By SHELBY STYRON
Special to The Leader
“I’m the queen!” says Savanna Grier, waving her arms.
She’s at lunch with a slice of pizza in front of her, friends and teachers around her and a huge smile on her face. Savanna is the life of the party. Which is why it isn’t surprising that on Oct. 7 Savanna will be crowned Beebe High School’s homecoming queen.
“Everybody knows Savan-na,” Kelly Landers, one of Savanna’s teachers, said. “She talks to everybody. I think she’ll make a good queen. And she already thinks she’s a princess anyway.”
Savanna is a senior at Beebe High School, and like every other teenage girl would be, she is ecstatic about buying her dress, riding in the parade, and being crowned queen. But unlike every other teenage girl, Savanna was born with Down syndrome.
In addition to her disability, Savanna is no stranger to hardship, as she endured the loss of her mother after a fatal car accident in 2012.
But that doesn’t stop her from being the most loved and popular girl in school.
“She is popular. In a good way. The very best way,” Landers said.
No one is quite sure who was the first to nominate Savanna for homecoming queen, but the idea first came up during a senior mentoring meeting.
Beebe High School Principal Scott Jennings isn’t at all surprised about this. He said the senior mentoring class has completely changed attitudes on campus.
“It’s a strong group of leaders. They are doing things to make things happen. They’re not just wishing things would happen,” Principal Jennings said.
Regardless of where exactly the idea started, the school was quickly on board.
Garrett Grier, Savanna’s twin brother, is a tight end and linebacker for the Beebe High School football team.
He said that he was working at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes table at Club Rush when he first heard the idea.
“One of (the senior mentoring students) came up to me and they were like, ‘Have you heard about it yet?’ and I said, ‘What are you talking about?”
Grier quickly learned that students were campaigning for Savanna to be elected homecoming queen. The students also wanted Grier to escort Savanna when she was crowned at the school’s pep rally.
“That would be really awesome. Because obviously she’s my twin sister and I love her, and that would just be awesome if I got to walk with her my senior year,” Grier said.
After he heard about the campaign, he went right to his dad and stepmom, Brian and Teresa Grier, to ask for their approval.
“And they were fine with it, as long as it wasn’t going to be rigged. That was people’s biggest concern, that the voting would be set up,” Grier said.
Savanna’s family wanted her to win, but they wanted students to actually vote for Savanna.
“And they did,” Grier said.
Savanna was easily voted into the Top 12, with a lead of about 100 votes. From the Top 12, students voted for three senior maids and one queen. The results came back and Savanna had been elected Beebe High School’s homecoming queen.
Not only that, but she had won by more than 300 votes.
When the homecoming results were announced over the intercom, teachers said there was screaming in the classrooms and a general sense of excitement throughout the school.
“Everyone was stopping her in the hallway congratulating her. Students were late to classes,” one of her teachers said.
The campaign itself is a testament to how much Savanna is loved. Students didn’t have to make posters or convince students to vote for Savanna, they just had to simply mention the idea.
People on campus thought it was about time they gave Savanna a crown.
Grier said he and others posted a few pictures on Instagram and mentioned their idea on Twitter, and from there the campaign just took off.
“You know, when I post a normal picture on Instagram, I get maybe 60 or 70 likes. But if Savanna’s in the picture with me, I’ll get like 290,” Grier said.
“Twitter, Snapchat, Insta-gram. It was everywhere. It’s nice to hear of social media being used for good in a high school,” Landers said.
If one thing can be said about this homecoming election at Beebe High, it’s that hardly anyone was surprised Savanna won or surprised the senior class would be so selfless in their endeavor.
“I was a little surprised, but not really. Savanna represents the school well. She competes in Special Olympics, and she’s at all the football games. She knows everybody, and she talks to everybody. She likes to socialize. Don’t you, Vanna?” said Landers, one of her teachers, as she smiled at Savanna.
Another one of Savanna’s teachers, Susan Edwards, mentioned some of her initial concern about the election.
“I asked someone, ‘Are any of these girls going to be upset if they don’t win?’ and I was told that every girl on that ballot was selfless enough to not be offended if Savanna won,” Edwards said.
“This class has major character,” she said.
“The girls who made it to the Top 12 felt that it was an honor just to be in the Top 12. And when the Top 4 came out, I was like, yes, they deserve it, out of everyone that I know,” Grier said.
Senior Homecoming Maid Ashton Warner couldn’t be happier about Savanna being elected queen.
“I thought it was really sweet. I thought it was a really good representation of how our school is, because the people at our school are really all friends. Even though there are different groups or cliques, I feel like we’re really supportive of each other,” Warner said.
“It was easy for all of us to come together and support it,” Warner added.
The three senior maids elected are Abby Moore, Delaney Daniel and Ashton Warner. Moore and Warner are both co-captains of the cheerleading team, and Daniel plays soccer and is a member of student council. All three girls have been elected to the homecoming court once before.
As for being elected to homecoming, Savannah says she is excited. She already has a white suit picked out to wear to the pep rally, and she plans to go shopping with her stepmom Teresa and her Aunt Kelly to pick out a dress to wear when she’s crowned at the game.
“We’re going to make a day of it,” Teresa said.
Everyone seems to think that Savanna will make a great queen. “She’s very authoritative,” one of her teachers said. “That’s what happens when you have six brothers.”
And her brothers, especially her twin, love her.
“Savanna’s always been the center of attention. Everyone loves her. Like we’ll be walking in a store and someone will be like, ‘Hey Savanna!’ and I won’t even know who that person is,” Grier said.
As expected, Principal Jennings is very proud of his students. “They put the needs of Savanna over something that normally happens, and it just speaks highly of our school,” Jennings said.
“She’s absolutely the sweetest and most wonderful thing and we’ll miss her when she’s gone,” Jennings said.
Out of everything said about Savanna, her teacher Susan Edwards said it best: “She’s always been our Queen.”
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
TOP STORY >> Austin cop named officer of the year
By DEBORAH HORN
Leader staff writer
Austin Police Officer Joshua Chaplin couldn’t see into the burning van, but he heard the screams.
Without thought to his own life, he realized there was only one course of action, so without hesitation Chaplin took a deep breath and leaned his entire upper body into the van.
The event was over in a few minutes, but Chaplin’s heroism saved a man’s life and earned him the Lonoke County Officer of the Year award.
Still, for Chapin being named Lonoke County Officer of the Year by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge was a complete surprise.
“I had no idea of this until my chief, (Austin Police Chief) James Kulesa, contacted me to let me know…I’m humbled by it, but I asked, why me? There are a few hundred officers in Lonoke County who deserve it as much as I do,” he said.
In addition to his service to the Austin Police Department, Chaplin is a senior airman with the Air National Guard and repairs body damage to the Air Force base’s C-130s.
He is an Austin resident, and he’s single.
Kulesa told Chaplin a few days ago about the honor and posted information online, but he made a public announcement about Chaplin’s distinction at the Monday night Austin City Council meeting.
It was one announcement Kulesa said he was “proud” to make.
“This is a prestigious award and well deserved by Officer Chaplin,” he said.
