Despite daily temperatures rising above 100 degrees for most of this month (August) and little rain for weeks, local sports fans are getting excited about the approach of the high school football season. The Greenwood Bulldogs, who have been to six consecutive state championship games (2020-25) have been practicing for the past two weeks, doing so under the leadership of new head coach Jason Gill, who succeeds Chris Young as Greenwood’s fourth head coach of the 21st century. Young remains the district’s Athletic Director while also taking on more administrative responsibilities over campus facilities.
After going 3-3 in those six title games since 2020, the Bulldogs are once again ranked #1 and expected to return to Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium in December, at least according to Hooten’s Arkansas Football magazine. Across all pre-season polls published this summer, the Bulldogs are ranked in the top five in the state regardless of classification, but they are #1 in Class 5A after playing in 6A since 2012.
Returning a good number of starters from last season’s 12-1 squad that lost to Shiloh Christian in the championship game, the Bulldogs have a solid foundation on which to build. But a lot of attention will be focused on the change at head coach and at quarterback with the departure of Young and superstar QB Kane Archer, now at the University of Utah. But Coach Gill and senior Cruz Coatney are ready for the challenge.
Gill was most recently the defensive coordinator for both former GHS head coaches, Rick Jones and Chris Young. Prior to that he was the junior high head coach at Greenwood after a successful head coaching gig at nearby Mansfield for several years, including a couple 10-win seasons with the Tigers. His entire family is involved in education, including his wife, a retired principal, a daughter who teaches in Greenwood, and son Parker. The younger Gill, a former GHS player, is now the defensive coordinator for the Greenwood Junior High Bulldogs after coaching last season at Alma.
As for Coatney, the son of former GHS star quarterback Brooks Coatney (1996-98), he transferred to Greenwood before last season to serve as Archer’s understudy, getting reps as a junior varsity player and in mop up duty on Friday nights. His dad threw for over 10,000 yards in his three seasons behind center for Head Coach Ronnie Peacock and helped put Greenwood on the map with its spread offense and prolific passing game.
As a sophomore, the elder Coatney also led the Bulldogs to their first ever state title game in 1996, which they lost. While the son will never have the chance to match his father’s accomplishments as a prep player, Cruz hopes to win the state championship that eluded his dad 30 years ago. With a solid cast of players around him, I wouldn’t bet against them.
But Gill and Coatney aren’t the only two Bulldogs filling new roles this season. While Gill plans to run the defense as in the past before his promotion, he does have two new staff members, one on each side of the ball. Luke Hales, another former GHS quarterback who also played collegiately at Central Arkansas, has moved up from junior high head coach to the varsity as receivers coach, taking over for the departed Chris Young. On the other side of the ball, former junior high defensive coordinator Brandon Godfrey was promoted to safeties coach, taking over for Percy Arnold, who has moved into private business as a personal coach and trainer. Both Hales and Godfrey know the GHS system well and have done an outstanding job so far. Recently, Coach Arnold has rejoined the staff as an unpaid volunteer coach.
“We've been blessed here,” said Gill in late spring. “We're just moving guys up that have been in the system. There’s nothing really changing here. A lot of times when you have a head coaching change, you have all new staff and a new system, but that's not the case here. I think that's what makes us unique. We just keep the same system and try to not mess it up,” said Gill.
As for the spring game, it never happened, cancelled due to expected bad weather than never really showed up. But Coach Gill was pleased with his team’s efforts through nine practice sessions, and especially the play of Coatney. “I think he had an awesome spring,” said his head coach after spring drills. “That's one of the holes we’ve got to fill. Kane [Archer] is gone and I think Cruz has stepped in [well]. He [knows] our offense, and he's a competitor. He’s watching film with [co-offensive coordinator] [Stephen] Hogan. He's always in the office, just trying to get better. He's doing a lot of things that we saw [Archer] do, and he did a lot of that stuff last year as a backup. “I remember Coach Hogan raving about how you wouldn't have known he was the backup. He's was always treating it like he was the starter.”
