FAYETTEVILLE — Early last week a box of roses that had been painted black arrived in Greenland with a note instructing them to be placed on the football team’s graves after West Fork “buried” the Pirates on Friday night.
It could have been rivalry high jinks between a pair of heated Class 3A-1 foes or a brilliant motivational move by someone from Greenland.
Either way, Arkansas junior defensive end pledge JJ Hollingworth (6-4, 250 pounds) said it fired up the Pirates, and Greenland routed visiting West Fork 41-21 behind 255 yards and four touchdowns from senior running back Jett Dennis.
“We were pretty fired up about going into the game,” Hollingsworth said. “It’s our biggest rivalry game of the year, at least one of them along with Elkins, so we would have been ready to play anyway, but it gave us some extra motivation.
“As a team I thought we played pretty good, but we had a couple of slip ups. We knew they were a good team and would have some good plays. But I think overall as a team we took care of our business, which is what we have done for most of the season."
Hollingsworth, who has 57 tackles this season with 39 solo stops, 11.5 tackles for lost yardage and six sacks, led the charge on both the offensive and defensive lines for the victors, according to Greenland head coach Lee Larkan.
“He is getting better each game and I think tonight was one of his best nights of the season,” Larkan said. “He just turned 16. He is a young kid and basically he just played part time last season because of a broken arm. This is his first year of a full football season. He’s getting better every week and that’s all you can ask for.”
Greenland (8-2, 6-1) finished second in league play behind Charleston (8-2, 7-0) and has a bye Friday night in the Class 3A state playoffs before hosting Perryville (6-4) on Nov. 20.
It's a big difference from the season opener, a 45-28 loss to Elkins in a weather-delayed game that didn’t end until midnight Sept. 3. The game came after a week when the Pirates were having trouble having enough players on hand to practice and play.
“I think we are coming together pretty good right now as a team and know what we are capable of,” Hollingsworth said. “We are 8-2 now going into the playoffs. I think we are going to be a tough out for anybody in the playoffs.
“I think we have a pretty good shot in the playoffs, but I know that no game is going to be easy. If we played our best game, I don’t think anybody could stop us so that’s got to be our goal each game.”
Dennis (5-10, 170) set the school single-season rushing record during the game Friday. He has 1,892 rushing yards, 2,388 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns.
He has rushed for 3,643 career yards, accumulated 4,628 all-purpose yards and scored 48 touchdowns during his time as a Pirate.
“He makes a whole lot out of just a little bit,” Hollingsworth said. “He’s the best running back in the state for sure. He is pretty stout, he runs with confidence, he plays with confidence, he knows what he is doing and is just a stud for sure.”
Larkan echoed that sentiment.
“He’s a dandy football player who has 1,800 to 1,900 yards this year,” Larkan said. “He’s been great for us. The offensive line has gotten better for us and that’s a good football team we went against tonight. West Fork has improved a lot this season.”
Hollingsworth also had offers from Kansas and Akron and interest from other schools before committing to Arkansas on July 24. He has tried to focus on each down instead of each game.
“Individually during the year, I think I have just stuck to my job and played better and better as the season went along,” Hollingsworth said. “The main thing is that we have been winning, That’s the most important thing.”
Hollingsworth is one of three Arkansas 2022 commits along with DeWitt tight end Dax Courtney (6-6, 210) and Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes offensive lineman Eli Henderson (6-4, 290).
He is pleased with what he has seen from Arkansas (3-3) so far this season, especially from head coach Sam Pittman, defensive coordinator Barry Odom and defensive line coach Derrick LeBlanc.
“The (Razorback) defense came out and started the year off strong and have been really getting after it,” Hollingsworth said. “I think we need to be a ranked team already, but if we keep on winning that will happen.
“It means a lot to me that I am going to get to play fo Coach Odom and Coach LeBlanc. They have helped Coach Pittman turn the program around. He has changed the program for sure.”