CALL TO ACTION
Kulesa said he nominated Chaplin, a part-time officer who has been with the department for about 18 months, for the award for a number of reasons.
“He saved a man in a vehicle fire,” Kulesa was referring to a delivery van that was possibly struck by lightning on the morning of Dec. 23, 2015, on Hwy. 67/167 in the northbound lane near mile marker 24.
When Chaplin arrived, the van’s doors were locked, and it was engulfed in flames and smoke was spreading across the highway. Because the smoke was so thick inside the van, Chaplin couldn’t see the driver from outside the van, he just heard his screams.
He wasn’t thinking about the danger of the situation or his own personal safety.
“I didn’t feel any fear, I just went with it,” he said.
Chaplin used his baton to break the passenger’s side window and then took a deep breath and leaned into the van. Basically, he was blind using his hands to find the driver.
“We were feeling for each other,” Chaplin remembered.
Fortunately, the driver escaped with no injuries.
RIDE ALONG
Austin resident Dennis Williams was on a Ride Along with Chaplin that day and took some dramatic pictures of the van.
To remind himself of the incident, Chaplin saved his burned and now useless baton, and he said at the time of the fire to a reporter, “This is part of my job. It’s what I signed up to do.”
Kulesa says Chaplin’s role at the department goes way beyond hero, and he said he is “a proactive officer and community orientated. He does a great job, no matter what he does.”
When Kulesa posted the announcement about the Officer of the Year honor on the department’s Facebook page, Chaplin soon began raking up likes — 168 so far.
While the kudos are appreciated, Chaplin said, “I will continue to do what I do every shift I work till the day I am no longer a police officer.”
TEAMWORK
Chaplin was honored by the distinction but said, “It is my opinion that almost every officer in the county deserves this. If there was a way I could cut the award up and give everyone I know a piece, I would.”
He credits the entire department’s teamwork and city officials for his success.
“I will say the great leadership and information I get from the Chief, and a few of my fellow officers, has led me to where I am now,” Chaplin said.
Kulesa said the award was doubly sweet because the Austin Police Department is small, with only four full-time officers including the chief and 13 part-time officers.
“We’re not a large department and do the best we can with what we have. All these guys do an outstanding job, and the award is good for the entire department and its morale,” Kulesa said.
The chief said he also appreciates the public recognition of law enforcement officers across the state by the attorney general’s office.
Law enforcement personnel render “support and assistance whenever and wherever needed. Law enforcement is and always will be a team effort,” Kulesa said.
According to the state attorney general’s office, officer selections for the 2016 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers of the Year awards must have “performed admirably in the line of duty within the past 18 months.”
One officer from each of the state’s 75 counties is selected, and from there, the numbers are whittled down to five regional winners.
The overall state Officer of the Year will be selected from the regional winners.
County and regional winners were selected by a panel consisting of city, county and state criminal justice professionals, and the county and regional Officers of the Year will be honored at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Summit to be held Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock.
The 2016 Arkansas Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year will be announced by Attorney General Rutledge at the luncheon.
Leader staff writer
Austin Police Officer Joshua Chaplin couldn’t see into the burning van, but he heard the screams.
Without thought to his own life, he realized there was only one course of action, so without hesitation Chaplin took a deep breath and leaned his entire upper body into the van.
The event was over in a few minutes, but Chaplin’s heroism saved a man’s life and earned him the Lonoke County Officer of the Year award.
Still, for Chapin being named Lonoke County Officer of the Year by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge was a complete surprise.
“I had no idea of this until my chief, (Austin Police Chief) James Kulesa, contacted me to let me know…I’m humbled by it, but I asked, why me? There are a few hundred officers in Lonoke County who deserve it as much as I do,” he said.
In addition to his service to the Austin Police Department, Chaplin is a senior airman with the Air National Guard and repairs body damage to the Air Force base’s C-130s.
He is an Austin resident, and he’s single.
Kulesa told Chaplin a few days ago about the honor and posted information online, but he made a public announcement about Chaplin’s distinction at the Monday night Austin City Council meeting.
It was one announcement Kulesa said he was “proud” to make.
“This is a prestigious award and well deserved by Officer Chaplin,” he said.
CALL TO ACTION
Kulesa said he nominated Chaplin, a part-time officer who has been with the department for about 18 months, for the award for a number of reasons.
“He saved a man in a vehicle fire,” Kulesa was referring to a delivery van that was possibly struck by lightning on the morning of Dec. 23, 2015, on Hwy. 67/167 in the northbound lane near mile marker 24.
When Chaplin arrived, the van’s doors were locked, and it was engulfed in flames and smoke was spreading across the highway. Because the smoke was so thick inside the van, Chaplin couldn’t see the driver from outside the van, he just heard his screams.
He wasn’t thinking about the danger of the situation or his own personal safety.
“I didn’t feel any fear, I just went with it,” he said.
Chaplin used his baton to break the passenger’s side window and then took a deep breath and leaned into the van. Basically, he was blind using his hands to find the driver.
“We were feeling for each other,” Chaplin remembered.
Fortunately, the driver escaped with no injuries.
RIDE ALONG
Austin resident Dennis Williams was on a Ride Along with Chaplin that day and took some dramatic pictures of the van.
To remind himself of the incident, Chaplin saved his burned and now useless baton, and he said at the time of the fire to a reporter, “This is part of my job. It’s what I signed up to do.”
Kulesa says Chaplin’s role at the department goes way beyond hero, and he said he is “a proactive officer and community orientated. He does a great job, no matter what he does.”
When Kulesa posted the announcement about the Officer of the Year honor on the department’s Facebook page, Chaplin soon began raking up likes — 168 so far.
While the kudos are appreciated, Chaplin said, “I will continue to do what I do every shift I work till the day I am no longer a police officer.”
TEAMWORK
Chaplin was honored by the distinction but said, “It is my opinion that almost every officer in the county deserves this. If there was a way I could cut the award up and give everyone I know a piece, I would.”
He credits the entire department’s teamwork and city officials for his success.
“I will say the great leadership and information I get from the Chief, and a few of my fellow officers, has led me to where I am now,” Chaplin said.
Kulesa said the award was doubly sweet because the Austin Police Department is small, with only four full-time officers including the chief and 13 part-time officers.
“We’re not a large department and do the best we can with what we have. All these guys do an outstanding job, and the award is good for the entire department and its morale,” Kulesa said.
The chief said he also appreciates the public recognition of law enforcement officers across the state by the attorney general’s office.
Law enforcement personnel render “support and assistance whenever and wherever needed. Law enforcement is and always will be a team effort,” Kulesa said.
According to the state attorney general’s office, officer selections for the 2016 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officers of the Year awards must have “performed admirably in the line of duty within the past 18 months.”
One officer from each of the state’s 75 counties is selected, and from there, the numbers are whittled down to five regional winners.
The overall state Officer of the Year will be selected from the regional winners.
County and regional winners were selected by a panel consisting of city, county and state criminal justice professionals, and the county and regional Officers of the Year will be honored at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Summit to be held Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock.
