Woodmen let one get away at Perry Meridian

<p>INDIANAPOLIS</p><p>This was a bad fishing story for Greenwood, as it was one that truly got away.</p><p>Perry Meridian scored 29 fourth-quarter points to shock the Woodmen, 36-28, Friday night in a game Greenwood appeared to have all but won.</p><p>The win was the first for the Falcons and was the fourth straight loss for the Woodmen (1-5), who blew a 21-point lead and had at one point held Perry Meridian to only 18 first-half yards.</p><p>It was a tale of two games, with Greenwood dominating the first half and the Falcons flying high in the second, which left Greenwood coach Mike Campbell stunned and a bit angry.</p><p>“They played harder in second half and we didn’t,” said Campbell. “We didn’t execute and do the plays we needed to be successful.</p><p>“Until we grow up and make plays, we’re not going to be a very good football team.”</p><p>The Woodmen (1-5) rushed for 241 yards, with Nick Willham running for 124 yards and two touchdowns and Anthony Williams rushing for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns — but ultimately their talents were wasted.</p><p>It was the Woodmen’s defense that provided an early spark when senior defensive back Alex Walker intercepted the Falcons’ first pass.</p><p>Williams followed with a 2-yard scoring run, followed by two tallies from Willham in the second quarter. Willham ran in from the 5 and 6.</p><p>About the only thing Greenwood did wrong in the first half was getting stopped on the Falcons’ 2 shortly before halftime — which at the time didn’t appear important but came back to haunt the team later.</p><p>Perry Meridian came alive in the second half, while Greenwood had trouble moving the ball.</p><p>Alex Hooton found a wide-open Dekhari Jones for a 48-yard pass in the third quarter. Then the Falcons closed the gap to seven, 21-14, when Brooks Davis ran in from the 2.</p><p>Greenwood found its offense and drove 61 yards, with Williams going in from the 2 to make it a two-score game again with 7:25 left.</p><p>But Hooton found Brandin Green open for 38 yards with 5:51 left, and the Falcons took the lead when Jones ran in from the 11 and the Falcons used some razzle-dazzle to score the two-point conversion and a 22-21 lead.</p><p>There was still time for Greenwood, but sophomore Reggie McDonald intercepted Oliver Rau and raced 79 yards for touchdown and a 36-28 cushion.</p><p>McDonald snuffed out any Greenwood miracle hopes when he made another interception with 16 seconds left.</p><p>“Congratulations to them,” Campbell said. “We’re going to get back to work tomorrow.”</p><p>Greenwood’s on the road again next week against Class 5A No. 3 Decatur Central.</p>