GREENFIELD, Ind. — The Greenfield-Central Cougars had no problem disposing of the Beech Grove Hornets during the first round of IHSAA football sectionals on Friday.
It was always going to be an uphill battle for the visiting Hornets. Going into enemy territory after having lost their regular season finale to Lutheran 56-0 did not give the team much momentum, allowing the Cougars to capitalize. To make matters worse, the two teams had already met this season back on Week 1.
Greenfield-Central handled Beech Grove 50-8 during that game. On Friday night, it was more of the same.
From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, Greenfield-Central had complete control of the game. Junior fullback Braylen Benavente started the scoring barrage by running in for a touchdown about four minutes into the game.
After taking over possession, the Beech Grove offense stalled, forcing a turnover on downs that Greenfield-Central then turned into even more points. Benavente scored his second rushing touchdown of the game as the Cougars went up 14-0 halfway through the opening quarter.
As the first quarter finished up, the Cougars scored twice more and ended the opening quarter with a 28-0 lead.
Greenfield-Central continued to click on both sides of the ball. The defense forced a punt early in the second quarter that the offense turned into more points when senior running back Eddie Mullins punched it in, giving the Cougars a 35-0 lead.
The two teams then traded interceptions with Beech Grove throwing two and Greenfield-Central one. Greenfield's second interception was returned for points, giving the Cougars a staggering 42-0 lead with plenty of time left to play in the first half.
Another huge defensive stop by the Cougars then set up a massive 57-yard rushing touchdown by senior quarterback Dallas Freeman. At halftime, the Cougars led the Hornets by an astounding 49 points.
Greenfield-Central only scored once more off an 11-yard rushing touchdown by freshman quarterback McCoy Wilson late in the third quarter, but it didn't really matter as their defense was content with shutting out the Hornets.
Beech Grove ends their 2024 season with a 4-6 record off back-to-back blowout losses. Meanwhile, Greenfield-Central advances to the second round of sectionals and will play Pendleton Heights next Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
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