Bulldogs might be best in Arkansas

Springdale Har-Ber is the No. 1-ranked team in Class 7A, and the Wildcats are No. 1 overall according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

But there are some who would argue that the true No. 1-ranked team in Arkansas sits just south of Fort Smith off of U.S. Highway 71.

The Greenwood Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, are simply amazing. Year after year, it seems like Greenwood produces some of the best teams and football players the state has to offer. Call it whatever you want -- a football dynasty, powerhouse, factory, machine, any other noun used to describe the Bulldogs' dominance -- and it still might not be enough to give Greenwood justice.

The Siloam Springs Panthers (2-3, 1-1) will get to take their shot at the Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0) this Friday at Smith-Robinson Stadium in Greenwood.

It's likely to be tough sledding for the Panthers, or any team for that matter that lines up against Greenwood.

Take last week for example. Greenwood hosted the No. 2-ranked team in Class 6A, El Dorado, and thoroughly thrashed the Wildcats 52-21 in a most convincing fashion.

It's not all that different than what Greenwood had done to its first four opponents.

The Bulldogs beat Fort Smith Northside 34-7 in Week 1 after leading 34-0 at halftime.

The next week, against Fort Smith Southside, Greenwood led the Mavericks 42-0 at halftime and won 49-0.

Against Alma in Week 3, Greenwood slugged past a longtime rival Airedales team to win 54-28. Then to open 6A-West Conference play at Texarkana in Week 4, the Bulldogs trailed 17-13 at halftime and rebounded for a 38-17 win.

Greenwood's quarterback, senior Connor Noland, has committed to play football and baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and he's Greenwood's highest profile player. But the Bulldogs have several others that are simply outstanding and will go on to play at the next level somewhere. Guys like running back Kenny Wood, or receiver Peyton Holt, or linebacker Nick Vota or defensive lineman Jon Womack or Hunter Webb.

Greenwood has gone 24-2 the last two seasons, having their bid at Class 6A state titles foiled by Pine Bluff in 2015 and Russellville in 2016. Maybe there's a team that will rise up and stop the Bulldogs in 2017 too, but I don't think so.

Siloam Springs is going to go to Greenwood, give great effort and play hard Friday night, but even if the Panthers play a perfect game it still might not be enough to take down the Bulldogs, like the Panthers did my first year covering them in 2010.

That 38-31 win over Greenwood was a great night for everyone involved with Siloam Springs football, but since that night the Bulldogs have taken their program to another level.

-- Graham Thomas is the managing editor for the Herald-Leader. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Sports on 10/04/2017