown on the next play. But the extra point kick by Luis Morales was wide, leaving the score 6-0 (8:22).

With the win at his back, Morales then put the kickoff in the end zone, but the Patriots didn’t have possession of the ball for long. Defensive pressure from seniors Jordan Hanna and Ty Cowan caused QB Daedrick Cail to fumble and the loose pigskin was recovered by Greenwood junior nose guard Tyler Crossno.

From the Marion 9-yard-line, Richmond had an easy time scoring on a keeper, piercing the middle of the Patriots’ defense, following the block of Wilkinson through the left side of the offensive line. The kick by Morales was good, making the score 13-0 with 7:29 still left in the opening period. But the GHS offensive fireworks were just starting.

Less than a minute later the Pats were forced to punt, giving the Bulldogs the ball at their own 27, allowing Richmond and company to get back to work, and they did in short order. The GHS signal-caller opened with a trio of short passes, the first two to Caden Brown and the third to Luke Brewer, reaching the Marion 41 before Wilkinson carried twice to the 27 for another first down. Richmond then found Aiden Kennon near the 5-yard-line and the sophomore receiver made the catch, side-stepping a defender before waltzing into the end zone. The PAT by Morales was good for a 20-0 GHS lead (4:54).

Marion finally had something to cheer about (literally) on its next possession. Starting from their 20, the Patriots got a big play when Cail connected with receiver Donnie Cheers, who turned the short reception into a long run to the Greenwood 29, a play that covered 51 yards. But the visitors still needed four plays to score from inside the GHS 9-yard-line, with Cail sneaking across the goal line on fourth down. The kick made the score 20-7 (2:46).

Still in the first quarter, the Bulldogs once again moved the ball into Marion territory on their next possession, but after a pair of incomplete passes and a penalty, the home team was forced to punt. However, Richmond’s attempt at a quick kick from the shotgun position backfired when Wilkinson’s effort to block an oncoming defender put him in the path of the ball, which fell to the ground and was recovered by the Pats at the Greenwood 47.

But the GHS defense was up to the task, limiting Marion to just three snaps and a negative 12 yards after a clipping penalty. The Patriots’ punt rolled out-of-bounds at the home 27-yard-line, setting up Greenwood’s next scoring march as the game moved into the second quarter.

After a GHS penalty to the 22 and a pass to Caden Brown reaching the 36, Wilkinson carried on five consecutive plays to the Marion 18, including a 21-yard draw play. Senior backup tailback Ty Moose then carried to the 16 before Richmond ran the draw to the 4-yard-line for a first down. The ‘Dogs then scuffled for a bit before Richmond scored around left end on fourth down from the 1-yard-line. Morales added the PAT for a 27-7 GHS lead (8:18).

Just over 3½ minutes later the Bulldogs scored their final TD of the first half. After forcing yet another Marion punt, the GHS offense returned to the field at its own 43-yard-line. On second down, Richmond passed to Aiden Kennon at the Pats’ 49 before Wilkinson carried to the 45. Another Kennon reception moved the ball to the 36 as the sophomore had his best game of the season, highlighted by the next play.

Repeating the previous play call, Richmond found Kennon again on the left side. Making a nice move to catch the ball and elude a defender, Kennon then found running room down the GHS sideline before juking a would-be tackler not once, but twice inside the 10-yard-line, reaching the end zone unmolested. The kick by Morales made the score 34-7 (4:45).

Marion’s offense responded with a nice drive of 67 yards, from its own 26 to the GHS 7-yard-line, using up most of the remaining time in the half. But the home defense stiffened, and a penalty forced the visitors to settle for a field goal attempt. However, the 25-yard effort missed the mark and the 34-7 score held through halftime.

“We did some good things,” said Coach Young while leaving the field at halftime. “They (Marion) are so athletic, if you make any mistakes at all they’re going to get you. But we were able to put some points on the board, and the defense made a big stop there late [in the half]. We’ve just got to continue to play well in the second half.”

Greenwood received the opening kick of the third quarter, but the offense uncharacteristically failed to make a first down. Yet the Pats fared little better on their first series of the new half. With senior running back Brandon Mackey taking over at quarterback, Marion managed one first down before punting the ball back to the Bulldogs at their own 13.

That led to Greenwood’s longest scoring drive of the night, requiring 14 plays, including a critical fourth-and-nine conversion to keep the possession alive. The first five snaps were all running plays executed by Richmond and Wilkinson and included a 15-yard penalty on the Patriots. From the midfield stripe, Richmond then threw to senior Jase Strozier, who made a nice sliding catch at the Marion 36.

Wilkinson then went back to work, running twice for 13 yards to the 23, eclipsing the 1,500-yard mark for the season. The three-year starter now has over 3,000 career rushing yards for the Bulldogs. But after a pair of failed passes, Richmond rolled to his right on fourth down before finding Strozier at the Marion 9-yard-line for the first down, keeping the drive alive. Three snaps later the same duo hooked up for a nine-yard touchdown pass (4:04).

Leading 40-7 and needing two points to employ the mercy rule, the Bulldogs lined up for a two-point conversion try, but a flag moved them back to the 8-yard-line, and they needed every inch as Richmond’s pass to the back of the end zone was hauled in by a leaping Caden Brown, who was well-covered. Up 42-7, the clock suddenly became Greenwood’s best friend.

Thoroughly deflated, the Patriots got sloppy on their next possession, zipping a fourth down punt snap into and through their own end zone for a Greenwood safety. Leading 44-7, the Bulldogs then received the free kick, with sophomore Storm Scherrey returning it 28 yards to the GHS 48, setting up his team’s final score.

With most of the starters on the sideline, the second unit offense, led by sophomore QB Hunter Houston, needed just seven plays to score, overcoming a penalty along the way. Scherrey and Ty Moose did most of the work, combining to rush seven times, with Moose scoring from 16 yards out. The point after was good, making the score 51-7. The final 6:48 was played out in rapid fashion and the Bulldogs had possession of the ball when time expired.

After addressing his players following the win, Coach Young talked to Richie Taylor, the sideline reporter for the Greenwood Dog Pound livestream broadcast. “We’re excited to be able to play again in Little Rock,” said the coach of next Saturday’s state championship game against the Lake Hamilton Wolves.

“It’s been a couple years, and we’re [also] excited to play Lake Hamilton [again],” he continued. “It’s a game we won earlier in the year, but we didn’t feel like we played our best. [But] they made some mistakes and gave us the opportunity to win the game.” Greenwood trailed in the earlier meeting, 28-24, with just under seven minutes left to play before a pair of late fumbles turned the tide in the Bulldogs’ favor.

Asked about the performance of his offense and defense against the Patriots, Coach Young said, “I’m proud of the offense. I thought we executed, but we had too many penalties. We’ve got to stop pre-snap penalties on the offensive line. It puts us in bad situations. Fortunately, we were able to overcome those tonight.”

As for the defense, Young said, “I was proud of our group up front. Those guys (Marion) have great speed, and I thought we did a good job most of the night keeping them bottled up.” The defense has been hit hard by injuries this fall, including a couple of projected starters who were lost for the season.

Also missing Friday’s game was senior defensive lineman Beau Asher, who has played sparingly the last few weeks, also due to injury. On offense, the ‘Dogs were missing 6’5” senior receiver Peyton Carter, one of Richmond’s top targets this season. Hopefully, Greenwood will be at near full strength for next weekend’s title game. For those fans unable to attend the game in person, it will be shown live on the Arkansas Educational Television Network.