Woodmen let one get away at Perry Meridian

INDIANAPOLIS

This was a bad fishing story for Greenwood, as it was one that truly got away.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

“Until we grow up and make plays, we’re not going to be a very good football team.”

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.

It was the Woodmen’s defense that provided an early spark when senior defensive back Alex Walker intercepted the Falcons’ first pass.

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.

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.

Perry Meridian came alive in the second half, while Greenwood had trouble moving the ball.

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.

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.

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.

There was still time for Greenwood, but sophomore Reggie McDonald intercepted Oliver Rau and raced 79 yards for touchdown and a 36-28 cushion.

McDonald snuffed out any Greenwood miracle hopes when he made another interception with 16 seconds left.

“Congratulations to them,” Campbell said. “We’re going to get back to work tomorrow.”

Greenwood’s on the road again next week against Class 5A No. 3 Decatur Central.