The 2016 Arkansas Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year will be announced by Attorney General Rutledge at the luncheon.
TOP STORY >> Sworn in early in Beebe
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The Beebe City Council appointed Derrek Goff and Lee McLane to the city council on Monday to fill the remaining terms of two vacated aldermen seats.
The council voted unanimously on the resolution Alderman Matt Dugger put in motion since there are three months remaining in the year.
Goff fills the Ward 2, Position 1 seat that was vacated by the death of Alderman Becky Short on Sept. 8. Goff is social studies teacher at Cabot High School. He was running unopposed for the seat in the November general election.
McLane fills the Ward 1, Position 1 seat. The position was vacated by Alderman David Pruitt, who resigned on Aug. 22. Pruitt pleaded guilty on Aug. 2 in White County Circuit Court to a misdemeanor charge of violating state election law after voting twice during the primary election. Pruitt was ineligible to run for re-election.
McLane, who owns and publishes The Beebe News, was running unopposed for the seat in the November general election.
Goff and McLane were sworn in by City Attorney Scott Bles and immediately started working for the city.
The city council held a moment of silence and a prayer for the passing of Short on Sept. 8 and for police officer and firefighter David Nelson on Sept. 24. Nelson worked for the city of Beebe for the past 38 years.
Alderman Tracy Lightfoot presented a portrait of Short to hang in city hall.
Mayor Mike Robertson informed the council that the city purchased a 40 by 180 foot parcel of property across from city hall this month for $2,900. The vacant land neighbors the walking trail and property already owned by the city.
The council approved keeping the city’s millage rate at 1.8 mills.
Aldermen approved an ordinance increasing the number of dogs residents are allowed to have from three to four dogs.
The council approved an ordinance to close South Cherry Street from East Idaho Street to one block southeast of East Georgia Street. The property owner of block 14 requested the closure. The street was platted on the city’s map but was never built.
“I don’t see a reason why we would build a street there,” code enforcement officer Milton McCullar said.
Aldermen approved the city to tear down a house on 705 W. College St., and place a lien on the property. The property owners have been issued a warrant for failing to comply with the condemnation resolution.
Leader staff writer
The Beebe City Council appointed Derrek Goff and Lee McLane to the city council on Monday to fill the remaining terms of two vacated aldermen seats.
The council voted unanimously on the resolution Alderman Matt Dugger put in motion since there are three months remaining in the year.
Goff fills the Ward 2, Position 1 seat that was vacated by the death of Alderman Becky Short on Sept. 8. Goff is social studies teacher at Cabot High School. He was running unopposed for the seat in the November general election.
McLane fills the Ward 1, Position 1 seat. The position was vacated by Alderman David Pruitt, who resigned on Aug. 22. Pruitt pleaded guilty on Aug. 2 in White County Circuit Court to a misdemeanor charge of violating state election law after voting twice during the primary election. Pruitt was ineligible to run for re-election.
McLane, who owns and publishes The Beebe News, was running unopposed for the seat in the November general election.
Goff and McLane were sworn in by City Attorney Scott Bles and immediately started working for the city.
The city council held a moment of silence and a prayer for the passing of Short on Sept. 8 and for police officer and firefighter David Nelson on Sept. 24. Nelson worked for the city of Beebe for the past 38 years.
Alderman Tracy Lightfoot presented a portrait of Short to hang in city hall.
Mayor Mike Robertson informed the council that the city purchased a 40 by 180 foot parcel of property across from city hall this month for $2,900. The vacant land neighbors the walking trail and property already owned by the city.
The council approved keeping the city’s millage rate at 1.8 mills.
Aldermen approved an ordinance increasing the number of dogs residents are allowed to have from three to four dogs.
The council approved an ordinance to close South Cherry Street from East Idaho Street to one block southeast of East Georgia Street. The property owner of block 14 requested the closure. The street was platted on the city’s map but was never built.
“I don’t see a reason why we would build a street there,” code enforcement officer Milton McCullar said.
Aldermen approved the city to tear down a house on 705 W. College St., and place a lien on the property. The property owners have been issued a warrant for failing to comply with the condemnation resolution.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
SPORTS STORY >> Titans hurt as Hurricane comes
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville Titan football team suffered a variety of setbacks in last week’s loss to Searcy, but also showed a resolve that could do the team well as the season progresses, especially with the kind of challenge that is coming this Friday when the Titans host Jonesboro.
In last week’s 27-12 loss, the Titans went into the game with one starter on the bench, lost another in the first quarter, and another in the fourth. They were their own worst enemy with more than 200 yards in penalties, and got one phantom holding penalty that negated a huge play that would’ve put the team on the brink of tying the game late in the third quarter.
“You know it was about as ugly a game as you could see, but I’m proud of the fight our kids showed in it,” said Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham. “I think we had 20 penalties, and I’ll take 19 of them. We had guys out of their usual positions just trying to patch together something that worked. So I’ll take 19, but that one. I’ve watched the tape, and it’s not there.”
The penalty at question was a holding call on third and 1 with Searcy leading 20-12, a play Jacksonville gained 18 yards to the Searcy 12-yard line. Instead of first down in the red zone, Jacksonville faced third and 14 from 43, and ultimately turned the ball over on downs.
Searcy put together a drive and scored early in the fourth to set the final margin.
“I don’t want to come down too hard on officials because of being an official myself,” Hickingbotham said. “But that one was pivotal. That, to me, was a swinging point in the game.”
Hickingbotham benched one undisclosed starter for the game for disciplinary reasons. Quarterback Rowdy Weathers left the game in the first quarter for an injury to the same shoulder that benched him last year. He will definitely miss this week’s game at Jonesboro, and likely more.
“He could be finished,” Hickingbotham said. “That’s a blow to us. But I thought we were able to regroup at halftime and make some positive things happen. We’re going to try to build on that.”
Harderrious Martin took over at quarterback after Weathers went down, but he’s also a full time defensive player. In the second half, tailback Shawn Ellis carried some of the load at quarterback.
“HD has to play defense for us, and he was tired,” Hickingbotham said. “I thought Shawn did some good things, and we’re going to try to have them both ready.”
Jonesboro comes to Jacksonville with perhaps the most explosive offense in the state. The Golden Hurricane have scored at least 41 points in every game, and have scored more than 60 in three of four. The defense has been porous, but it hasn’t mattered. Jonesboro is undefeated despite giving up an average of almost 38 points per game. And most the games haven’t even been close.
Jonesboro is averaging 59.7 points per game after beating Batesville 65-41, Conway 41-38, Catholic 69-34 and Mountain Home 63-38.
“They have a receiver who will be the fastest guy we’ve seen this year,” said Hickingbotham. “They have 300-plus at both tackles. They have 270 and 280 at guard. To say it’s going to be a challenge is an understatement. But we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville Titan football team suffered a variety of setbacks in last week’s loss to Searcy, but also showed a resolve that could do the team well as the season progresses, especially with the kind of challenge that is coming this Friday when the Titans host Jonesboro.
