SPRINGDALE — Greenbrier Coach Randy Tribble would love to knock off his buddy tonight.
Tribble and Greenwood Coach Rick Jones played football together at Harding University and were as tight as brothers. That relationship has held up through the years, and it will certainly survive tonight’s game between Tribble’s fifth-ranked Panthers and Jones’ No. 6 Bulldogs.
Greenbrier (7-1, 4-1 5AWest) plays Greenwood (6-2, 4-1) at 7 p.m. at Smith-Robinson Stadium in Greenwood. Tribble, who took over at Greenbrier two years ago, is 0-2 against Jones.
“He has always had the upper hand,” Tribble said. “It’d be nice to win. You always want another win no matter who you’re playing.”
The Panthers have the horses to knock off Greenwood this time. Greenbrier surged into a first-place tie with Greenwood and Alma by dismantling the Airedales 48-23 a week ago.
Running back Hunter Winston, who had been hampered for two weeks by leginjuries, returned to total 248 yards of offense with three touchdowns. Quarterback Neal Burcham passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns, including an 89-yard pass to Winston.
The Winston-Burcham combination makes it hard on opposing defenses.
“It’s really difficult, as people who have played them have found out,” Jones said. “You can’t overcommit to either one. You just have to play smart football. They can burn you.”
Tribble said any teams would love to have a balanced attack, but the Panthers don’t go into games focusing on any certain percentage of runs and passes. Winston’s healthy return helped Greenbrier open up its offense, especially afterthe Panthers had lost 44-29 to Siloam Springs on Oct. 15 when Winston played sparingly.
“Our goal isn’t to run the ball or to pass the ball,” Tribble said. “We want to take what’s there. We try to findthe best place that we have the best chance to have success. We want to take whatever the defense is giving us, and we have the guys to take it with.”
Greenwood’s defense, led by linebacker Marco Vota, isn’t overly big but relies on speed and gang-tackling. Tribble said Greenwood hasthe fastest defense the Panthers have seen this year.
Last week against powerrun Vilonia, the Bulldogs gave up big yards but kept the Eagles out of the end zone enough to take a 49-21 victory.
“Our defense is playing better, and they’re flying to the football,” Jones said. “ They’recausing people problems and making some big plays. It’s a big challenge because nobody we’ve played has the balance Greenbrier has.”
The Bulldogs’ offense has historically been a pass-heavy offense during Jones’ tenure, but the running game has sparked to life this season. Justin Sunde has had consecutive big games, including rushing for 233 yards and five touchdowns against Vilonia.
Sunde has 858 yards and 12 touchdowns this year. Sunde’s big play, coupled with a developing offensive line, will allow first-year quarterback Stephen Hogan, an oral commitment to Arkansas State as a receiver, to make plays in the passing game.
“Greenbrier is solid and physical,” Jones said of the Panthers’ defense. “They’re always in position, and they don’t get tricked. You never know what will work in a game like this. You have to go out and find what works.”
The Bulldogs’ emerging running game has Tribble’s attention.
“We have to be ready to defend them,” Tribble said. “They’re going to put pressure on you and find your weaknesses.”
Sports, Pages 20 on 10/28/2010