Green runs wild for Greenwood

Springdale quarterback Fuller Chandler is dragged down by Greenwood’s Morgan Grant during the first half.
Springdale quarterback Fuller Chandler is dragged down by Greenwood’s Morgan Grant during the first half.

SPRINGDALE -- New year, new playmakers, new winning streak.

Class 6A power Greenwood kicked off the season in convincing fashion Friday night as junior running back Jordan Green ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns and Greenwood used a stretch of 49 consecutive points to turn an early deficit into a 56-26 victory at Springdale High School.

Green helped Greenwood (1-0), ranked No. 6 overall by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, get back on the winning track after Pine Bluff snapped the team's 50-game winning streak in the semifinals of last season's Class 6A state playoffs.

"He's got a lot of things he can do better, but he's got that speed," Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said of Green. "When he hits the crease going, it was fun to watch. He's a nice runner.

"He can get a lot better, and that's exciting."

Greenwood outgained Springdale 515-337 as quarterback Reid Wheeler completed 14 of 19 passes for 175 yards and 1 touchdown.

Two crucial turnovers in the second quarter nullified the early lead by Springdale (0-1) and left it playing catch-up the remainder of the night.

Springdale went up 12-7 late in the first quarter when junior quarterback Fuller Chandler lofted a perfectly placed pass on third-and-long to junior receiver Salvador Sandoval for a 72-yard touchdown.

Green answered with a 74-yard touchdown run to give Greenwood a 14-12 lead, then it took control when Springdale missed a golden opportunity to go back in front after recovering a muffed punt at the Greenwood 2.

Springdale lost a fumble into the end zone that Greenwood recovered, setting up a 17-play, 80-yard drive punctuated by Green's 1-yard touchdown run. Then Chandler was intercepted by Morgan Grant, which set up a touchdown pass by Wheeler to extend the lead to 28-12 going into halftime.

"Turnovers against a good team, they're going to make you pay," Springdale Coach Shane Patrick said. "We've got to realize when we get a chance to jump out people, we've got to do it. That was a prime example."

Greenwood extended its lead to 56-12 before Springdale scored again late in the third quarter.

Sandoval was a bright spot for Springdale, finishing with six catches for 152 yards and the long touchdown. He also caught a 37-yard pass.

Chandler completed 13 of 27 passes for 233 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 142 yards and 1 touchdown in the first quarter.

Greenwood junior receiver Garrett Collins hauled in four passes for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns, showcasing his deep-threat ability by getting behind the Springdale defense whenever he was targeted.

Springdale junior running back Malcolm Neal also showed off his speed on a 51-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He finished with 77 yards on six carries.

Sports on 09/06/2014

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