In last week’s 27-12 loss, the Titans went into the game with one starter on the bench, lost another in the first quarter, and another in the fourth. They were their own worst enemy with more than 200 yards in penalties, and got one phantom holding penalty that negated a huge play that would’ve put the team on the brink of tying the game late in the third quarter.
“You know it was about as ugly a game as you could see, but I’m proud of the fight our kids showed in it,” said Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham. “I think we had 20 penalties, and I’ll take 19 of them. We had guys out of their usual positions just trying to patch together something that worked. So I’ll take 19, but that one. I’ve watched the tape, and it’s not there.”
The penalty at question was a holding call on third and 1 with Searcy leading 20-12, a play Jacksonville gained 18 yards to the Searcy 12-yard line. Instead of first down in the red zone, Jacksonville faced third and 14 from 43, and ultimately turned the ball over on downs.
Searcy put together a drive and scored early in the fourth to set the final margin.
“I don’t want to come down too hard on officials because of being an official myself,” Hickingbotham said. “But that one was pivotal. That, to me, was a swinging point in the game.”
Hickingbotham benched one undisclosed starter for the game for disciplinary reasons. Quarterback Rowdy Weathers left the game in the first quarter for an injury to the same shoulder that benched him last year. He will definitely miss this week’s game at Jonesboro, and likely more.
“He could be finished,” Hickingbotham said. “That’s a blow to us. But I thought we were able to regroup at halftime and make some positive things happen. We’re going to try to build on that.”
Harderrious Martin took over at quarterback after Weathers went down, but he’s also a full time defensive player. In the second half, tailback Shawn Ellis carried some of the load at quarterback.
“HD has to play defense for us, and he was tired,” Hickingbotham said. “I thought Shawn did some good things, and we’re going to try to have them both ready.”
Jonesboro comes to Jacksonville with perhaps the most explosive offense in the state. The Golden Hurricane have scored at least 41 points in every game, and have scored more than 60 in three of four. The defense has been porous, but it hasn’t mattered. Jonesboro is undefeated despite giving up an average of almost 38 points per game. And most the games haven’t even been close.
Jonesboro is averaging 59.7 points per game after beating Batesville 65-41, Conway 41-38, Catholic 69-34 and Mountain Home 63-38.
“They have a receiver who will be the fastest guy we’ve seen this year,” said Hickingbotham. “They have 300-plus at both tackles. They have 270 and 280 at guard. To say it’s going to be a challenge is an understatement. But we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
SPORTS STORY >> Panthers try to avenge playoff loss
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Panthers are coming off a key win in their 7A-Central Conference opener on Friday. They will now try to carry that success with them in their first league road game.
The Panthers travel to Fort Smith Southside for the first time ever as a conference opponent. The two programs have a storied history going back to the late 1990s. They have met twice in state championship games, going 1-1 against each other. More recently, Southside knocked Cabot out of the state playoffs in last year’s quarterfinal round, coming to Cabot and defeating the favored Panthers 35-25.
The newly named Mavericks (formerly the Rebels from the schools’ founding in 1965 until this season) have eight starters back from that offense that piled up the points in the playoffs last year, and five back on defense.
“They have most of them back and they whipped us pretty good, so we’re going to have to play awfully well,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham.
Southside lost its first two games by wide margins, but have rebounded to win the last two, including last week’s conference opener at Conway, 23-20.
“They started with two of the better teams in the state in Har-Ber and Greenwood,” Malham said. “There’s no disgrace in losing to those two, especially that early. Southside is big and they have some speed. We sure can’t make all the mistakes we made last year and expect anything different than what we got.”
Cabot was called for six procedure penalties, fumbled a punt and had a punt snap sail over the punters head in last year’s game.
While Southside has most of its offense back, Cabot has almost everyone back on defense, and the head Panther thinks they’re better than a year ago.
“When you get them all back you should be better,” Malham said.
Connor Daigle started practicing with the team last week, and will be on the field for the first time this season. He started at safety last year, but is currently working at linebacker.
“We’re looking at him at linebacker and moving (Easton) Seidl to the front,” Malham said. “We think that could make us stronger on the defensive line. That’s where we’re practicing them this week and we’ll see how it works out.”
Leader sports editor
The Cabot Panthers are coming off a key win in their 7A-Central Conference opener on Friday. They will now try to carry that success with them in their first league road game.
The Panthers travel to Fort Smith Southside for the first time ever as a conference opponent. The two programs have a storied history going back to the late 1990s. They have met twice in state championship games, going 1-1 against each other. More recently, Southside knocked Cabot out of the state playoffs in last year’s quarterfinal round, coming to Cabot and defeating the favored Panthers 35-25.
The newly named Mavericks (formerly the Rebels from the schools’ founding in 1965 until this season) have eight starters back from that offense that piled up the points in the playoffs last year, and five back on defense.
“They have most of them back and they whipped us pretty good, so we’re going to have to play awfully well,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham.
Southside lost its first two games by wide margins, but have rebounded to win the last two, including last week’s conference opener at Conway, 23-20.
“They started with two of the better teams in the state in Har-Ber and Greenwood,” Malham said. “There’s no disgrace in losing to those two, especially that early. Southside is big and they have some speed. We sure can’t make all the mistakes we made last year and expect anything different than what we got.”
Cabot was called for six procedure penalties, fumbled a punt and had a punt snap sail over the punters head in last year’s game.
While Southside has most of its offense back, Cabot has almost everyone back on defense, and the head Panther thinks they’re better than a year ago.
“When you get them all back you should be better,” Malham said.
Connor Daigle started practicing with the team last week, and will be on the field for the first time this season. He started at safety last year, but is currently working at linebacker.
“We’re looking at him at linebacker and moving (Easton) Seidl to the front,” Malham said. “We think that could make us stronger on the defensive line. That’s where we’re practicing them this week and we’ll see how it works out.”
SPORTS STORY >> Former Red Devil making good on a second chance
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Saturday was more than a homecoming for former Jacksonville Red Devil Anthony Fields. When his team, Trinity Valley Community College from Athens, Texas, played Arkansas Baptist College at Little Rock’s Quigley Stadium, it was more of a triumphant return – proof of Fields’ turnaround from the lovable goof-off who almost blew the opportunity his talent afforded him, to the hard working and studious defensive lineman now garnering attention from Division I football programs.
Coaches and fans knew by the time Fields was in ninth grade he possessed rare talent on the football field. They also knew he was in constant danger of throwing it all away. By the end of his sophomore year, it looked like he had.
Fields was academically ineligible and was not allowed to play his junior year, the year most college prospects make themselves known to college coaches.
Instead of giving up, Fields decided to make that year the beginning of his turnaround.
“Not playing that year, it was just like a light switched on in my head and I knew this wasn’t funny anymore. I was just kind of there. I was just cool with everybody and everybody loved me. I just wasn’t taking care of business, always joking around. Everybody was passing, and here I was, back there goofing off. I just realized I had to get my act together.”
Fields wasn’t even almost eligible after his sophomore year, and it took lots of make up work and summer school to become eligible for his senior campaign. But he was way behind in the recruiting process, and his name wasn’t out there. By season’s end, no offers had come forth. Late in the school year, Trinity Valley Community College took notice ofFields on film, and invited him to the Athens campus for a visit.
