By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The 2013 cross-country season has been a year filled with new personal bests for Cabot’s Micah Huckabee, and the 7A-Central Conference meet was no exception as the Lady Panther junior runner bested the field of 69 competitors with a time of 18:55.03 at Rolling Hills Country Club on Monday.
The smooth turf of the golf course and long straightaways, combined with the brisk, cool temperature, aided Huckabee in her quest to clock under 19 minutes. Her quick start and flawless second mile put an immediate gap between she and second-place finisher Alex Ritchey of Mount St. Mary’s, who clocked in at 19:27.07.
The Belles took the overall team championship with 22 points, while their Catholic Rockets counterpart was tops in the boys division with a dominating 17 points. Mount St. Mary’s claimed six of the Top-10 finishing positions, including second through fourth. Samantha Nickell gave Cabot another Top-10 result with a ninth-place time of 20:54.22.
The Lady Panthers were second overall with 66 points, followed by Conway, Fort Smith Southside, North Little Rock and Little Rock Central.
The Panther boys team did not have a top-10 finisher, but had enough runners finish in the top half of the field to also take a runner-up team finish with 74 points. Conway took third, followed by Fort Smith Northside, North Little Rock, Fort Smith Southside and Little Rock Central.
Huckabee completed the first mile in 5:44 to create separation from Ritchey, and turned it up in the second leg, clocking in at 11:58 after two miles. That was all Huckabee needed to hit the final leg and finish the course under 19 minutes. Huckabee’s previous personal best was 19:26.
“My goal for this season was to break 19,” Huckabee said. “I really felt like this would be the race to do that. I knew I couldn’t give up this race, so knowing (Ritchey) was right behind me really helped me to keep going.”
Nickell finished less than a second behind eighth-place Lauren Campbell of Conway, and while it wasn’t Nickell’s best time all year, it was still over 20 seconds to the good for solidifying a Top-10, earning her an All-Conference medal.
“A lot of the kids today ran their best time all year,” Cabot coach Leon White said. “So even though we didn’t win the meet, we still had a good meet. We were runner-up in both divisions, but we’re rebuilding. We know next year, we’ve got a lot of good young runners coming up, most of the girls we have this year we’ll keep, and so it’s going to be a real strong team next year.”
Other notable finishes for Cabot included Rachel Murtishaw in 18th with a 21:54.82 time and teammate Ashley Gore a spot behind her in 19th with a time of 22:07.67.
There were no surprises on the boys’ side as Catholic’s Brendan Taylor scorched the circuit in 15:23.23.
That was more than a minute faster than second-place finisher and teammate Kieran Taylor, who finished in 16:28.25. Rocket runners claimed the first four finishing spots, followed by Conway’s Toler Freyaldenhoven in fifth.
Cabot’s Parker Dey held a top-five spot early in the race before falling back in the final half. Teammate Nick Davis overtook him during that time for an 11th-place finish of 17:52.61. Dey ended up 13th with a time of 18:02.59.
Kris White took 15th place for Cabot with an 18:04.64 time while Caleb Schulte finished 17th with a time of 18:17.13. Adam Stivers rounded out the Panthers’ top-20 performances with an 18th-place time of 18:19.51.
“You have to understand, the Catholic team is ranked third in the state,” White said. “They have about 10 or 12 guys that are as good or better than our best people.
“Parker Dey is our best one, and he went out a little fast and kind of hurt himself there. He didn’t run his best race today, but we’ve talked about it, and I think he will be ready at the state meet.
“You can get caught up with those faster runners and go out too fast and not run your race.”
Catholic had a scary moment at the finish when seventh-place runner Jake Allison collapsed immediately upon crossing the finish line due to fatigue. Allison was unconscious for several minutes, but was awake by the time paramedics arrived to take him for observation, and was able to give the crowd a thumbs up upon being loaded into the ambulance.
Huckabee will lead a contingent of nine Lady Panther runners at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs for the 7A state track meet on Nov. 9.
With another year of running high-school cross country still to go for Huckabee and most of her teammates, and a talented group of incoming sophomores expected to join in 2014, her strong junior campaign may be a sign of even better things to come in the future.
“We hope,” White said. “We’re going to make sure her training stays on target, and make sure she doesn’t get lazy or anything, which I don’t think she would. She wants to get some scholarships. The big thing is that she’ll be a great leader for those young girls.”
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
SPORTS STORY >> Lady Bears win opener
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
Sylvan Hills rebounded from a slow start to beat Magnolia 3-1 in Tuesday’s first round of the class 5A state volleyball tournament at Alma. The win is the first volleyball playoff victory for the Lady Bears in school history.
“Some parents came up to me late this season and said they could tell we’d really made some strides,” said Sylvan Hills coach Harold Treadway. “I said we haven’t really because we still haven’t beaten the big two in our conference. But they pointed out that we did take a game from each of them. And we’ve beaten everyone else. So now I think I agree. We are making strides and we’re moving this program in the right direction.”
The Lady Panthers, the No. 2 seed out of the South, won the first game 25-19, but the Lady Bears, the No. 3 seed from the Central, won the next three by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-17.
“The majority of the girls went to the state tournament last year,” Treadway said. “This is a big game, and you really don’t know how to approach it. You don’t want to put so much pressure on them that they’re nervous.
“Just the fact that they walk into Alma, which has a fantastic gym, they were nervous. After the first game, we got on a nice little roll and kind of took control.”
Even though the Lady Bears lost the first game, junior Karley Walton picked up a momentum-changing block against Magnolia’s top hitter, which Treadway said set the tone for the rest of the match.
“She stuffed it right back in her face,” Treadway said. “And I really feel like even though we lost the first game, that set the tone because after that, she (Magnolia’s top hitter) probably didn’t get but three or four decent hits.”
On the very next play, Walton picked up a kill that furthered the momentum to Sylvan Hills’ side of the court.
After Walton’s kill, juniors Abi Cantrell and Jamia Willis helped the Lady Bears take over the match by making solid passes to hitters Brooke Rainey, Jordie Flippo and Walton the rest of the way.
“Our setters were able to get the ball to our hitters,” Treadway said. “It was just a good team effort. Everybody pulled together after that.”
The win advances the Lady Bears to the quarterfinal round where they’ll play Paragould, the top seed from the East, in a 4 p.m. match today at Alma High School. The Lady Rams beat the tournament host 3-1 Tuesday by scores of 25-16, 25-23, 23-25 and 25-17.
Today’s match will be another tough test for the Lady Bears, but Treadway is pleased with the way his team is playing right now.
In Sylvan Hills’ last four matches, the Lady Bears have won 12 of their 15 games played, which Treadway believes is enough to show that his team is peaking at the right time.
“I’m real pleased,” Treadway said. “This team, we kind of started out up and down. We were playing well at times; then sometimes we didn’t play so well. But about two weeks ago we played North Pulaski, and we beat them in three (games). We beat Jacksonville in three (games).
“We beat St. Joseph out of Conway, which is the No. 1 seed in their bracket (class 3A), we beat them 3-2, and then we won today. I really feel like we’re playing well. You want to peak at the state tournament. You want your last game to be your best game, win or lose, and I think that we’re playing really well now.”
Leader sportswriter
Sylvan Hills rebounded from a slow start to beat Magnolia 3-1 in Tuesday’s first round of the class 5A state volleyball tournament at Alma. The win is the first volleyball playoff victory for the Lady Bears in school history.
“Some parents came up to me late this season and said they could tell we’d really made some strides,” said Sylvan Hills coach Harold Treadway. “I said we haven’t really because we still haven’t beaten the big two in our conference. But they pointed out that we did take a game from each of them. And we’ve beaten everyone else. So now I think I agree. We are making strides and we’re moving this program in the right direction.”
The Lady Panthers, the No. 2 seed out of the South, won the first game 25-19, but the Lady Bears, the No. 3 seed from the Central, won the next three by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-17.
“The majority of the girls went to the state tournament last year,” Treadway said. “This is a big game, and you really don’t know how to approach it. You don’t want to put so much pressure on them that they’re nervous.
“Just the fact that they walk into Alma, which has a fantastic gym, they were nervous. After the first game, we got on a nice little roll and kind of took control.”
Even though the Lady Bears lost the first game, junior Karley Walton picked up a momentum-changing block against Magnolia’s top hitter, which Treadway said set the tone for the rest of the match.
“She stuffed it right back in her face,” Treadway said. “And I really feel like even though we lost the first game, that set the tone because after that, she (Magnolia’s top hitter) probably didn’t get but three or four decent hits.”
On the very next play, Walton picked up a kill that furthered the momentum to Sylvan Hills’ side of the court.
After Walton’s kill, juniors Abi Cantrell and Jamia Willis helped the Lady Bears take over the match by making solid passes to hitters Brooke Rainey, Jordie Flippo and Walton the rest of the way.
“Our setters were able to get the ball to our hitters,” Treadway said. “It was just a good team effort. Everybody pulled together after that.”
The win advances the Lady Bears to the quarterfinal round where they’ll play Paragould, the top seed from the East, in a 4 p.m. match today at Alma High School. The Lady Rams beat the tournament host 3-1 Tuesday by scores of 25-16, 25-23, 23-25 and 25-17.
Today’s match will be another tough test for the Lady Bears, but Treadway is pleased with the way his team is playing right now.
In Sylvan Hills’ last four matches, the Lady Bears have won 12 of their 15 games played, which Treadway believes is enough to show that his team is peaking at the right time.
“I’m real pleased,” Treadway said. “This team, we kind of started out up and down. We were playing well at times; then sometimes we didn’t play so well. But about two weeks ago we played North Pulaski, and we beat them in three (games). We beat Jacksonville in three (games).
“We beat St. Joseph out of Conway, which is the No. 1 seed in their bracket (class 3A), we beat them 3-2, and then we won today. I really feel like we’re playing well. You want to peak at the state tournament. You want your last game to be your best game, win or lose, and I think that we’re playing really well now.”
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot overpowers BHS
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot volleyball team got its first playoff win since 2004 on Tuesday when it beat Bryant 3-1 in the first round of the class 7A state playoffs at Panther Arena in Cabot. It’s the first playoff win under third-year coach DeAnna Campbell, who has started many of this year’s seniors since they were sophomores.
“We’ve been waiting for this day,” Campbell said of her squad. “We were robbed of this opportunity last year. Fate robbed us. So we’ve been waiting for this.”
A severe car accident injured four players just before the state tournament last year, including leading hitter Lakin Best.
Best entered Tuesday’s match with a mission. Fellow senior Taylor Bitely led the Lady Panthers in kills, but Best was hammering the ball in the early going, forcing Bryant to adjust.
“Lakin was just ridiculous, how hard she was hitting the ball,” Campbell said. “We’ve been working with her all year trying to teach her to hold and snap. This week she got it and she was amazed at how much more she has.”
When Bryant, 12-18, adjusted to Best, Bitely took up the slack and put down a few of her own big kills. All the hitters got good sets. Bailee Uhiren led the team in assists, but sophomore Katelyn Joyner filled the role well also.
“We knew she might have to be second setter with the way Bryant plays, and she used to be a setter,” Campbell said of Joyner. “We worked almost exclusively on offense this week and I think you could tell. We put in about five new plays and we were running them. I’m very proud of this performance.”
Bryant got the first rally when it scored five-straight points to take a 7-2 lead, but it was short-lived momentum and was never really regained.
Cabot, 15-11, started its comeback when Best took serve and scored three straight, including two aces. She also got five huge kills, including one off the head of Bryant libero Whitney Brown.
Game one was marred by several net violations by both teams, but Cabot overcame theirs with better passing and more powerful kills than the young Lady Hornets.
The Lady Hornets did regain the momentum early in game two and never relinquished it. Junior Abbie Staton took serve and confounded the Lady Panthers for five points that broke the game open from a 2-2 tie to a 7-2 Bryant lead. Cabot was never able to pull within three from that point.
After getting to within three, Bryant junior Mercedes Dillard reeled off three points in a row. Cabot’s Kaitlyn Pitman sparked another Panther rally with a big kill and two aces on serve, but Bryant was up to every Cabot challenge.
After again pulling to within three points, sophomore Savannah Shelton hit three straight, including the game-winner to end the set at 25-20.
Cabot reclaimed the momentum at the outset of game three.
Uhiren reeled off six-straight points on serve, including two aces. The first two points were kills by Best off assists by Pitman. After the first ace, Pitman to Best got another point and Uhiren got her second ace to the back right corner.
Bryant finally broke serve, but Best continued to dominate at the net and Cabot continued to place its serves near perfectly.
Pitman and Haylee Callison added aces to their ledger as the Lady Panthers built a quick 10-4 lead. Bryant broke, but Best got another kill off the face of a Bryant back-row player, followed by one by Bitely that made it 12-5 and forced Lady Hornet coach Beth Solomon to call a timeout.
The break didn’t help as Cabot continued to pull away. The Lady Panthers’ biggest lead came on a Bitely ace that made it 21-10, but Bryant wasn’t ready to give in. After breaking serve to make it 21-11, Dillard served five-straight points to make it 21-16, forcing Campbell to call timeout. Sophomore Abbie Anderson got her sixth kill after the break to make it 21-17 before Cabot finally broke Dillard’s serve. Cabot pushed it to 24-18 when Best, who’d had six kills early in the match, finished the game off with a left-to-right, cross-court kill after a nice set by Joyner.
Cabot got started first in game two as Bryant struggled hitting down on the ball. With Best serving, Bryant sent three kill attempts long and a fourth into the net, giving Cabot an 8-4 lead and forcing another Hornet timeout. Cabot scored twice more after the timeout before Bryant finally took serve trailing 10-5.
Cabot’s lead grew to as much as 16-8 before Brittany Sahlmann took serve and reeled off two aces and four-straight points. Cabot called its second timeout of the game and Sahlmann hit her serve into the net after the break.
Cabot then scored two quick points on Pittman’s serve and Bryant asked for a minute to regroup.
The timeout didn’t seem to help matters as a miss-hit by Bitely on a pass attempt cleared the net and bounced untouched on Bryant’s side. On Pitman’s next serve, another unforced error gave Cabot a 20-12 lead. After a couple of back-and-forth plays, Bitely ended it with two big kills on Best’s serve to give Cabot the 25-15 victory.
Bitely finished with 19 kills while Best had 14. Uhiren was credited with 11 assists while Joyner had seven. Best had 16 points on serve while Uhiren had 12, including four aces.
Cabot faces West No. 1 seed Fort Smith Southside at 4 p.m. today at Panther Arena.
Leader sports editor
The Cabot volleyball team got its first playoff win since 2004 on Tuesday when it beat Bryant 3-1 in the first round of the class 7A state playoffs at Panther Arena in Cabot. It’s the first playoff win under third-year coach DeAnna Campbell, who has started many of this year’s seniors since they were sophomores.
“We’ve been waiting for this day,” Campbell said of her squad. “We were robbed of this opportunity last year. Fate robbed us. So we’ve been waiting for this.”
A severe car accident injured four players just before the state tournament last year, including leading hitter Lakin Best.
Best entered Tuesday’s match with a mission. Fellow senior Taylor Bitely led the Lady Panthers in kills, but Best was hammering the ball in the early going, forcing Bryant to adjust.
“Lakin was just ridiculous, how hard she was hitting the ball,” Campbell said. “We’ve been working with her all year trying to teach her to hold and snap. This week she got it and she was amazed at how much more she has.”
When Bryant, 12-18, adjusted to Best, Bitely took up the slack and put down a few of her own big kills. All the hitters got good sets. Bailee Uhiren led the team in assists, but sophomore Katelyn Joyner filled the role well also.
“We knew she might have to be second setter with the way Bryant plays, and she used to be a setter,” Campbell said of Joyner. “We worked almost exclusively on offense this week and I think you could tell. We put in about five new plays and we were running them. I’m very proud of this performance.”
Bryant got the first rally when it scored five-straight points to take a 7-2 lead, but it was short-lived momentum and was never really regained.
Cabot, 15-11, started its comeback when Best took serve and scored three straight, including two aces. She also got five huge kills, including one off the head of Bryant libero Whitney Brown.
Game one was marred by several net violations by both teams, but Cabot overcame theirs with better passing and more powerful kills than the young Lady Hornets.
The Lady Hornets did regain the momentum early in game two and never relinquished it. Junior Abbie Staton took serve and confounded the Lady Panthers for five points that broke the game open from a 2-2 tie to a 7-2 Bryant lead. Cabot was never able to pull within three from that point.
After getting to within three, Bryant junior Mercedes Dillard reeled off three points in a row. Cabot’s Kaitlyn Pitman sparked another Panther rally with a big kill and two aces on serve, but Bryant was up to every Cabot challenge.
After again pulling to within three points, sophomore Savannah Shelton hit three straight, including the game-winner to end the set at 25-20.
Cabot reclaimed the momentum at the outset of game three.
Uhiren reeled off six-straight points on serve, including two aces. The first two points were kills by Best off assists by Pitman. After the first ace, Pitman to Best got another point and Uhiren got her second ace to the back right corner.
Bryant finally broke serve, but Best continued to dominate at the net and Cabot continued to place its serves near perfectly.
Pitman and Haylee Callison added aces to their ledger as the Lady Panthers built a quick 10-4 lead. Bryant broke, but Best got another kill off the face of a Bryant back-row player, followed by one by Bitely that made it 12-5 and forced Lady Hornet coach Beth Solomon to call a timeout.
The break didn’t help as Cabot continued to pull away. The Lady Panthers’ biggest lead came on a Bitely ace that made it 21-10, but Bryant wasn’t ready to give in. After breaking serve to make it 21-11, Dillard served five-straight points to make it 21-16, forcing Campbell to call timeout. Sophomore Abbie Anderson got her sixth kill after the break to make it 21-17 before Cabot finally broke Dillard’s serve. Cabot pushed it to 24-18 when Best, who’d had six kills early in the match, finished the game off with a left-to-right, cross-court kill after a nice set by Joyner.
Cabot got started first in game two as Bryant struggled hitting down on the ball. With Best serving, Bryant sent three kill attempts long and a fourth into the net, giving Cabot an 8-4 lead and forcing another Hornet timeout. Cabot scored twice more after the timeout before Bryant finally took serve trailing 10-5.
Cabot’s lead grew to as much as 16-8 before Brittany Sahlmann took serve and reeled off two aces and four-straight points. Cabot called its second timeout of the game and Sahlmann hit her serve into the net after the break.
Cabot then scored two quick points on Pittman’s serve and Bryant asked for a minute to regroup.
The timeout didn’t seem to help matters as a miss-hit by Bitely on a pass attempt cleared the net and bounced untouched on Bryant’s side. On Pitman’s next serve, another unforced error gave Cabot a 20-12 lead. After a couple of back-and-forth plays, Bitely ended it with two big kills on Best’s serve to give Cabot the 25-15 victory.
Bitely finished with 19 kills while Best had 14. Uhiren was credited with 11 assists while Joyner had seven. Best had 16 points on serve while Uhiren had 12, including four aces.
Cabot faces West No. 1 seed Fort Smith Southside at 4 p.m. today at Panther Arena.
