Bulldogs, Bruins set for 6A showdown

Fans don’t have to wait until deep in the playoffs to watch two powerhouse teams go at each other.

Greenwood and Pulaski Academy have each won numerous championships and they meet tonight in a much-anticipated game in the 6A-West Conference. The Bruins won the Class 6A state championship over the Bulldogs last December after losing at Greenwood in conference play.

Tonight’s game is at Pulaski Academy, but that shouldn’t faze Greenwood, especially with its hometown fans always eager to travel. Greenwood (8-0, 6-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A and the Bulldogs set up tonight’s showdown by taking down Russellville 56-20. Pulaski Academy (7-1, 5-1), which lost badly to Little Rock Christian a month ago, returns home after winning 42-31 at Greenbrier.

So, the stage is set and Greenwood fans making the trip into central Arkansas can expect a long night with plenty of passing and scoring by both teams. Greenwood is averaging 50 points and Pulaski Academy 42 points per game.

Offensive stars are numerous but no team wins championships without defense, and that’s where players like Greenwood defensive end Cash Archer and defensive back Braden Skaggs can be a factor. Archer leads the state with 13 sacks and Skaggs has five interceptions, two of which he’s returned for touchdowns.

The Arkansas Activities Association did high school football fans in our coverage area a favor when it placed Greenwood, Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian in the same 6A-West Conference. The games have been exciting and the outcomes unpredictable. But regular-season games between Greenwood and Pulaski Academy will cease for the next two-year cycle after PA earned enough Competitive Equity points to be bumped up to Class 7A next year.

It was fun while it lasted and Greenwood fans will enjoy the ride home while realizing the teams could meet again in the playoffs in November or December.

RICK’S PICK Greenwood (Other games involving teams from our coverage area. The picks are capitalized).

CLASS 7A

BENTONVILLE WEST at Fort Smith Southside

FAYETTEVILLE at Rogers Heritage

ROGERS at Springdale Har-Ber Springdale at BENTONVILLE CABOT at Fort Smith Northside

CLASS 6A

Greenbrier at LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN

VAN BUREN at Mountain Home

CLASS 5A

Clarksville at HARRISON

Dardanelle at ALMA

Pea Ridge at FARMINGTON

Prairie Grove at SHILOH CHRISTIAN

CLASS 4A

Gentry at ELKINS

GREEN FOREST at Huntsville

LINCOLN at Berryville

OZARK at Gravette

CLASS 3A

Cedarville at MANSFIELD CHARLESTON at West Fork Greenland at HACKETT Lavaca at BOONEVILLE

CLASS 2A

HECTOR at Mountainburg LAST WEEK 18-5 (78.3%) OVERALL 253-41 (86.1%)