Greenbrier takes Judge's Cup, second seed

By Demetrice Elmore
UCA sportswriting

The Greenbrier Panthers defeated the Vilonia Eagles for the Judge’s Cup in one of the biggest rivalry games of the season last week, 35-20, at Phillip D. Weaver Stadium in Vilonia.

Greenbrier ended the regular season 7-3 overall, 5-2 in the 5A-West. With the win, the Panthers grabbed the league's second seed for the playoffs, following unbeaten Greenwood. Vilonia moved down to the fourth seed; Alma is No. 3.

The Panthers haven’t seen the playoffs in 14 years, and they are proud to be back. Greenbrier will get to play at home starting Friday.

“Our team was very fired up about beating our rivals and getting in the playoffs,” Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble said. “They deserve to be very happy, but now it's time to get to work to win again.”

Vilonia was dealt a bad hand Thursday as they battled to stay in the game. The Eagles had two touchdowns called back and suffered a key injury to one of their standout players.

The Eagles had one of their touchdowns called back in the opening quarter after an official blew a whistle after he thought he saw one of the players stop.

Tribble said he understood how Vilonia felt because he had four or five touchdowns called back this year and it's part of the game. It’s one of those things you have to learn to deal with.

“One was on an inadvertent whistle, which was very unfortunate for Vilonia,” Tribble said. “Our players let up when they heard the whistle, so we don’t know what would have happened. Those things are just part of the game sometimes. It can either be in your favor and sometimes not.”

Greenbrier junior quarterback Neal Burcham completed 20 of 26 attempted passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Hunter Winston rushed for 165 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns. The Panthers' Justin Head also had 10 catches for 101 yards and one touchdown.

“We had a lot of players play well,” Tribble said. “It was one of the biggest games, and that win was great for our program.”

The Panthers will open the playoffs at home Friday against the Little Rock Mills Comets.