Monday, October 28, 2013
SPORTS STORY >> Lady Bears get sweep at JHS
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Sylvan Hills volleyball team had the No. 3 seed in the class 5A state tournament already locked up when it played at Jacksonville on Tuesday in the 5A-Central Conference finale. The Lady Red Devils didn’t qualify for the playoffs, but they gave the Lady Bears all it could handle for the first game and a half. But in the end, the more powerful, taller and more athletic visitors slowly pulled away, winning in three games by scores of 25-23, 25-16 and 25-9.
Sylvan Hills coach Harold Treadway applauded Jack-sonville’s effort in the early going, but thought his team’s comeback win in game one was the difference in its ability to pull away in game two and dominate game three.
“Jacksonville came out and gave us a good shot in game one,” said Treadway. “Their back row players especially seem to have improved quite a bit. I think we could have been a little bit more focused. We had some miss-hits that helped them a little, but they were doing a much better job of digging out our hitters. Once we came back and won it, I think that maybe broke their spirits a little bit.”
Sylvan Hills (15-13, 10-4) took serve to start the match and junior setter Alisa Staton served up five-straight points, including two aces, before Jacksonville broke.
Lady Devil junior Bailea Mitchell two-upped Staton, serving seven in a row for an 8-5 Jacksonville lead.
The two teams played back-and-forth until Sylvan Hills’ junior libero Abi Cantrell served up six points with three aces to push a 17-16 lead to 23-16. Jacksonville (5-12, 4-10) still had a rally left.
Junior Taylor Hayden served up six-straight points with Mitchell, Ashli Evans and Terionna Stewart each getting kills during the rally. Sylvan Hills finally broke serve, but Jacksonville answered right back.
Serving down 24-23, Stewart was called for a net violation while going for a block for an anti-climactic ending to the exciting opening game.
Game two was close most of the way as well. Sylvan Hills junior Brooke Rainey took serve with her team leading 17-15 and served six in a row with two aces. Jacksonville broke serve after a timeout, but didn’t score again.
Game three was all Sylvan Hills. Rainey started the rout with seven-straight points to open play. Cantrell and sophomore Shelby Simpkins also had long service games as the Lady Devils committed several unforced errors.
Sylvan Hills got another good performance by each of its top two hitters in Rainey and Jordie Flippo, but Treadway singled out Cantrell and Staton for their performances.
“Everybody notices when those hitters go up and get something big,” Treadway said. “I really feel like Alisa and Abi played great tonight. Abi’s passing has gotten better and better. She’s really made a big difference. And our setters, Alisa especially but Shelby played well too, were making good sets even when there wasn’t much of a pass. I was really pleased tonight.”
Rainey led all players in points on serve and kills, with 13 and nine respectively. Cantrell had 12 points, five digs and two assists. Rainey and Cantrell each had four aces.
Staton finished with seven points and 10 assists while Simpkins had seven of each.
Mitchell led Jacksonville with nine points and four kills. Junior libero Jessica Brown had 10 digs while Palmer had five. Stewart gave Sylvan Hills major trouble when she got her serve over the net. She finished with four points – all four were aces.
Sylvan Hills closed the regular season with a win over Conway St. Joseph’s on Thursday, and will face Magnolia, the No. 2 seed from the 5A South, in the first round of the state tournament at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Alma.
Leader sports editor
The Sylvan Hills volleyball team had the No. 3 seed in the class 5A state tournament already locked up when it played at Jacksonville on Tuesday in the 5A-Central Conference finale. The Lady Red Devils didn’t qualify for the playoffs, but they gave the Lady Bears all it could handle for the first game and a half. But in the end, the more powerful, taller and more athletic visitors slowly pulled away, winning in three games by scores of 25-23, 25-16 and 25-9.
Sylvan Hills coach Harold Treadway applauded Jack-sonville’s effort in the early going, but thought his team’s comeback win in game one was the difference in its ability to pull away in game two and dominate game three.
“Jacksonville came out and gave us a good shot in game one,” said Treadway. “Their back row players especially seem to have improved quite a bit. I think we could have been a little bit more focused. We had some miss-hits that helped them a little, but they were doing a much better job of digging out our hitters. Once we came back and won it, I think that maybe broke their spirits a little bit.”
Sylvan Hills (15-13, 10-4) took serve to start the match and junior setter Alisa Staton served up five-straight points, including two aces, before Jacksonville broke.
Lady Devil junior Bailea Mitchell two-upped Staton, serving seven in a row for an 8-5 Jacksonville lead.
The two teams played back-and-forth until Sylvan Hills’ junior libero Abi Cantrell served up six points with three aces to push a 17-16 lead to 23-16. Jacksonville (5-12, 4-10) still had a rally left.
Junior Taylor Hayden served up six-straight points with Mitchell, Ashli Evans and Terionna Stewart each getting kills during the rally. Sylvan Hills finally broke serve, but Jacksonville answered right back.
Serving down 24-23, Stewart was called for a net violation while going for a block for an anti-climactic ending to the exciting opening game.
Game two was close most of the way as well. Sylvan Hills junior Brooke Rainey took serve with her team leading 17-15 and served six in a row with two aces. Jacksonville broke serve after a timeout, but didn’t score again.
Game three was all Sylvan Hills. Rainey started the rout with seven-straight points to open play. Cantrell and sophomore Shelby Simpkins also had long service games as the Lady Devils committed several unforced errors.
Sylvan Hills got another good performance by each of its top two hitters in Rainey and Jordie Flippo, but Treadway singled out Cantrell and Staton for their performances.
“Everybody notices when those hitters go up and get something big,” Treadway said. “I really feel like Alisa and Abi played great tonight. Abi’s passing has gotten better and better. She’s really made a big difference. And our setters, Alisa especially but Shelby played well too, were making good sets even when there wasn’t much of a pass. I was really pleased tonight.”
Rainey led all players in points on serve and kills, with 13 and nine respectively. Cantrell had 12 points, five digs and two assists. Rainey and Cantrell each had four aces.
Staton finished with seven points and 10 assists while Simpkins had seven of each.
Mitchell led Jacksonville with nine points and four kills. Junior libero Jessica Brown had 10 digs while Palmer had five. Stewart gave Sylvan Hills major trouble when she got her serve over the net. She finished with four points – all four were aces.
Sylvan Hills closed the regular season with a win over Conway St. Joseph’s on Thursday, and will face Magnolia, the No. 2 seed from the 5A South, in the first round of the state tournament at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Alma.
SPORTS STORY >> Huge half does it for Red Devils
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
Thanks to a monster first half by the Jacksonville offense, the Red Devils’ playoff hopes are still alive as they hammered Little Rock Christian 42-21 in Little Rock on Friday in what was a crucial 5A Central Conference matchup.
Jacksonville scored all 42 of its points in the first two quarters of play, and totaled an eye-popping 452 yards of offense in that time, led by running back Lamont Gause’s 236 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries.
At halftime, the Red Devils led by a commanding 42-14 margin.
“They were ready to play,” said Jacksonville coach Rick Russell. “It’s a one-game season. Every game’s a playoff game for us. Now we’re 3-2 in conference. Mills is the game. That hopefully gets us in the playoffs, but it’s a one-game season from here on out for us.
“We explained that to the kids and they came mentally prepared, took care of business in the first half, and executed enough in the second half to get that clock down to zero.”
Part of the reason Jacksonville was held scoreless in the second half was due to the Warriors’ vast improvement at stopping Gause’s big-play ability, limiting him to just 12 yards on seven carries in quarters three and four. Still, the damage had been done, and Russell was very pleased with the junior back’s effort.
“He did a great job,” Russell said. “I don’t know how many yards he had, but he made the right decisions on his holes. He ran extremely hard and accelerated. He’s got a burst that’s hard to explain. He’s a big part of our football team. When he’s on, he’s pretty good.”
Gause finished the night with 22 carries for 248 yards and the three touchdowns. His first carry was the first play of the Red Devils’ first drive, and he took the handoff from quarterback Reggie Barnes and dashed 82 yards for the game’s first score. The extra point by kicker John Herriman made it 7-0 Jacksonville.
The Red Devil defense forced a three and out on the Warriors’ following possession, and with 5:36 to play in the first quarter, senior running back Damon Thomas capped a seven-play drive with a 33-yard touchdown run, and Herriman’s extra point made it 14-0 Red Devils.
Jacksonville (4-4, 3-2) scored on its next possession, on another seven-play drive that ended with Gause scoring on a 1-yard run. The successful PAT put Little Rock Christian (3-5, 1-4) in a 21-0 hole at the end of the first quarter.
The Warriors were finally able to put together a solid offensive drive at the start of the second quarter as it moved the ball deep into Jacksonville territory.
But a fumble by Little Rock Christian running back Hunter MacFarlane after a reception was picked up by the Red Devils’ Titus O’Neal, and O’Neal ran all the way down to the Warrior 18-yard line before being dragged down.
Two plays later, Thomas broke for a 12-yard touchdown run, and the PAT put Jacksonville up 28-0 with 9:44 to play in the second quarter.
Little Rock Christian was held to another three and out on the ensuing drive, and Thomas capped another scoring drive for Jacksonville with a 38-yard run. After Herriman’s PAT, Jacksonville led 35-0 with 5:17 to play in the half.
The Jacksonville defense finally gave up a score to the home team on the following drive. After completing an 11-yard pass to receiver Joe Hampton on the fourth play of the drive, Warriors quarterback Houston Angel went back to Hampton on the very next play, and Hampton broke free down the sideline for a 51-yard score with 3:47 left in the half.
After the successful PAT, Little Rock Christian went for an onside kick attempt as it trailed 35-7, but it failed, and four-plays later, Gause scored the final touchdown for the Red Devils on a 30-yard run with 3:17 to go in the second quarter.
Little Rock Christian’s offense found a way to answer before the half as Angel connected with Hampton again on another touchdown pass, this one from 13-yards out with 55 seconds remaining before the break. After the PAT, Jacksonville went into halftime leading 42-14.
The game’s one and only score in the second half came on Little Rock Christian’s first possession of the third quarter. The Warriors put together a 19-play, 93-yard drive that ended with Angel finding Hampton again in the end zone, this time on a 5-yard slant route with 3:28 to go in the quarter. The PAT set the final score.
Jacksonville could only manage 57 yards of offense in the second half, but that still put it over 500 yards for the game – finishing with 509, bettering the Warriors’ total of 372.
Gause was the star for Jacksonville’s offense, but Thomas had a solid showing as well as he finished with 10 carries for 86 yards and three touchdowns. Barnes did a good job of taking care of the ball as he finished the night with a 50 percent completion percentage, and a total of 133 yards passing with no turnovers.
Angel was 33 for 45 passing for 357 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Hampton had eight catches for 113 yards and three scores.
Jacksonville will continue to fight for a spot in the class 5A playoffs next week against Mills University Studies at Jan Crow Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Leader sportswriter
Thanks to a monster first half by the Jacksonville offense, the Red Devils’ playoff hopes are still alive as they hammered Little Rock Christian 42-21 in Little Rock on Friday in what was a crucial 5A Central Conference matchup.
Jacksonville scored all 42 of its points in the first two quarters of play, and totaled an eye-popping 452 yards of offense in that time, led by running back Lamont Gause’s 236 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries.
At halftime, the Red Devils led by a commanding 42-14 margin.
“They were ready to play,” said Jacksonville coach Rick Russell. “It’s a one-game season. Every game’s a playoff game for us. Now we’re 3-2 in conference. Mills is the game. That hopefully gets us in the playoffs, but it’s a one-game season from here on out for us.
“We explained that to the kids and they came mentally prepared, took care of business in the first half, and executed enough in the second half to get that clock down to zero.”
Part of the reason Jacksonville was held scoreless in the second half was due to the Warriors’ vast improvement at stopping Gause’s big-play ability, limiting him to just 12 yards on seven carries in quarters three and four. Still, the damage had been done, and Russell was very pleased with the junior back’s effort.
“He did a great job,” Russell said. “I don’t know how many yards he had, but he made the right decisions on his holes. He ran extremely hard and accelerated. He’s got a burst that’s hard to explain. He’s a big part of our football team. When he’s on, he’s pretty good.”
Gause finished the night with 22 carries for 248 yards and the three touchdowns. His first carry was the first play of the Red Devils’ first drive, and he took the handoff from quarterback Reggie Barnes and dashed 82 yards for the game’s first score. The extra point by kicker John Herriman made it 7-0 Jacksonville.
The Red Devil defense forced a three and out on the Warriors’ following possession, and with 5:36 to play in the first quarter, senior running back Damon Thomas capped a seven-play drive with a 33-yard touchdown run, and Herriman’s extra point made it 14-0 Red Devils.
Jacksonville (4-4, 3-2) scored on its next possession, on another seven-play drive that ended with Gause scoring on a 1-yard run. The successful PAT put Little Rock Christian (3-5, 1-4) in a 21-0 hole at the end of the first quarter.
The Warriors were finally able to put together a solid offensive drive at the start of the second quarter as it moved the ball deep into Jacksonville territory.
But a fumble by Little Rock Christian running back Hunter MacFarlane after a reception was picked up by the Red Devils’ Titus O’Neal, and O’Neal ran all the way down to the Warrior 18-yard line before being dragged down.
Two plays later, Thomas broke for a 12-yard touchdown run, and the PAT put Jacksonville up 28-0 with 9:44 to play in the second quarter.
Little Rock Christian was held to another three and out on the ensuing drive, and Thomas capped another scoring drive for Jacksonville with a 38-yard run. After Herriman’s PAT, Jacksonville led 35-0 with 5:17 to play in the half.
The Jacksonville defense finally gave up a score to the home team on the following drive. After completing an 11-yard pass to receiver Joe Hampton on the fourth play of the drive, Warriors quarterback Houston Angel went back to Hampton on the very next play, and Hampton broke free down the sideline for a 51-yard score with 3:47 left in the half.
After the successful PAT, Little Rock Christian went for an onside kick attempt as it trailed 35-7, but it failed, and four-plays later, Gause scored the final touchdown for the Red Devils on a 30-yard run with 3:17 to go in the second quarter.
Little Rock Christian’s offense found a way to answer before the half as Angel connected with Hampton again on another touchdown pass, this one from 13-yards out with 55 seconds remaining before the break. After the PAT, Jacksonville went into halftime leading 42-14.
The game’s one and only score in the second half came on Little Rock Christian’s first possession of the third quarter. The Warriors put together a 19-play, 93-yard drive that ended with Angel finding Hampton again in the end zone, this time on a 5-yard slant route with 3:28 to go in the quarter. The PAT set the final score.
Jacksonville could only manage 57 yards of offense in the second half, but that still put it over 500 yards for the game – finishing with 509, bettering the Warriors’ total of 372.
Gause was the star for Jacksonville’s offense, but Thomas had a solid showing as well as he finished with 10 carries for 86 yards and three touchdowns. Barnes did a good job of taking care of the ball as he finished the night with a 50 percent completion percentage, and a total of 133 yards passing with no turnovers.
Angel was 33 for 45 passing for 357 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Hampton had eight catches for 113 yards and three scores.
Jacksonville will continue to fight for a spot in the class 5A playoffs next week against Mills University Studies at Jan Crow Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
SPORTS STORY >> Senior night a success for Cabot ladies
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
Tuesday night was senior night for the Lady Panther volleyball team, and Cabot finished its regular-season schedule on a high note by beating a tough class 5A Batesville team at home by scores of 26-24, 25-13, 20-25 and 25-23.
Cabot (14-11, 7-7) was able to pull off the double-digit win in game two, but the other three games were dogfights to the very end, as the Lady Pioneers gave the host Lady Panthers all they could handle. Both teams have locked up playoff berths, and will compete in next week’s state tournament in each of their own respective classifications.
“We scheduled them as our last game before conference and our last game after because it’s a very strong game to use to get ready for our level of competition (in state), because Batesville would be competitive in our conference, too,” said Lady Panthers coach DeAnna Campbell.
“They’re a good team. They match up really well with us, and we can get each other ready for the level of competition we want to play at.”
The Lady Panthers beat the Lady Pioneers on the road by the same 3-1 margin at the beginning of the season, but Campbell said Batesville has gotten a lot better since then. The Lady Pioneers led by as much as 9-3 at the start of game one Tuesday.
Cabot battled back and took its first lead of the match at 11-10 on a well-placed ball tip by senior Taylor Bitely that skimmed over two Lady Pioneer defenders at the middle of the net and fell for the go-ahead point. Batesville, however, retook the lead and pushed it to 21-17 until senior Bailee Uhiren picked up a kill at the corner of the net to cut the deficit to three.
Batesville led 24-23 with serving rights late, but Lady Pioneer freshman Hannah Qualls, who picked up the go-ahead kill on the previous volley, served the next ball into the net to tie the score at 24-24.
That put senior Kate Pitman at the serving line for Cabot, and Pitman’s first serve was an ace. She then served the game’s final point to set the final score of game one. Much like the first game, Batesville got off to another good start in game two as it jumped out to an early 4-1 lead.
But, like the first game, Cabot battled back and retook the lead with senior Lakin Best at the serving line. Best’s go-ahead point from serve came on an ace that put the home team up 6-5, and the Lady Panthers steadily built on their lead from there.
Best put Cabot up 19-10 on the most ferocious kill of the match. After striking the ball from the corner, the ball bounced vigorously off of a Batesville defender, and bounced several rows up into the visitors’ side bleachers.
Later on, Uhiren put the Lady Panthers ahead by double digits on another ferocious kill that knocked Qualls down in the backcourt. Uhiren later picked up the game-winning kill from the corner, with the assist by Best.
Batesville jumped out to another early lead in game three, but this time wouldn’t allow another Cabot comeback.
The Lady Pioneers led by as much as 21-11 until the Lady Panthers went on a 7-1 run to cut the deficit to four.
The Lady Pioneers, however, scored the next two points to set up the game point, leading 24-18. Pitman scored the next two points for Cabot from the serving line before Batesville junior Sarah Hayes, who led her team with 11 kills, spiked the game-winning point to force a fourth game.
The fourth and final game was the most fiercely competitive of the four. Cabot avoided another slow start and led 5-3 early, but Batesville battled back and led by as much as 14-8 until Uhiren stopped the Lady Pioneers’ run with a kill.
Uhiren went to the serving line after her kill and served nine-straight points, three of which were aces, to give the Lady Panthers an 18-14 lead. Batesville though, responded with five-straight points to take a 19-18 lead.
The Lady Pioneers didn’t relinquish the lead until Best picked up another kill from the corner to put Cabot on top 22-21. Batesville tied the score at 23 apiece, and had serving rights, but a side out by Hayes gave the rights back to Cabot, and junior Katelyn Joyner served the final point of the match to give the Lady Panthers the hard-fought win.
“This group has always, since the first day I saw them, been fighters,” Campbell said. “This group just doesn’t quit. They don’t know how. Never giving up is a habit (for them), pushing and fighting is a habit, and these kids have a natural fighter instinct in them. These kids have always been winners because they don’t quit.”
Since Cabot is hosting the class 7A state tournament, which begins this coming Tuesday, the win against Batesville wasn’t the final time the six Lady Panther seniors will play on their own floor, but all six took time after the regular-season finale to embrace fellow teammates, coaches, parents and each other, and enjoy the moment of the senior night post-game ceremony.
