Greenwood's Dakota Ford returns a punt during Greenwood's 42-6 win over Barren County on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, at Greenwood. (Austin Anthony/photo@bgdailynews.com)

The Greenwood football team heads to its bye week on a positive note after opening Class 5A, District 2 play with a 42-6 victory over Barren County on Friday at Greenwood High School.

Greenwood (6-1 overall, 1-0 district play) ran for 212 yards and got several big plays from its special teams to head into fall break with three straight victories, scoring more than 42 points in all three games.

“Our defense played really well all night,” Greenwood coach Chris Seabolt said. “Offensively, there were a couple of things we tried to take advantage of and we weren’t able to do that. The fall break is a great thing. It gives your kids a chance to re-charge. It gives the coaches a chance to re-charge as well. But at the same time it is a little bit of a distraction as well. I think that is what you saw tonight.”

The Gators only needed four plays to get on the board with Xezayier Snorton’s 59-yard run setting up a 2-yard touchdown run from Malcolm Johnson.

After stopping the Trojans, Greenwood needed four plays for Tristan Wilson to score on a 3-yard touchdown run.

Barren County (0-7, 0-1) answered with Zach Knew’s 70-yard run setting up a 13-yard keeper by quarterback Grant Bowen to make the score 14-6.

On the ensuing kickoff, Johnson picked up a squib kick and ran it back 70 yards to put the Gators back up two scores to turn the momentum back to Greenwood for good.

Johnson’s return was the highlight of a big night by the special teams, which also included a blocked punt and several returns that set up the Gators in Barren County territory.

“Knock on wood, our special teams have played pretty well all year,” Seabolt said. “That’s huge. If you can win in special teams it gives you a chance to make mistakes somewhere else and still be able to compete.”

Greenwood would add a Snorton touchdown run to take a 28-6 halftime lead and Alex Rhodes capped the scoring with two second-half touchdowns.

“They had a couple of big plays early – and then the kicking game,” Barren County coach Jeff Griffith said. “When you start having some injuries, and we are getting thin, the kicking game is where it shows up. They had a couple of punts deep into our territory. They returned a kick for a touchdown. That puts you really on your heels.”

The Gators outgained the Trojans 259-200. The Trojans ran for 165 yards. Knew had 98 yards rushing, while Bowen – a third string quarterback forced into to action due to injuries – ran for 57 yards.

“I am as happy as I can be with our effort and the attitude of our kids,” Griffith said. “We were an inexperienced team coming into the year. We have certainly been hit with the injury bug a little bit, but I like the fight of our kids. We are hope to get better as the year progresses the last three or four games.”

Snorton eclipsed the 100-yard mark, finishing with 104 yards rushing. Jackson Adams had 71 yards rushing for the Gators.

Both teams will return to action at 7 p.m. Oct. 14. Greenwood will play at Grayson County, while Barren County will host Bowling Green.

BCHS 6 0 0 0 —  6

GHS 21 7 7 7     — 42

First quarter

GHS — Malcolm Johnson 2 run (Tanner Dawson kick), 10:42

GHS — Tristan Wilson 3 run (Dawson kick), 6:48

BC — Grant Bowen 13 run (run failed), 5:19

GHS — Johnson 70 kick return (Dawson kick), 5:07

Second quarter

GHS — Xezayier Snorton 4 run (Dawson kick), 2:46

Third quarter

GHS — Alex Rhodes 5 run (Dawson kick), 7:46

Fourth quarter

GHS — Rhodes 5 run (Dawson kick), 9:59

— Follow prep sports reporter Micheal Compton on Twitter @mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.