Healthy Wilkinson puts Greenwood on the run

SILOAM SPRINGS -- Greenwood's Hunter Wilkinson felt fully healthy for the first time this season, and the senior running back let it show Friday night by leading the Bulldogs to a 49-10 6A-West Conference victory over Siloam Springs at Panther Stadium.

Wilkinson got the ball early and often, racking up 148 yards on 31 carries with 2 touchdowns before being relieved in the third quarter. He had been battling injuries since he dislocated his thumb in the season opener, followed by a sprained shoulder.

He was ready to roll against the Panthers.

"The offensive line did a great job, and I was fortunate enough to break off some good runs -- so I was just pounding it down," Wilkinson said. "When the passing game is clicking, it opens things up with a lot of different options."

The Bulldogs' balanced attack produced 294 total yards on the ground and 189 through the air.

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"We like to spread the ball out, but we are going to take what they give us," Greenwood Coach Chris Young said. "They had a small 3-1 box that forced us to run the ball, so we took advantage of it. And I thought our offensive line did a great job."

The Panthers (3-3, 1-2) got on the scoreboard first, opening the game with a steady nine-play drive that resulted in a 7-yard scoring run by quarterback Hunter Talley to make in 7-0. It was the first time the Bulldogs had trailed all season.

"Our defensive staff made some great adjustments early, and we didn't give up another touchdown from that point," Young said.

It didn't take Greenwood (5-0, 2-0) long to gets its multi-dimensional offense in gear. Wilkinson ran the ball four plays on the drive for 32 yards, while quarterback LD Richmond completed all five of his passes for 29 yards, including a 5-yard toss to Jase Strozier on a swing pass to tie the score midway through the first quarter.

"I was proud of how our kids responded," Young said. "It was good for us to face a little adversity early, because Siloam is a well-coached team and had a good game plan coming in."

After an interception by Greenwood's Jayden Jasna on the first play of the ensuing drive, the Bulldogs engineered an 11-play drive, with Wilkinson scoring on a 4-yard run to take a 14-7 lead.

Siloam Springs got a 26-yard field goal from Walter Cortez early in the second quarter, but that would be all the points the Panthers would muster.

Wilkinson tacked on another 7-yard touchdown run, then Richmond hit Luke Brewer for a 17-yard strike to give Greenwood a 28-10 lead at the half.

Richmond finished 20-of-27 passing for 175 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Bulldogs put together a 14-play drive in the third quarter that Richmond finished with a 12-yard run. He then connected with Brewer once again for a 23-yard scoring strike.

"I was proud of how Richmond controlled the game and made some big plays for us," Young said. "And it's great to have Hunter back healthy, because you saw what he was capable of tonight. All of these kids, offensively and defensively, have really responded well, and there is nothing more we could ask for."

Greenwood outgained Siloam Springs 483-277.

The Bulldogs have beaten the Panthers in 10 consecutive games, and 15 of the past 16 times the teams have played.