“Some of these girls I’ve been with since seventh grade, and some I’ve been with since 10th grade,” Best said. “And every single one of them I love, and it’s just awesome to share this moment with them because I love to win with them. I love being able to help my team get better, and I want to go as far as I can with them.”
“This year I feel like we’ve grown more and become more like sisters than teammates,” Uhiren said. “I feel like I’ve made sisters for life. This year, I feel like we really connected and won for each other and not just for the record. In 10th grade I was very shy and timid, and felt like the baby on the court. But this year we’re the leaders, and I feel like we can accomplish anything.”
Best led all players with 16 kills against Batesville. She also had 13 assists and seven digs. Bitely finished with 11 kills. Uhiren had six kills, and a match-high 17 assists.
Pitman finished with a match-high five aces, and shared the same sentiment as her fellow senior teammates after the match.
“I love each and every one of my girls,” Pitman said. “They all bring something different to the table. All of our personalities click, and we always have fun on the court.”
Like Best, senior libero Becca Moffett finished with seven digs. Moffett rejoined the team this season after taking her junior year off, and was glad to be back with the team she referred to as family, not just teammates.
“I’ve spent so many years with these girls and I’ve learned them so well,” Moffett said, “and it’s more like a family instead of a team.”
Raven Gilbert was the only Lady Panther senior that didn’t play Tuesday. She was held out because of a concussion, and is questionable for the state tournament.
Cabot, the No. 5 Central seed, will play its first-round game of the class 7A state tournament this coming Tuesday against Bryant at 4 p.m.
Leader sportswriter
Tuesday night was senior night for the Lady Panther volleyball team, and Cabot finished its regular-season schedule on a high note by beating a tough class 5A Batesville team at home by scores of 26-24, 25-13, 20-25 and 25-23.
Cabot (14-11, 7-7) was able to pull off the double-digit win in game two, but the other three games were dogfights to the very end, as the Lady Pioneers gave the host Lady Panthers all they could handle. Both teams have locked up playoff berths, and will compete in next week’s state tournament in each of their own respective classifications.
“We scheduled them as our last game before conference and our last game after because it’s a very strong game to use to get ready for our level of competition (in state), because Batesville would be competitive in our conference, too,” said Lady Panthers coach DeAnna Campbell.
“They’re a good team. They match up really well with us, and we can get each other ready for the level of competition we want to play at.”
The Lady Panthers beat the Lady Pioneers on the road by the same 3-1 margin at the beginning of the season, but Campbell said Batesville has gotten a lot better since then. The Lady Pioneers led by as much as 9-3 at the start of game one Tuesday.
Cabot battled back and took its first lead of the match at 11-10 on a well-placed ball tip by senior Taylor Bitely that skimmed over two Lady Pioneer defenders at the middle of the net and fell for the go-ahead point. Batesville, however, retook the lead and pushed it to 21-17 until senior Bailee Uhiren picked up a kill at the corner of the net to cut the deficit to three.
Batesville led 24-23 with serving rights late, but Lady Pioneer freshman Hannah Qualls, who picked up the go-ahead kill on the previous volley, served the next ball into the net to tie the score at 24-24.
That put senior Kate Pitman at the serving line for Cabot, and Pitman’s first serve was an ace. She then served the game’s final point to set the final score of game one. Much like the first game, Batesville got off to another good start in game two as it jumped out to an early 4-1 lead.
But, like the first game, Cabot battled back and retook the lead with senior Lakin Best at the serving line. Best’s go-ahead point from serve came on an ace that put the home team up 6-5, and the Lady Panthers steadily built on their lead from there.
Best put Cabot up 19-10 on the most ferocious kill of the match. After striking the ball from the corner, the ball bounced vigorously off of a Batesville defender, and bounced several rows up into the visitors’ side bleachers.
Later on, Uhiren put the Lady Panthers ahead by double digits on another ferocious kill that knocked Qualls down in the backcourt. Uhiren later picked up the game-winning kill from the corner, with the assist by Best.
Batesville jumped out to another early lead in game three, but this time wouldn’t allow another Cabot comeback.
The Lady Pioneers led by as much as 21-11 until the Lady Panthers went on a 7-1 run to cut the deficit to four.
The Lady Pioneers, however, scored the next two points to set up the game point, leading 24-18. Pitman scored the next two points for Cabot from the serving line before Batesville junior Sarah Hayes, who led her team with 11 kills, spiked the game-winning point to force a fourth game.
The fourth and final game was the most fiercely competitive of the four. Cabot avoided another slow start and led 5-3 early, but Batesville battled back and led by as much as 14-8 until Uhiren stopped the Lady Pioneers’ run with a kill.
Uhiren went to the serving line after her kill and served nine-straight points, three of which were aces, to give the Lady Panthers an 18-14 lead. Batesville though, responded with five-straight points to take a 19-18 lead.
The Lady Pioneers didn’t relinquish the lead until Best picked up another kill from the corner to put Cabot on top 22-21. Batesville tied the score at 23 apiece, and had serving rights, but a side out by Hayes gave the rights back to Cabot, and junior Katelyn Joyner served the final point of the match to give the Lady Panthers the hard-fought win.
“This group has always, since the first day I saw them, been fighters,” Campbell said. “This group just doesn’t quit. They don’t know how. Never giving up is a habit (for them), pushing and fighting is a habit, and these kids have a natural fighter instinct in them. These kids have always been winners because they don’t quit.”
Since Cabot is hosting the class 7A state tournament, which begins this coming Tuesday, the win against Batesville wasn’t the final time the six Lady Panther seniors will play on their own floor, but all six took time after the regular-season finale to embrace fellow teammates, coaches, parents and each other, and enjoy the moment of the senior night post-game ceremony.
“Some of these girls I’ve been with since seventh grade, and some I’ve been with since 10th grade,” Best said. “And every single one of them I love, and it’s just awesome to share this moment with them because I love to win with them. I love being able to help my team get better, and I want to go as far as I can with them.”
“This year I feel like we’ve grown more and become more like sisters than teammates,” Uhiren said. “I feel like I’ve made sisters for life. This year, I feel like we really connected and won for each other and not just for the record. In 10th grade I was very shy and timid, and felt like the baby on the court. But this year we’re the leaders, and I feel like we can accomplish anything.”
Best led all players with 16 kills against Batesville. She also had 13 assists and seven digs. Bitely finished with 11 kills. Uhiren had six kills, and a match-high 17 assists.
Pitman finished with a match-high five aces, and shared the same sentiment as her fellow senior teammates after the match.
“I love each and every one of my girls,” Pitman said. “They all bring something different to the table. All of our personalities click, and we always have fun on the court.”
Like Best, senior libero Becca Moffett finished with seven digs. Moffett rejoined the team this season after taking her junior year off, and was glad to be back with the team she referred to as family, not just teammates.
“I’ve spent so many years with these girls and I’ve learned them so well,” Moffett said, “and it’s more like a family instead of a team.”
Raven Gilbert was the only Lady Panther senior that didn’t play Tuesday. She was held out because of a concussion, and is questionable for the state tournament.
Cabot, the No. 5 Central seed, will play its first-round game of the class 7A state tournament this coming Tuesday against Bryant at 4 p.m.
SPORTS STORY >> Panthers blow by Devils in big rout
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
West Memphis was the unquestionable underdog, but Cabot was not a certain lock to win. Whatever chance the Blue Devils thought they had when they arrived at Panther Stadium Friday night dissipated quickly.
The end result was a 49-7 blowout as the Panthers dominated every facet of the game. The Blue Devils hit a few big pass plays for their one touchdown in the second half, but couldn’t sustain any drives as the Panther defense shut down the Blue Devil running game.
“We pretty much controlled both lines of scrimmage and did what we had to do,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham. “We had a busted coverage or two on defense and we did that last week too. We’ve got to fix that. But I was worried about them holding onto to that football. That No. 32 is tough and they got some good looking athletes. But we didn’t give them much in the running game and I was pleased to see that.”
West Memphis (2-6, 2-3) got the ball first and went three and out. Cabot then scored, and continued to do so. The Panthers scored touchdowns on five of their six first-half drives while the defense stifled the Blue Devils at every turn.
West Memphis appeared to have a good handle on Cabot’s main weapon, fullback Zach Launius. He had just 9 total yards on his first four carries, so Cabot switched gears and the Blue Devils were caught off guard.
On second and 19 after a penalty and a dropped pass, the inside counter handoff to halfback Chris Henry left the 5-foot-7, 150-pound senior all alone on the right hash mark and he out-raced the defense to the end zone for a 52-yard score with 8:33 left in the first quarter.
The two teams went three and out on their next possessions before West Memphis finally got a first down. Just one though, as that drive stopped when nose guard Tristan Bulice tackled tailback Kam Pittman for a 5-yard loss on third and 10 from the Devil 19.
Cabot (8-0, 5-0) took over on the West Memphis 32 and needed just three plays to score again. All three were the fullback up the middle, with Launius taking it 26 yards on the third play for a 14-0 lead with 1:46 left in the opening quarter.
Another three-and-out series was forced when Bulice made another tackle-for-loss on third and long.
Cabot started at the WMHS 40 and scored in five plays, with Launius scampering 27 yards up the middle for the touchdown. Trevor Reed’s third extra point made it 21-0 with 8:59 left in the first half.
The Blue Devils finally put together a nice drive, gaining three first downs and driving to the Cabot 32. There, facing fourth and 2, they went for it all, but Jordan Burke knocked the pass down inside the 10 to give the Cabot offense possession.
Cabot survived its second fumble on the second play. Two plays later, Launius again took the handoff up the middle and ran untouched between the hash marks for 57 yards and his third touchdown of the game.
West Memphis hit a big pass on the next drive and got to the Cabot 9-yard line, but went backwards from there. On second and 5, the Blue Devils jumped off sides. After an incomplete pass, a holding penalty pushed it back to the 24.
Fullback Jarvis Cooper picked up 18 yards on third and 20. But on fourth and 2, Burke came up big again, this time in run defense. The sweep pitch went to Cooper, but Burke hit him for a 2-yard loss to give the Panthers the ball with 1:06 remaining.
Launius almost broke another one on first down, but was caught after a 24-yard gain.
After two incomplete passes, including Jake Ferguson’s third drop, halfback Preston Jones took the option pitch 52 yards to the West Memphis 15. Launius did the rest, going 8 and 7 yards for his fourth touchdown with 16 seconds left in the half and a 35-0 lead.
Cabot went with a backup unit in the offensive backfield to start the second half and rotated backup linemen in and out with starters. The starting defensive secondary played the whole game with backup defensive linemen.
The Panthers got the ball first and scored on a seven-play, 65-yard drive. Fullback Jack Whisker ran five times for 59 of those yards, including a 35-yard run and a 5-yarder for the touchdown with 7:29 left in the third quarter. Reed’s extra point made it 42-0.
West Memphis finally got on the board with back-to-back long passes. Quarterback Parker Grigsby hit receiver Demarcus Rivers for a 46-yard gain to the 34-yard line. On the very next play, Grigsby found Harrison Cole on a deep crossing pattern for the score. The PAT made it 42-7 with 5:18 left in the third.
Cabot punted for only the second time on its next drive, and then forced a punt by West Memphis. A complete backup unit, including the third string backfield, took over at the Blue Devil 25 after Ferguson made a 30-yard punt return.
Senior Dylan French, junior Jason Shrunk and sophomores Jess Reed and Kolton Eads each had carries, with Eads getting the final 3 yards and the score with 4:25 left in the game.
Cabot finished with 401 total yards with 400 of it on the ground. Launius led the way with 13 carries for 168 yards and four touchdowns – all in the first half.
Whisker had nine carries for 78 yards and a score. Jones carried three times for 60 yards and Henry had three carries for 51 and a touchdown.
West Memphis totaled 228 yards. Grigsby completed seven of 14 pass attempts for 160 yards. Cooper carried 18 times for 68 yards and caught two passes for 32.
The Panthers start a two-game road stint to close the season at Jonesboro next week.
The Hurricane routed Searcy, Cabot’s final regular-season opponent in two weeks, 40-0 on Friday. West Memphis plays at Searcy.
Leader sports editor
West Memphis was the unquestionable underdog, but Cabot was not a certain lock to win. Whatever chance the Blue Devils thought they had when they arrived at Panther Stadium Friday night dissipated quickly.
The end result was a 49-7 blowout as the Panthers dominated every facet of the game. The Blue Devils hit a few big pass plays for their one touchdown in the second half, but couldn’t sustain any drives as the Panther defense shut down the Blue Devil running game.
“We pretty much controlled both lines of scrimmage and did what we had to do,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham. “We had a busted coverage or two on defense and we did that last week too. We’ve got to fix that. But I was worried about them holding onto to that football. That No. 32 is tough and they got some good looking athletes. But we didn’t give them much in the running game and I was pleased to see that.”
West Memphis (2-6, 2-3) got the ball first and went three and out. Cabot then scored, and continued to do so. The Panthers scored touchdowns on five of their six first-half drives while the defense stifled the Blue Devils at every turn.
West Memphis appeared to have a good handle on Cabot’s main weapon, fullback Zach Launius. He had just 9 total yards on his first four carries, so Cabot switched gears and the Blue Devils were caught off guard.
On second and 19 after a penalty and a dropped pass, the inside counter handoff to halfback Chris Henry left the 5-foot-7, 150-pound senior all alone on the right hash mark and he out-raced the defense to the end zone for a 52-yard score with 8:33 left in the first quarter.
The two teams went three and out on their next possessions before West Memphis finally got a first down. Just one though, as that drive stopped when nose guard Tristan Bulice tackled tailback Kam Pittman for a 5-yard loss on third and 10 from the Devil 19.
Cabot (8-0, 5-0) took over on the West Memphis 32 and needed just three plays to score again. All three were the fullback up the middle, with Launius taking it 26 yards on the third play for a 14-0 lead with 1:46 left in the opening quarter.
Another three-and-out series was forced when Bulice made another tackle-for-loss on third and long.
Cabot started at the WMHS 40 and scored in five plays, with Launius scampering 27 yards up the middle for the touchdown. Trevor Reed’s third extra point made it 21-0 with 8:59 left in the first half.
The Blue Devils finally put together a nice drive, gaining three first downs and driving to the Cabot 32. There, facing fourth and 2, they went for it all, but Jordan Burke knocked the pass down inside the 10 to give the Cabot offense possession.
Cabot survived its second fumble on the second play. Two plays later, Launius again took the handoff up the middle and ran untouched between the hash marks for 57 yards and his third touchdown of the game.
West Memphis hit a big pass on the next drive and got to the Cabot 9-yard line, but went backwards from there. On second and 5, the Blue Devils jumped off sides. After an incomplete pass, a holding penalty pushed it back to the 24.
Fullback Jarvis Cooper picked up 18 yards on third and 20. But on fourth and 2, Burke came up big again, this time in run defense. The sweep pitch went to Cooper, but Burke hit him for a 2-yard loss to give the Panthers the ball with 1:06 remaining.
Launius almost broke another one on first down, but was caught after a 24-yard gain.
After two incomplete passes, including Jake Ferguson’s third drop, halfback Preston Jones took the option pitch 52 yards to the West Memphis 15. Launius did the rest, going 8 and 7 yards for his fourth touchdown with 16 seconds left in the half and a 35-0 lead.
Cabot went with a backup unit in the offensive backfield to start the second half and rotated backup linemen in and out with starters. The starting defensive secondary played the whole game with backup defensive linemen.
The Panthers got the ball first and scored on a seven-play, 65-yard drive. Fullback Jack Whisker ran five times for 59 of those yards, including a 35-yard run and a 5-yarder for the touchdown with 7:29 left in the third quarter. Reed’s extra point made it 42-0.
West Memphis finally got on the board with back-to-back long passes. Quarterback Parker Grigsby hit receiver Demarcus Rivers for a 46-yard gain to the 34-yard line. On the very next play, Grigsby found Harrison Cole on a deep crossing pattern for the score. The PAT made it 42-7 with 5:18 left in the third.
Cabot punted for only the second time on its next drive, and then forced a punt by West Memphis. A complete backup unit, including the third string backfield, took over at the Blue Devil 25 after Ferguson made a 30-yard punt return.
Senior Dylan French, junior Jason Shrunk and sophomores Jess Reed and Kolton Eads each had carries, with Eads getting the final 3 yards and the score with 4:25 left in the game.
Cabot finished with 401 total yards with 400 of it on the ground. Launius led the way with 13 carries for 168 yards and four touchdowns – all in the first half.
Whisker had nine carries for 78 yards and a score. Jones carried three times for 60 yards and Henry had three carries for 51 and a touchdown.
West Memphis totaled 228 yards. Grigsby completed seven of 14 pass attempts for 160 yards. Cooper carried 18 times for 68 yards and caught two passes for 32.
The Panthers start a two-game road stint to close the season at Jonesboro next week.
The Hurricane routed Searcy, Cabot’s final regular-season opponent in two weeks, 40-0 on Friday. West Memphis plays at Searcy.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
SPORTS STORY >> Bears regroup, roll in second
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
A great offensive performance covered a defensive showing that was spotty at times as Sylvan Hills downed Little Rock McClellan for a 49-22 homecoming victory at Bill Blackwood Field on Friday.
Bears junior quarterback Tra Doss ran roughshod over the Lions’ defense with four rushing touchdowns, and two more through the air for good measure as the offense put the home team in position for a mercy rule late in the third quarter, but McClellan fought back with its third big play of the game to keep Sylvan Hills honest until the final horn.
Doss’ performance was aided by stellar rushing nights by junior tailback Marlon Clemmons and senior Kylan Wade, who was subbing on offense for injured running back Tyler Davis.
“We’ve got some guys dinged up,” Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow said. “We’ve got to make more plays on defense. Coach (Chad) Collins, each week, he’s giving us a chance to win, and that’s what you want. As long as you’ve got a chance to win, that’s all we’re worried about. We’ve got to be better on third and long and fourth and long, especially next week. In order to get our offense on the field, we’ve got to convert.”
With the win, the Bears move on to a week-nine showdown against unbeaten Pulaski Academy for a chance at winning a share of the 5A Central Conference championship.
Doss gave Sylvan Hills (6-2, 4-1) a 42-14 lead when he found Chace Pieper on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 1:21 remaining in the third quarter, but McClellan (0-8, 0-5) put itself in position to score on the ensuing kickoff with a big return to the Bears’ 22-yard line. Ezekiel Baldwin punched it in from three yards out to make it 42-22 before Doss found success for the Bears in the passing game again, this time to junior receiver Nathan Thomas for a 31-yard touchdown pass for the game’s final score.
Doss put up big numbers all the way around for the Bears with 14 rushes for 130 yards and four touchdowns, and also went 8 for 13 passing for 140 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Clemmons carried 20 times for 119 yards, while Wade, who normally focuses on defense, carried 18 times for 162 yards and a touchdown.
“That’s the thing about him is he’s so athletic,” Withrow said of Wade. “He’s got great hands, he runs the ball well, plays well on defense, he’s a dang good player. He does a lot of good things. What we were planning on doing was doing it by committee, but it seemed like he was fine as he went along, and if he’s fine, we don’t have to rotate as much.”
