6th Grade White v. Sallisaw

Article by Denny Bland

The White Pittbull teams traveled to Sallisaw over the weekend and found the Black Diamonds up for the challenge. In the late game, and we do mean late, the sixth grade dogs were grounded by a physical and oversized Sallisaw team in an 8 to zip shutout. The kickoff had been delayed nearly two hours due to an earlier injury as well as overtime in the previous game. Sallisaw used tough defense and intimidating size to thwart the Pittbulls but Greenwood proved that they would “not go gentle into that good night.”

            The opening kick was received by the diamonds and smash mouth football ensued. The hosts took their opening possession and went to work quickly using a punishing running game. Sallisaw would use a little over three minutes of the drive and despite some big time hits by Trey Hamilton, Tanner Wiley and Tanner Cooper, the defense gave way to one big play on a 35 yard touchdown run.  A conventional PAT kick worth two points in this league would make the score 8 to nothing.  Greenwood’s opening possession would include some tough running by Cooper, Wiley and Ty Wyckoff as well as a pass and catch from Reid Wheeler to Kyler Watson.  The drive ultimately would stall and be forced to punt.

            The remaining first half was a battle of wills and field possession with no sustained success on either side. Sallisaw put the ball on the ground multiple times all night and except for one recovery by Greenwood’s Nick Walton; they could not seem to make Sallisaw pay for their mistakes. The Pittbull receivers had some opportunities as well but were unsuccessful even though they often got open. Wheeler was either under pressure or they were not in sync on passes or routes. The dogs did get one good chance before half to score after a Wiley to Wyckoff connection good for a long gain, however, the dogs could not capitalize in Sallisaw territory.

            The second half featured much of the same with bone jarring hits on both sides of the ball. Several Pittbulls suffered thru injuries like lost teeth, possible concussions and hurt appendages not to mention some new terminology by game officials. Greenwood would not quit and battled to the end. Kolton Hughes was active all night on defense and Garrett Miller made a touchdown saving tackle as well that set up a furious goal line stand. Ultimately, Greenwood would get the ball back with 99 yards to go in just over two minutes but just did not have the horses to get it done. The game’s final drive was cut short when a Kyler Watson to Seth Bland deep pass was intercepted by Sallisaw. Sallisaw would take over and run out the clock.

            The loss was disappointing but the team gained valuable experience in the test. Greenwood dropped to a 1-1 record in league play and the sixth grade will play host to Van Buren White Saturday at Smith Robinson Stadium at 7:30 pm.

6th Grade White Pictures