5A-WEST CONFERENCE Greenbrier surges into tie for first

— The Greenbrier Panthers bounced back from their only loss of the season, defeating the Alma Airedales 48-23 on Friday at Don Jones Stadium, further complicating the standings in the 5A-West.

Neal Burcham passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns, and Hunter Winston returned from injury to total 4 touchdowns on 147 yards receiving and 141 yards rushing. Nursing a bad knee, Winston played sparingly in Greenbrier’s 44-29 loss to Siloam Springs. But he shined against the Airedales, who were previously unbeaten in conference play. Alma, Greenbrier and Greenwood each haveone conference loss.

“We came out like we were ready to play,” Greenbrier Coach Randy Tribble said. “Hunter Winston was big out there. He is one tough kid. He barely practiced the last two weeks.”

The Panthers (7-1, 4-1) and injury limited the effectiveness of Isaac McCoy, Alma’s versatile back. McCoy was knocked out of the game on Alma’s first possession, only to return late in the first half and rush 31 yards for a touchdown.

McCoy took snaps at quarterback, running back and receiver. He scored three times, but was held to just 104 yards of total offense.

“Our defense played really well,” Tribble said. “[McCoy] was not out there for awhile, then he came in and popped one on us. [McCoy] not being out there was a minus for them.”

After spotting Alma a 3-0 lead thanks to a fumble on the opening kickoff, Greenbrier ran off 21 consecutive points and never relinquished the lead. Burcham connected with Winston on an 89-yard touchdown pass for a 6-3 lead. On the next snap, Colt Talley intercepted Alma’s Austin McCourt and returned it to the Alma 1. Burcham sneaked in for a score and passed for two points and a 14-3 lead.

Burcham hooked up withSpenser Russaw for a 14-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-3, before McCoy ended the Alma drought with his rushing touchdown.

Alma (6-2, 4-1) took the second-half kickoff and drove for a score, with Mc-Coy capping the drive on a 2-yard run, to get the Airedales within 27-16.

Winston fumbled on the next Greenbrier snap, and Alma had a chance to get within a field goal. But on second down from the Greenbrier 12, McCourt was intercepted in the end zone by JoJo Oluokun. The Panthers’ defense finished with five turnovers, including four interceptions.

Winston added two scoring runs in the second half before McCourt passed to McCoy for a 21-yard score. Oluokun broke free for a 45-yard run to set the final score.

Sports, Pages 23 on 10/23/2010

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