By DAN ELLIOTT
Special to The Leader
The Greenbrier Panthers, led by All-State quarterback Neal Burcham, took an early lead on an 87-yard touchdown strike to receiver Reid Cone and never looked back as they coasted to a 41-20 opening night win at A.S. “Bro” Erwin Stadium on Friday.
Beebe (0-1) used the double wing offense effectively early in the contest as the Badgers physical rushing attack ground out a 10-play drive, fueled by 1-yard touchdown by sophomore Eric Thorn. The extra point was missed and Greenbrier (1-0) held a 7-6 lead.
The Badgers were mistake prone early in the contest, especially during a one-minute stretch in the second quarter as a botched punt attempt was smothered by Greenbrier’s Jimbo Pitts on the Beebe 1-yard line, setting up an Austin Fischer touchdown plunge to increase the Panthers’ lead to 14-6.
On the ensuing kickoff return, Beebe kick returner Jay Holdway mishandled the kick. After a wild scramble, Greenbrier’s Jordan Legree recovered, setting up a 19-yard touchdown run by Fischer to widen the Panthers lead to 20-6.
“You just can’t make those kinds of mistakes against a good team like we did tonight,” Beebe coach John Shannon said. “It was a rough stretch there in the second quarter and a good team like Greenbrier will take advantage of that.”
With 44 seconds left in the first half, Greenbrier quarterback Neal Burcham hit Scott Cavin on a slant pass for a 71-yard touchdown as Cavin displayed some nice open field moves and broke several tackles on his way to the endzone for a 27-6 Panthers lead at the break.
The Badgers opened the second half much like they did early in the game as they pounded the ball at the Greenbrier defense behind the running of Thorn, Jay Holdway, Jeremy Van Winkle and quarterback Dustin Stallnacker. Junior running back Michael Kirby showed his speed as he raced around the right end for a 39-yard touchdown burst to cut the Greenbrier lead to 27-14 with 6:58 remaining in the third quarter.
Momentum was on Beebe’s side moments later as Greenbrier fumbled and Badgers Dakota Loveston recovered, setting Beebe up on their own 40-yard line. After a 43 pass from Stallnacker to Van Winkle pass set the Badgers up inside the Greenbrier 5, Stallnacker was hit as he attempted an option pitch and the Panthers pounced on the loose ball.
“Our kids never quit tonight,” added Shannon. “We came out and ran our offense the way we know how in the third quarter. We just can’t make those kinds of mistakes.”
Burcham showed why he is collegiate prospect as he dissected the Badgers pass defense for 67 yards on 4 consecutive pass completions, setting up Austin Fischer’s third rushing score of the evening to put the game out of reach at 34-14 entering the fourth quarter.
Beebe makes their first road trip of the season next Friday night as they travel to Lonoke to take on the Jackrabbits while Greenbrier hosts Faulkner County rival Mayflower.