Sylvan Hills took a two-score lead to start the second half with a seven-play, 62-yard drive that proceeded mostly off the rushing of Wade. Wade had two rushes of 19 yards each, and then bulled his way for a 5-yard gain to give the Bears a third and 2 at the McClellan 8-yard line. Doss took it from there with an 8-yard touchdown run at the 9:20 mark of the third quarter. Philip Wood’s extra-point kick was successful to give the Bears a 21-6 lead.
That margin was short lived, as McClellan fired back with a 63-yard touchdown run by Baldwin with 8:53 remaining in the third. Chris Nelson converted the two-point conversion try on a quarterback keep to close the gap back to 21-14, but the Bears put up two more scores in less than two minutes to take control.
Doss turned a hat trick on the following drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, and Garrett Barham set the Bears up with great field position when he recovered a fumble on the kickoff to give Sylvan Hills first down at the McClellan 36-yard line.
It only took Doss one play to score, this time on a quarterback draw for 36 yards to put the Bears up 35-14 with 7:10 left to play in the third.
“He’s a sight,” Withrow said of Doss. “He’s just solid in everything he does. He doesn’t get too worked up about anything. We threw a lot this week, and we’ll have to throw a lot next week. They’ll put them all up there in the box. If he can throw a few balls, and we can catch a few along the way, we’ll be fine.”
The Lions turned a shaky opening possession into a score after a run for a loss by Deon Johnson and a holding call backed them up to a second-and-26 situation at their own 13-yard line, but the following play went all the way when Nelson found Johnson open in the middle on a screen pass. Nelson turned upfield and avoided the SH linebacker corps and secondary for an 87-yard touchdown run at the 10:11 mark of the first quarter. McClellan’s two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score 6-0.
The Bears responded with a six-play, 58-yard drive that took less than two minutes off the clock. Clemmons got things started with runs of 12 yards, 5 yards and 7 yards to take the ball all the way to the McClellan 33-yard line. Doss moved the chains again when he called his own number for a 17-yard run, and Wade finished off the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run with 8:36 remaining in the opening period. Wood’s extra-point kick was wide right to leave the score tied, 6-6.
The remainder of the quarter amounted to stalled drives for both teams, until the Bears mounted their next scoring drive to start the second quarter. Doss found Thomas for a 39-yard pass play that took the ball down to the Lion 21, and Wade advanced it into the red zone with a 16-yard run that set Sylvan Hills up with a first and goal at the 5-yard line. Doss finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run with 10:58 left to play in the half. Doss also ran in the two-point conversion run to give the Bears a 14-6 halftime lead.
The Bears had 563 yards of total offense while McClellan had 248 yards, led by Baldwin’s nine carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. Thomas led all receivers for Sylvan Hills with five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Leader sportswriter
A great offensive performance covered a defensive showing that was spotty at times as Sylvan Hills downed Little Rock McClellan for a 49-22 homecoming victory at Bill Blackwood Field on Friday.
Bears junior quarterback Tra Doss ran roughshod over the Lions’ defense with four rushing touchdowns, and two more through the air for good measure as the offense put the home team in position for a mercy rule late in the third quarter, but McClellan fought back with its third big play of the game to keep Sylvan Hills honest until the final horn.
Doss’ performance was aided by stellar rushing nights by junior tailback Marlon Clemmons and senior Kylan Wade, who was subbing on offense for injured running back Tyler Davis.
“We’ve got some guys dinged up,” Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow said. “We’ve got to make more plays on defense. Coach (Chad) Collins, each week, he’s giving us a chance to win, and that’s what you want. As long as you’ve got a chance to win, that’s all we’re worried about. We’ve got to be better on third and long and fourth and long, especially next week. In order to get our offense on the field, we’ve got to convert.”
With the win, the Bears move on to a week-nine showdown against unbeaten Pulaski Academy for a chance at winning a share of the 5A Central Conference championship.
Doss gave Sylvan Hills (6-2, 4-1) a 42-14 lead when he found Chace Pieper on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 1:21 remaining in the third quarter, but McClellan (0-8, 0-5) put itself in position to score on the ensuing kickoff with a big return to the Bears’ 22-yard line. Ezekiel Baldwin punched it in from three yards out to make it 42-22 before Doss found success for the Bears in the passing game again, this time to junior receiver Nathan Thomas for a 31-yard touchdown pass for the game’s final score.
Doss put up big numbers all the way around for the Bears with 14 rushes for 130 yards and four touchdowns, and also went 8 for 13 passing for 140 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Clemmons carried 20 times for 119 yards, while Wade, who normally focuses on defense, carried 18 times for 162 yards and a touchdown.
“That’s the thing about him is he’s so athletic,” Withrow said of Wade. “He’s got great hands, he runs the ball well, plays well on defense, he’s a dang good player. He does a lot of good things. What we were planning on doing was doing it by committee, but it seemed like he was fine as he went along, and if he’s fine, we don’t have to rotate as much.”
Sylvan Hills took a two-score lead to start the second half with a seven-play, 62-yard drive that proceeded mostly off the rushing of Wade. Wade had two rushes of 19 yards each, and then bulled his way for a 5-yard gain to give the Bears a third and 2 at the McClellan 8-yard line. Doss took it from there with an 8-yard touchdown run at the 9:20 mark of the third quarter. Philip Wood’s extra-point kick was successful to give the Bears a 21-6 lead.
That margin was short lived, as McClellan fired back with a 63-yard touchdown run by Baldwin with 8:53 remaining in the third. Chris Nelson converted the two-point conversion try on a quarterback keep to close the gap back to 21-14, but the Bears put up two more scores in less than two minutes to take control.
Doss turned a hat trick on the following drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, and Garrett Barham set the Bears up with great field position when he recovered a fumble on the kickoff to give Sylvan Hills first down at the McClellan 36-yard line.
It only took Doss one play to score, this time on a quarterback draw for 36 yards to put the Bears up 35-14 with 7:10 left to play in the third.
“He’s a sight,” Withrow said of Doss. “He’s just solid in everything he does. He doesn’t get too worked up about anything. We threw a lot this week, and we’ll have to throw a lot next week. They’ll put them all up there in the box. If he can throw a few balls, and we can catch a few along the way, we’ll be fine.”
The Lions turned a shaky opening possession into a score after a run for a loss by Deon Johnson and a holding call backed them up to a second-and-26 situation at their own 13-yard line, but the following play went all the way when Nelson found Johnson open in the middle on a screen pass. Nelson turned upfield and avoided the SH linebacker corps and secondary for an 87-yard touchdown run at the 10:11 mark of the first quarter. McClellan’s two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score 6-0.
The Bears responded with a six-play, 58-yard drive that took less than two minutes off the clock. Clemmons got things started with runs of 12 yards, 5 yards and 7 yards to take the ball all the way to the McClellan 33-yard line. Doss moved the chains again when he called his own number for a 17-yard run, and Wade finished off the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run with 8:36 remaining in the opening period. Wood’s extra-point kick was wide right to leave the score tied, 6-6.
The remainder of the quarter amounted to stalled drives for both teams, until the Bears mounted their next scoring drive to start the second quarter. Doss found Thomas for a 39-yard pass play that took the ball down to the Lion 21, and Wade advanced it into the red zone with a 16-yard run that set Sylvan Hills up with a first and goal at the 5-yard line. Doss finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run with 10:58 left to play in the half. Doss also ran in the two-point conversion run to give the Bears a 14-6 halftime lead.
The Bears had 563 yards of total offense while McClellan had 248 yards, led by Baldwin’s nine carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. Thomas led all receivers for Sylvan Hills with five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Friday, October 25, 2013
EDITORIAL >> Meth behind crime sprees
Two recent arrests by the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Police Department remind us that Arkansas, like much of the nation, continues to struggle with the methamphetamine epidemic.
On Oct. 17, a 22-year-old man armed with a knife hijacked a school bus in Jacksonville and drove to Cabot pursued by police during a 20-minute, nine-mile journey that ended on Hwy. 5 in Cabot. Fortunately, none of the children were hurt. Nicholas John Miller, the alleged hijacker, pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of felony kidnapping, two felony counts of aggravated assault, felony fleeing, driving while under the influence and reckless driving.
Miller seemed paranoid when officers finally stopped the bus. He told them that people were following him. He was right about that, but the caravan of flashing lights he saw behind him belonged to the police as they tried to stop him from harming the kids. Miller’s bizarre behavior may have had something to do with his addiction to methamphetamines, at least according to his wife. (Sarah Campbell reports in The Leader today that the bus driver heard Miller tell his mother on the phone that he was high on meth.)
On Oct. 8, he was arrested for terroristic threatening and third-degree domestic battery after his wife confronted him about using meth. She told him to clean up if he wanted to see their son again. He grabbed her by the neck and choked her, according to the police report.
A few miles away, when Lonoke County sheriff’s deputies arrived at Jason Woodring’s rural Jacksonville home on John Shelton Road on Oct. 11, they found an active meth lab. He hasn’t been charged yet with manufacturing the highly addictive drug because he’s facing far more serious accusations of deliberately sabotaging the electric grid in Lonoke County in four separate attacks in six weeks.
If the allegations are true, Woodring could have been motivated by paranoia brought on by meth addiction. When he appeared in court Oct. 15, he asked his lawyer if the drinking water at the defendant’s table was poisoned.
Both men can expect lengthy prison sentences if convicted, but banning a key substance used in methamphetamine could reduce crime here and across the country.
Meth addicts often purchase pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter decongestant in cold and allergy medicine, to make their own drugs. Mississippi and Oregon are the only states in the country that now require a prescription for pseudoephedrine, saving both states hundreds of millions of dollars every decade and dramatically lowering expenses related to cleaning up toxic meth labs, treating meth addicts and their children for chemical burns and reducing ordinary crime like burglaries and car thefts that addicts often commit.
A recent article in Mother Jones Magazine, “Merchants of Meth: How Big Pharma Keeps the Cooks in Business” by Jonah Engle, chronicles the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to keep pseudoephedrine an over-the-counter product to the peril of our communities.
Arkansas is among 25 states that have considered requiring prescriptions for pseudoephedrine, but have resisted doing so because of the well-financed influence of the drug industry. Meth addiction can’t be brought under control until lawmakers do all they can to make it inconvenient for addicts to get their key ingredients.
State legislators should follow the lead of Mississippi and Oregon and help prevent addiction, reduce crime and save the state and local law-enforcement agencies millions when meth use subsides. Jobs go begging because too many people abuse drugs when they should be working.
This is an epidemic that cannot be ignored any longer. The victims of meth-related crimes have had enough: Start eradicating the problem by banning key ingredients from store shelves.
On Oct. 17, a 22-year-old man armed with a knife hijacked a school bus in Jacksonville and drove to Cabot pursued by police during a 20-minute, nine-mile journey that ended on Hwy. 5 in Cabot. Fortunately, none of the children were hurt. Nicholas John Miller, the alleged hijacker, pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of felony kidnapping, two felony counts of aggravated assault, felony fleeing, driving while under the influence and reckless driving.
Miller seemed paranoid when officers finally stopped the bus. He told them that people were following him. He was right about that, but the caravan of flashing lights he saw behind him belonged to the police as they tried to stop him from harming the kids. Miller’s bizarre behavior may have had something to do with his addiction to methamphetamines, at least according to his wife. (Sarah Campbell reports in The Leader today that the bus driver heard Miller tell his mother on the phone that he was high on meth.)
On Oct. 8, he was arrested for terroristic threatening and third-degree domestic battery after his wife confronted him about using meth. She told him to clean up if he wanted to see their son again. He grabbed her by the neck and choked her, according to the police report.
A few miles away, when Lonoke County sheriff’s deputies arrived at Jason Woodring’s rural Jacksonville home on John Shelton Road on Oct. 11, they found an active meth lab. He hasn’t been charged yet with manufacturing the highly addictive drug because he’s facing far more serious accusations of deliberately sabotaging the electric grid in Lonoke County in four separate attacks in six weeks.
If the allegations are true, Woodring could have been motivated by paranoia brought on by meth addiction. When he appeared in court Oct. 15, he asked his lawyer if the drinking water at the defendant’s table was poisoned.
Both men can expect lengthy prison sentences if convicted, but banning a key substance used in methamphetamine could reduce crime here and across the country.
Meth addicts often purchase pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter decongestant in cold and allergy medicine, to make their own drugs. Mississippi and Oregon are the only states in the country that now require a prescription for pseudoephedrine, saving both states hundreds of millions of dollars every decade and dramatically lowering expenses related to cleaning up toxic meth labs, treating meth addicts and their children for chemical burns and reducing ordinary crime like burglaries and car thefts that addicts often commit.
A recent article in Mother Jones Magazine, “Merchants of Meth: How Big Pharma Keeps the Cooks in Business” by Jonah Engle, chronicles the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to keep pseudoephedrine an over-the-counter product to the peril of our communities.
Arkansas is among 25 states that have considered requiring prescriptions for pseudoephedrine, but have resisted doing so because of the well-financed influence of the drug industry. Meth addiction can’t be brought under control until lawmakers do all they can to make it inconvenient for addicts to get their key ingredients.
State legislators should follow the lead of Mississippi and Oregon and help prevent addiction, reduce crime and save the state and local law-enforcement agencies millions when meth use subsides. Jobs go begging because too many people abuse drugs when they should be working.
This is an epidemic that cannot be ignored any longer. The victims of meth-related crimes have had enough: Start eradicating the problem by banning key ingredients from store shelves.
TOP STORY >> McDaniel joins education board
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Retired Col. Ronald McDaniel was appointed recently as the 12th and last member of the new Pulaski County Special School District’s Community Advisory Board.
The state Board of Education last month approved the board for PCSSD, which has been taken over by the state and is in year three of fiscal distress.
Act 600 of 2013 gave the state authority to run districts in fiscal distress for as long as five years, and said — since the school boards were dissolved by the state — the state should appoint advisory panels to give the public feedback.
The PCSSD board will help Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell make decisions by giving him recommendations. The board’s first regular meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, in the boardroom at the district’s central office, 925 E. Dixon Road.
McDaniel, when he heard about the appointment, said, “Well, I thought that is going to be quite a bit of hard work. I’m not unaccustomed to that.”
As a resident of Jacksonville’s Northlake subdivision, he was asked to apply for the vacant Zone 3 position on the board, McDaniel continued.
“I just want to do everything we can to get the kids a good education, a basic education where they can read, write, count and be good citizens,” he said.
All three of McDaniel’s adult children graduated from PCSSD. Two are Jacksonville High School graduates and another graduated from Mills High School in Little Rock.
McDaniel’s 40-year military career began with the Air Force and ended with the Arkansas Air National Guard.
The former 189th Maintenance Group commander, McDaniel was the first African-American full-time employee promoted to colonel in the Air National Guard.
As an active-duty airman in the Air Force, McDaniel was assigned to the 314th Medical Squadron in 1972 — the same year he moved to Jacksonville.
The Crossett native joined the Air National Guard in 1979. He was assigned to the 189th Medical Squadron.
In 1984, McDaniel was commissioned as a consolidated aircraft maintenance officer.
He was considered a part-time, or “traditional Guardsman,” in 1986 when C-130Es came to the base.
In 1994, McDaniel transferred from his job with the postal service to work full time in the Guard. He retired last year.
He is also a member of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski Education Corps, the driving force behind the city’s efforts to detach from PCSSD and form an independent school district.
McDaniel is president of the Sertoma Club. He has been a Sertoma Club member since 1984.
The club, along with the Jacksonville Walmart Supercenter, used to host the Sam Hoover 3-on-3-basketball tournament annually.
For several years, McDaniel helped coordinate both the youth football and the 3-on-3 tournaments. He now helps out with the club’s father and daughter dance.
McDaniel is also chairman of the Jacksonville Civil Service Commission and of the Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center’s board.
He and his wife, Shirley, celebrated their 41st anniversary in May.
They have four grandchildren.
The advisory board has met once for a special meeting, which was held last Monday to make recommendations for two waiver requests.
Board member Daniel Gray, who is also a member of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski Education Corps, said district employees can request waivers if something comes up in their background checks.
Gray, a third-generation realtor, represents Zone 1 and lives in the Foxwood subdivision.
The board recommended granting one of the waivers and denying the other, he said.
Gray said the Arkansas State School Board Association provided three or four hours of training to the board members a few weeks ago, with the exception of McDaniel because he hadn’t been appointed yet. McDaniel said he would receive the same training though.
Gray said the board members talked about the role they would play and how it is not that of a school board. The advisory board, for example, will not have the authority to fire or hire a superintendent as a school board does.
The advisory board’s main function will be to advise Kimbrell, especially concerning three types of hearings – those that are available because of the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act, those that concern teacher grievances and those that concern a student discipline issue that may result in an expulsion, Gray said.
He added, “My goal is to serve in that capacity and to provide some guidance from a parent’s perspective.” His two sons, a sixth grader and a third grader, are PCSSD students.
Gray said the board would also offer reports on PCSSD’s fiscal distress status.
The district’s chief financial officer, Bill Goff, will give the members an update on that topic during the November meeting, Gray said.
The other local board members — Sherwood residents Tjuana Byrd and Margie Anne Snyder — did not return several calls from The Leader.
Byrd is an attorney who runs his own Little Rock law firm. Snyder is a retired teacher.
Leader staff writer
Retired Col. Ronald McDaniel was appointed recently as the 12th and last member of the new Pulaski County Special School District’s Community Advisory Board.
The state Board of Education last month approved the board for PCSSD, which has been taken over by the state and is in year three of fiscal distress.
Act 600 of 2013 gave the state authority to run districts in fiscal distress for as long as five years, and said — since the school boards were dissolved by the state — the state should appoint advisory panels to give the public feedback.
The PCSSD board will help Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell make decisions by giving him recommendations. The board’s first regular meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, in the boardroom at the district’s central office, 925 E. Dixon Road.
McDaniel, when he heard about the appointment, said, “Well, I thought that is going to be quite a bit of hard work. I’m not unaccustomed to that.”
As a resident of Jacksonville’s Northlake subdivision, he was asked to apply for the vacant Zone 3 position on the board, McDaniel continued.
“I just want to do everything we can to get the kids a good education, a basic education where they can read, write, count and be good citizens,” he said.
All three of McDaniel’s adult children graduated from PCSSD. Two are Jacksonville High School graduates and another graduated from Mills High School in Little Rock.
McDaniel’s 40-year military career began with the Air Force and ended with the Arkansas Air National Guard.
The former 189th Maintenance Group commander, McDaniel was the first African-American full-time employee promoted to colonel in the Air National Guard.
As an active-duty airman in the Air Force, McDaniel was assigned to the 314th Medical Squadron in 1972 — the same year he moved to Jacksonville.
The Crossett native joined the Air National Guard in 1979. He was assigned to the 189th Medical Squadron.
In 1984, McDaniel was commissioned as a consolidated aircraft maintenance officer.
He was considered a part-time, or “traditional Guardsman,” in 1986 when C-130Es came to the base.
In 1994, McDaniel transferred from his job with the postal service to work full time in the Guard. He retired last year.
He is also a member of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski Education Corps, the driving force behind the city’s efforts to detach from PCSSD and form an independent school district.
McDaniel is president of the Sertoma Club. He has been a Sertoma Club member since 1984.
The club, along with the Jacksonville Walmart Supercenter, used to host the Sam Hoover 3-on-3-basketball tournament annually.
