LITTLE ROCK — Greenwood has beaten Hope, Morrilton, Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian, Camden Fairview and Batesville in its six state championship victories since 2000.
A much bigger name stands between the Bulldogs and their seventh state title.
Pine Bluff is among the winningest programs in national high school history and has 21 state championships - 11 recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association - since 1915.
“They have a national reputation,” Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said. “They know how to win.”
So does Greenwood, which enters today’s Class 6A final against Pine Bluff with a 37-game winning streak, seventh-longest in Arkansas high school history.
Kickoff is noon at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Greenwood (13-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A and No. 4 overall. Pine Bluff (12-1) is No. 2 in Class 6A and No. 6 overall.
Greenwood is trying to become the first school since the modern playoff era began in 1968 to win three consecutive state championships on two occasions.
Jones led the Bulldogs to the Class AAAA state championship in 2005 and Class 5A titles in 2006 and 2007. Greenwood won the Class 5A state championship again in 2010 and 2011 before being placed in Class 6A for the 2012-2014 cycle.
Greenwood has continued to pile up victories in Class 6A, eliminating three-time defending state champion El Dorado in last week’s semifinals and beating 7A powers Fort Smith Southside and Conway during the regular season.
“Lot of things have to go your way to get here,” Jones said. “You have to have breaks along the way. We’re just very thankful to be here again.”
The game matches Greenwood’s efficient offense against Pine Bluff’s swift and stingy defense.
Greenwood’s offense has scored touchdowns on 76 of 117 drives (65 percent) and has only 6 turnovers (3 interceptions and 3 fumbles). The Bulldogs average 418.8 total yards and 47.1 points per game.
“I think efficient is a very good word for it,” Zebras Coach Bobby Bolding said. “They’re very disciplined and very patient offensively. They’ll take shots periodically, but most of it, they’re working their way down the field. They put a lot of pressure on you to defend the whole field.”
Junior quarterback Jabe Burgess has completed 205 of 274 passes for 2,708 yards and 33 touchdowns, with only 3 interceptions.
Senior utility back Drew Morgan has rushed 73 times for 682 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 79 passes for 1,023 yards and 13 touchdowns. Morgan is adept on screens and swing passes.
But Pine Bluff is allowing only 214.6 total yards and 12.2 points per game.
The Zebras, led by senior linebacker Kelvin Sergeant, haven’t allowed more than nine points in their past eight games.
Every starter runs the 40-yard dash in at least 4.8 seconds., Bolding said
“What they’ve done defensively the last six or seven weeks is unbelievable,” Jones said.
“They’re so athletic and so well-coached that they can make tackles in space. They can get off blocks and get to the football. If the football is in the air very long, they have three or four guys with the speed and ability to get there.
“That’s the thing thatmakes them different. It’s all 11 guys.”
Bolding also took Pine Bluff to the Class 6A final in 2009. The Zebras are seeking their first state championship since the last of three consecutive state titles in 1995.
CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Pine Bluff (12-1)
COACH Bobby Bolding, sixth season, 49-23-1 ASSISTANTS Josh Keith, defensive coordinator, defensive backs; Antonio Lovelady, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks; Rod Stinson, associate head coach, special teams coordinator, strength and conditioning coordinator, running backs; Prestard Jordan, assistant head coach, offensive line; Tyrone Jones, linebackers, academics; Ryan Stinson, wide receivers; Roy Hutchins, tight ends, administrative assistant; Jason Mitchell, defensive line MASCOT Zebras CONFERENCE 7A/6A-South RECORD 12-1, 7-0 7A/6A-South, first RANKING No. 2 in Class 6A, No. 6 overall ENROLLMENT 1,075 (based on 2012-2014 classification cycle; fourth among 16 Class 6A schools) PLAYERS TO WATCH UB Walter Ashley, 5-8, 175, Sr.; FB/LB Kelvin Sergeant 5-10, 215 Sr.; PK/P Austin McGehee, 5-11, 185, Jr.
OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE FORMATION Multiple/Multiple LEADING RUSHER Walter Ashley, 1,437 yards, 13 touchdowns LEADING PASSER Rickey Clements, 1,500 yards, 14 touchdowns LEADING RECEIVER Tyrone Payne, 500 yards, 3 touchdowns LEADING TACKLER Brandon Lee, 65
Greenwood (13-0)
COACH Rick Jones, ninth season, 106-16 ASSISTANTS Chris Young, offensive coordinator, wide receivers; Kenneth Chick, co-defensive coordinator, safeties; Jacob Cox, codefensive coordinator, linebackers; Jordan Huckeba, running backs, special teams coordinator; Brian Sims, offensive line; Larry Shuck, cornerbacks MASCOT Bulldogs CONFERENCE 7A/6A-Central RECORD 13-0, 7-0, first RANKING No. 1 in Class 6A, No. 4 overall ENROLLMENT 831 (based on 2012-2014 classification cycle; 15th among 16 Class 6A schools) PLAYERS TO WATCH WR/OLB Drew Morgan, 6-0, 170, Jr.; QB Jabe Burgess, 6-2, 185, Jr.; RB Hoyt Smith, 5-9, 157, Jr.
OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE FORMATION Spread/3-4 LEADING RUSHER Hoyt Smith, 127 carries, 966 yards, 12 touchdowns LEADING PASSER Jabe Burgess, 205 of 274, 2,708 yards, 33 touchdowns LEADING RECEIVER Drew Morgan, 79 receptions, 1,023 yards, 13 touchdowns LEADING TACKLER Taylor Hasley, 73
Sports, Pages 28 on 12/01/2012