Davis rushes for 184 yards, 4 TDs in win
GREENWOOD 56, MOUNTAIN HOME 14
GREENWOOD — After not having a rushing touchdown in the previous three games, Greenwood senior running back Brayedan Davis found his groove again Friday night at Smith-Robinson Stadium.
Davis rushed 18 times for 184 yards and 4 touchdowns to help lead Greenwood past Mountain Home 56-14 in a quarterfinal matchup of the Class 6A state playoffs.
Davis, a converted defensive player, started the season by scoring 19 rushing touchdowns in the first seven games, so it was a return to form for him when it mattered most.
“I had to make up for some touchdowns a little bit this game,” Davis said jokingly. “I didn’t get to play much my junior and sophomore years, so this year means a lot to me. These home games are something I’ll never forget. Somebody needed to step up, so I did my thing. I have to give credit to the guys up front though. It’s all them and not me.”
Davis provided touchdown runs of 2, 1, 66 and 3 yards. His longest touchdown of the night capped a one-play drive, gave Greenwood a 35-14 lead in the third quarter and answered a Mountain Home touchdown.
“He had a big night,” Greenwood Coach Chris Young said. “He has been amazing all year. He probably should have more touchdowns. Sometimes he gets us all the way down there and doesn’t get it. But I’m proud of him. He is always ready and never complains. We are going to need him the next two weeks.”
Greenwood (11-0) defeated Mountain Home 55-7 on the road earlier this season, but it was a little closer this time at home. The Bulldogs held a 21-7 lead at halftime.
On the first drive of the third quarter, Greenwood junior wide receiver Grant Karnes caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Kane Archer on fourth down for a 28-7 lead and didn’t look back after that.
“I thought we got settled in at halftime,” Young said. “We got some things worked out and played 35-7 in the second half. I’m proud of the way we responded. It’s tough when you go a week without playing because of a bye. But we got rolling in the second half.”
Archer finished 18-of-26 passing for 266 yards with 3 touchdowns. Karnes had 6 catches for 105 yards and a score. LJ Robins hauled in 4 passes for 66 yards and a score. Peyton Presson, playing his first game in more than a year because of injury, had 4 receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown.
“Peyton catching that touchdown might’ve been my highlight of the year,” Young said. “He has been working hard to get back for his senior year. We have missed him. He played a big role for us in the first half.”
Greenwood’s defense had four consecutive stops to open the game. The Bulldogs’ offense had the ball starting drives at the opposing 45 and 48 to jump out to a 14-0 edge.
Mountain Home (6-6) was guided by senior running back Chris Hubbard, who rushed 27 times for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Bombers had their season end for a fourth time in the quarterfinals after pulling off first-round upsets each year.
“I came in here four years ago and they came in there with me,” Mountain Home Coach Steve Ary said of his seniors. “We’ve done a lot of good things together. We aren’t quite at the Greenwood level. But our guys are a special bunch. Greenwood came to our place and slapped us in the face. We wanted to give them a little fight this time around, but they got us in the second half.”