Going into Friday’s game at Mooresville, Greenwood coach Mike Campbell just wanted his team to compete.
He wasn’t as concerned about the scoreboard result, up against a strong Pioneers team ranked third in Class 4A. And his team hung in for a lot of the game.
Mooresville (4-0, 2-0 Mid-State Conference) held a comfortable lead the entire way, but Greenwood didn’t go down easily. But ultimately, the Pioneers just overwhelmed Greenwood (1-3, 0-2) and pulled away with a 42-12 win.
“We did some nice things. Right now, they were more athletic and they were better than us. But it doesn’t take away the effort our kids gave,” Campbell said. “We responded in the face of adversity several times. Our margin for error is smaller than a lot of peoples’ because of our numbers. We competed in the face of adversity, and I’m proud of these guys.”
The Woodmen just didn’t have enough answers for Mooresville standout quarterback Nick Patterson. The senior gave the Pioneers a 7-0 lead on their fifth play from scrimmage on the opening drive, and he only got better from there.
Patterson scored four rushing touchdowns, including three in the first half, and threw for two more. He ran for 104 yards on just nine attempts — some designed runs, some scrambles, but either way, Greenwood couldn’t stop him. Patterson was efficient with his arm as well, going 14 for 20 for 156 yards, although Greenwood senior Colin Robbins and junior Tanner Crouch each came up with an interception.
“He’s an unbelievable athlete. He’s a game-changer,” Campbell said of Patterson. “The things he can do throwing the ball, running the ball — there’s a reason why you’re going to see him play on Saturdays.”
Offensively, the Woodmen turned it over on their first possession, and trailed 14-0 by the time they got another shot. But that second drive was their strongest of the game. In 6:46 of game time, Greenwood executed a 16-play, 80-yard drive with a lot of success on the ground. Junior quarterback Brock Riddle hit senior tight end Carter Campbell for a 3-yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal to cap the drive and cut the deficit to 14-6.
Junior running back Alan Burnett feasted on that drive, and that sent him on to a big night as the Woodmen continued feeding him. He finished with 137 yards on 26 carries.
“Alan Burnett, he’s just tough,” coach Campbell said. “He is, all day, tough downhill, and just plays some great football.”
Mooresville got the lead to 28-6 later in the second quarter and took that lead to halftime. After each team turned it over on their first two drives of the second half, Greenwood came up with a few key plays and Riddle later hit junior Amare Middleton for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
But the Pioneers were just too much for the Woodmen. Mooresville added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to firmly put the game away.
The Woodmen host Plainfield next Friday at 7 p.m. for homecoming.