TVCC head coach Brad Smiley was impressed.
“In Texas, we can only have 10 guys from out of state, so you have to be really something for us to give you one of those spots,” Smiley said. “When you look at some of the other guys we’ve had here from out of state, you see that real quick. Jarrod Evans was one of them that just set the touchdown record at Virginia Tech. Derrick Willey is breaking receiving records at Texas Tech. Davonte Fields is going to be the ACC defensive player of the year at Louisville, the No. 2 outside backer on Mel Kiper’s draft board. So we’re very picky about who gets those 10 spots, and Anthony meets the criteria.”
TVCC is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation in JUCO, and has led all junior colleges in Division I signees in four of the last five years. The Cardinals began this season at No. 3, and spent one week at No. 1 before losing 30-29 to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
The competition is fierce, especially for the out-of-state players. Smiley recounts a story from offseason that involved Fields and a teammate, that speaks to the JHS alum’s current mindset.
“In camp, I had to sit him down with a big old offensive lineman who had some big time FBS offers, and just tell them, hey look guys. The way things are working out (with the out-of-state roster spots) per position, you guys are battling to get one of those last two spots going into this last scrimmage game. And I tell you what, all Anthony did was go out and become better. He proved to me, hey, you can’t not have me on this team. The other guy just bolted. Couldn’t handle it. Those Big 10 and Big 12 schools that offered him, they were asking me where this guy went. I just told them, you know what, got a guy here that just straight beat him out.”
Fields’ talent was on display on Saturday for the many family members, friends and former teammates and coaches that went to see him play.
The Cardinals annihilated Arkansas Baptist, leading 56-12 at halftime and winning 63-18. Fields finished with four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry.
“He’s very quick, very explosive,” Smiley said. “Last week we had a couple of DI coaches at our practice, and afterwards one of them came in and said, ‘coach, who is No. 56? They can’t block him on the pass rush.’ That’s his forte right now. There are a few things we’re still working on with him in the run game, using his hands and learning that technique. But that’s all he needs to become a dominant player.”
Smiley wasn’t aware of the severity of Fields’ academic difficulties in high school, but he has seen part of the maturing process.
“I’ll be honest with you, he farted around a little bit his first semester here, too,” Smiley said. “He learned a lesson from that and he’s gotten serious about academics and that’s going to be huge for him on the back end. If you’re not academically eligible (for Division I) coming out of high school, you have to get your associates degree before you can play DI football. With the way he’s excelling in the classroom now, that’s huge because everybody is looking for defensive linemen. That’s a position that everybody always needs, so it could be a great situation for him.”
Fields, the son of Michelle and Gregory Fields, redshirted his first year at TVCC, and then suffered a setback when he broke his wrist in fall camp. He was able to recover and play in the first game this season, but aggravated the injury in the season opener and missed the next two games. He returned the week before playing Arkansas Baptist, and forced a fumble in a big win over Blinn College.
Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham took over the Red Devil program Fields’ senior year. He and former assistant Brian McDermott drove Fields to his visit to TVCC.
“I’m just so proud of him because he was able to do what so many kids don’t do,” said Hickingbotham. “With him, like with most of them, it’s not an ability problem. It’s a motivation problem. Too many of them never get that. Anthony figured it out and changed his direction. He was going the wrong way and he recognized it. His ability got him a second chance, and he was smart enough to start doing what he had to do to take advantage of that. I always felt like he was a DI talent, and he’s on his way.”
Fields is not all about football. A lifelong musician who began playing piano and singing in church at about 12 years old, he performed with the TVCC concert choir last spring.
“They gave me a little scholarship money to do that,” Fields said. “I played piano for them and sang a little bit. I probably won’t be able to do that this year. Last year I was redshirting and spring semester isn’t as demanding. But I’m going to be focusing so much on football this year, I won’t be able to do it.”
He’s majoring in Kinesiology and wants to become a coach once his playing days are finished, whether that means after graduation or a possible professional career. He now carries a 2.7 accumulative grade-point average, and that’s only because of the lackluster first semester. He’s been above 3.0 the last two semesters.
At the end of this semester, he will be 15 hours from his associate’s degree, and could be moving on if the right offer comes through.
Texas Tech is currently the only FBS school showing serious interest in the 6-foot, 270-pounder, but Division I schools like Alabama-Birmingham, North Texas and Texas State are also interested.
If the right offer doesn’t come, Fields plans on staying in Athens.
“My dream is, I’ve always wanted to be a Razorback,” Fields said. “They haven’t showed any interest yet. I want a big-time offer. If I don’t get it this year, I’m staying at Valley and I’ll be able to take some electives and get ahead in the classroom.”
Leader sports editor
Saturday was more than a homecoming for former Jacksonville Red Devil Anthony Fields. When his team, Trinity Valley Community College from Athens, Texas, played Arkansas Baptist College at Little Rock’s Quigley Stadium, it was more of a triumphant return – proof of Fields’ turnaround from the lovable goof-off who almost blew the opportunity his talent afforded him, to the hard working and studious defensive lineman now garnering attention from Division I football programs.
Coaches and fans knew by the time Fields was in ninth grade he possessed rare talent on the football field. They also knew he was in constant danger of throwing it all away. By the end of his sophomore year, it looked like he had.
Fields was academically ineligible and was not allowed to play his junior year, the year most college prospects make themselves known to college coaches.
Instead of giving up, Fields decided to make that year the beginning of his turnaround.
“Not playing that year, it was just like a light switched on in my head and I knew this wasn’t funny anymore. I was just kind of there. I was just cool with everybody and everybody loved me. I just wasn’t taking care of business, always joking around. Everybody was passing, and here I was, back there goofing off. I just realized I had to get my act together.”
Fields wasn’t even almost eligible after his sophomore year, and it took lots of make up work and summer school to become eligible for his senior campaign. But he was way behind in the recruiting process, and his name wasn’t out there. By season’s end, no offers had come forth. Late in the school year, Trinity Valley Community College took notice ofFields on film, and invited him to the Athens campus for a visit.
TVCC head coach Brad Smiley was impressed.
“In Texas, we can only have 10 guys from out of state, so you have to be really something for us to give you one of those spots,” Smiley said. “When you look at some of the other guys we’ve had here from out of state, you see that real quick. Jarrod Evans was one of them that just set the touchdown record at Virginia Tech. Derrick Willey is breaking receiving records at Texas Tech. Davonte Fields is going to be the ACC defensive player of the year at Louisville, the No. 2 outside backer on Mel Kiper’s draft board. So we’re very picky about who gets those 10 spots, and Anthony meets the criteria.”
TVCC is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation in JUCO, and has led all junior colleges in Division I signees in four of the last five years. The Cardinals began this season at No. 3, and spent one week at No. 1 before losing 30-29 to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
The competition is fierce, especially for the out-of-state players. Smiley recounts a story from offseason that involved Fields and a teammate, that speaks to the JHS alum’s current mindset.