Gill expects Coatney to bring that same level of focus and dedication into his senior season. Standing around six feet and weighing about 200 pounds, Coatney is not quite the physical specimen Archer was, but still has many of the same assets – quick feet, a strong accurate arm, and the ability to escape trouble and keep drives alive with his legs.
“He has the right makeup to be a Greenwood quarterback,” said Gill to Hooten’s Arkansas Football earlier this year. He made great decisions in the spring.” But while Coatney will pull the trigger at quarterback, the offensive line and receivers must also do their part to keep the wheels turning on the high-scoring GHS offense that averaged nearly 49 points per game last season. Thankfully, the cupboard is well stocked at both positions in 2026.
The Bulldogs have six returning starters on offense, plus several other players with starting experience or significant varsity playing time under their belts. Three offensive linemen who started the majority of games last season are all back. Seniors Hal Davis (6-3, 270) and Alex Vanderwatt (6-3, 265) return with junior Jaxen Cepeda (6-3, 265) to form the backbone of the offense and protect Coatney in the pocket. Cepeda already has several college offers, including from Ole Miss, one of the top football schools in the Southeastern Conference.
Those three will be supported by two more starters from a group that includes Ethan Shumate, Aden Brazel, and Matthew Craven, Jr. One of those three players will take over at center with the other two vying for the remaining starting job. But the odd man out will still see plenty of playing time as a backup along with a host of other possible linemen including Robert Wirth, Jacob Wright, and Avery Shavalier, among others. “I think Coach [Austin] Moreton feels good about it. He’s got six, seven, or eight linemen there,” said Coach Gill in late May.
Things are just as good or better at receiver for Greenwood, long known for producing or attracting top notch pass catchers. Without a doubt, the Bulldogs have the best lineup at receiver of anyone in the 5A West conference, starting with returning seniors Brayden Renick and Cooper Webb. Renick came out of nowhere last season to make 45 catches for 425 yards and three touchdowns. Webb was hampered last season by injuries but will be one of Coatney’s biggest target this season at 6-5, 195 pounds.
But two of the most exciting and explosive pass catchers this season for Greenwood will be returning junior Braxton Canada (5-11, 175) and senior Ty Holt (5-11, 185), who did not play last fall but is the younger brother of GHS legend Peyton Holt, who played receiver and quarterback on back-to-back state championship teams in 2017-18. Both players have the speed and elusiveness to go the distance every time they touch the ball. Speaking of Canada, Coach Gill said to Hooten’s, “He’s dynamic. We want the ball in his hands because he makes things happen.”
Another potentially exciting receiver will be sophomore Ty Karnes, the younger brother of Grant Karnes, another two-time state champion receiver with the Bulldogs. Promoted late last season as a freshman, Karnes caught four passes and brings terrific hands, good size and speed, and elusiveness to the position.
Others who will contribute at receiver include Aysen Dawson, Lawson Leath, Jadin Mills, Ryan Ross, and more. “[We] probably have five or six guys that are going to play on Friday nights and then four or five guys that we're excited about their futures. They're younger kids, but we're excited about the future of our receivers,” said Coach Gill.
To round out the offense, running back Mario Dunbar (5-9, 200) returns for his senior campaign after rushing for 398 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. After setting a school record in his weight class, squatting 535 pounds, he is bigger and stronger this season and still runs a 4.7 forty-yard dash. After two years of Kane Archer leading the team in rushing, Dunbar appears ready to bear more of that load in 2026.
His backups include another senior, Rhett Holloway, a hard runner despite his small size (5-8, 150) and junior Drake Little, who shares those same physical dimensions. Holloway impressed coaches with his work on the scout team last season and has earned a shot on the varsity squad. The GHS offense is a balanced one between the run game and the passing attack, and the offensive line makes it all work, and it will again in 2026 barring a rash of major injuries.
Defensively, Coach Gill also has six returning starters from last season’s young and inexperienced group. They allowed just over 23 points per game, but with greater physical maturity and more game experience, they should improve on that performance this fall. They will also get a boost from a sophomore class that was very strong defensively last season under Coach Godfrey.
