Panthers fall at Harrison, drop to 6-3

By Julie Storing
UCA sportswriting


The Greenbrier Panthers lost to the Harrison Goblins, 35-20, in a 5A-West conference game on Friday at Sheridan Garrison Field at Harrison.

Greenbrier fell to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in 5A-West conference play. The Panthers are tied with Vilonia for third; they play each other to close the regular season Thursday. The top four teams will advance to the Class 5A State Playoffs.

“We just didn't execute very well on our offense,” Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble said. “They just had a good plan against us defensively.”

Harrison struck first in the first quarter, but Greenbrier was quick to answer with a 67-yard rush by junior Hunter Winston. Senior TJ Tapley ended his 32-consecutive PAT streak after a failed conversion to put the score at 7-6.

Harrison scored once again in the first quarter, and Greenbrier followed up with a 53-yard pass by sophomore quarterback Neal Burcham to Winston for another touchdown.

In the third quarter, the Goblins racked up two more touchdowns to put Greenbrier behind 28-13. Winston rushed a yard for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers never saw another chance to catch the Goblins.

“We had trouble containing Harrison's quarterback,” Tribble said. “He was really fast, and that ended up being the big difference in the game.”

Winston rushed for 140 yards with two touchdowns. Burcham completed 14 of 24 passes for 173 yards.

The Panthers travel to Vilonia on Thursday.