Archer leads the way for Greenwood

The playoffs last week showcased some of the state’s top quarterbacks, including a few who’ll play next season at the college level.

But no one shined brighter under the lights than Kane Archer, a sophomore who still has two years yet to play in high school. Archer completed 22 of 29 passes for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead Greenwood to a 41-23 victory over Little Rock Christian in the Class 6A state championship game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Archer also ran for 95 yards and two scores for Greenwood, which finished 13-0 on the season.

“Kane was big for us on Friday,” Greenwood Coach Chris Young said. “He was able to efficiently run and throw the ball against them. I thought he did a great job of taking what they gave us and not forcing anything. Our ability to protect the football and get turnovers from them was the difference in the game.”

Greenwood fans have long anticipated the arrival of Archer, who made his varsity debut as a freshman last season. He’s been outstanding this season as a full-time starter and he put Greenwood ahead 14-0 last Friday when he passed for a touchdown and ran for a score. Archer contributed in the second half when Greenwood used a ball-control offense to eat up some clock after a pair of Bodey Steinfeldt field goals gave it a 27-9 lead.

“I went to coach and I was like, ‘Trust me, I’ll run the ball,’ ” Archer said in reference to his conversation with Young. “I’ll put my head down and I’ll go do it for you. He trusted me, and that was the outcome.”

Greenwood won its 11th state championship and finished undefeated for the fourth time in the modern playoff era. Archer was on the losing end last year when Greenwood fell 42-35 to Pulaski Academy at War Memorial. He was determined last Friday to send the seniors out as winners in their final game.

“That’s what we did, played for those seniors every play,” Archer said.