“In camp, I had to sit him down with a big old offensive lineman who had some big time FBS offers, and just tell them, hey look guys. The way things are working out (with the out-of-state roster spots) per position, you guys are battling to get one of those last two spots going into this last scrimmage game. And I tell you what, all Anthony did was go out and become better. He proved to me, hey, you can’t not have me on this team. The other guy just bolted. Couldn’t handle it. Those Big 10 and Big 12 schools that offered him, they were asking me where this guy went. I just told them, you know what, got a guy here that just straight beat him out.”
Fields’ talent was on display on Saturday for the many family members, friends and former teammates and coaches that went to see him play.
The Cardinals annihilated Arkansas Baptist, leading 56-12 at halftime and winning 63-18. Fields finished with four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry.
“He’s very quick, very explosive,” Smiley said. “Last week we had a couple of DI coaches at our practice, and afterwards one of them came in and said, ‘coach, who is No. 56? They can’t block him on the pass rush.’ That’s his forte right now. There are a few things we’re still working on with him in the run game, using his hands and learning that technique. But that’s all he needs to become a dominant player.”
Smiley wasn’t aware of the severity of Fields’ academic difficulties in high school, but he has seen part of the maturing process.
“I’ll be honest with you, he farted around a little bit his first semester here, too,” Smiley said. “He learned a lesson from that and he’s gotten serious about academics and that’s going to be huge for him on the back end. If you’re not academically eligible (for Division I) coming out of high school, you have to get your associates degree before you can play DI football. With the way he’s excelling in the classroom now, that’s huge because everybody is looking for defensive linemen. That’s a position that everybody always needs, so it could be a great situation for him.”
Fields, the son of Michelle and Gregory Fields, redshirted his first year at TVCC, and then suffered a setback when he broke his wrist in fall camp. He was able to recover and play in the first game this season, but aggravated the injury in the season opener and missed the next two games. He returned the week before playing Arkansas Baptist, and forced a fumble in a big win over Blinn College.
Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham took over the Red Devil program Fields’ senior year. He and former assistant Brian McDermott drove Fields to his visit to TVCC.
“I’m just so proud of him because he was able to do what so many kids don’t do,” said Hickingbotham. “With him, like with most of them, it’s not an ability problem. It’s a motivation problem. Too many of them never get that. Anthony figured it out and changed his direction. He was going the wrong way and he recognized it. His ability got him a second chance, and he was smart enough to start doing what he had to do to take advantage of that. I always felt like he was a DI talent, and he’s on his way.”
Fields is not all about football. A lifelong musician who began playing piano and singing in church at about 12 years old, he performed with the TVCC concert choir last spring.
“They gave me a little scholarship money to do that,” Fields said. “I played piano for them and sang a little bit. I probably won’t be able to do that this year. Last year I was redshirting and spring semester isn’t as demanding. But I’m going to be focusing so much on football this year, I won’t be able to do it.”
He’s majoring in Kinesiology and wants to become a coach once his playing days are finished, whether that means after graduation or a possible professional career. He now carries a 2.7 accumulative grade-point average, and that’s only because of the lackluster first semester. He’s been above 3.0 the last two semesters.
At the end of this semester, he will be 15 hours from his associate’s degree, and could be moving on if the right offer comes through.
Texas Tech is currently the only FBS school showing serious interest in the 6-foot, 270-pounder, but Division I schools like Alabama-Birmingham, North Texas and Texas State are also interested.
If the right offer doesn’t come, Fields plans on staying in Athens.
“My dream is, I’ve always wanted to be a Razorback,” Fields said. “They haven’t showed any interest yet. I want a big-time offer. If I don’t get it this year, I’m staying at Valley and I’ll be able to take some electives and get ahead in the classroom.”
EDITORIAL >> McNally wears prison stripes
Former Lonoke County Assessor John (Jack) McNally was sentenced Friday to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to lying about his previous federal theft conviction when he filed to run for election in 2010.
He was also sentenced for credit-card fraud while he was the assessor and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He will be eligible for parole in one year.
McNally was convicted in 1986 for stealing thousands of military uniform jackets from a government contractor he worked for, which made it illegal for him to run for public office.
That conviction also should have disqualified him from working for the city of Cabot as a code-enforcement officer, another government job he held where he was also accused of theft.
When Eddie Joe Williams became mayor, he fired McNally and probably hoped that would be the end of it. But McNally hitched a ride on the Tea Party-fueled tidal wave of 2010, when Republicans wrested all but one county office from Democrats.
McNally needed a paycheck, which is why he ran for assessor. He was unsuited and totally unprepared for the job and defeated longtime Assessor Jerry Adams only because of party identification. McNally’s victory and time in office was a farce.
During his first campaign, McNally got into a scuffle with former Cabot Alderman Odis Waymack during a town-hall forum for candidates. Both men were convicted of disorderly conduct. At the time, we were stunned that Waymack, who is legally blind and is in his 80s, was equally blamed for the altercation.
Waymack’s conviction should be overturned and his $200 fine refunded now that it’s clear McNally is a fraud and a thief. Waymack deserves credit for standing up to a bully.
Lots of people must have known about McNally’s criminal record, but because they kept quiet, the public’s faith in government is further weakened at a time when cynicism and lack of trust about public service and elected officials are rampant.
Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham is trying to rebuild that trust. He asked the judge to sentence McNally to 10 years.
“In January 2011, McNally raised his hand and was sworn in as assessor. McNally knew he was a felon. He knew it was a lie and that he wasn’t supposed to be there. Voting is sacred. He hurt thousands of people who voted for him. He did it repeatedly until he was defeated,” Graham said.
McNally was led away in handcuffs after Friday’s court hearing and began serving his six years immediately.
It’s a victory for good government.
He was also sentenced for credit-card fraud while he was the assessor and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. He will be eligible for parole in one year.
McNally was convicted in 1986 for stealing thousands of military uniform jackets from a government contractor he worked for, which made it illegal for him to run for public office.
That conviction also should have disqualified him from working for the city of Cabot as a code-enforcement officer, another government job he held where he was also accused of theft.
When Eddie Joe Williams became mayor, he fired McNally and probably hoped that would be the end of it. But McNally hitched a ride on the Tea Party-fueled tidal wave of 2010, when Republicans wrested all but one county office from Democrats.
McNally needed a paycheck, which is why he ran for assessor. He was unsuited and totally unprepared for the job and defeated longtime Assessor Jerry Adams only because of party identification. McNally’s victory and time in office was a farce.
During his first campaign, McNally got into a scuffle with former Cabot Alderman Odis Waymack during a town-hall forum for candidates. Both men were convicted of disorderly conduct. At the time, we were stunned that Waymack, who is legally blind and is in his 80s, was equally blamed for the altercation.
Waymack’s conviction should be overturned and his $200 fine refunded now that it’s clear McNally is a fraud and a thief. Waymack deserves credit for standing up to a bully.
Lots of people must have known about McNally’s criminal record, but because they kept quiet, the public’s faith in government is further weakened at a time when cynicism and lack of trust about public service and elected officials are rampant.
