Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Confident Holt puts up big numbers for Greenwood
GREENWOOD — Junior wide receiver Peyton Holt hoped before the season he could make an impact for the Greenwood Bulldog football team. Mission accomplished. Holt, who finished with 40 catches for 496 yards and six touchdowns last year, has had a breakout year surprising his teammates and even himself becoming the Bulldog’s go-to receiver. Holt finished the regular season this year with 75 catches for 1,035 yards with 13 touchdowns to provide a big spark to the offense. “I always had confidence I’d have a good season,” Holt said. “But I didn’t think it would be this big. The first game I came out and played well for our team. We have been keeping it going after that.” Holt (5-foot-8, 177 pounds) started out the season hot during the first two games with back-to-back big performances against Fort Smith Northside and Fort Smith Southside. He caught 8 passes for 133 yards with a touchdown against Northside, and then he followed it up with 7 catches for 155 yards with 3 touchdowns against Southside. “It was huge to see how good I could be with these guys around me at the start of the season,” Holt said. “It showed me room for improvement as well. There is so much we can do as a team and individually.” Holt and the Greenwood offense haven’t looked back after that averaging 44 points scored per game while capping off the program’s third consecutive perfect regular season. Holt has finished with 100 or more yards in six games and has had a receiving touchdown in all but two games for No. 1 Greenwood (10-0). Not a bad football season for a baseball player who is committed to the University of Louisiana Lafayette. “This has been a nice little side adventure into another sport,” Greenwood coach Rick Jones said with a laugh. “He has really worked hard at both sports to get better. Baseball is his first sport, but I’ve never had a question about his commitment to football.” Holt helped lead the baseball team to a semifinals appearance in the Class 6A state tournament while earning all-state honors last season. Greenwood before the season was looking for a go-to receiver to pair with senior quarterback Connor Noland, who is committed to the University of Arkansas. It’s safe to say the Bulldogs found their man in Holt, who has accounted for 46 percent of the team’s receiving yards so far this season. He also has 13 of the Bulldog’s 25 receiving touchdowns. “I don’t think I saw this big of a season from him,” Noland said. “I knew he would be a good player. But his numbers are ridiculous this season. He worked hard in the offseason and look how it has paid off for him.” Noland competed 168 of 242 attempts for 2,151 yards with 25 touchdowns in the regular season this year for Greenwood. Holt has helped out his fellow baseball teammate in Noland have another great season for the Bulldogs. “Making a throw to him, it gives me a lot of trust good things will happen,” Noland said. “I can make a bad throw and he’ll make a play for us. It makes the game a lot easier.” Holt stepped up for the Bulldogs when it mattered most in a 52-21 victory against El Dorado that helped determine the conference championship and a top seed for the playoffs. Greenwood turned to Holt to be a big part of the game plan against the Wildcats moving him all around the field with his ability to play running back and every wide receiver position. Holt finished with 13 catches for 143 yards with a touchdown in the big win for the Bulldogs. “I talked to coach that week and he told me I needed to step up even more that game,” Holt said. “I took the role and we played so well. It was against a great team, so that was big for me and the guys around me.” The emergence of Holt has helped keep defenses honest with senior running back Kenny Wood having another big season for Greenwood. Wood has 1,309 yards with 24 touchdowns on 183 carries along with 25 catches for 387 yards with 4 touchdown catches heading into postseason play. “It’s really hard to take a guy out of the box this season,” Jones said. “Wood is a much more physical runner this season. I’ve been really proud of him. He has been a great blocker as well. Peyton has helped keep us balanced.” Holt proved last year he could play at a high level for the baseball team. Now given the opportunity staying healthy after battling injuries last season, he has shown he can be a pretty good football player as well. “It’s a good lesson for our kids,” Jones said. “I tell our guys all the time if you wait for your turn, you are in trouble. You have to be prepared for your turn. That’s what Peyton has done this season. Peyton has helped out a lot.”