Greenwood travels to Allen County as both teams prepare for the playoffs with one final tune-up
By Perry Swack – Sporting Times Reporter
Greenwood Gators (5-2) @ Allen County-Scottsville Patriots (3-2)
Patriot Stadium – November 5, 2020 – 7:00pm
Last Game
Greenwood was shut out at Bowling Green, 43-0, on October 23
Allen County-Scottsville lost at Russell County, 20-18, on October 23
2019 Meeting
Greenwood rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Allen County-Scottsville, 22-19, behind 249 rushing yards – led by Reed Slone’s 130 yards. David Odom also rushed for 84 yards, including a 41-yard TD run that gave the Gators a 7-6 second quarter lead. The Patriots intercepted John Morrison right before halftime to take a 12-7 lead into the break. The Patriots – led by Dillon Rockstool’s 54 rushing yards – maintained the lead through three quarters. However, a 19-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter allowed Greenwood to retake the lead, before Morrison iced the game with just over six minutes remaining on a 15-yard scamper.
Last Five Meetings
2019 – Allen County-Scottsville 19 @ Greenwood 22
2018 – Greenwood 7 @ Allen County-Scottsville 27
2017 – Allen County-Scottsville 26 @ Greenwood 23
2016 – Greenwood 35 @ Allen County-Scottsville 27
2015 – Allen County-Scottsville 18 @ Greenwood 38
Preview
Both teams were off last week – not by choice – having their games canceled due to COVID-19. Thursday night’s matchup in Scottsville will be the clubs’ final tune-up before the playoffs begin next week. The matchups for the first round are already known. Greenwood will travel to Bowling Green High School for an opening round game in the 5A playoffs, while AC-S will host Franklin-Simpson at Patriot Stadium to kick off the 4A playoffs.
Tonight’s game will be for nothing more than bragging rights for the schools that virtually share a road – albeit 17 miles apart in different counties and cities. Coach Brad Hood at AC-S and coach William Howard at Greenwood like to schedule one another every season that they can. Three of the last four meetings between the two schools has come down to the wire. This matchup should be no different. Greenwood is looking to win back-to-back games over AC-S for the first time since 2013-15 when it won three straight.
Prediction
Allen County-Scottsville 24, Greenwood 20
Greenwood has yet to really break out of its offensive slump since losing John Morrison to a season-ending injury. Although Greenwood has never been a pass-happy team under coach Howard, Morrison’s ability to throw it downfield opened up a lot of things in the run game. The QB-by-committee has been a stopgap of sorts for the Gators, as the team has been using both James Salchli and Lofton Howard under center in Morrison’s absence. Their relative inexperience has led to an average of about 85 passing yards per game for Greenwood. More telling, however, has been the struggles of the run game. The Gators are averaging less than 20 yards per game on the ground, and David Odom – who dominated the first five weeks of the season – has been unable to run anywhere. It must be noted that Greenwood has faced two of the state’s top teams – Bowling Green and South Warren – in each of the last two weeks, which may be one reason why their offense has not been as productive recently.
Allen County – like Greenwood – has relied heavily on its run game. Quarterback Trace McIntyre has thrown for over 500 yards in his team’s five games, while also rushing for 322 yards and six scores. Senior Landon Witcher is averaging a shade under 60 yards per game, while Dillon Rockstool is averaging just under 50 yards per contest. The Patriots, as a team, are averaging 201 yards per game on the ground.
In a tightly contested game, I think the Patriots will build a 24-17 lead in the second half and use its potent rushing attack to bleed the clock into the final frame. Greenwood kicker Drew Smothers will pull the Gators to within four, but the Patriots will be able to run the clock out with a McIntyre keeper on a big third down with less than two minutes to play.
Next Week
Greenwood travels to Bowling Green on November 13 for a Class 5A playoff game
Allen County-Scottsville hosts Franklin-Simpson on November 13 in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs
