Thanksgiving Week Semifinal Playoffs: Benton vs. Greenwood

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The history of these two teams is nothing short of spectacular! Almost every season they face off against each other, it is one amazing game to watch and this past Friday was nothing short of that. The entire game was pretty much a back and forth fight between the Panthers and the Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To begin the game Corner Patrick Shipp made his third interception of the season and took it to the house for a pick six!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beginning the second drive of the game the defense for the Panthers had their way all over the defense! Sophomore Walter Hicks and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='179268' first='Jake' last='Jones'] had their way against the Greenwood offensive line. They paired up both for sacks in the first quarter to go along with the previous pick six!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers had great stops on the goal line to force a field goal in their on goal line. One of the takeaway that I picked out was the goal line defense for the Panthers even in the beginning stages of the game! Overall the Panthers on Defense had three Interceptions against [player_tooltip player_id='160308' first='Hunter' last='Houston'] and the Bulldog offense!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense for the Panthers they all had great nights starting with [player_tooltip player_id='149577' first='Braylen' last='Russell']. He had an amazing night on the ground for the Panthers! In total he combined for 41 rushing attempts for an astonishing 278 yards and two touchdowns! Offensively the plan for the Panthers was evident all night and it was to pound the ball down the middle with Russell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Complimenting the rushing game, the offensive line was solid as always! Starting the night off [player_tooltip player_id='130323' first='Walker' last='Davis'] had a great game and really set the edge for Russell all night long. In the middle you had a great Center all year long in Karter Sanders. Sanders effectively was the leader on the inside for the Panthers all year long and it was evident that he still was in the playoffs. One of the young guys that I would love to see improve for the Panthers in the off season is, Sophomore Tackle, [player_tooltip player_id='384061' first='Parker' last='Glaze']. All season long he's been a great addition to his class and to the Panther squad!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense for the Bulldogs [player_tooltip player_id='160308' first='Hunter' last='Houston'] had a good night throwing 21 of 39 passing attempts for 230 yards. The downside of Houston's night is that he threw for three interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All around for the Bulldogs that night the receivers made some good plays starting with the shifty and agile [player_tooltip player_id='149593' first='LJ' last='Robins']. Most of his receptions came on screen plays, which were effective early on for the Bulldog offense. He finished the game with 40 receiving yards and a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rushing attack for the Bulldog offense was okay at times but combined with Houston's rushing yards and their running back [player_tooltip player_id='214772' first='Jake' last='Glover'] they both ran for a total of 124 yards. Next week if they want to win I think they must improve on their rushing attack!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the end, Greenwood pulled off the win against the Panthers 31 to 24. In the final seconds they scored a go ahead touchdown to pull ahead against the Panthers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next week the Bulldogs will play the Pulaski Academy Bruins in the 2022 6A state title game in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium! I will most defiantly be at this title game because in the regular season the Bruins defeated the Bulldogs and I think this will be a revenge game for the Bulldogs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->