Greenfield Wildcat Football came to an end after a devastating overtime loss to Liberal 22-20. The district semifinal match-up was played on Friday, November 2nd in Greenfield, MO.
The semifinal game was a rematch of a Week 1 game where the Wildcats won 22-8 on a game that was the hot and humid. This match-up in Greenfield was on a chilly night that was a defensive struggle throughout the night. Neither team could break through on the scoreboard, despite promising drives in the first half for both teams. Greenfield took the opening drive inside the 10 yard line, but they were unable to convert on 4th down and turned the ball over on downs. The game went back and forth for the reminder of the half, with the score being tied at zero going into the break.
:Liberal broke through first scoring in the 3rd quarter after a long drive that ended with a Bulldog touchdown on fourth and goal from the three yard line. Greenfield responded on the next drive to tie the game at six all.
The fourth was a battle as Liberal took the lead late in the fourth quarter and converted on the 2 point conversion to take a 14-6 lead. Needing to score, the Wildcats pulled out a trick play to move the ball down the field and eventually scored on a Bailey Baker touchdown. Needing a 2 point conversion, the Wildcats found some luck. As Baker scrambled to the left on a sweep play a Liberal defender hit him in the backfield. Fighting to keep the play alive, Baker attempted to throw the ball to teammate Gage Burns. Baker fumbled as he threw the ball backwards and Burns picked up the ball and reversed the field to run in the 2 point conversion on a wild play.
Neither team scored for the rest of regulation and the game went to overtime. Greenfield started the extra period with the ball and scored on a Bailey Baker scramble, but the 2 point conversion failed. Liberal responded with a touchdown of their own and were able to convert the 2 point conversion for the win.
The Wildcats ended their return to 11 man football with a 7-4 record. The Wildcats will lose 8 seniors to graduation that were valuable parts to the program for the entirety of their school careers. Those seniors are Bailey Baker, Gage Burns, Brandon Matthews, Nico Murray, Tyrell Stafford, Seth Trask, Jacob VanKam, and Noah Wilkins. The Wildcats will return several players that played significant parts in the season and many will be returning letter winners. Returners will be juniors Bobby Dardenne, Jacob Jones, Levi Matthews, Quin Morrow, Caden Sims, and Daunte Stafford; sophomores James Dardenne, Jacob Feezell, Dustin Harmon, Arron Matthews, and Dalson Meyers; and freshmen Tyler Howard, Brendon Keithly, and Brad Reid.
The Junior Varsity played several games and finished the season with a 2-2 record. The Junior High program had 15 student-athletes, many who were playing their first time. All in all, Justin Breedlove is happy with the progress of the program and is continuing to promote the sport of football and encouraging young men to take part in the rich tradition of being a Greenfield Football Wildcat.