Football Panthers ready for Alma

By Julie Storing and Demetrice Elmore
UCA sportswriting

After losing their first conference game to Greenwood last week, the Greenbrier Panthers are anxious to prove themselves to the Alma Airedales on Friday at Don Jones Stadium.

“It’s going to be a real big one for us,” Tribble said. “We don’t want to lose two in a row. We want to be back on the winning side to help us get a good playoff spot. That’s what we are working on. We talked to our kids about it the other night. We have to bounce back and play our best and win this one.”

Greenbrier sophomore quarterback Neal Burcham completed 20 of 34 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown last week. Senior Justin Head had four carries for 72 yards, and junior Hunter Winston had 14 carries for 55 yards.

Greenbrier (4-2, 2-1) suffered both an offensive and defensive blow when Chase Lear ended his season with a fractured leg before last Friday’s game.

“We will be missing him,” Greenbrier Coach Randy Tribble said. “He won’t be able to play anymore this year. He’s a really good player, too. He plays both offensive and defensive line.”

Alma is 3-2-1 and 3-0 after stomping the Vilonia Eagles, 46-7, last Friday.

Tribble said that despite the disappointment from last week, the Panthers have put it behind them in order to prepare to take on Alma.

“Alma is another one of the traditionally strong programs, and I think my team can bounce back and play our best game,” he said. “We are playing at home and expect to win at home.”

Alma coach Todd Dilbeck said turnovers hurt Greenbrier last year.

“They are not making the mistakes that they did last year, and this is making them a better team,” he said.

Dilbeck said the Airedales had a great week of practice and are continuing to work on fundamentals such as blocking and tackling before the big game.

“Every win in conference 5A-West is important; this is a tough conference from top to bottom,” Dilbeck said.

He said the Airedales would count on quarterback and leading rusher Burke Broadfoot and leading wide receiver Issac McCoy.

“We have to play assignment football on defense and tackle," Dilbeck said. "Greenbrier does a great job of running and throwing the football. On offense we have to have ball security and manage the game.”

The game will be Friday at Don Jones Stadium starting at 7:30 p.m.