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Country Plant Good Luck PANTHERS! 19 PreP rally: Class 6A Thursday, augusT 31, 2017 that we're not proud of our kids. That's not the issue. We set a goal to be the best, and when we fell short of it, it's disappointing. It's heartbreaking." The Bulldogs are primed for another big year and are clear-cut favorites in the 6A-West Conference. Greenwood ran the table in the league last year, with its closest conference game a 27-24 win over Russellville in Week 7. The Cyclones got the last laugh in the state title game with a 37-23 win over the Bulldogs. "We just fell short," Jones said. "We got outplayed." Greenwood was picked by the league coaches to win the 6A-West and is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A. The Bulldogs have plenty of weap- ons too. Quarterback Connor Noland passed for more than 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns while splitting duties with graduated senior Luke Hales. "It's the first time we've had to ra- tion his snaps in practice so that he doesn't get a sore arm," Jones said. "I think he loves it. We went 24-2 with those boys alternating every other se- ries. If those kids hadn't been really great about (sharing snaps), it could have been a disaster. I respect both of them and both of their families. It could have been a negative, and they didn't let it happen." The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Noland has committed to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville to play football and baseball. He said near-misses his sophomore and junior year give plenty of motivation not only for himself but the whole locker room. "It's in the back of our mind," No- land said. "But we're trying to start with a clean slate. We're not going to worry about what happened last year. We're coming out here on game a time, enjoy our moments and just try and play the best football we can play." Greenwood running back Kenny Wood rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year and returns for his senior year. 6a v Continued from Page 18 special to NWa democrat-gazette/Mark sTalliNgs Coach rick Jones of greenwood has led the Bulldogs to six state championships. see 6a-West, Page 20