For several years, McDaniel helped coordinate both the youth football and the 3-on-3 tournaments. He now helps out with the club’s father and daughter dance.
McDaniel is also chairman of the Jacksonville Civil Service Commission and of the Jacksonville Senior Wellness and Activity Center’s board.
He and his wife, Shirley, celebrated their 41st anniversary in May.
They have four grandchildren.
The advisory board has met once for a special meeting, which was held last Monday to make recommendations for two waiver requests.
Board member Daniel Gray, who is also a member of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski Education Corps, said district employees can request waivers if something comes up in their background checks.
Gray, a third-generation realtor, represents Zone 1 and lives in the Foxwood subdivision.
The board recommended granting one of the waivers and denying the other, he said.
Gray said the Arkansas State School Board Association provided three or four hours of training to the board members a few weeks ago, with the exception of McDaniel because he hadn’t been appointed yet. McDaniel said he would receive the same training though.
Gray said the board members talked about the role they would play and how it is not that of a school board. The advisory board, for example, will not have the authority to fire or hire a superintendent as a school board does.
The advisory board’s main function will be to advise Kimbrell, especially concerning three types of hearings – those that are available because of the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act, those that concern teacher grievances and those that concern a student discipline issue that may result in an expulsion, Gray said.
He added, “My goal is to serve in that capacity and to provide some guidance from a parent’s perspective.” His two sons, a sixth grader and a third grader, are PCSSD students.
Gray said the board would also offer reports on PCSSD’s fiscal distress status.
The district’s chief financial officer, Bill Goff, will give the members an update on that topic during the November meeting, Gray said.
The other local board members — Sherwood residents Tjuana Byrd and Margie Anne Snyder — did not return several calls from The Leader.
Byrd is an attorney who runs his own Little Rock law firm. Snyder is a retired teacher.
TOP STORY >> Williams foregoes 2nd Dist.contest
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
State Sen. Eddie Jo Williams (R-Cabot) could run for the soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin’s seat, even though Williams doesn’t live in the 2nd District. “I’d have to move across Hwy. 5,” he quipped, “to be in the district.”
But he said Arkansas has a quirky law that allows you to run for a U.S. representatives seat even if you aren’t in the district. Alex Reed, with the secretary of state’s office, verified that Thursday. “You only have to be a resident of the state,” Reed explained.
Griffin announced last week he would not seek a third term, meaning his tenure in Washington would end at the end of 2014.
When Griffin made his announcement, Mayor Gary Fletcher and dozens of other supporters immediately called Williams and suggested that he run.
“I’m honored by the calls,” Williams said, but he said the odds would be against him. Most of Williams’ support is based in Cabot and Lonoke County, which are in the 1st District.
“Without that support, it would be tough,” he said. Williams did hint that if 1st Dist. Rep. Rick Crawford ever decides to step down, he would consider a run for that seat.
Besides, Williams said he’s enjoying spending time with his nearly dozen grandchildren. “I’ve been out hunting with one of my grandsons numerous times recently, and each time it’s like a brand new adventure,” Williams said. “How many Washington monuments could I show him and he’d have that same enthusiasm?”
Williams said Griffin’s district, which includes Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, White, Perry, Conway and Van Buren counties, traditionally leans to the right. “If we get a strong candidate, we should win,” he said.
On the recent special session, Williams said he was glad lawmakers were able to get in and get out. He said the insurance issue for teachers was a very complex one, but something had to be done. “We are self-insured. That makes the state responsible. We had to find solutions,” he said.
He said there are still a number of long-term issues that need to be resolved in the next session, which starts early next year.
“There are many examples of insurance programs out there doing well and we need to look at them,” the senator said.
Back to Griffin’s seat, he said there would be a number of good candidates, but he didn’t mention any by name. “It’s up to them to decide and announce,” Williams said, “but I will back and work hard for whoever gets the nod.”
Some names mentioned by political analysts include state Rep. Ann Clemmer (R-Benton), who is term-limited in her current position, state Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy) and Little Rock banker French Hill.
On the Democratic side, former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays has announced he will run for the position.
Leader staff writer
State Sen. Eddie Jo Williams (R-Cabot) could run for the soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin’s seat, even though Williams doesn’t live in the 2nd District. “I’d have to move across Hwy. 5,” he quipped, “to be in the district.”
But he said Arkansas has a quirky law that allows you to run for a U.S. representatives seat even if you aren’t in the district. Alex Reed, with the secretary of state’s office, verified that Thursday. “You only have to be a resident of the state,” Reed explained.
Griffin announced last week he would not seek a third term, meaning his tenure in Washington would end at the end of 2014.
When Griffin made his announcement, Mayor Gary Fletcher and dozens of other supporters immediately called Williams and suggested that he run.
“I’m honored by the calls,” Williams said, but he said the odds would be against him. Most of Williams’ support is based in Cabot and Lonoke County, which are in the 1st District.
“Without that support, it would be tough,” he said. Williams did hint that if 1st Dist. Rep. Rick Crawford ever decides to step down, he would consider a run for that seat.
Besides, Williams said he’s enjoying spending time with his nearly dozen grandchildren. “I’ve been out hunting with one of my grandsons numerous times recently, and each time it’s like a brand new adventure,” Williams said. “How many Washington monuments could I show him and he’d have that same enthusiasm?”
Williams said Griffin’s district, which includes Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, White, Perry, Conway and Van Buren counties, traditionally leans to the right. “If we get a strong candidate, we should win,” he said.
On the recent special session, Williams said he was glad lawmakers were able to get in and get out. He said the insurance issue for teachers was a very complex one, but something had to be done. “We are self-insured. That makes the state responsible. We had to find solutions,” he said.
He said there are still a number of long-term issues that need to be resolved in the next session, which starts early next year.
“There are many examples of insurance programs out there doing well and we need to look at them,” the senator said.
Back to Griffin’s seat, he said there would be a number of good candidates, but he didn’t mention any by name. “It’s up to them to decide and announce,” Williams said, “but I will back and work hard for whoever gets the nod.”
Some names mentioned by political analysts include state Rep. Ann Clemmer (R-Benton), who is term-limited in her current position, state Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy) and Little Rock banker French Hill.
On the Democratic side, former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays has announced he will run for the position.
TOP STORY >> Heroic bus driver honored
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
The driver of the Pinewood Elementary School bus hijacked by a Jacksonville man on Oct. 17 returned to work Thursday, one day after the Pulaski County Special School District recognized her for keeping calm during the crisis.
Eleven children were on the bus. No one was injured.
And 51-year-old Sheila Hart of Jacksonville, who has been driving a bus for 20 years, saw her “babies” the day after the hijacking.
She visited the school and spoke with all of the kids who ride her bus.
“They were all worried about me. I just wanted to reassure them. They gave me lots of hugs,” Hart told The Leader on Wednesday evening. About the hijacking, she said, “I had to stay strong for them…That’s what we’re supposed to do, protect them.”
Hart added that some of the children were worried that she wasn’t coming back. But, she said at the Wednesday ceremony, “I’m ready to get back and make my babies safe.”
About being back on the job, she also said, “I’ll be scanning around, making sure nobody’s on there. That’s for sure. I’ll be OK.”
Superintendent Jerry Guess called her “a heroic person” during a ceremony held Wednesday at the bus depot on Redmond Road. “Perhaps the events that occurred saved lives, the lives of those students,” he said.
State Education Com-mission director Tom Kimbrell said, “She did everything right.”
The bus driver received a key to the city from Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher, a $1,000 check from an anonymous donor and a Chili’s gift basket that included a $100 gift card. Daniel Gray, a member of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski Education Corps and the chamber of commerce’s education committee, presented the check to Hart.
About the $1,000, the bus driver said she was surprised and that it will help her pay bills. “It always comes when you need it,” she said.
Hart, a Jonesboro native, moved to Jacksonville 33 years ago because her husband was in the military, she said. But the bus driver has been in the area longer than that because her mother moved to North Little Rock when Hart was 8 years old.
ACCUSED IN JAIL
The alleged hijacker, 22-year-old Nicholas John Miller, has pleaded not guilty to felony vehicle piracy, 12 felony counts of kidnapping, two felony counts of aggravated assault, felony fleeing, misdemeanor driving while intoxicated-drugs and misdemeanor reckless driving.
Miller is being held in the Pulaski County Jail on $338,165 bond.
Karlena Lipari was at the North First Street bus stop in Jacksonville with her daughter the morning of the hijacking. She, along with police who helped resolve the crisis, was also thanked at Wednesday’s ceremony.
Lipari said Miller, armed with a knife, asked her for her car, but she didn’t have one. She lives just three blocks away and walks to the bus stop.
On Wednesday, the parent said, “It’s hard in the mornings to go to the bus stop.” Lipari’s husband started walking her there after the hijacking, she said.
But her daughter is still a bus rider.
Lipari explained, “I don’t want her to think, don’t want to hold her back for if anything happens; you’ve got to keep going.”
The parents said, after Miller tried to get a car from her, he walked away to cross the street to where Hart had parked the bus.
Lipari stopped her daughter and three other children from getting on the bus, then she mouthed to Hart that the man had a knife, the parent said.
But Hart said Wednesday that a lot of parents come to her door to ask questions and she assumed Miller was one of those.
“He jumped on the bus and said, ‘Drive” and I said, ‘What?’ He flipped the knife out and said, ‘Drive, shut the door and drive,’ and that’s what I did. I said ‘OK, where do you want to go and what’s wrong?’” Hart recalled.
She did see Lipari’s second gesture, which told her that the parent was going to call 911. Hart said she drove for about three blocks before Miller asked that they switch seats while the bus was moving.
Hart told him, “No, we can’t do that.” So they pulled over and she showed him how to work the controls.
Even when police finally stopped the bus, the bus driver was worried about getting off safely. Hart said, while cops were pointing their guns at Miller, she was thinking, “set the brake.”
As soon as Miller hit the green button for the doors to open, Hart continued, “I grabbed the babies and said let’s go.”
Hart said, during the hijacking, “I kept telling him to be careful. I asked him couldn’t me and the babies get off. Let’s just take them to school. I told him you could have this bus, just let us off.”
Hart explained that Miller said yes, but then missed a turn and started becoming more irritable. He also told them that he would drive the bus until it ran out of gas, Hart said.
She had recently completed training on how to handle a hijacking, but said Wednesday, “No kind of training could prepare you for that. It helped.”
Hart also said, “I guess my mother instinct kicked in.”
She has three adult children and five grandchildren. During that drive, the bus driver said one girl on the bus started to cry and she had to tell the girl to do so quietly.
A little boy asked Hart if he could get off and she told him that she would talk to the hijacker about it.
GAINING HIS TRUST
Hart said things eventually got better, especially when the knife was closed and he tossed it onto the dash. He would have had to stand up to retrieve it from the dash of the bus, but he didn’t.
She continued, “He was kind of polite. He said ma’am can I use your cell phone…I think he was starting to trust me then.”
Miller called his dad, who didn’t answer. Then he called his mom, Hart said.
He told her what he had done, that he was going to jail for a long time and that he had taken a shot of methamphetamine, Hart recalled.
She said she could tell he was on a drug, but hearing it confirmed it. “That scared me,” she said.
Reflecting on her actions during hijacking, which included talking to Miller and keeping the kids calm, Hart added, “I think the right thing to do was talk to the person, keep a cool head.” She doesn’t think she would have done anything differently.
At speeds around 40 mph, police followed the bus from the 3700 block of North First Street near the air base to Hwy. 367, John Harden Drive and Hwy. 5 in Cabot — where the 20-minute, nine-mile chase ended.
Cabot police put out a spike strip on Hwy. 5/Mountain Springs Road. Miller allegedly slowed down and veered off the road to avoid the spike strip, coming to a stop.
He told police there were people after him, according to the police report. Miller said hijacking the bus was only way for him to get away and save his life, it continued.
He also told police that he had not planned to hurt anyone on the bus.
This was not his first run-in with them. Miller had been arrested three times this year. The charges were breaking and entering of a vehicle, theft of property, possession of drug paraphernalia, terroristic threatening and third-degree domestic assault.
Leader staff writer
The driver of the Pinewood Elementary School bus hijacked by a Jacksonville man on Oct. 17 returned to work Thursday, one day after the Pulaski County Special School District recognized her for keeping calm during the crisis.
Eleven children were on the bus. No one was injured.
And 51-year-old Sheila Hart of Jacksonville, who has been driving a bus for 20 years, saw her “babies” the day after the hijacking.
She visited the school and spoke with all of the kids who ride her bus.
“They were all worried about me. I just wanted to reassure them. They gave me lots of hugs,” Hart told The Leader on Wednesday evening. About the hijacking, she said, “I had to stay strong for them…That’s what we’re supposed to do, protect them.”
Hart added that some of the children were worried that she wasn’t coming back. But, she said at the Wednesday ceremony, “I’m ready to get back and make my babies safe.”
About being back on the job, she also said, “I’ll be scanning around, making sure nobody’s on there. That’s for sure. I’ll be OK.”
Superintendent Jerry Guess called her “a heroic person” during a ceremony held Wednesday at the bus depot on Redmond Road. “Perhaps the events that occurred saved lives, the lives of those students,” he said.
State Education Com-mission director Tom Kimbrell said, “She did everything right.”
The bus driver received a key to the city from Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher, a $1,000 check from an anonymous donor and a Chili’s gift basket that included a $100 gift card. Daniel Gray, a member of the Jacksonville/North Pulaski Education Corps and the chamber of commerce’s education committee, presented the check to Hart.
About the $1,000, the bus driver said she was surprised and that it will help her pay bills. “It always comes when you need it,” she said.
Hart, a Jonesboro native, moved to Jacksonville 33 years ago because her husband was in the military, she said. But the bus driver has been in the area longer than that because her mother moved to North Little Rock when Hart was 8 years old.
ACCUSED IN JAIL
The alleged hijacker, 22-year-old Nicholas John Miller, has pleaded not guilty to felony vehicle piracy, 12 felony counts of kidnapping, two felony counts of aggravated assault, felony fleeing, misdemeanor driving while intoxicated-drugs and misdemeanor reckless driving.
Miller is being held in the Pulaski County Jail on $338,165 bond.
Karlena Lipari was at the North First Street bus stop in Jacksonville with her daughter the morning of the hijacking. She, along with police who helped resolve the crisis, was also thanked at Wednesday’s ceremony.
Lipari said Miller, armed with a knife, asked her for her car, but she didn’t have one. She lives just three blocks away and walks to the bus stop.
On Wednesday, the parent said, “It’s hard in the mornings to go to the bus stop.” Lipari’s husband started walking her there after the hijacking, she said.
But her daughter is still a bus rider.
Lipari explained, “I don’t want her to think, don’t want to hold her back for if anything happens; you’ve got to keep going.”
The parents said, after Miller tried to get a car from her, he walked away to cross the street to where Hart had parked the bus.
Lipari stopped her daughter and three other children from getting on the bus, then she mouthed to Hart that the man had a knife, the parent said.
But Hart said Wednesday that a lot of parents come to her door to ask questions and she assumed Miller was one of those.
“He jumped on the bus and said, ‘Drive” and I said, ‘What?’ He flipped the knife out and said, ‘Drive, shut the door and drive,’ and that’s what I did. I said ‘OK, where do you want to go and what’s wrong?’” Hart recalled.
She did see Lipari’s second gesture, which told her that the parent was going to call 911. Hart said she drove for about three blocks before Miller asked that they switch seats while the bus was moving.
Hart told him, “No, we can’t do that.” So they pulled over and she showed him how to work the controls.
Even when police finally stopped the bus, the bus driver was worried about getting off safely. Hart said, while cops were pointing their guns at Miller, she was thinking, “set the brake.”
As soon as Miller hit the green button for the doors to open, Hart continued, “I grabbed the babies and said let’s go.”
Hart said, during the hijacking, “I kept telling him to be careful. I asked him couldn’t me and the babies get off. Let’s just take them to school. I told him you could have this bus, just let us off.”
Hart explained that Miller said yes, but then missed a turn and started becoming more irritable. He also told them that he would drive the bus until it ran out of gas, Hart said.
She had recently completed training on how to handle a hijacking, but said Wednesday, “No kind of training could prepare you for that. It helped.”
Hart also said, “I guess my mother instinct kicked in.”
She has three adult children and five grandchildren. During that drive, the bus driver said one girl on the bus started to cry and she had to tell the girl to do so quietly.
A little boy asked Hart if he could get off and she told him that she would talk to the hijacker about it.
GAINING HIS TRUST
Hart said things eventually got better, especially when the knife was closed and he tossed it onto the dash. He would have had to stand up to retrieve it from the dash of the bus, but he didn’t.
She continued, “He was kind of polite. He said ma’am can I use your cell phone…I think he was starting to trust me then.”
Miller called his dad, who didn’t answer. Then he called his mom, Hart said.
He told her what he had done, that he was going to jail for a long time and that he had taken a shot of methamphetamine, Hart recalled.
She said she could tell he was on a drug, but hearing it confirmed it. “That scared me,” she said.
Reflecting on her actions during hijacking, which included talking to Miller and keeping the kids calm, Hart added, “I think the right thing to do was talk to the person, keep a cool head.” She doesn’t think she would have done anything differently.
At speeds around 40 mph, police followed the bus from the 3700 block of North First Street near the air base to Hwy. 367, John Harden Drive and Hwy. 5 in Cabot — where the 20-minute, nine-mile chase ended.
Cabot police put out a spike strip on Hwy. 5/Mountain Springs Road. Miller allegedly slowed down and veered off the road to avoid the spike strip, coming to a stop.
He told police there were people after him, according to the police report. Miller said hijacking the bus was only way for him to get away and save his life, it continued.
He also told police that he had not planned to hurt anyone on the bus.
This was not his first run-in with them. Miller had been arrested three times this year. The charges were breaking and entering of a vehicle, theft of property, possession of drug paraphernalia, terroristic threatening and third-degree domestic assault.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
EDITORIAL >> Griffin: He’s not done yet
Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Little Rock) announced Monday he would not seek a third term in 2014 as our 2nd District congressman and will spend more time with his family. He’ll stick around for another year until the end of his second term, but he told us yesterday he has no plans to run for statewide office anytime soon.
Griffin did tell us he would look seriously at some race down the road, and in the meantime, “I will stay engaged in politics,” he said.
Starting in January, Congress will pick up the fight over Obamacare and the debt limit. Griffin is certain to be in the middle of that fight again, although he told us Tuesday the shutdown was a mistake and it’s unlikely we’ll see a repeat of that fiasco anytime soon. The debt limit fight will be less dramatic next time since big-business Republicans have signaled that a default on the nation’s debt would be catastrophic.
No shutting down the government and defaulting on the debt, Griffin told us: “If you want to make big, bold changes, you need to win elections,” he said.
Apart from his desire to spend more time with his young family, Griffin’s decision makes sense to us because we’d assumed he would run against Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) next year. Either because of his friendship with Pryor or inability to line up support for such a candidacy — big money is backing Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Dardanelle) against Pryor — it makes sense that Griffin would leave trench warfare in the House for a tranquil life in the private sector.
Then, too, the announcement by former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays that he’s running as a Democrat may have been a factor in Griffin’s decision to bow out.
