Head coach Clinton Gatewood’s decade-long streak of postseason appearances at Greenwood High looks to be in serious jeopardy.
Region 3-4A foe Gentry beat the Bulldogs, 26-6, on Friday night, flipping the script on a rivalry that had become lopsided in recent history. The Rams (5-4, 1-3) hadn’t beat the Bulldogs since 2008, and they hadn’t even scored points in their past four meetings.
Greenwood (3-5, 0-3) got a spark early on Senior Night from veteran leader Davin Anderson, who forced a fumble just outside the red zone. But nothing came of the turnover as the offense stalled on the ensuing drive and the Bulldogs punted back to Gentry. Greenwood’s defense held strong for the remainder of the first quarter, but the Rams drew first blood early in the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown run.
The Bulldogs answered with their most promising drive of the evening, but they ran into trouble once they reached the red zone. On fourth down, Anderson fumbled on a quarterback keeper, and Gentry fell on top of the loose ball.
With a minute left in the first half, the pocket collapsed on Anderson, who tried to escape and shovel a check down pass to a nearby receiver but instead was intercepted for a 40-yard pick six. The Rams took a 12-0 lead into halftime.
Both squads exchanged special teams scores early in the third quarter. De’Andre Briscoe sent Gentry’s sidelines into a frenzy with an impressive punt return for a touchdown that put the Rams on top, 20-0. Then Greenwood junior Xavier Hoover returned the favor on the ensuing kickoff, miraculously coming back from an apparently serious injury in the first half and scoring on a return down the right sideline. The Bulldogs trailed 20-6 with eight minutes to play in the third quarter after Anderson’s 2-point pass attempt fell incomplete.
Greenwood’s defense made some clutch plays down the stretch, but the Bulldogs’ offense couldn’t convert any turnovers into points. Anderson recovered a fumble, and junior defensive back Amir Williams intercepted a potential Gentry touchdown pass that the Rams receiver was bobbling in the end zone. Hoover also had a pass breakup in the end zone late.
Greenwood closes out its season next Thursday night with a trip to district foe Yazoo City (3-6, 1-2). The Bulldogs need a win next week against the Indians, coached by former Greenwood standout Sherrod Gideon, to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time in Gatewood’s 11-year tenure. Clarksdale (6-1, 3-0) and Senatobia (8-1, 3-0) face off next week for the district title.
- Contact Riley Overend at 662-581-7237 or roverend@gwcommonwealth.com. Follow @OverendOut on Twitter.
