The Greenwood junior varsity Bulldogs traveled to Mayo-Thompson Stadium at Fort Smith-Northside this past Monday evening, defeating the Grizzlies in dominant fashion, 52-29. Last week Greenwood played at Van Buren, another 7A school, also winning 42-22.
The 'Dogs moved down the field quickly to start the game, with QB Jace Presley finding receiver Jase Strozier for a big gain to the 48-yard-line. On the next play, Presley kept the ball and took it all the way to the end zone. The PAT by Jackson Stewart made it 7-0 with 9:25 left in the first quarter.
Northside's opening possession crossed the 50 on a QB scramble, reaching Greenwood’s 30 yard line, but it was called back due to a holding penalty, eventually leading to a punt.
The Bulldogs started their next offensive series in Northside territory, and once again drove down the field. The possession was capped off by an Aaron Ligon TD reception from ten yards out. Stewart made it 14-0 Greenwood, still early in the contest.
For the Grizzlies, another nice quarterback run reached the Greenwood’s 23-yard-line. Two plays later the Bears scored their first touchdown on an option pitch to the outside. The PAT made it a 14-7 ballgame.
But once again Greenwood bolted down the field as Caden Brown took the kick-off all the way to the 5-yard-line before being chased down and tackled. On the next snap, Ligon ran it up the middle to make it 21-7 after the extra point.
Greenwood's Blaze Moore then gave the ‘Dogs the ball right back, intercepting a pass at Northside’s 23-yard-line. But the 'Dogs couldn't dent the goal line and had to settle for Jackson Stewart's 22-yard field goal to make it 24-7.
Greenwood’s defense then forced a quick three-and-out, but a miscue on the punt allowed the Grizzlies to get the ball back at the Bulldogs' 22-yard-line. On the next play Northside connected on a fade route to the end zone to make it 24-14 with 9:44 left in the first half.
But Greenwood’s offense stayed scorching hot as Presley hit L.D. Richmond, who spun towards the middle of the field and took the ball 63 yards to the house. Stewart’s PAT made it 31-14.
The Grizzlies added one more touchdown before the half as they drove down the field and scored on 3rd-and-11 to make it 31-21 at the break.
Greenwood’s defense started the second half strong, stopping the Grizzlies on 4th-and-12 to get the ball at their own 35. But Greenwood’s offensive possession was later cut short by a lost fumble. After a long drive, Northside scored from 12 yards out to make it a three-point game, 31-28.
The turning point of the contest occurred before the end of the third quarter. A Northside defensive stand forced a Greenwood punt, but the GHS defense rose up to stop the Bears when they could have taken their first lead of the game. Greenwood also partially blocked the punt to start their next offensive series at their own 38.
The 'Dogs then started moving quickly down the field as Presley found Strozier and Brown for big gains. Ligon capped off the drive for Greenwood, taking the ball in from three yards out. The PAT by Luis Morales made it 38-28 with 8:03 left in the game.
Greenwood’s defense also came up big with 6:51 left in the contest as Halen Carter recovered a fumble, but Northside got the ball right back due to a Greenwood fumble. But the GHS defense stood strong as Bo Asher made two consecutive plays for lost yardage behind the line of scrimmage.
With 3:55 left in the game, Jasna caught another pass from Presley, this one for a touchdown to make it 45-28. Greenwood then scored again when Easton Erwin recovered a fumble in the Grizzlies' end zone to make it 52-28. On the kickoff Greenwood recovered another fumble, but they did not push in another touchdown.
Greenwood went on to win the game by a score of 52-29 and they will wrap up their season next week at home against Van Buren.