In 2010, Griffin polled 59 percent when he ran against Sen. Joyce Elliott, a liberal black legislator from Little Rock, but he received only 55 percent when he was challenged by attorney Herb Rule, whose DWI arrests made headlines during the race. A possible race against Hays would have been closer, and, in fact, one Democratic poll supposedly showed Griffin trailing.
Griffin understands that the 16-day shutdown did not work out well for the Republicans, who gained nothing in their fight over Obamacare and blinked when it came to averting a default on the nation’s debt.
Republicans were in trouble from the start, when the military objected while half of its 800,000 civilian workers were furloughed, including hundreds at Little Rock Air Force Base, which insisted the workers were critical to national security. The base commissary was closed for several days and men and women on base worried they might not get a paycheck in October.
Public support for Republicans plummeted: According to a CNN poll this week, 75 percent of the voters disapprove of the way the GOP runs the House of Representatives. Voters may not understand the minutiae of Obamacare or why Congress must raise the debt limit, but the public realizes that giving federal workers two weeks off with pay during the shutdown was a terrible waste.
Griffin believes that spending cuts must accompany increases in the debt limit. That didn’t happen this time because the shutdown took center stage, he said. He’ll stick around another 15 months and do what he can to achieve his goals for a leaner government.
He’s always been responsive to our requests for interviews and has been terrific servicing his constituents. We will miss him if he doesn’t run for statewide office someday.
Griffin did tell us he would look seriously at some race down the road, and in the meantime, “I will stay engaged in politics,” he said.
Starting in January, Congress will pick up the fight over Obamacare and the debt limit. Griffin is certain to be in the middle of that fight again, although he told us Tuesday the shutdown was a mistake and it’s unlikely we’ll see a repeat of that fiasco anytime soon. The debt limit fight will be less dramatic next time since big-business Republicans have signaled that a default on the nation’s debt would be catastrophic.
No shutting down the government and defaulting on the debt, Griffin told us: “If you want to make big, bold changes, you need to win elections,” he said.
Apart from his desire to spend more time with his young family, Griffin’s decision makes sense to us because we’d assumed he would run against Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) next year. Either because of his friendship with Pryor or inability to line up support for such a candidacy — big money is backing Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Dardanelle) against Pryor — it makes sense that Griffin would leave trench warfare in the House for a tranquil life in the private sector.
Then, too, the announcement by former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays that he’s running as a Democrat may have been a factor in Griffin’s decision to bow out.
In 2010, Griffin polled 59 percent when he ran against Sen. Joyce Elliott, a liberal black legislator from Little Rock, but he received only 55 percent when he was challenged by attorney Herb Rule, whose DWI arrests made headlines during the race. A possible race against Hays would have been closer, and, in fact, one Democratic poll supposedly showed Griffin trailing.
Griffin understands that the 16-day shutdown did not work out well for the Republicans, who gained nothing in their fight over Obamacare and blinked when it came to averting a default on the nation’s debt.
Republicans were in trouble from the start, when the military objected while half of its 800,000 civilian workers were furloughed, including hundreds at Little Rock Air Force Base, which insisted the workers were critical to national security. The base commissary was closed for several days and men and women on base worried they might not get a paycheck in October.
Public support for Republicans plummeted: According to a CNN poll this week, 75 percent of the voters disapprove of the way the GOP runs the House of Representatives. Voters may not understand the minutiae of Obamacare or why Congress must raise the debt limit, but the public realizes that giving federal workers two weeks off with pay during the shutdown was a terrible waste.
Griffin believes that spending cuts must accompany increases in the debt limit. That didn’t happen this time because the shutdown took center stage, he said. He’ll stick around another 15 months and do what he can to achieve his goals for a leaner government.
He’s always been responsive to our requests for interviews and has been terrific servicing his constituents. We will miss him if he doesn’t run for statewide office someday.
TOP STORY >> Marshalls opens next week in Cabot
Marshalls, one of the nation’s largest off-price retailers with more than 900 stores in 43 states and Puerto Rico, will open a new store at Rockwood Plaza in Cabot next Wednesday.
“Marshalls shoppers in Cabot will find top-quality, on-trend fashions and the most sought-after designer brand names at low prices in ladies’ fashion, shoes, accessories, men’s apparel, home, juniors, kids apparel and accessories, luggage, beauty and more,” according to a news release.
Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert, who has always said the city is poised for growth, said the new store is good news.
“Obviously any new retail outlet is most welcome,” the mayor said. “I’ve heard a lot of excitement about it.”
The new store is expected to add approximately 60 full- and part-time jobs to the area.
Richard Sherr, president of Marshalls, said, “The new Cabot store will be stocked with a new, fresh assortment of the designer and brand-name merchandise that shoppers love every single week. Our buyers are fashion experts with a keen sense of style and are passionate about finding the most coveted merchandise for our shoppers for so much less.”
The store will open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. for the grand opening with giveaways, gift-card prizes and more.
In celebration of the new Cabot store, Marshalls will contribute to the local community by presenting a $5,000 donation to Lonoke County Safe Haven at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m.
Marshalls also has national and local partnerships with charitable organizations around the country, including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The new store will have 25,785 square feet with the Cube, an in-store boutique of contemporary fashions, and a shoe shop featuring designer and brand-name shoes for the whole family.
Regular store hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sundays.
“With more than 10,000 new items arriving to the Cabot store every week, it’s like entering a whole new store with every visit,” the release continued.
“Unlike department store buyers who shop seasonally, Marshalls’ buyers are in the market weekly looking for merchandise opportunities. They work with more than 16,000 brands and designers annually in more than 60 countries to offer a mix of top-quality, fashionable pieces from the most sought-after designer brands as well as unexpected treasures from around the world,” the release concluded.
“Marshalls shoppers in Cabot will find top-quality, on-trend fashions and the most sought-after designer brand names at low prices in ladies’ fashion, shoes, accessories, men’s apparel, home, juniors, kids apparel and accessories, luggage, beauty and more,” according to a news release.
Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert, who has always said the city is poised for growth, said the new store is good news.
“Obviously any new retail outlet is most welcome,” the mayor said. “I’ve heard a lot of excitement about it.”
The new store is expected to add approximately 60 full- and part-time jobs to the area.
Richard Sherr, president of Marshalls, said, “The new Cabot store will be stocked with a new, fresh assortment of the designer and brand-name merchandise that shoppers love every single week. Our buyers are fashion experts with a keen sense of style and are passionate about finding the most coveted merchandise for our shoppers for so much less.”
The store will open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. for the grand opening with giveaways, gift-card prizes and more.
In celebration of the new Cabot store, Marshalls will contribute to the local community by presenting a $5,000 donation to Lonoke County Safe Haven at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m.
Marshalls also has national and local partnerships with charitable organizations around the country, including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The new store will have 25,785 square feet with the Cube, an in-store boutique of contemporary fashions, and a shoe shop featuring designer and brand-name shoes for the whole family.
Regular store hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sundays.
“With more than 10,000 new items arriving to the Cabot store every week, it’s like entering a whole new store with every visit,” the release continued.
“Unlike department store buyers who shop seasonally, Marshalls’ buyers are in the market weekly looking for merchandise opportunities. They work with more than 16,000 brands and designers annually in more than 60 countries to offer a mix of top-quality, fashionable pieces from the most sought-after designer brands as well as unexpected treasures from around the world,” the release concluded.
TOP STORY >> Coat drive gets underway
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
As the weather turns colder, Tracy O’Bryan of Austin is leading the fourth annual Cabot coat drive for the homeless, which starts Friday, Nov. 1.
Coats will be distributed the week before Thanksgiving at Christmas to Hands, Hearts and Hope 4 Humanity (H4H) in Cabot and The One in Little Rock. Both are ministries that help the homeless.
“The more we can help, the better. Our homeless numbers are growing. Our local need is growing,” O’Bryan said.
The coat drive is accepting new and used coats, anything clean and useable. The coats will be collected by the O’Bryan family and sorted in her garage by gender and sizes. Last year, around 1,000 coats were donated.
“We do receive winter wear in our boxes. We’ll gratefully take them and distribute them as well,” she said.
O’Bryan said the economy is still hurting, causing a loss of jobs and hours. She said people are tightening purse strings. The need is greater as time goes on, she said. Meanwhile, children have growth spurts and their coats become too small.
“In the homeless environment, (the homeless) protect their coat and shelter with life and limb. If they don’t have one, they are going to take one,” O’Bryan said.
She said coats may not last long while living in the elements. They are stolen. Some use coats as bedding or bundle their children with two or three coats.
O’Bryan said she was once clueless that there were people who have nothing.
Now she knows some are veterans who are lost in the system and many of the homeless are families with young children.
Some people live paycheck to paycheck. One or two missed checks and they are on the street, O’Bryan noted.
“Handing them a coat and seeing their eyes, you don’t have to hear ‘thank you,’” she said.
O’Bryan continues to organize the coat drive because she was helped once during hard times.
She said several years ago she was a single mom having to work full time. O’Bryan said it was a hard time. People stepped up and helped her provide a Christmas to her family. She said it was a blessing.
“It changes you and who you are. I wanted to pay it forward and help others,” O’Bryan said.
Her family helps gather and sort winter jackets. “I wanted them to have a giving heart. I think they still remember that Christmas,” she said.
People who want to donate or are in need of a coat may call 501-286-7176 and leave a message.
Donation boxes will be located in Cabot at:
• Joyland Skating, 2020 S. Second St.
• Knight’s Super Foods, 906 S. Pine St.
• Kroger, 1295 W. Main St.
• Pine Street Animal Clinic, 803 S. Pine St.
• Price Cutter, 805 W. Main St.
All locations are in Cabot.
Leader staff writer
As the weather turns colder, Tracy O’Bryan of Austin is leading the fourth annual Cabot coat drive for the homeless, which starts Friday, Nov. 1.
Coats will be distributed the week before Thanksgiving at Christmas to Hands, Hearts and Hope 4 Humanity (H4H) in Cabot and The One in Little Rock. Both are ministries that help the homeless.
“The more we can help, the better. Our homeless numbers are growing. Our local need is growing,” O’Bryan said.
The coat drive is accepting new and used coats, anything clean and useable. The coats will be collected by the O’Bryan family and sorted in her garage by gender and sizes. Last year, around 1,000 coats were donated.
“We do receive winter wear in our boxes. We’ll gratefully take them and distribute them as well,” she said.
O’Bryan said the economy is still hurting, causing a loss of jobs and hours. She said people are tightening purse strings. The need is greater as time goes on, she said. Meanwhile, children have growth spurts and their coats become too small.
“In the homeless environment, (the homeless) protect their coat and shelter with life and limb. If they don’t have one, they are going to take one,” O’Bryan said.
She said coats may not last long while living in the elements. They are stolen. Some use coats as bedding or bundle their children with two or three coats.
O’Bryan said she was once clueless that there were people who have nothing.
Now she knows some are veterans who are lost in the system and many of the homeless are families with young children.
Some people live paycheck to paycheck. One or two missed checks and they are on the street, O’Bryan noted.
“Handing them a coat and seeing their eyes, you don’t have to hear ‘thank you,’” she said.
O’Bryan continues to organize the coat drive because she was helped once during hard times.
She said several years ago she was a single mom having to work full time. O’Bryan said it was a hard time. People stepped up and helped her provide a Christmas to her family. She said it was a blessing.
“It changes you and who you are. I wanted to pay it forward and help others,” O’Bryan said.
Her family helps gather and sort winter jackets. “I wanted them to have a giving heart. I think they still remember that Christmas,” she said.
People who want to donate or are in need of a coat may call 501-286-7176 and leave a message.
Donation boxes will be located in Cabot at:
• Joyland Skating, 2020 S. Second St.
• Knight’s Super Foods, 906 S. Pine St.
• Kroger, 1295 W. Main St.
• Pine Street Animal Clinic, 803 S. Pine St.
• Price Cutter, 805 W. Main St.
All locations are in Cabot.
TOP STORY >> Candidates lining up in 2nd District
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
As of noon Tuesday, former North Little Rock Mayor Pat Hays is the only announced candidate for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District seat, which is currently held by Tim Griffin.
Griffin, who said he wanted to spend more time with his family, turned Arkansas politics on its ear Monday by announcing that he would not seek reelection in November 2014.
Several Republicans and Democrats have expressed interest in running for Griffin’s seat.
A recent CNN poll indicated that the public anger at the government shutdown and layoffs was primarily aimed at Republicans in Congress, which could have contributed to Griffin’s decision not to run for a third term.
Hays held his first campaign rally Tuesday at the North Little Rock senior center named in his honor. Introduced by former Democratic state Sen. Mary Anne Salmon of North Little Rock and surrounded by more than 200 supporters, Hays railed against the federal government shutdown, which he said triggered his decision to run.
“Sixteen days in October was a travesty,” Hays said. “You look around and you try to find what was good about that, and there wasn’t anything. I wasn’t thinking about running for Congress in the latter part of September because I didn’t think they’d do what they did. We don’t do that at city hall; we never have. We look to solutions.
“There’s no such thing as Republican crime and Democratic garbage. Crime is crime, and garbage is garbage, and parks are parks, and problems should be solved, not kicked down the road to next month or next year like what happened. Real people are affected when you have the kinds of actions that 16 days gave us. You’ve got people that are worried about getting their Social Security checks. You’ve got federal employees furloughed — thousands of them nationally, hundreds here in Arkansas. Over 300 of our National Guard were furloughed. In fact, (Gen. William Wofford, Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard) told us those kinds of activities can’t be recovered.
“My gosh,” Hays continued. “How can they decide that things they do are not going to affect real lives? The full faith and credit of this country has never been called into question, but it has now. And now the question is if it’s going to be after the first of the year.
“We need folks like city leaders and county leaders and local officials all over the county. And, if I had a choice, I’d say get 535 mayors and council members and send them all to Washington and put a few in the Senate and the rest in the House, and we’d have things cleaned up in 10 days.”
PRAISE FROM CRAWFORD
Rick Crawford, the 1st District representative, said on Monday, “Congressman Griffin has been an excellent public servant representing the voice of Arkansas’ 2nd District, and a great partner in achieving tangible results for our state.”
Crawford’s press secretary, Jack Pandol, said, “I can confirm that Congressman Crawford plans to run for re-election in 2014.”
A number of capable Arkansas Democrats are stepping up after the shutdown, according to Democratic Party of Arkansas spokeswoman Candace Martin.
She said the shutdown has motivated people to get off the sidelines.
DEMOCRATS MOTIVATED
James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the Clinton Administration, is expected to announce his candidacy next week to fill the 4th District Congressional seat currently held by Tom Cotton, a Tea Party Republican.
Cotton, a freshman congressman, has begun his campaign to unseat Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor, currently the only Democrat among the state’s six-member congressional delegation.
For weeks there has been speculation that Hays would seek the Democratic nomination for Griffin’s seat, and his Tuesday announcement was scheduled before anyone knew Griffin would retire.
ALSO INTERESTED
Other Democrats who have expressed interest in running for Griffin’s seat are former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, former state Rep. Linda Tyler of Conway and Conway Mayor Tab Townsell.
Republicans said to be interested, in light of Griffin’s abdication, include state Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway, state Sen. Jonathan Dismang of Beebe, Benton County Judge Lanny Fite and Little Rock Banker French Hill.
Rapert introduced several bills to restrict abortion in the last regular session of the state General Assembly. Dismang was among the Republicans who worked with House Speaker Davy Carter of Cabot, the Democrats and Gov. Mike Beebe to pass a private-option medicaid expansion for low-income Arkansans.
Hill worked for President George Herbert Walker Bush in Washington.
In announcing his retirement from Congress, Griffin said: “In September 2009, I launched my campaign for Congress as a common sense conservative and have kept my word by supporting bold but pragmatic solutions to address our most pressing problems, including a balanced budget, Medicare reform, repeal of Obamacare, tax reform and regulatory reform. I am proud that the House’s efforts resulted in the Budget Control Act (BCA), the largest spending reduction in American history. I am equally proud that the House has stopped numerous harmful proposals. I choose to be a citizen-legislator rather than a career politician, and I will continue to do my best representing my fellow Arkansans through the remainder of my term.”
Griffin hasn’t said anything about seeking another office in Arkansas, such as running for governor or attorney general.
“I’m going to stay very involved in politics and am watching for where we go next,” he said.
SHUTDOWN HURT GOP
Democratic Party of Arkansas Chairman Vincent Insalaco said Monday, “You can’t shut down the government for 16 days and hurt the pocketbooks of Arkansas families without taking responsibility for your actions, and that is exactly what a small group of reckless House members have done, including Tim Griffin, Rick Crawford, and Tom Cotton.
“It is no surprise that Tim Griffin saw the writing on the wall and figured out that Arkansans were going to hold him accountable for the dysfunction in Washington. Arkansans in his district were the ones getting the short end of the stick — from those suffering from the Mayflower oil spill to military personnel who were laid off in Jacksonville. People are tired and fed up with politics as usual, and politicians like Tim Griffin have been obstructing solutions and are part of the problem with Washington,” Insalaco said.
WEBB THANKS GRIFFIN
State GOP chairman Doyle Webb sees it differently.
He said, “(Griffin) has been a trailblazer in fighting to protect the citizens of the 2nd District from the negative impacts of Obamacare, as well as a strong advocate for small businesses in the state from the unfair burden of overreaching federal regulation. We wish Congressman Griffin and his family all the best; we look forward to the service he will provide throughout the remainder of his term. Many conservative Republicans are evaluating their possible candidacy; we are confident that the people of the 2nd District will elect another strong representative to fill the big shoes of Congressman Griffin.”
Taking the first swipe at Hays, Webb said, “Patrick Hays thought it was a good idea to support President Obama’s $800 billion failed stimulus package even as our nation was facing $17 trillion in debt. Arkansas can’t afford Patrick Hays and his tax-and-spend liberal policies.
“Hays in Washington will be another vote backing President Obama and Nancy Pelosi every step of the way,” Webb said.
Leader senior staff writer
As of noon Tuesday, former North Little Rock Mayor Pat Hays is the only announced candidate for Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District seat, which is currently held by Tim Griffin.
Griffin, who said he wanted to spend more time with his family, turned Arkansas politics on its ear Monday by announcing that he would not seek reelection in November 2014.
Several Republicans and Democrats have expressed interest in running for Griffin’s seat.
A recent CNN poll indicated that the public anger at the government shutdown and layoffs was primarily aimed at Republicans in Congress, which could have contributed to Griffin’s decision not to run for a third term.
Hays held his first campaign rally Tuesday at the North Little Rock senior center named in his honor. Introduced by former Democratic state Sen. Mary Anne Salmon of North Little Rock and surrounded by more than 200 supporters, Hays railed against the federal government shutdown, which he said triggered his decision to run.
“Sixteen days in October was a travesty,” Hays said. “You look around and you try to find what was good about that, and there wasn’t anything. I wasn’t thinking about running for Congress in the latter part of September because I didn’t think they’d do what they did. We don’t do that at city hall; we never have. We look to solutions.