Lonoke County Prosecutor Chuck Graham is trying to rebuild that trust. He asked the judge to sentence McNally to 10 years.
“In January 2011, McNally raised his hand and was sworn in as assessor. McNally knew he was a felon. He knew it was a lie and that he wasn’t supposed to be there. Voting is sacred. He hurt thousands of people who voted for him. He did it repeatedly until he was defeated,” Graham said.
McNally was led away in handcuffs after Friday’s court hearing and began serving his six years immediately.
It’s a victory for good government.
TOP STORY >> Fall fun on tap in your towns
Festiville in Jacksonville will held at Dupree Park from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking are free.
A carnival will kick things off Thursday with a carnival family night with a $20 armband for the rides.
There will be hot-air balloon rides available and performances by Lighthouse Charter School and the Arkansas Platinum Diamondettes dance group on Friday.
The movie “Zootopia” will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Arkansas Street Machines will host a car show.
There will be a 5K run, a volleyball tournament, a climbing rock wall, a children’s area with inflatables, a petting zoo and pony rides and a Senior Centers of Arkansas bean bag baseball tournament.
A barbecue contest will also be held for which teams are still invited to register.
CABOT
CabotFest is Saturday, Oct. 8 and features country music band Ricochet as the headliner for this year’s festival. Admission is free.
Ricochet, from Oklahoma, released their debut single 20 years ago in 1996, “What Do I Know” with their follow up single, “Daddy’s Money” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard County Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks.
The festival will have two stages of live music and performances.
The second stage will feature performances by Cabot public school students from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by local bands to 5:45 p.m.
The CabotFest pageant will be held 10 a.m. at Cabot Freshman Academy, 18 Spirit Drive.
More than 90 vendors have signed up for CabotFest. Applications are available at the chamber’s website, www.cabotcc.org.
The cricket-spitting contest is back with three age divisions. A spit-off is scheduled at 5 p.m.
The carnival will start on Thursday, Oct. 7 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Armbands for Thursday and Fridays nights are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the carnival will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Cabot Lions Club will hold a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 6 till 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 to kickoff CabotFest.
The breakfast will be in First Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $5 and $2 for kids under 10.
Proceeds will help buy eyeglasses for local school children and adults; assist local applicants with vital glaucoma and cataract surgeries; provide vision screenings at local daycares, preschools, churches, health fairs and the Lonoke County Christian Clinic, as well as supporting the Cabot Lions Scholarship Fund.
Guests are asked to bring their old or unused eyeglasses to be recycled for the less fortunate.
Cabot’s AARP chapter will have a bingo booth at CabotFest from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. at Regions Bank, 102 South Second St.
Each card will cost 50 cents, and prizes include gift cards, dog grooming, cologne and more. People will be able to sit and rest while playing.
“This is our largest annual fundraiser, and the proceeds are used to fund a college scholarship for a deserving Cabot High School graduating senior,” according to the announcement.
BEEBE
The 20th annual Beebe Fall Festival will be held from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Beebe Ballpark.
The free event will have live entertainment, vendors, the Miss Beebe Fall Festival Pageant, carnival rides, an antique car show, a kids zone, food vendors, a duck-calling contest, a chili cookoff and more.
To register as a vendor, or for more information, call the chamber at 501-882-8135 or email chamberinfo@beebeark.org.
WARD
Ward’s Harvest Fest will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Ward Chamber Building, 80 W. Second St.
The event is free.
There will be hayrides, a petting zoo, games, an outdoor concert, a cake walk, bounces houses.
Food and concessions will be available for purchase.
A carnival will kick things off Thursday with a carnival family night with a $20 armband for the rides.
There will be hot-air balloon rides available and performances by Lighthouse Charter School and the Arkansas Platinum Diamondettes dance group on Friday.
The movie “Zootopia” will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Arkansas Street Machines will host a car show.
There will be a 5K run, a volleyball tournament, a climbing rock wall, a children’s area with inflatables, a petting zoo and pony rides and a Senior Centers of Arkansas bean bag baseball tournament.
A barbecue contest will also be held for which teams are still invited to register.
CABOT
CabotFest is Saturday, Oct. 8 and features country music band Ricochet as the headliner for this year’s festival. Admission is free.
Ricochet, from Oklahoma, released their debut single 20 years ago in 1996, “What Do I Know” with their follow up single, “Daddy’s Money” reaching No. 1 on the Billboard County Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks.
The festival will have two stages of live music and performances.
The second stage will feature performances by Cabot public school students from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by local bands to 5:45 p.m.
The CabotFest pageant will be held 10 a.m. at Cabot Freshman Academy, 18 Spirit Drive.
More than 90 vendors have signed up for CabotFest. Applications are available at the chamber’s website, www.cabotcc.org.
The cricket-spitting contest is back with three age divisions. A spit-off is scheduled at 5 p.m.
The carnival will start on Thursday, Oct. 7 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Armbands for Thursday and Fridays nights are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the carnival will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Cabot Lions Club will hold a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 6 till 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 to kickoff CabotFest.
The breakfast will be in First Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $5 and $2 for kids under 10.
Proceeds will help buy eyeglasses for local school children and adults; assist local applicants with vital glaucoma and cataract surgeries; provide vision screenings at local daycares, preschools, churches, health fairs and the Lonoke County Christian Clinic, as well as supporting the Cabot Lions Scholarship Fund.
Guests are asked to bring their old or unused eyeglasses to be recycled for the less fortunate.
Cabot’s AARP chapter will have a bingo booth at CabotFest from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. at Regions Bank, 102 South Second St.
Each card will cost 50 cents, and prizes include gift cards, dog grooming, cologne and more. People will be able to sit and rest while playing.
“This is our largest annual fundraiser, and the proceeds are used to fund a college scholarship for a deserving Cabot High School graduating senior,” according to the announcement.
BEEBE
The 20th annual Beebe Fall Festival will be held from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Beebe Ballpark.
The free event will have live entertainment, vendors, the Miss Beebe Fall Festival Pageant, carnival rides, an antique car show, a kids zone, food vendors, a duck-calling contest, a chili cookoff and more.
To register as a vendor, or for more information, call the chamber at 501-882-8135 or email chamberinfo@beebeark.org.
WARD
Ward’s Harvest Fest will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Ward Chamber Building, 80 W. Second St.
The event is free.
There will be hayrides, a petting zoo, games, an outdoor concert, a cake walk, bounces houses.
Food and concessions will be available for purchase.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
SPORTS STORY >> Norths tough on Cabot in 7A-Central volleyball
By ANN THARP
Special to The Leader
The Lady Panther volleyball team’s two-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday with a heartbreaking 3-2 home loss to Fort Smith Northside in a 7A-Central matchup.
Senior hitter Maddie Brown shined in the match, but the Lady Panthers couldn’t take advantage of the momentum gained in a dominant game four, and dropped the deciding tiebreaker set 25-15. Overall scores in the match were 25-27, 25-22, 25-19, 15-25 and 15-9 for the Lady Grizzlies.
