El Dorado’s defense was salty in Friday’s 44-6 win over Greene County Tech. The Wildcats surrendered just 35 yards rushing, including 22 on one play. Take away the 22-yard run and the Eagles’ longest play from scrimmage was a 9-yard gain.
Greene County Tech completed 2-of-17 passes for seven yards with an interception. Bryson King returned that pick for a touchdown.
The Wildcats recorded 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Curtis Jefferson led El Dorado with six tackles, including two tackles for loss. Trey Cook had five tackles with three tackles for loss. LeVictor Levingston had four tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack. Zalek Meeks had three tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack. Nic Wilson had three tackles, two tackles for loss.
El Dorado’s defense pitched a shutout. Greene County Tech’s lone score came on a blocked punt recovered in the end zone.
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The blocked punt was one of the few special teams’ blemishes on the night. Kicking game played a hand in El Dorado’s 0-2 start but the Wildcats showed improvement on Friday.
Cooper Henry had three touchbacks on kickoffs. DeAndra Burns, Jr., returned three punts for 66 yards, including a 46-yard return. TJ Dunn returned a kickoff 71 yards for a touchdown.
“We still have to improve on the field goal unit,” said El Dorado coach Steven Jones. “Cooper Henry did a good job on kickoffs. That was a really good deal to pen them back deep. That helped us out on field position. There’s just a few things to continue to try to clean up.”
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Offensively, Dominique Grimes may have emerged as another big-play threat at receiver. The sophomore had two receptions for 57 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown. He also had another TD nullified by a penalty.
“He’s got some playmaker ability,” said Jones. “He’s played some our first two games but we were able to get him more out in space this time. But, yeah, he’s got some shake to him. I think he’ll keep improving each week. He’ll give us another guy that maybe we can get it out in space to.”
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A negative for both teams on Friday was the amount of penalties called. Unofficially, there were a total of 29 flags in the game.
El Dorado had 14 penalties for 140 yards and Greene County Tech was flagged 15 times for 112 yards.
After the game, Jones was at a loss to explain the penalties.
“I have no idea. That was the most flags I’ve ever seen in a high school football game on both sides. I think (the officials) got frustrated. I don’t know,” he said.
Some of the calls were disputable. Others weren’t.
“Some of those holding calls were definitely holds. So, we just have to continue to clean that up.”
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El Dorado travels to Benton on Friday. The Panthers are 1-2 on the season and coming off a 38-14 loss to unbeaten Little Rock Catholic.
Benton beat Sylvan Hills 58-24 and lost to Bryant 38-17 in the season-opening Salt Bowl.