Benton at Greenwood 7 p.m. today, Smith-Robinson Stadium, Greenwood

6A-West Conference showdown qualifies as big one

Benton’s Zak Wallace (23) is one of the state’s top rushers with 1,163 yards and 16 touchdowns this  season as the Panthers travel to Greenwood today to take on the Bulldogs. He ran for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns in Benton’s 62-35 victory over El Dorado last Friday.
Benton’s Zak Wallace (23) is one of the state’s top rushers with 1,163 yards and 16 touchdowns this season as the Panthers travel to Greenwood today to take on the Bulldogs. He ran for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns in Benton’s 62-35 victory over El Dorado last Friday.

After Thursday's practice, Benton Coach Brad Harris headed to Arkadelphia to watch his son Drew play for Ouachita Baptist University against Southern Nazarene.

Any game Drew Harris, a former Benton Panther, plays in is a big one for Brad Harris.

Tonight's 6A-West Conference showdown between Benton and Greenwood at Smith-Robinson Stadium in Greenwood certainly qualifies as well.

Benton (6-1) and Greenwood (6-1) are both 3-0 in the 6A-West and have each won six consecutive games following season-opening losses to Bryant and Fort Smith Northside, respectively.

The past three meetings in the series have been won by Greenwood, with the Bulldogs winning the 2016 and 2017 regular-season matchups as well as earning a victory in the 2015 Class 6A semifinals.

Coach Rick Jones has led Greenwood to seven state championships, including last season when current University of Arkansas freshman quarterback Connor Noland led the Bulldogs past Pine Bluff in the Class 6A title game at Little Rock.

Greenwood is on a 24-game winning streak at home, with its last loss coming in the 2014 Class 6A quarterfinals to El Dorado. Benton hopes it can be the team to snap the streak.

"To go into Greenwood and win would be a big feat for us," Harris said. "It would be a huge win for us against a really good team. It's going to be a tough ballgame. We know that. We won't pretend about that. It would be huge and build a lot of momentum for the rest of the season.

If Benton wants to knock off Greenwood today, it could use another strong performance by senior running back Zak Wallace.

Wallace rushed for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns (36 and 60 yards) in the Panthers' 62-35 victory over El Dorado last Friday. He is among the state's top rushing leaders with 1,163 yards and 16 touchdowns, and is averaging 10.5 yards per carry.

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"Zak runs so tough," Harris said. "The games we've needed him to play big, he's played big. El Dorado, we knew we were going to need him to tote the mail.

"He's a brute. He's hard to tackle."

Harris credited Benton's offensive line as one of the key reasons for the Panthers' success, led by seniors Joshua George and Jenson White.

"They've played well," Harris said. "Coach [Jason] Gentry does a great job with them. He stays on them.

"I've always believed you're going to win football games with great line play on offense and defense. If you can't get it done up front, you're going to struggle."

Sophomore quarterback Garrett Brown will start for the third consecutive game today for Benton. Brown, who is in relief of senior Colen Morrow (hand injury), completed 14 of 21 passes for 218 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions against El Dorado.

"I can't be more proud of the way he's playing," Harris said. "This was his first major test [against El Dorado]. He's really efficient. He makes good decisions with the ball.

"He's got a gunslinger mentality."

Greenwood turned to former wide receiver Peyton Holt at quarterback this season. The decision has paid off, with Holt entering today's game with 1,624 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and 1 interception while adding 464 rushing yards and 10 scores.

The Bulldogs are 43-3 since the beginning of the 2015 season. The three losses were to Pine Bluff in the 2015 6A title game, Russellville in the 2016 6A title game and Northside in this season's opening game.

"Rick does a great job with them," Harris said. "It will be a good challenge. It will be an exciting ballgame."

Sports on 10/19/2018

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