Greenwood dominates Benton 45-14 on the way to back-to-back 6A titles

The Greenwood Bulldogs dominated the Benton Panthers 45-14 on their way to back-to-back Class 6A state championships, their ninth state title in school history, and eighth state title under head coach Rick Jones in front of 11,201 fans at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Greenwood had to overcome eight penalties that cost them 78 yards in the first half, but was able to use explosive plays to enjoy a 24-7 lead at the half.

“Don’t beat yourself,” said Greenwood head coach Rick Jones. “We try not to have what we call unnecessary penalties, and I think if you play aggressive football it is possible that you are going to hit somebody a little bit late, you’re going to grab a little bit of face mask from time to time, but at one point it was like nine-to-one in penalties. You don’t hit people out of bounds, you don’t grab their face mask, you don’t do things that extend drives, and that is what was so frustrating.”

Benton scored early on the first drive of the game on a 10 play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a 24-yard run by Zac Wallace, but Greenwood took over after that.

The Bulldogs first score came after an 18 play, 61-yard drive that was capped off by a 45-yard Grant Ennis field goal with 2:12 left in the opening quarter. Benton’s next drive would stall after just four plays, then Greenwood scored again on a three play, 71-yard drive when game MVP Peyton Holt connected with Aaron Ohl on a 71-yard pass with 11:06 remaining in the first half.

The Bulldogs scored twice more before the half, beginning with a 12 play, 93-yard drive that was capped off by a nine-yard run by Holt with 6:12 remaining in the half, and a four play, 56-yard drive that was capped off by a five-yard Hunter Wilkinson run with 4:12 left in the half, to give the Bulldogs a 24-7 advantage at the half.

Jones gave his defense credit for keeping Benton out of the end zone after their first drive of the game.

“Our defensive coaches just do such a great job of figuring it out,” said Jones. “It sounds simple, but it is really difficult. What are they doing to us, and what can we do to stop it? They did a great job of stopping it. Plus, our kids would chase the ball like crazy. We don’t have to beg our kids to chase the football, and I think that is a big part of it.”

The Panthers scored on their first drive of the second half on a five play, 71-yard drive that was capped off by a three-yard run by D’Anthony Harper with 10:11 left in the third quarter.

Greenwood was able to clean up their penalties in the second half, and scored 21 more points in the second half to keep the game out of reach, beginning with an eight-yard pass to Treyton Dawson from Holt with 6:29 remaining in the third quarter.

Holt scored the Bulldogs final two scores beginning with a seven-yard run with 5:15 left in the third quarter, then again on a six-yard run with 7:06 left to play. Ennis was perfect on PAT’s for the game, helping the Bulldogs earn the 45-14 victory.

Peyton Holt had a huge day for Greenwood on his way to earning MVP honors. Holt was 23-of-34 passing for 284 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. He also carried the ball 23 times for 84 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to picking up 15 yards on three punt returns. He also amassed 125 all-purpose yards.

“It’s special to get MVP, but honestly in my point of view this is a team trophy because they helped me,” said Holt. “I give the credit to my o-line and my receivers for getting open and blocking, so I’m definitely going to dedicate this to all of them.”

Greenwood finishes the season with an 11-1 record, while Benton finishes the season with a 10-2 record.

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