The bar has been raised so high at Greenwood that perfection on the scoreboard isn’t enough, at least at this point in the 2013 season.
Greenwood’s winning streak has reached 45 games, third-longest in Arkansas high school history, yet Coach Rick Jones said the Class 6A Bulldogs haven’t played the perfect game this fall.
“It’s still out there somewhere,” Jones said. “We’ve been inconsistent in a lot of areas, but our expectations are so high around here.”
Greenwood has another opportunity for perfection tonight at Fort Smith Southside in a 7A/6A-Central showdown at Jim Rowland Stadium.
The Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 7A/6A-Central) are seeking their 25th consecutive conference victory. The Rebels (5-2, 3-1) are trying to remain in the conference race following a 37-7 loss last week at Conway (6-1, 4-0).
“We didn’t play very well, but Conway deserves a lot of credit,” Southside Coach Jeff Williams said. “The ball didn’t bounce our way and they just dominated us.”
Jones called that outcome an “aberration” because of Southside’s rich history - seven state championships since 1983 - adding he expects the Class 7A Rebels to deliver their best shot against their Sebastian County rivals.
“Just one of those nights,” Jones said. “We know we’re going to see the typical Southside. They’re physical and well-coached.”
Greenwood has outscored opponents 306-64 this season, but Jones said injuries to high-profile players like senior quarterback Jabe Burgess and senior tailback Hoyt Smith have kept the Bulldogs from being more efficient.
Smith has been slowed the last few weeks with what Jones described as a problem with the “back side of his anatomy.” Burgess, who has orally committed to Tulsa, has missed two games because of a broken foot and concussion protocol.
“We’re a reps team,” Jones said. “He missed those reps, but he’ll get them back.”
Greenwood still averages 469.1total yards per game. Burgess has completed 70 of 105 passes for 1,107 yards and 13 touchdowns. Smith has rushed 93 times for 574 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jones’ son, junior Kevin Jones, is the team’s leading receiver with 32 receptions for 453yards and 4 touchdowns.
Defensively, Greenwood is allowing 247.7 total yards per game.
“They’re like a little machine,” Williams said. “The first thing you notice is how well they execute on both sides of the ball.”
Greenwood won last year’s meeting, 45-21 at home. The Bulldogs will again have to deal with senior quarterback Isaac Jackson, a 6-2, 215-pound major-college prospect who has thrown for 1,031 yards and 6 touchdowns and rushed for 512 yards and 5 touchdowns this fall.
“Just a tremendous athlete,” Rick Jones said.
Greenwood, the defending Class 6A state champion, is trying to become the first school since Barton (1986-1989) to win four consecutive state titles. The Bulldogs won Class 5A titles in 2010 and 2011.
Super Six at a glance CLASS 7A RK TEAM (REC.) NEXT 1. Bentonville (5-2) vs. Van Buren 2. Cabot (7-0) vs. West Memphis 3. Fayetteville (7-0) at Siloam Springs 4. Conway (6-1) at LR Parkview 5. S’dale Har-Ber (5-2) at Rogers 6. North Little Rock (5-2) at MarionCLASS 6A RK TEAM (REC.) NEXT 1. Greenwood (7-0) at FS Southside 2. Pine Bluff (4-2-1) at El Dorado 3. El Dorado (3-4) vs. Pine Bluff 4. Lake Hamilton (5-2) at Benton 5. Jonesboro (4-3) at Searcy 6. Benton (5-2) vs. Lake Hamilton
Sports, Pages 24 on 10/25/2013