Football Panthers shock Siloam in 5A-West opener

By Demetrice Elmore and Julie Storing
UCA sportswriting

GREENBRIER—The Greenbrier Panthers defeated the Siloam Springs Panthers, 42-24, in their first 5A-West conference game of the season on Friday at Don Jones Stadium.

The Panthers improved their record to 3-1.

“It feels really good,” Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble said. “I’m just trying to contain myself right now. To see the kids work so hard and have success — it’s been a long time coming, and I’m very excited.”

Greenbrier finished just 1-9 last season.

Junior Hunter Winston emerged as the key player in Greenbrier’s victory and recorded a career-high 304 yards rushing on 26 carries with four touchdowns.

“[Winston] was pretty good tonight, and he is an outstanding player,” Tribble said. “He had been sick and missed two practices. He is very competitive, and he plays on the field all night on the offense and defense.”

The first quarter started with sophomore Jo Oluokun recovering a fumble by Siloam Springs’ quarterback Bryan Adair for an 81-yard touchdown.

After the kickoff, Siloam Springs fumbled on the return, and senior Tyler Thomas recovered the ball at Siloam Springs’ 35-yard line.

Greenbrier continued to fight to the end zone where Winston scored from the 3.

In the first 30 seconds of the second quarter, Winston raced for an 84-yard touchdown.

“I just wanted to do something that hadn’t been done in a while,” Winston said. “Win one in conference and start a tradition.”

Siloam Springs’ RJ Castillo scored a touchdown with eight minutes left in the quarter, but Greenbrier answered back with a 2-yard touchdown by Winston.

With the score 28-7, Siloam Springs scored two touchdowns by Adair and a 32-yard field goal by Pablo Castillo in the third quarter to put the pressure on Greenbrier with the score 28-24.

After the kickoff and a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, Winston scored an 88-yard touchdown with a minute left in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Oluokun intercepted a pass from Siloam Springs and scored a 16-yard touchdown.

Sophomore quarterback Neal Burcham completed 21 of 23 passes. Senior Tyler Hardee caught two passes for 59 yards, and senior Brady Day recorded five receptions for 36 yards.

Greenbrier lost 56 yards on 11 penalties during the game.

“We had too many penalties,” Tribble said. “We have a tendency to do that, and we have too many this year. We have to work hard at blocking. We still have a lot to learn.”

Greenbrier will play its next conference game when it travels to Mustang Mountain in North Little Rock on Friday to face Central Arkansas Christian (2-2, 0-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.