“There’s no such thing as Republican crime and Democratic garbage. Crime is crime, and garbage is garbage, and parks are parks, and problems should be solved, not kicked down the road to next month or next year like what happened. Real people are affected when you have the kinds of actions that 16 days gave us. You’ve got people that are worried about getting their Social Security checks. You’ve got federal employees furloughed — thousands of them nationally, hundreds here in Arkansas. Over 300 of our National Guard were furloughed. In fact, (Gen. William Wofford, Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard) told us those kinds of activities can’t be recovered.
“My gosh,” Hays continued. “How can they decide that things they do are not going to affect real lives? The full faith and credit of this country has never been called into question, but it has now. And now the question is if it’s going to be after the first of the year.
“We need folks like city leaders and county leaders and local officials all over the county. And, if I had a choice, I’d say get 535 mayors and council members and send them all to Washington and put a few in the Senate and the rest in the House, and we’d have things cleaned up in 10 days.”
PRAISE FROM CRAWFORD
Rick Crawford, the 1st District representative, said on Monday, “Congressman Griffin has been an excellent public servant representing the voice of Arkansas’ 2nd District, and a great partner in achieving tangible results for our state.”
Crawford’s press secretary, Jack Pandol, said, “I can confirm that Congressman Crawford plans to run for re-election in 2014.”
A number of capable Arkansas Democrats are stepping up after the shutdown, according to Democratic Party of Arkansas spokeswoman Candace Martin.
She said the shutdown has motivated people to get off the sidelines.
DEMOCRATS MOTIVATED
James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the Clinton Administration, is expected to announce his candidacy next week to fill the 4th District Congressional seat currently held by Tom Cotton, a Tea Party Republican.
Cotton, a freshman congressman, has begun his campaign to unseat Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor, currently the only Democrat among the state’s six-member congressional delegation.
For weeks there has been speculation that Hays would seek the Democratic nomination for Griffin’s seat, and his Tuesday announcement was scheduled before anyone knew Griffin would retire.
ALSO INTERESTED
Other Democrats who have expressed interest in running for Griffin’s seat are former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, former state Rep. Linda Tyler of Conway and Conway Mayor Tab Townsell.
Republicans said to be interested, in light of Griffin’s abdication, include state Sen. Jason Rapert of Conway, state Sen. Jonathan Dismang of Beebe, Benton County Judge Lanny Fite and Little Rock Banker French Hill.
Rapert introduced several bills to restrict abortion in the last regular session of the state General Assembly. Dismang was among the Republicans who worked with House Speaker Davy Carter of Cabot, the Democrats and Gov. Mike Beebe to pass a private-option medicaid expansion for low-income Arkansans.
Hill worked for President George Herbert Walker Bush in Washington.
In announcing his retirement from Congress, Griffin said: “In September 2009, I launched my campaign for Congress as a common sense conservative and have kept my word by supporting bold but pragmatic solutions to address our most pressing problems, including a balanced budget, Medicare reform, repeal of Obamacare, tax reform and regulatory reform. I am proud that the House’s efforts resulted in the Budget Control Act (BCA), the largest spending reduction in American history. I am equally proud that the House has stopped numerous harmful proposals. I choose to be a citizen-legislator rather than a career politician, and I will continue to do my best representing my fellow Arkansans through the remainder of my term.”
Griffin hasn’t said anything about seeking another office in Arkansas, such as running for governor or attorney general.
“I’m going to stay very involved in politics and am watching for where we go next,” he said.
SHUTDOWN HURT GOP
Democratic Party of Arkansas Chairman Vincent Insalaco said Monday, “You can’t shut down the government for 16 days and hurt the pocketbooks of Arkansas families without taking responsibility for your actions, and that is exactly what a small group of reckless House members have done, including Tim Griffin, Rick Crawford, and Tom Cotton.
“It is no surprise that Tim Griffin saw the writing on the wall and figured out that Arkansans were going to hold him accountable for the dysfunction in Washington. Arkansans in his district were the ones getting the short end of the stick — from those suffering from the Mayflower oil spill to military personnel who were laid off in Jacksonville. People are tired and fed up with politics as usual, and politicians like Tim Griffin have been obstructing solutions and are part of the problem with Washington,” Insalaco said.
WEBB THANKS GRIFFIN
State GOP chairman Doyle Webb sees it differently.
He said, “(Griffin) has been a trailblazer in fighting to protect the citizens of the 2nd District from the negative impacts of Obamacare, as well as a strong advocate for small businesses in the state from the unfair burden of overreaching federal regulation. We wish Congressman Griffin and his family all the best; we look forward to the service he will provide throughout the remainder of his term. Many conservative Republicans are evaluating their possible candidacy; we are confident that the people of the 2nd District will elect another strong representative to fill the big shoes of Congressman Griffin.”
Taking the first swipe at Hays, Webb said, “Patrick Hays thought it was a good idea to support President Obama’s $800 billion failed stimulus package even as our nation was facing $17 trillion in debt. Arkansas can’t afford Patrick Hays and his tax-and-spend liberal policies.
“Hays in Washington will be another vote backing President Obama and Nancy Pelosi every step of the way,” Webb said.
SPORTS STORY >> GCT still after playoffs against Beebe
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The Beebe Badgers head back to the road this week for the first of two 5A East Conference away games with a Friday showdown against Greene County Tech.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Badgers (4-3, 3-1) got back on the winning track last week with a 35-12 victory over Blytheville on homecoming, a game in which they were heavily favored. The Chickasaws are one of only two teams in the East who are not significant players in the playoff fight.
Through the first month of conference play, only Batesville remains unbeaten at 4-0. The Pioneers went a long way towards securing at least a piece of the East Conference crown with a defeat of Wynne last week. As for the Yellowjackets, they fell to 3-1 in conference play with the loss, along with Beebe and Nettleton.
That might complete the playoff scenario in a normal season, but with Forrest City at 2-2 in league play and GCT at 1-3, it looks as if two decent teams may get left out of postseason play this year.
“There seems to be a lot more parody this year,” Beebe coach John Shannon said. “Last year, you had Wynne, Batesville and Forrest City, which were the top three teams for sure, and then everybody else was trying for that fourth spot. Right now, you’ve still got about five or six teams that are still vying for a playoff spot.
“Usually, it takes four wins to get in the playoffs, but this year, it may take five the way the way everybody’s playing. Other than maybe Paragould and Blytheville, everybody is still alive for the four playoff spots, so it’s definitely going to be a wild three-week run here.”
The Eagles (1-6, 1-3) lost to Nettleton last week after picking up their first victory of the season the week before at Blytheville. They are not mathematically out of the playoff fight, but would have to win out at this point, starting this week against the Badgers.
“Offensively, they are a spread team, but they like to run the ball out of the spread about 50 percent of the time,” Shannon said. “They can put you in binds with their formations. Just from a strategy standpoint, they can get you out of position in a hurry and hit you with a big play. Defensively, they’ve got some big kids up front, but they’ve given up a lot of points. You can’t really say how good they are because everyone we’ve seen them against has been a spread team. I don’t know how they’re going to handle the power run we’re going to throw at them.”
The defense looked much better against Blytheville than a week earlier at Wynne, where the Yellowjackets’ inside run game put the Badgers in a bad spot. Added help inside led to big pass plays for Wynne, which resulted in the lopsided score at the end. Against the Chicks, Shannon said the inside line, led by seniors Dusty Skinner and Daniel Gann, shut down the run and allowed the rest of the defense to stay home. Shannon also noted the effort by outside linebackers Jesse Glover and Jesse Crisco.
The school week is short at Beebe High School with classes letting out early on Tuesday and Thursday, and out altogether on Friday.
That does not make the near three-hour road trip up to Paragould on Friday afternoon to take on the Eagles any less stressful for Shannon and the coaching staff.
“We’ve got parent-teacher conferences, out of school on Friday, so we’ve got lots of distractions,” Shannon said. “We talked about that, and how to prepare, making sure they know what’s at stake. Greene County Tech is one of the toughest places in the conference to go play. I always feel like when we get off the bus, we’re 14 points down already. Hopefully, the plan we have will work, and we’ll be ready to play.”
Leader sportswriter
The Beebe Badgers head back to the road this week for the first of two 5A East Conference away games with a Friday showdown against Greene County Tech.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Badgers (4-3, 3-1) got back on the winning track last week with a 35-12 victory over Blytheville on homecoming, a game in which they were heavily favored. The Chickasaws are one of only two teams in the East who are not significant players in the playoff fight.
Through the first month of conference play, only Batesville remains unbeaten at 4-0. The Pioneers went a long way towards securing at least a piece of the East Conference crown with a defeat of Wynne last week. As for the Yellowjackets, they fell to 3-1 in conference play with the loss, along with Beebe and Nettleton.
That might complete the playoff scenario in a normal season, but with Forrest City at 2-2 in league play and GCT at 1-3, it looks as if two decent teams may get left out of postseason play this year.
“There seems to be a lot more parody this year,” Beebe coach John Shannon said. “Last year, you had Wynne, Batesville and Forrest City, which were the top three teams for sure, and then everybody else was trying for that fourth spot. Right now, you’ve still got about five or six teams that are still vying for a playoff spot.
“Usually, it takes four wins to get in the playoffs, but this year, it may take five the way the way everybody’s playing. Other than maybe Paragould and Blytheville, everybody is still alive for the four playoff spots, so it’s definitely going to be a wild three-week run here.”
The Eagles (1-6, 1-3) lost to Nettleton last week after picking up their first victory of the season the week before at Blytheville. They are not mathematically out of the playoff fight, but would have to win out at this point, starting this week against the Badgers.
“Offensively, they are a spread team, but they like to run the ball out of the spread about 50 percent of the time,” Shannon said. “They can put you in binds with their formations. Just from a strategy standpoint, they can get you out of position in a hurry and hit you with a big play. Defensively, they’ve got some big kids up front, but they’ve given up a lot of points. You can’t really say how good they are because everyone we’ve seen them against has been a spread team. I don’t know how they’re going to handle the power run we’re going to throw at them.”
The defense looked much better against Blytheville than a week earlier at Wynne, where the Yellowjackets’ inside run game put the Badgers in a bad spot. Added help inside led to big pass plays for Wynne, which resulted in the lopsided score at the end. Against the Chicks, Shannon said the inside line, led by seniors Dusty Skinner and Daniel Gann, shut down the run and allowed the rest of the defense to stay home. Shannon also noted the effort by outside linebackers Jesse Glover and Jesse Crisco.
The school week is short at Beebe High School with classes letting out early on Tuesday and Thursday, and out altogether on Friday.
That does not make the near three-hour road trip up to Paragould on Friday afternoon to take on the Eagles any less stressful for Shannon and the coaching staff.
“We’ve got parent-teacher conferences, out of school on Friday, so we’ve got lots of distractions,” Shannon said. “We talked about that, and how to prepare, making sure they know what’s at stake. Greene County Tech is one of the toughest places in the conference to go play. I always feel like when we get off the bus, we’re 14 points down already. Hopefully, the plan we have will work, and we’ll be ready to play.”
SPORTS STORY >> Injured Bears limp into homecoming
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
There is no bye week in high-school football, at least not during the regular season.
The Sylvan Hills Bears could use one right about now with several of their premier players coming off injuries, but there is no such luxury this week as visiting Little Rock McClellan awaits for a 5A Central Conference meeting at Bill Blackwood Field on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Sylvan Hills (5-2, 3-1) suffered its first league setback last week on the road against Helena-West Helena Central. The loss was especially tough considering seven starters did not finish the game after sustaining injuries. Most of those starters will return this week to face the Crimson Lions for homecoming, but head coach Jim Withrow is cautiously optimistic.
“I’m not one way or the other on it,” Withrow said of homecoming. “Each group is different on how they handle it. I would hope that we handle it in a mature fashion. We need to win this one right here for our fourth win, that will assure us a playoff spot. We definitely need to handle it with some maturity.”
Of all the injuries the Bears suffered on Friday, junior running back Tyler Davis’ broken collarbone was the only season-ending injury. Junior receiver Walker Meriwether is also questionable for this Friday, but everyone else is expected back.
The Lions (0-7, 0-4) have struggled throughout the 2013 season. They have been outscored 156-38 in the first month of their Central schedule, including last week’s 49-12 clubbing at the hands of league-leading Pulaski Academy.
Despite McClellan’s difficulties so far, Withrow is not taking this week’s opponent lightly.
“They’ve got a couple of offensive and defensive linemen who really get after it,” Withrow said. “Their backs can all run. When they get out in the open, they run really well. It’s one of those things where you need to get on them early, and definitely try to stay away from the big play. It looks like the big play is what will get you in trouble.
“That’s the thing about playing a 0-7 team, you never know what they’re going to give you. They don’t have anything to lose at this point, so they may give you all sorts of stuff.”
The shock of losing, along with the unusually high amount of injuries last week, shadowed the fact that there were still some strong individual performances for the Bears at HWHC, including receiver Nathan Thomas, who did a good job of both receiving and blocking. Sophomore Elijah Sowards and junior Marlon Clemmons also had good nights receiving, and on the defensive side, senior defensive end Daniel Molden had a sack and a caused fumble while senior defensive back Chris Daily had an interception.
“There were some bright spots in there too,” Withrow said. “We played a good football team. That was probably the best team we’ve played all year.”
The biggest scare for Sylvan Hills on the injury front last week was junior quarterback Tra Doss, who revisited a nagging ankle sprain when he rolled up on it during a play late in the game.
Doss appears to be OK, and at this point ready to go against McClellan.
“I guess he’s OK,” Withrow said. “We had a little meeting this morning, and he told me he was good to go. The thing about Doss is, he’s a warrior. I mean, he is a warrior from head to toe. We kind of pulled the reigns back on him running the other night, but I think if we would have asked him to do it, he would have done it anyway. He is a competitor all the way.”
Leader sportswriter
There is no bye week in high-school football, at least not during the regular season.
The Sylvan Hills Bears could use one right about now with several of their premier players coming off injuries, but there is no such luxury this week as visiting Little Rock McClellan awaits for a 5A Central Conference meeting at Bill Blackwood Field on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Sylvan Hills (5-2, 3-1) suffered its first league setback last week on the road against Helena-West Helena Central. The loss was especially tough considering seven starters did not finish the game after sustaining injuries. Most of those starters will return this week to face the Crimson Lions for homecoming, but head coach Jim Withrow is cautiously optimistic.
“I’m not one way or the other on it,” Withrow said of homecoming. “Each group is different on how they handle it. I would hope that we handle it in a mature fashion. We need to win this one right here for our fourth win, that will assure us a playoff spot. We definitely need to handle it with some maturity.”
Of all the injuries the Bears suffered on Friday, junior running back Tyler Davis’ broken collarbone was the only season-ending injury. Junior receiver Walker Meriwether is also questionable for this Friday, but everyone else is expected back.
The Lions (0-7, 0-4) have struggled throughout the 2013 season. They have been outscored 156-38 in the first month of their Central schedule, including last week’s 49-12 clubbing at the hands of league-leading Pulaski Academy.
Despite McClellan’s difficulties so far, Withrow is not taking this week’s opponent lightly.
“They’ve got a couple of offensive and defensive linemen who really get after it,” Withrow said. “Their backs can all run. When they get out in the open, they run really well. It’s one of those things where you need to get on them early, and definitely try to stay away from the big play. It looks like the big play is what will get you in trouble.
“That’s the thing about playing a 0-7 team, you never know what they’re going to give you. They don’t have anything to lose at this point, so they may give you all sorts of stuff.”
The shock of losing, along with the unusually high amount of injuries last week, shadowed the fact that there were still some strong individual performances for the Bears at HWHC, including receiver Nathan Thomas, who did a good job of both receiving and blocking. Sophomore Elijah Sowards and junior Marlon Clemmons also had good nights receiving, and on the defensive side, senior defensive end Daniel Molden had a sack and a caused fumble while senior defensive back Chris Daily had an interception.
“There were some bright spots in there too,” Withrow said. “We played a good football team. That was probably the best team we’ve played all year.”
The biggest scare for Sylvan Hills on the injury front last week was junior quarterback Tra Doss, who revisited a nagging ankle sprain when he rolled up on it during a play late in the game.
Doss appears to be OK, and at this point ready to go against McClellan.
“I guess he’s OK,” Withrow said. “We had a little meeting this morning, and he told me he was good to go. The thing about Doss is, he’s a warrior. I mean, he is a warrior from head to toe. We kind of pulled the reigns back on him running the other night, but I think if we would have asked him to do it, he would have done it anyway. He is a competitor all the way.”
SPORTS STORY >> Jacksonville meets LRCA in a playoff atmosphere
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville Red Devils hit the road this week for another playoff-type game as they travel to west Little Rock to take on Little Rock Christian Academy.
Jacksonville has taken the playoff-style approach since losing to Sylvan Hills two weeks ago, meaning they almost certainly need to win out to guarantee an actual spot in the class 5A postseason tournament, and have a minimum of four conference wins to have any shot at all at the playoffs.
Right now, the Red Devils are 2-2 in the 5A Central with three conference games remaining. Little Rock Christian Academy has the same overall record as Jacksonville at 3-4, and is 1-3 in league play.
“It’s a big game for both teams,” said Jacksonville coach Rick Russell. “I’m sure they think they have to get to four wins to have a shot, and that’s the same boat we’re in. So I’m expecting an exciting, playoff-type atmosphere.”
Jacksonville had its best game defensively last week, shutting out North Pulaski 36-0. The formation that defense will see this week will be a familiar one, but what happens out of it will be new for the Red Devils.
Jacksonville has faced spread teams several times this season, and faces one every day in practice. But of all the teams its faced so far, only the Warriors throw out of it up to 50-plus times per game.
“They’re going to throw the football,” Russell said. “They’ve thrown it 48, 52 and 58 times the past three weeks.
“They’ve got a quarterback who can get it to them. They’ve got a couple of pretty good receivers and they do have a little bit of a running game, so you can’t just pin your ears back because you’ll run right by him as they’re handing him the ball.”
Russell does believe his team needs to get good pressure on the quarterback, but indicates much of the pressure will be on the pass coverage unit. The Warriors will throw downfield, but the bulk of their offense is built around short passing plays off quick throws.
“It’s a lot different,” Russell said. “They run a lot more wide stuff, a lot of bubble screens. They’ll line trips up to one side and throw it out to the wide receiver with blockers in front of him. They put a lot of pressure on you with the quick passing game. It’s hard to defend a 5-yard pass. That doesn’t sound like much for a pass play, but 5 yards a play will get you down the field.”
Recognizing the formation will go a long way in helping the Red Devil defenders be successful.
“That’s it, we’ve got to recognize,” Russell said. “They’re going to let us know pretty much what we’re about to face. We just have to recognize the formation and get lined up right. That’ll go a long ways. After that we have to play sound technique and tackle the football.
“We took some steps in the right direction last week and we need to now start building on that.”
Though they’ve lost four times, only Sylvan Hills seems to have solved the riddle on how to stop the Warrior offense, holding it to one touchdown in a 35-7 win. Outside of that game, LRCA has averaged 32 points per game. The Warrior defense hasn’t been as impressive. Throw out its best effort, holding winless and injury-riddled North Pulaski to six points, it has given up an average of 38 points per game – 32 including the North Pulaski game.
Jacksonville started three sophomores on the offensive line last week. It’s an idea that coaches toyed with at the start of the season. Feeling a need to keep players on one side of the ball as much as possible, they went with it last week and it seemed to go well.