Brock Shephard, Jacob Berry, and Terry McGinster, all seniors, will cover at defensive end with senior Griffin Mourton expected back by mid-season after an injury and surgery in the spring. Senior Charlie Hudnall (6-2, 270) squats 500 pounds and is back to anchor the defense at nose guard with 46 tackles last season. Junior starter Gunnar Flanary returns at the “Joker” spot, a hybrid lineman/linebacker position in Greenwood’s highly effective scheme designed by Coach Gill over the past 11 years. “He’s one of our strongest, most explosive players,” said his coach. Flanary recorded 38 tackles and had 11 quarterback hurries last season.
Another key returnee is junior linebacker Bryer Hackler (6-1, 225) who had 90 tackles last season. Hackler also calls the plays on defense according to Gill. Though young, top sophomore arrivals Brayson Hunt and Tayden Mills should contribute on the defensive line while seniors Rodney Wirth and Garrett Izell have been in the program for years and will also help.
Two more returning starters are expected to shine defensively. Senior Thomas Newcity is moving from safety to linebacker. Coach Gill explained the move to Hooten’s magazine, saying, He’s ready for a bigger role. We’ll move him closer to the line of scrimmage and turn him loose.” Junior safety Drew Dickinson led the team with 91 tackles in 2025 despite playing most of the season with a cast on his hand. “He’s the leader of our defense,” said Gill.
The coach also toyed with converting another player, senior Brayden Brewer (6-4, 225, 4.7 speed), taking from Greenwood’s wealth of receivers and moving him to linebacker, adding more size and speed in the middle of the defense. Brewer showed promise on defense but has since been moved back to receiver. Should the need arise due to injuries, he could go back to defense later in the season. Juniors Colton Lacy, Jacob Pugh, and Seth Wood will also see time at linebacker.
Promising sophomore Ben Clark is expected to blossom at linebacker after playing quarterback and linebacker last season in junior high. “He’s powerful and athletic and can make an impact,” said Gill of Clark. Fellow sophomores Brasier Duvall and Grady Garner will also contribute at linebacker, providing depth while they gain varsity experience.
The Bulldogs also have safety Bailey Thibodeau back this season with significant varsity experience gained in a limited role in 2025. A pair of talented sophomores also performed well at safety in the spring. They are Brooks Aishman and Wyatt Elliott. Junior Luke Wilson could also help.
Senior Malakai Willis will get a chance to start at one of the cornerback spots while junior William Rye started three games last season and has looked good in the preseason this year. Senior Malachi White may also be ready to step up this season at a corner position. J.C. McMillen, another converted receiver, has moved to cornerback and had a good spring. John Radcliff, Rayder Broberg, and Ty Bercher will also toil in the secondary, providing depth.
As usual, the GHS kicking game remains solid with a pair of very capable kickers in the fold. Returning senior starter Landon Franklin handled kickoffs and extra points last season, but had limited opportunities to kick field goals because the GHS offense seldom failed to score inside the red zone. Franklin is being pushed to perform this season by sophomore kicker Grayson Cobbler, who put kickoffs in the end zone more than once last season for the Junior Bulldogs. “He's got a strong leg,” said Gill of Cobbler. “He's going to be able to push Landon and keep him on his toes. But we feel very comfortable at kicker.”
Franklin might also do the punting, but last year’s punter, Braxton Canada, is also an option. Almost for certain, Canada will return punts for Greenwood, his athleticism giving him a chance to go the distance on every kick. “We want him to have the ball in his hands as many times as we can. But we have four or five kids that we could put back there. Coach [Josh] Holloway will find the guys that we need back there. The main thing is somebody that can secure the football. We didn't [turn] the ball over much in the spring.” Protecting the football has always been a priority for the Bulldogs. Ironically, it was turnovers that contributed to their loss in the 2025 title game.
The Bulldogs won their annual pre-season scrimmage at Fayetteville last Tuesday, 37-21, scoring five touchdowns and a defensive safety. Cruz Coatney threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Ty Holt while Mario Dunbar, Drake Little, and Rhett Holloway accounted for four rushing touchdowns. Holloway scored twice. See the accompanying article on the Dog Pound for more information about the scrimmage with quotes from Coach Gill and Offensive Coordinator Stephen Hogan and a preview of the season opener at Bentonville-West.