Archer, Davis power Greenwood past Benton in 6A semifinal shootout

Greenwood 63, Benton 45

GREENWOOD – Senior quarterback Kane Archer rewrote more record book pages and sent Greenwood back to Little Rock, accounting for six touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 63–45 Class 6A semifinal win over Benton on Friday at Smith‑Robinson Stadium.

Archer, a senior quarterback, threw for over 250 yards and four touchdowns and added more than 130 yards rushing with two scores as Greenwood (12–0) advanced to its sixth straight state championship game.

Benton (9–3) struck first with running back Brenden Murdock punching in two short first‑quarter touchdowns, and the Panthers traded blows with Greenwood to a 14–14 tie after one. Benton quarterback Drew Davis, a senior, kept the Panthers in it all night, firing two touchdown passes and adding a late scoring run while frequently extending plays with his legs.

Greenwood answered with Archer’s precision and the versatility of senior receiver Champ Davis, who lined up all over the formation. Davis rushed for over 150 yards with three touchdowns and added two more scores through the air on short catches he turned into big plays. Senior receiver Cooper Bland provided the back‑breaking shots, hauling in touchdown receptions of 36 and 43 yards as the Bulldogs turned a 28–24 halftime edge into a 49–24 third‑quarter lead.

Greenwood’s defense bent but produced key stops after halftime. Linebacker Bryer Hackler and defensive lineman Cody Johnson each recorded drive‑killing plays in the third quarter, slowing a Benton offense that had averaged more than 45 points per game.

Greenwood will face Shiloh Christian next Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in a rematch of the Bulldogs’ Week 4 win.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
Greenwood – Champ Davis 3-yard run (Landon Franklin kick), Greenwood 7–0
Benton – Brenden Murdock 6-yard run (Gabe Wilbur kick), 7–7
Greenwood – Davis 18-yard pass from Kane Archer (Franklin kick), Greenwood 14–7
Benton – Murdock 1-yard run (Wilbur kick), 14–14

2nd Quarter
Benton – Gunner Deaton 4-yard run (Wilbur kick), Benton 21–14
Greenwood – Cooper Bland 36-yard pass from Archer (Franklin kick), 21–21
Greenwood – Davis 11-yard pass from Archer (Franklin kick), Greenwood 28–21
Benton – Wilbur 37-yard field goal, Greenwood 28–24

3rd Quarter
Greenwood – Bland 43-yard pass from Archer (Franklin kick), Greenwood 35–24
Greenwood – Davis 7-yard run (Franklin kick), Greenwood 42–24
Greenwood – Archer 3-yard run (Franklin kick), Greenwood 49–24
Benton – Will Carter 41-yard pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), Greenwood 49–31
Greenwood – Davis 67-yard run (Franklin kick), Greenwood 56–31

4th Quarter
Benton – Davis 18-yard run (Wilbur kick), Greenwood 56–38
Greenwood – Archer 3-yard run (Franklin kick), Greenwood 63–38
Benton – Jon Curtis Barger 6-yard pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), Greenwood 63–45

Standout Players

• Kane Archer, Greenwood QB – Over 250 yards passing, 4 TD; 130+ rushing yards, 2 TD

• Champ Davis, Greenwood WR/RB – Over 150 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD; 2 receiving TD

• Cooper Bland, Greenwood WR – 3 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TD

• Drew Davis, Benton QB – Multiple TD passes plus a rushing score, led explosive Panther offense

• Will Carter, Benton WR – Deep threat with a long touchdown and several chain‑moving catches