It was senior night for Greenwood High School (3-6), but in a game that featured 82 total points, Highlands (4-5) was able to outlast the Gators 47-35 on Friday night.

At halftime, Highlands led Greenwood by a slim 26-21 margin.

However, a balanced offensive attack (passing and throwing for more than 200 yards) saw the Bluebirds take out a tired Greenwood defense in the second half.

“I was extremely pleased with the way we competed,” Greenwood football coach Chris Seabolt said. “Highlands is a really good program historically. Our kids were outsized all night and we just kept fighting. I was tickled to death with how we competed and the effort that we gave.”

Despite the defeat, Greenwood senior quarterback Jackson Adams had a game to remember as he broke his own school record for rushing yards in a game with 301, while scoring 4 rushing TDs. He also added 56 yards and another TD through the air.

“I can’t say enough good things about (Adams),” Seabolt said of his senior quarterback. “I’ve ran the veer for a long time and he is the best I’ve ever had. I don’t foresee us having someone as good as him again. He played 80-85 percent of the plays tonight on both sides of the football.”

It was all Adams in the first half for the Gators as he broke off three long touchdown runs of 61, 68 and 78 yards.

However, despite his efforts the Gator offense had multiple turnovers in the half which helped Highlands go into halftime with a 5-point lead.

In the second half Adams managed to run for another touchdown and pass for one as well, but a talented run game led by Cooper Schwalbach and Larry Wilson pushed Highlands toward the victory.

Schwalbach ended the game with 183 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns while Wilson finished with 103 rushing yards.

Bluebirds quarterback Carl Schoellman paced the Bluebird offense in the first half as Highlands did what they could to keep up with Adams. He would finish the game with 205 passing yards.

Despite the loss, Greenwood has already cemented their place in the Class 5 State playoffs as they currently hold the third seed in District 2. The Gators will play Apollo High School and Coach Seabolt thinks that this matchup with Highlands will prepare the Gators adequately.

“I can’t imagine that Apollo will be more physical than Highlands,” Seabolt said. “That was one of the more physical teams we have played all year. Not to take anything away from Apollo, but I know that playing this type of opponent will hopefully prepare us down the road in the playoffs when we play quality teams.”

Greenwood will finish its regular season next week when it will go on the road and take on Hopkinsville High School, which is also 3-6 on the season.

Scoring Summary

Greenwood 7 14 7 7 – 35

Highlands 2 24 14 7 – 47

First Quarter

G – J. Adams 61-yard run (B. Patterson Kick) 11:06

H – Safety (Bad Snap by Greenwood) 2:57

Second Quarter

H – C. Greene 17-yard Interception return (2 point try good by Cramer) 11:22

G – J. Adams 68-yard run (Patterson kick good) 11:02

G – J. Adams 78-yard run (Patterson kick good) 6:03

H – C. Schwalbach 65-yard run (2-point try no good) 5:50

H – C. Schwalbach 2-yard run (2 point try good by Cramer) 1:02

Third Quarter

H – C. Schwalbach 2-yard run (Bowman kick good) 7:28

G – J. Adams 7-yard run (Patterson kick good) 3:26

H – C. Schwalbach 25-yard run (Bowman kick good) 1:19

Fourth Quarter

H – C. Schwalbach 26-yard run (Bowman kick good) 1:46

G – J. Adams 10-yard pass to Johnson (Patterson kick good) 0:24{&end}