Coatney throws four touchdowns as Greenwood rolls past Pea Ridge

Greenwood 56, Pea Ridge 7

PEA RIDGE — Cruz Coatney threw four touchdown passes, Mario Dunbar scored twice on the ground and Rodney Wirth returned a blocked punt for a touchdown as Greenwood defeated Pea Ridge 56-7 Friday night.

The Bulldogs built a 21-0 first-quarter lead and took a 35-0 advantage into halftime. Coatney completed 16 of 19 passes for 173 yards, according to Bulldog Broadcast’s final tally, distributing his four touchdown throws to Ty Karnes, Brayden Renick, Braxton Canada and Ty Holt. Greenwood improved to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the 5A-West.

Special teams supplied the opening score. After Greenwood forced a punt on Pea Ridge’s first possession, Wirth collected the blocked kick and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown with 10:56 remaining in the first quarter. Landon Franklin’s extra point made it 7-0.

Dunbar added a six-yard touchdown run on third down with 5:05 left in the quarter. Coatney then found Karnes for a 16-yard touchdown on third-and-seven with 2:23 remaining. Franklin converted after both scores, and the Bulldogs carried their three-touchdown lead into the second quarter.

Greenwood’s next two touchdowns came in the final 81 seconds of the half. Renick took a 10-yard pass from Coatney into the end zone with 1:21 left. After the defense forced another punt, Coatney kept the ensuing possession moving with a 13-yard scramble, then hit Canada in stride for a 52-yard touchdown with 31 seconds remaining. Franklin’s fifth extra point extended the margin to 35-0.

Dunbar broke the game open further on Greenwood’s second offensive snap after halftime. He spun through an attempted tackle near the line, accelerated into the open field and finished a 61-yard touchdown run. Franklin’s kick made it 42-0.

Coatney’s final touchdown pass went to Holt, who fought through defenders near the sideline to complete the 13-yard play in the third quarter. Grayson Cobbler added the extra point for a 49-0 lead before Greenwood turned to its reserves.

Pea Ridge scored on a 45-yard interception return later in the third quarter and added the kick. Greenwood answered early in the fourth with Drake Little’s five-yard touchdown run at the 10:40 mark. Cobbler’s second extra point completed the scoring.

The Bulldogs kept Pea Ridge’s offense out of the end zone. A late Blackhawks drive reached inside the Greenwood 5, but the Bulldogs stopped a fourth-and-inches run near the 2. Little then carried Greenwood out of the shadow of its goal line as the visitors finished the game on offense.

Scoring summary

First quarter

10:56 — Greenwood: Rodney Wirth 15-yard blocked-punt return (Landon Franklin kick). Greenwood 7-0.

5:05 — Greenwood: Mario Dunbar 6-yard run (Landon Franklin kick). Greenwood 14-0.

2:23 — Greenwood: Ty Karnes 16-yard pass from Cruz Coatney (Landon Franklin kick). Greenwood 21-0.

Second quarter

1:21 — Greenwood: Brayden Renick 10-yard pass from Cruz Coatney (Landon Franklin kick). Greenwood 28-0.

0:31 — Greenwood: Braxton Canada 52-yard pass from Cruz Coatney (Landon Franklin kick). Greenwood 35-0.

Third quarter

— Greenwood: Mario Dunbar 61-yard run (Landon Franklin kick). Greenwood 42-0.

— Greenwood: Ty Holt 13-yard pass from Cruz Coatney (Grayson Cobbler kick). Greenwood 49-0.

Fourth quarter

10:40 — Greenwood: Drake Little 5-yard run (Grayson Cobbler kick). Greenwood 56-7.

Players who stood out

Cruz Coatney, Greenwood — 16-of-19 passing for 173 yards and four touchdowns, according to the school broadcast.

Mario Dunbar, Greenwood — Touchdown runs of 6 and 61 yards.

Rodney Wirth, Greenwood — Returned a blocked punt 15 yards for the opening touchdown.

Braxton Canada, Greenwood — Five catches for 65 yards and a 52-yard touchdown, according to the school broadcast.

Ty Holt, Greenwood — Four catches for 46 yards and a 13-yard touchdown, according to the school broadcast.

Brayden Renick, Greenwood — Four catches for 32 yards and a 10-yard touchdown, according to the school broadcast.

Ty Karnes, Greenwood — Caught a 16-yard touchdown pass.

Drake Little, Greenwood — Five-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Landon Franklin and Grayson Cobbler, Greenwood — Franklin made the first six extra points; Cobbler made the final two.