The Hopkinsville Tigers dug themselves an early hole in its season opener and fell to Greenwood 49-14 Friday at Allen County-Scottsville.
Hopkinsville saw a punt get blocked and lost a fumble on its first two drives and the Gators capitalized on both.
The Tigers went 3-and-out on their first possession and Caleb Williams blocked the Hoptown punt and fell on the ball in the end zone less than 90 seconds into the contest.
On their next possession, Gray Price fell on a Hopkinsville fumble at the Tiger 24-yard line.
After a touchdown pass was called back due to a Greenwood penalty, Cam Smith hit Tel Tel Long on a 28-yard screen pass for a quick 14-0 lead.
Smith put Greenwood up 21-0 in the quarter on a 1-yard run with the score set up by a 25-yard pass to Long.
JoVaun ‘JoJo’ Jackson kept the goose egg off Hopkinsville’s side of the scoreboard, taking the Greenwood kickoff, angling left, and galloping 88 yards for the score.
Greenwood didn’t stay down for long as the Gators marched down the field and Ray Price punched in an 8-yard score with 10:06 left in the half, giving the Gators a 28-7 lead.
The Gators added two more scores before halftime with a 14-yard run by Long and an Elmo Stewart touchdown grab.
Jackson scored again for Hoptown when he took the ensuing kickoff 81 yards up the middle for his second kick return for a touchdown.
Gavin Harton nailed both PATs.
Greenwood added a 44-yard touchdown before halftime and with a running clock in effect, ended the scoring on a Cam Smith to Henry Hines touchdown that covered 30 yards through the air.
Greenwood rolled up 284 yards, led by Smith who was 7-of-11 passing for 172 yards.
Hopkinsville was held to one first down and zero yards of offense in the first half.
It doesn’t get any easier for Hopkinsville next week as they visit War Memorial Stadium to play defending Class 2A State Runner-up Mayfield.
