(by Don Meador, September 7, 2021)
With almost double the total offensive yards, the Greenwood Gators cruised to a 38-0 shutout of the Allen County-Scottsville Patriots last Friday night at the Swamp in Bowling Green.
Despite the lopsided final score, a hard-hitting and determined Patriot squad battled the hosts tooth and nail for much of the game, especially the first 24 minutes of action. However, as the game progressed, the continued pondering by the Greenwood ground game began to wear down AC-S.
After their first possession of the game ended with an interception, the Patriot defense made a stand, holding the Gators out of the end zone. Key sacks and stops by Julyan McPeak and Will Moore denied the Gators a score midway through the first. Unfortunately, the Patriots could not take advantage with their second drive ending near midfield.
Greenwood answered with a five-play, 59 yard drive. A three-yard scoring run lifted Greenwood to a 6-0 lead after a try for two on the conversion failed. AC-S couldn’t move the ball leading to the next Gator possession, a possession that led to the gator’s second score. Owen Watson’s 30-yard reception propelled the gators to a 12-0 lead at the 8:19 mark of the second period.
The Patriots missed an opportunity to cut into the gator lead late in the first half. After a fumble recovery by Moore near the AC-S 26-yard line, the Patriots mounted a solid drive bown field. A 28-yard pass play from Payton Cope to Thorny Walker and a 42-yard run by Colton Costello, AC-S was poised to score as the clock ticked down in the first half. However, the Patriots could not push teh ball in, allowing the gators to carry a 12-0 lead into halftime.
Greenwood took control the rest of the way. Lofton Howard---the son of Greenwood coach William Howard---capped an early third quarter drive with a one-yard score at the 9:24 mark of the third. On their next possession following a quick three-and-out by AC-S, Tel Tel Long capped a drive with a nine-yard run at the 5;53 mark of the third. The PAT gave Greenwood a 26-0 lead. Howard capped the scoring for the hosts midway through the fourth. After a four yard run, Howard returned an AC-S fumble 24-yards for the final score of the game.
The Gators’ run attack proved to be too much for the Patriots. Ten Greenwood ball carriers rushed for 267 yards against the Patriot defense. Greenwood also passed the ball 11 times for 179 yards to allow the Gators to finish the night with 446 yards in total offense.
The Patriots ended the game with 224 offensive yards. Costello’s 42-yard run provided the bulk of the AC-S ground attack. Christopher Holland finished with 19 yards on eight attempts with Levi Cooper adding 19 yards on two fourth-quarter carries. Through the air, Cope passed for 118 yards on six of 15 passing. Costello caught a pass for 60 yards with Walker finishing with two grabs for 35 yards. Leading receiver Jax Cooper was held to one yard on two pass receptions.
Defensively, Moore led the way for AC-S. The senior linebacker was in on 12 total tackles, including eight solo stops. Karson Gens was in one 10 tackles, five of which were solo tackles.
AC-S (1-2) will host the Glasgow Scotties this Thursday at 7 at Patriot Stadium. The game was originally slated for Friday night but was moved forward a night due to a shortage of available officials---a problem that has started to plague high school games across the state.
Glasgow (2-1) comes into the game having scored 49 points the last two Friday’s. After a season opening loss to Woodford County (56-0) on August 20, Glasgow defeated Russellville 49-35 a week later and downed Monroe County 49-8 last Friday.
For individuals without purchased season passes, tickets for Thursday’s game can be obtained online only. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Tickets can be purchased by going on to .https://gofan.co/app/events/350657.