GB travels to Greenwood for marquis West match

By Amanda Smallwood
UCA sportswriting

Greenbrier will travel to Greenwood on Friday for a 5A-West showdown.

Both teams are in the 5-A West conference and 4-1 overall.

“This will be a big game,” Greenwood Coach Rick Jones said. “Whoever takes the break will be successful in the season. It will be a tough game and we will see on Friday who will come out on top.”

Last year season Greenwood demolished Greenbrier, 49-13.

“The stats from last year game were lopsided in Greenwood's favor,” Greenbrier Coach Randy Tribble said. “Greenwood has been one of the best teams in the conference for the past four years and this season game will be a close one.”

Last year, Greenbrier recorded 259 yards of offense (112 rushing, 147 passing). Greenwood rolled up 396 yards (183 rushing and 213 passing).

Greenwood won the West last year and reached the semifinals of the Class 5A state playoffs, falling to eventual champion Pulaski Academy.

Greenbrier, which finished just 1-9 in Tribble's first season last year, is arguably the surprise team in Arkansas high school football this year. The Bulldogs have paid attention.

“We are practicing hard every day because the results from Monday through Thursday will show up on Friday in the game," Jones said.

Greenbrier has been studying Greenwood's strengths and figuring out a plan to stop Greenwood offense.

“Greenwood has a great passing game because of their experienced quarterback,” Tribble said. This will be our defense's biggest task. We will have to move the ball with running and passing. We are looking forward to the challenge and seeing who will come out on top.”

In the 2009 season, Greenwood’s offense has recorded 772 yards rushing and 1,039 yards passing.

According to one poll, Greenwood is ranked No. 11 in the state and Greenbrier No. 38.

“Greenbrier has improved a lot this season," Jones said. "This game will be a big showdown.”