Greenwood got back on track last week and is looking to build steam for a strong run in the second half of the season.
The Bulldogs responded to a 34-18 loss to Holmes County Central in Week 2 with a resounding 34-6 victory over Cleveland Central last week to move to 2-1. Now they catch two straight winnable games, starting with Greenville-Weston Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. Then GHS hosts crosstown rival Amanda Elzy before facing a tough one at Louisville on Sept. 21.
But for now, all of the Bulldogs’ focus is on the 6A-member Hornets, who are 1-2 after back-to-back lopsided losses to South Panola (54-0) and Clarksdale (47-14).
“We are still young and a work in progress, but we did cut down on a lot our mistakes last week and showed a lot character beating a team that whipped us last year,” GHS coach Clinton Gatewood said. “Our goal is to get better each week and be hitting on all cylinders when district play starts.”
Greenwood is coming off a dominating defensive performance in which the Bulldogs had two interceptions returned for touchdowns, broke up eight passes and sacked the Cleveland quarterback four times.
Maurice Leflore took a pick 70 yards to the house, and Travor Randle had a 32-yard interception return for a score.
Weston is coached by former GHS standout Sherrod Gideon, who played quarterback and receiver for the Bulldogs from 1993-95. He was also the head coach at Leflore County for five years with a 23-28 record before leaving after the 2015 season to become Greenville’s offensive coordinator. Gideon moved into the head spot after one season.
Gideon lost 41-30 to his alma mater last year in a shootout. Greenwood is 4-1 vs. Greenville since the old rivalry was renewed in 2013.
“We know Sherrod’s style; he wants to pass the ball. And he is familar with us from his days at Leflore,” Gatewood said. “They may only be 1-2, but you can throw out the records in a rivalry game like this.”
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
