By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The start of conference play this week could not come at a better time for Beebe or Paragould.
The Badgers and Rams are both 0-3, but the losing streak ends for someone when Paragould visits Bro Erwin Stadium to start 5A-East Conference play on Friday.
“Both of us are wanting that first win of the year,” Beebe coach John Shannon said. “Plus it’s the first conference game, so it’s a big ballgame in more ways than one. Hopefully we can do better this week and come out with some fire and win it.”
Last week’s result against Vilonia was similar to Beebe’s opener at Greenbrier in which the Badgers kept it close through the first three quarters only to watch the game slip from their grasp in the final minutes.
Beebe was also in position to beat Lonoke in Week 2 until the Jackrabbits rallied for two scores in the final six minutes to steal the victory.
“It’s like the defense goes out and gets a stop and the offense doesn’t do anything, or the offense scores and then the defense gives up something,” Shannon said. “Some of it has been not having the right personnel in at the time. A lot of it is the mental aspect that we’ve got to be able to have each other’s back.
“Hopefully, we can finish it this week.”
Lonoke used all-purpose player Darius Scott to come from behind and beat Beebe two weeks ago, but that experience could be a benefit to the Badgers this week when the defense contends with Rams senior Chance Sugg.
Sugg is similar to Scott in size, speed and abilities. He can play multiple receiver spots, as well as tailback and quarterback, and picked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards last season.
The three early losses exposed some areas needing improvement for Beebe, but there have also been flashes of the team Shannon wants to see.
“We’d like to have a win, but we’ve gotten better each week,” Shannon said. “I feel pretty good about things, but there are some things we’re going to have to do like tackle better. It seems like every time we get something going, we have a turnover or a costly penalty.
“We’ve played well for three quarters, we just haven’t put it together.”
Paragould is one of two teams picked to finish lower than Beebe, which is No. 6 in Hooten’s preseason conference polls. Paragould was picked seventh and Nettleton eighth.
But Beebe’s and Paragould’s combined 0-6 record has set the stage for a fight to gain not just confidence, but also valuable points in the apparently balanced 5A Southeast.
“That’s what I’ve been preaching to the kids is that in the big scheme of things, it doesn’t mean a lot.” Shannon said. You always want to get that win, but now the games are counting for right now.”