“In preseason, the prospects of having three sophomores on the line worries you a little,” Russell said. “But it’s go time now. You have to do what you think is best. We’re playing a series of one-game seasons right now.”
Jacksonville has run two different offenses the last several weeks, with each one looking good on different occasions. It was the passing game, led by senior quarterback Reggie Barnes, that North Pulaski was unable to deal with last week while the running game sputtered at times.
Last week also saw the return of receiver Terrell Moore, who was expected to be an impact player until suffering an injury in summer 7-on-7 that had him sidelined until last week.
Moore did not have a major impact on last week’s game, but the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder still has the tools to become a major part of the offense.
“We’ve sort of been waiting on him,” Russell said. “He came to us and said he was ready to play last week. We’re going to work him every day in practice this week and see how he progresses. We’d like to get him involved if he thinks he can go.”
Even without Moore, the Red Devils have no shortage of capable receivers. And Barnes had one of his best games at getting them the ball last week. But inaccuracy hasn’t been the only problem in the Jacksonville offense. Pass coverage and dropped passes have also plagued the passing game this season. All those things looked better last week.
“Reggie did some good things,” Russell said. “The line gave him some time and did some things I was really proud of. We’ve been working on our screens, and I thought we got out and blocked pretty well on those.”
The Red Devils and Warriors kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.A
Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville Red Devils hit the road this week for another playoff-type game as they travel to west Little Rock to take on Little Rock Christian Academy.
Jacksonville has taken the playoff-style approach since losing to Sylvan Hills two weeks ago, meaning they almost certainly need to win out to guarantee an actual spot in the class 5A postseason tournament, and have a minimum of four conference wins to have any shot at all at the playoffs.
Right now, the Red Devils are 2-2 in the 5A Central with three conference games remaining. Little Rock Christian Academy has the same overall record as Jacksonville at 3-4, and is 1-3 in league play.
“It’s a big game for both teams,” said Jacksonville coach Rick Russell. “I’m sure they think they have to get to four wins to have a shot, and that’s the same boat we’re in. So I’m expecting an exciting, playoff-type atmosphere.”
Jacksonville had its best game defensively last week, shutting out North Pulaski 36-0. The formation that defense will see this week will be a familiar one, but what happens out of it will be new for the Red Devils.
Jacksonville has faced spread teams several times this season, and faces one every day in practice. But of all the teams its faced so far, only the Warriors throw out of it up to 50-plus times per game.
“They’re going to throw the football,” Russell said. “They’ve thrown it 48, 52 and 58 times the past three weeks.
“They’ve got a quarterback who can get it to them. They’ve got a couple of pretty good receivers and they do have a little bit of a running game, so you can’t just pin your ears back because you’ll run right by him as they’re handing him the ball.”
Russell does believe his team needs to get good pressure on the quarterback, but indicates much of the pressure will be on the pass coverage unit. The Warriors will throw downfield, but the bulk of their offense is built around short passing plays off quick throws.
“It’s a lot different,” Russell said. “They run a lot more wide stuff, a lot of bubble screens. They’ll line trips up to one side and throw it out to the wide receiver with blockers in front of him. They put a lot of pressure on you with the quick passing game. It’s hard to defend a 5-yard pass. That doesn’t sound like much for a pass play, but 5 yards a play will get you down the field.”
Recognizing the formation will go a long way in helping the Red Devil defenders be successful.
“That’s it, we’ve got to recognize,” Russell said. “They’re going to let us know pretty much what we’re about to face. We just have to recognize the formation and get lined up right. That’ll go a long ways. After that we have to play sound technique and tackle the football.
“We took some steps in the right direction last week and we need to now start building on that.”
Though they’ve lost four times, only Sylvan Hills seems to have solved the riddle on how to stop the Warrior offense, holding it to one touchdown in a 35-7 win. Outside of that game, LRCA has averaged 32 points per game. The Warrior defense hasn’t been as impressive. Throw out its best effort, holding winless and injury-riddled North Pulaski to six points, it has given up an average of 38 points per game – 32 including the North Pulaski game.
Jacksonville started three sophomores on the offensive line last week. It’s an idea that coaches toyed with at the start of the season. Feeling a need to keep players on one side of the ball as much as possible, they went with it last week and it seemed to go well.
“In preseason, the prospects of having three sophomores on the line worries you a little,” Russell said. “But it’s go time now. You have to do what you think is best. We’re playing a series of one-game seasons right now.”
Jacksonville has run two different offenses the last several weeks, with each one looking good on different occasions. It was the passing game, led by senior quarterback Reggie Barnes, that North Pulaski was unable to deal with last week while the running game sputtered at times.
Last week also saw the return of receiver Terrell Moore, who was expected to be an impact player until suffering an injury in summer 7-on-7 that had him sidelined until last week.
Moore did not have a major impact on last week’s game, but the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder still has the tools to become a major part of the offense.
“We’ve sort of been waiting on him,” Russell said. “He came to us and said he was ready to play last week. We’re going to work him every day in practice this week and see how he progresses. We’d like to get him involved if he thinks he can go.”
Even without Moore, the Red Devils have no shortage of capable receivers. And Barnes had one of his best games at getting them the ball last week. But inaccuracy hasn’t been the only problem in the Jacksonville offense. Pass coverage and dropped passes have also plagued the passing game this season. All those things looked better last week.
“Reggie did some good things,” Russell said. “The line gave him some time and did some things I was really proud of. We’ve been working on our screens, and I thought we got out and blocked pretty well on those.”
The Red Devils and Warriors kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.A
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot on guard for upset
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Panthers host a West Memphis team that’s had a disappointing season overall, but is showing signs of improvement. After starting the season 0-3, the Blue Devils are 2-2 in conference play and coming off a 42-13 rout of its neighboring rival Marion.
They will be an underdog when they visit Panther Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, but the Blue Devils know a little bit about pulling off an upset over Cabot.
Just last season, West Memphis had a slightly better record than Cabot when they met in week eight, but games against common opponents indicated the Panthers may have the advantage. Instead, the Blue Devils took advantage of several Cabot mistakes, and running back Jarvis Cooper broke a long run in the final moments of the game to give West Memphis a 23-20 win.
Cooper is back this season for his senior year, and the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder carries the team offensively and defensively. Cabot coach Mike Malham knows stopping him probably means stopping West Memphis.
“He’s a Division I player,” Malham said of Cooper. “He broke two long ones against Central and kept them in that game. We didn’t break anything against Central. We don’t have anyone like that, with that combination of size and speed.”
Cooper ran for nearly 200 yards in the 41-24 loss at Central on Oct. 11. He also twice sacked Central’s quarterback on handoffs, forcing one fumble that was covered 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Cooper has offers from Memphis, Arkansas State and Central Arkansas, and has made official visits to Arkansas and Auburn. The University of Tennessee has also invited Cooper for an official visit later this year.
Auburn is looking at Cooper as a fullback, but his versatility makes it unclear where he will fit into a college’s system.
He played linebacker on defense last year and plays defensive tackle this season. He’s being scouted as a linebacker, end and tackle on defense.
While the Cabot coaching staff wants to always be aware of Cooper’s location at all times, he’s not the only weapon in the Lanny Dauksch-led Blue Devils’ arsenal.
“They’re just like they always are,” Malham said. “They’re not lacking in speed. They’ve got speed and athletes all over the field. They’re comparable to Central as far as athleticism. And we’d been breaking some long runs and we didn’t break any last week. I guess we got one on the fake punt, but out of our offense, we just had to work the ball down the field.”
The Panthers (7-0, 4-0) might have put the Tigers away sooner in last week’s 35-20 victory had it not been for two lost fumbles inside the Central 10-yard line on successive possessions in the third quarter.
If ball control is one of the keys to victory this week, turnovers can’t be part of the equation.
“They’re kind of a ball-control team too,” Malham said of Dauksch’s wing-T. “When you got two teams out there that both want to keep the ball away from the opponent, the one who does it better usually wins. So you can’t have long drives and then give it away just when you’re about to score like we did last week.”
While West Memphis (2-5, 2-2) has been a standard wing-T offense in most of Dauksch’s 12 years there, they have tweaked the formation this year. The Blue Devils don’t go with a full-house backfield very often this season, instead choosing to split one back wide and even slot a second receiver at times.
“They’re not in that too much,” Malham said of the three-back formation. “But it’s based out of the wing. So most of what you do on defense is pretty much the same. They’re not as big as they’ve been in the past, so I think they’re trying to get their athletes in space a little more, because they are still fast. We just have to be solid and not give up the big play.”
Cabot fullback Zach Launius is approaching a milestone that used to be a staple for Panther football, but hasn’t happened in several years – a 1,000-yard rushing season. Though he’s only played in six of Cabot’s seven games, he has 730 yards rushing on just 116 carries. That’s an average of 19 carries per game with a 122-yard average. He’s averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Though Launius missed one game this season and a couple of offensive linemen have missed some games, the Panthers will be at full strength at kickoff on Friday.
“Knock on wood, we got them all and they all should be ready,” Malham said. “We’re in great shape.”
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Panthers host a West Memphis team that’s had a disappointing season overall, but is showing signs of improvement. After starting the season 0-3, the Blue Devils are 2-2 in conference play and coming off a 42-13 rout of its neighboring rival Marion.
They will be an underdog when they visit Panther Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, but the Blue Devils know a little bit about pulling off an upset over Cabot.
Just last season, West Memphis had a slightly better record than Cabot when they met in week eight, but games against common opponents indicated the Panthers may have the advantage. Instead, the Blue Devils took advantage of several Cabot mistakes, and running back Jarvis Cooper broke a long run in the final moments of the game to give West Memphis a 23-20 win.
Cooper is back this season for his senior year, and the 6-foot-2, 250-pounder carries the team offensively and defensively. Cabot coach Mike Malham knows stopping him probably means stopping West Memphis.
“He’s a Division I player,” Malham said of Cooper. “He broke two long ones against Central and kept them in that game. We didn’t break anything against Central. We don’t have anyone like that, with that combination of size and speed.”
Cooper ran for nearly 200 yards in the 41-24 loss at Central on Oct. 11. He also twice sacked Central’s quarterback on handoffs, forcing one fumble that was covered 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Cooper has offers from Memphis, Arkansas State and Central Arkansas, and has made official visits to Arkansas and Auburn. The University of Tennessee has also invited Cooper for an official visit later this year.
Auburn is looking at Cooper as a fullback, but his versatility makes it unclear where he will fit into a college’s system.
He played linebacker on defense last year and plays defensive tackle this season. He’s being scouted as a linebacker, end and tackle on defense.
While the Cabot coaching staff wants to always be aware of Cooper’s location at all times, he’s not the only weapon in the Lanny Dauksch-led Blue Devils’ arsenal.
“They’re just like they always are,” Malham said. “They’re not lacking in speed. They’ve got speed and athletes all over the field. They’re comparable to Central as far as athleticism. And we’d been breaking some long runs and we didn’t break any last week. I guess we got one on the fake punt, but out of our offense, we just had to work the ball down the field.”
The Panthers (7-0, 4-0) might have put the Tigers away sooner in last week’s 35-20 victory had it not been for two lost fumbles inside the Central 10-yard line on successive possessions in the third quarter.
If ball control is one of the keys to victory this week, turnovers can’t be part of the equation.
“They’re kind of a ball-control team too,” Malham said of Dauksch’s wing-T. “When you got two teams out there that both want to keep the ball away from the opponent, the one who does it better usually wins. So you can’t have long drives and then give it away just when you’re about to score like we did last week.”
While West Memphis (2-5, 2-2) has been a standard wing-T offense in most of Dauksch’s 12 years there, they have tweaked the formation this year. The Blue Devils don’t go with a full-house backfield very often this season, instead choosing to split one back wide and even slot a second receiver at times.
“They’re not in that too much,” Malham said of the three-back formation. “But it’s based out of the wing. So most of what you do on defense is pretty much the same. They’re not as big as they’ve been in the past, so I think they’re trying to get their athletes in space a little more, because they are still fast. We just have to be solid and not give up the big play.”
Cabot fullback Zach Launius is approaching a milestone that used to be a staple for Panther football, but hasn’t happened in several years – a 1,000-yard rushing season. Though he’s only played in six of Cabot’s seven games, he has 730 yards rushing on just 116 carries. That’s an average of 19 carries per game with a 122-yard average. He’s averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Though Launius missed one game this season and a couple of offensive linemen have missed some games, the Panthers will be at full strength at kickoff on Friday.
“Knock on wood, we got them all and they all should be ready,” Malham said. “We’re in great shape.”
Saturday, October 19, 2013
SPORTS STORY >> Second-half rally lifts Bison to win
By GRAHAM POWELL
Leader sportswriter
A big second half lifted Carlisle to a 40-12 blowout victory at archrival Hazen on Friday – a win that puts the Bison in good position to win the 2A-6 Conference title outright for the first time since 2011.
The Bison (7-0, 4-0) turned the ball over on their first offensive play of the game and the Hornets (5-2, 3-1) covered it at the Carlisle 23-yard line. Hazen, however, was stuffed on four-straight plays to give the ball back to Carlisle, and the Bison made the home team pay.
Carlisle answered with a punishing 19-play drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior running back Bo Weddle on fourth down with 10:24 to play in the second quarter. Fellow senior back Justice Bryant ran in the two-point conversion to give the visiting Bison an 8-0 lead.
Hazen’s offense turned the ball over on downs for the second-straight possession, and Carlisle scored again on a 1-yard run on third and goal by Bryant that put the Bison up 14-0.
The PAT try was no good, and senior quarterback/safety Austin Reed went down during the play with a knee injury, and was helped to the locker room with 3:32 to play in the half.
Hazen threatened to score on the next possession, but the Bison defense forced another Hornet turnover, this time on a fumble by leading rusher Trenton Mosby.
Carlisle covered the fumble at its own 8-yard line, but was forced to punt with a little more than a minute to play in the half. Reed, who is also the Bison deep snapper on punts, was missed on the play as the snap lacked the velocity necessary to allow a timely punt.
Hazen blocked the punt as a result, and ended up with the ball at the Bison 6-yard line. Three-plays later, Lucas Tenison punched in a 2-yard touchdown run as time expired to make the score 14-6 Carlisle at the break.
The momentum appeared to be favoring Hazen entering the second half, but Weddle returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for another Carlisle touchdown, and Reed played quarterback throughout the second half despite the nagging knee injury.
“We come out there and we think we lost our quarterback,” said Carlisle coach Brandon Barbaree, “and in the locker room, the first thing (Reed) says when he looks at me is ‘coach, I’m playing the second half.’
“So, emotionally, giving up that big punt block and the score, which takes all the momentum away from us – he just gave it all back to us, because we knew we could count on him. It was huge for us just have him to be able to come out and snap the ball for us, and do the little things.”
Hazen cut the scoring margin down to 20-12 with 4:33 to play in the third quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gage Johnson to Brenon Williams, but it would be final time the Hornets found the end zone.
DeRon Ricks, the other senior standout Bison running back, had a monster second half and scored the first of his two second-half touchdowns on a 10-yard run with 7:38 to play in the fourth quarter that gave Carlisle a 26-12 lead.
Carlisle scored on its next two possessions to set the final score.
Ricks scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run with 5:57 to play that put Hazen in a 34-12 hole, and with 3:33 to play, Bryant scored on a 67-yard run to make it 40-12.
“They played their tails off,” Barbaree said. “It was unbelievable how our defense played. DeRon Ricks and our offensive line controlled the third and fourth quarter, getting off the ball, and they just kept pushing and kept fighting.”
Carlisle’s offense outgained Hazen’s 351 to 238. Ricks led the Bison rushing attack with 17 carries for 157 yards and two scores. Weddle had just two carries in the second half, but finished with 16 carries for 40 yards and one touchdown, while Bryant totaled 123 yards rushing and two touchdowns on seven carries.
The Bison will have a much easier matchup in week eight as they host winless Marvell (0-7, 0-4). Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Leader sportswriter
A big second half lifted Carlisle to a 40-12 blowout victory at archrival Hazen on Friday – a win that puts the Bison in good position to win the 2A-6 Conference title outright for the first time since 2011.
The Bison (7-0, 4-0) turned the ball over on their first offensive play of the game and the Hornets (5-2, 3-1) covered it at the Carlisle 23-yard line. Hazen, however, was stuffed on four-straight plays to give the ball back to Carlisle, and the Bison made the home team pay.
Carlisle answered with a punishing 19-play drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior running back Bo Weddle on fourth down with 10:24 to play in the second quarter. Fellow senior back Justice Bryant ran in the two-point conversion to give the visiting Bison an 8-0 lead.
Hazen’s offense turned the ball over on downs for the second-straight possession, and Carlisle scored again on a 1-yard run on third and goal by Bryant that put the Bison up 14-0.
The PAT try was no good, and senior quarterback/safety Austin Reed went down during the play with a knee injury, and was helped to the locker room with 3:32 to play in the half.
Hazen threatened to score on the next possession, but the Bison defense forced another Hornet turnover, this time on a fumble by leading rusher Trenton Mosby.
Carlisle covered the fumble at its own 8-yard line, but was forced to punt with a little more than a minute to play in the half. Reed, who is also the Bison deep snapper on punts, was missed on the play as the snap lacked the velocity necessary to allow a timely punt.
Hazen blocked the punt as a result, and ended up with the ball at the Bison 6-yard line. Three-plays later, Lucas Tenison punched in a 2-yard touchdown run as time expired to make the score 14-6 Carlisle at the break.
The momentum appeared to be favoring Hazen entering the second half, but Weddle returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for another Carlisle touchdown, and Reed played quarterback throughout the second half despite the nagging knee injury.
“We come out there and we think we lost our quarterback,” said Carlisle coach Brandon Barbaree, “and in the locker room, the first thing (Reed) says when he looks at me is ‘coach, I’m playing the second half.’
“So, emotionally, giving up that big punt block and the score, which takes all the momentum away from us – he just gave it all back to us, because we knew we could count on him. It was huge for us just have him to be able to come out and snap the ball for us, and do the little things.”
Hazen cut the scoring margin down to 20-12 with 4:33 to play in the third quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gage Johnson to Brenon Williams, but it would be final time the Hornets found the end zone.
DeRon Ricks, the other senior standout Bison running back, had a monster second half and scored the first of his two second-half touchdowns on a 10-yard run with 7:38 to play in the fourth quarter that gave Carlisle a 26-12 lead.
Carlisle scored on its next two possessions to set the final score.
Ricks scored his second touchdown on a 1-yard run with 5:57 to play that put Hazen in a 34-12 hole, and with 3:33 to play, Bryant scored on a 67-yard run to make it 40-12.
“They played their tails off,” Barbaree said. “It was unbelievable how our defense played. DeRon Ricks and our offensive line controlled the third and fourth quarter, getting off the ball, and they just kept pushing and kept fighting.”
Carlisle’s offense outgained Hazen’s 351 to 238. Ricks led the Bison rushing attack with 17 carries for 157 yards and two scores. Weddle had just two carries in the second half, but finished with 16 carries for 40 yards and one touchdown, while Bryant totaled 123 yards rushing and two touchdowns on seven carries.
The Bison will have a much easier matchup in week eight as they host winless Marvell (0-7, 0-4). Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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