Greenbrier finally got into the win column Thursday night, beating Portland 35-28 on the road. The Bobcats are now 1-3, and head coach Aaron Pitts has his first win as Greenbrier’s head coach.
The game got off to an unusual start when Greenbrier recovered an onside kick to open the game. The Bobcats took advantage of the extra possession and set the tone early.
Special teams continued to be a big part of the night. Greenbrier had a great kicking game, and those points and field-position plays mattered in a game that came down to one score.
The offense also put together one of its best drives of the season, going 98 yards for a touchdown. It was the kind of sustained drive Greenbrier has needed more often this year.
The biggest defensive moment came just before halftime. Portland got down near the goal line, but Greenbrier held its ground and came up with a goal-line stand to keep the game from getting away from the Bobcats.
Portland kept fighting in the second half, but Greenbrier made enough plays to finish the job. After an 0-3 start, the Bobcats finally have a win and some momentum heading into the toughest part of the schedule.
It was not perfect, and there is still plenty to clean up. But for Pitts and this team, Thursday night was about getting a win. Greenbrier is 1-3 and will now turn its attention to Liberty Creek.