Greenwood had won 50 consecutive games before losing to Pine Bluff in the Class 6A state semifinals last season.
But the Bulldogs put that setback behind them, starting the 2014 season after a commanding 56-26 victory at Class 7A Springdale last Friday at Jarrell Williams Stadium.
Greenwood forced three turnovers, including two in the first half that helped the Bulldogs go on a 49-0 run.
Springdale is one of three 7A teams that the Bulldogs face in their nonconference schedule.
“Our guys take a lot of pride in playing the big boys,” Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said. “We have some big challenges in front of us. Our kids enjoy it. They like stepping up. I’m not sure the coaches do.
“That’s why you play football in the first place.”
Senior quarterback Reid Wheeler completed 14 of 19 passes for 175 yards and 1 touchdown in his third varsity start. Wheeler started two games in place of Jabe Burgess (now at Tulsa) last season.
“He had a really solid game,” Jones said. “He played like he did last year. He took care of the football. He threw the ball to the right guy in the right location.
“He understands the offense and he’s a smart football player.”
Running back Jordan Green ran for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 carries.
“He broke a couple of long ones,” Jones said. “They came at crucial points of the game.”
Greenwood hosts Fort Smith tonight at Smith Robinson Stadium. Southside beat Warren 29-22 last Tuesday in Pine Bluff. The Rebels and feature a two-quarterback system with senior Clay Tyler and junior Cooper Johnson.
Jones said that the Bulldogs have tried to prepare for both this week, but that it’s a matter of stopping 11 players, not just honing in on one.
“They’re different kids,” Jones said. “The main thing is you have to do what you’re taught to do. You have to do that job to the best of your ability.”
Greenwood travels to Fort Smith Northside next week before opening 7A/6A-Central play against Van Buren on Sept. 26.
CABOT
Sloppy early
Cabot has 15 new starters this season and the inexperience showed at Conway last Friday.
The Panthers fell 24-22 to the Wampus Cats at John McConnell Stadium, but they had their opportunities. Cabot committed six penalties in the game, but the last one came on their final defensive series.
Conway had a third-and-3 at the Cabot 36 with just over a minute remaining, but the Panthers — without any timeouts — were called for encroachment, giving the Wampus Cats a first down and sealing the victory.
“We didn’t help ourselves in a lot of places,” Cabot Coach Mike Malham said.
The Panthers advanced to the Class 7A state championship last season, but they’re a different team this season, Malham said.
“Their eyes are wide,” Malham said. “We competed well. Conway has a good team. They have all their guys back from last year. I’m pleased with our effort. We have to correct our mistakes.”
Cabot hosts Little Rock Catholic tonight.
EXTRA POINTS
Fort Smith Southside cornerback Juwuan Campbell will not play against Greenwood tonight after being ejected last week against Warren. Johnson and Warren wide receiver Jaylon Marshall were both ejected in the first half. Southside beat Warren 29-22. Johnson will miss the Lumberjacks’ game tonight at Stuttgart. … Rogers running back Bryan Grigsby set a 7A-West Conference record with 446 rushing yards in the Mounties’ 35-21 victory over Siloam Springs last Friday. … While West Memphis will be playing its second game of the season tonight, while its opponent, Christian Brothers of Memphis, is playing its fourth. The Purple Wave are 1-2 this season, losing to Southaven, Miss., 38-12 last week. West Memphis beat Forrest City 42-41 last week in Coach Billy Elmore’s debut with the Blue Devils.