On Thursday, Cabot made it two losses in a row, falling 3-1 at North Little Rock, dropping to 2-5 in conference play and 9-7 overall.
In Thursday’s match, scores were 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 and 25-20 for the Charging Lady Wildcats.
“It’s always tough to play here because of the heat, and they’re a tough team,” said Cabot coach Kham Chanthaphasouk. “But if we hadn’t given them a bunch of points in a row, I think we would be very competitive against them. All the games were tight. If we eliminate those unfocused moments, I think we can take them. We even practiced in a hot gym yesterday to get ready for this. It’s always tough when you have an air-conditioned gym, and you go to a gym where there’s no air. Most of the time when they come to our gym, we go five. We compete with them. Let’s hope that when they come back toward the end of the season, which is our last home game, being a home game, and last home game, we will show a little more focus and a little more fight. And we’ll just hope for the best.”
Set one was extremely close with neither team leading by more than two points. The set was tied 19 times as the teams battled back and forth before the Lady Wildcats finally prevailed.
North Little Rock had first serve, but Maddie Brown got the ball for Cabot with a kill. Brown got another kill for a 2-2 tie before the teams exchanged several unforced errors. Taylor Bell gave the Lady Panthers a 5-4 lead with a kill, but Imani Jackson answered with a kill for the Lady Wildcats to tie the set at 5-5.
Mollie Johnson scored a kill for Cabot to tie the set at seven, and Jackson’s kill tied the set at eight for North Little Rock. The Lady Wildcats went ahead by two, but Bell got the ball back for the Lady Panthers with a kill, and Regan Campbell tied the set at 10-10 with a service ace.
Bell had a big kill from the center of the net for a 12-11 lead, but North Little Rock again tied with a kill. An ace by Jada Curtis gave the Lady Wildcats the 14-13 advantage, but another kill by Brown tied the set once more.
The teams went back and forth until after Curtis gave North Little Rock the lead with a kill, Bell answered with her own kill, then an ace serve to give Cabot a 20-19 lead. Brown had two consecutive kills for a lead of 23-21, but the Lady Wildcats scored four straight to end the set at 25-23.
Set two was just as close as set one, but the score at the end was reversed, as Cabot was reversed. Mya Robinson had two kills to give North Little Rock a 4-2 early lead, but a kill by Brown and a block by Kallie Cavin tied the score at 4-4.
Again, the teams played evenly, with the largest lead three points. Two consecutive blocks by Bell and Johnson gave Cabot momentum and a 18-16 edge. Then, on Campbell’s service, a kill by Hannah Freeman helped the Lady Panthers to a 22-19 advantage. The Lady Wildcats tied the score at 23-23, but the Lady Panthers got the ball back for set point, and a block by Cavin gave them the win at 25-23.
Beneisha Williams had three kills in the set for North Little Rock.
The third set started out all Lady Wildcats, but Cabot rallied back to make it close. North Little Rock’s biggest lead was 18-8 before the Lady Panthers scored five consecutive points on the Freeman’s serve to cut the lead to 18-14.
The teams then exchanged points until the Lady Wildcats came out the winner.
Brown started the scoring on set four with a down the line kill, giving Cabot the 1-0 lead, but North Little Rock came charging back to lead 4-1 on an ace serve by Jada Bailey.
The Lady Panthers went on a run of their own to take a 7-5 edge on Johnson’s service. Cabot led 13-11 before the Lady Wildcats all but sealed the match with 10-0 run.
Brown finished with 20 kills for Cabot while Bell had 11. Cavin and Johnson finished with four blocks apiece. Maddie Brown also had 12 digs, while Kaelee Simmons led the team in that category with 21. Campbell had nine and Freeman eight.
Brown had 25 kills on Tuesday against Northside while Johnson had 10.
Defensively, Simmons finished with 28 digs while Brown had 22 and Leah Gerald finished with 17.
Johnson also had three aces, all three during a during a 14-1 run that turned the tide in game one to Cabot’s favor.
The Lady Panthers begin their second half of the conference round robin on Tuesday at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock.
Special to The Leader
The Lady Panther volleyball team’s two-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday with a heartbreaking 3-2 home loss to Fort Smith Northside in a 7A-Central matchup.
Senior hitter Maddie Brown shined in the match, but the Lady Panthers couldn’t take advantage of the momentum gained in a dominant game four, and dropped the deciding tiebreaker set 25-15. Overall scores in the match were 25-27, 25-22, 25-19, 15-25 and 15-9 for the Lady Grizzlies.
On Thursday, Cabot made it two losses in a row, falling 3-1 at North Little Rock, dropping to 2-5 in conference play and 9-7 overall.
In Thursday’s match, scores were 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 and 25-20 for the Charging Lady Wildcats.
“It’s always tough to play here because of the heat, and they’re a tough team,” said Cabot coach Kham Chanthaphasouk. “But if we hadn’t given them a bunch of points in a row, I think we would be very competitive against them. All the games were tight. If we eliminate those unfocused moments, I think we can take them. We even practiced in a hot gym yesterday to get ready for this. It’s always tough when you have an air-conditioned gym, and you go to a gym where there’s no air. Most of the time when they come to our gym, we go five. We compete with them. Let’s hope that when they come back toward the end of the season, which is our last home game, being a home game, and last home game, we will show a little more focus and a little more fight. And we’ll just hope for the best.”
Set one was extremely close with neither team leading by more than two points. The set was tied 19 times as the teams battled back and forth before the Lady Wildcats finally prevailed.
North Little Rock had first serve, but Maddie Brown got the ball for Cabot with a kill. Brown got another kill for a 2-2 tie before the teams exchanged several unforced errors. Taylor Bell gave the Lady Panthers a 5-4 lead with a kill, but Imani Jackson answered with a kill for the Lady Wildcats to tie the set at 5-5.
Mollie Johnson scored a kill for Cabot to tie the set at seven, and Jackson’s kill tied the set at eight for North Little Rock. The Lady Wildcats went ahead by two, but Bell got the ball back for the Lady Panthers with a kill, and Regan Campbell tied the set at 10-10 with a service ace.
Bell had a big kill from the center of the net for a 12-11 lead, but North Little Rock again tied with a kill. An ace by Jada Curtis gave the Lady Wildcats the 14-13 advantage, but another kill by Brown tied the set once more.
The teams went back and forth until after Curtis gave North Little Rock the lead with a kill, Bell answered with her own kill, then an ace serve to give Cabot a 20-19 lead. Brown had two consecutive kills for a lead of 23-21, but the Lady Wildcats scored four straight to end the set at 25-23.
Set two was just as close as set one, but the score at the end was reversed, as Cabot was reversed. Mya Robinson had two kills to give North Little Rock a 4-2 early lead, but a kill by Brown and a block by Kallie Cavin tied the score at 4-4.
Again, the teams played evenly, with the largest lead three points. Two consecutive blocks by Bell and Johnson gave Cabot momentum and a 18-16 edge. Then, on Campbell’s service, a kill by Hannah Freeman helped the Lady Panthers to a 22-19 advantage. The Lady Wildcats tied the score at 23-23, but the Lady Panthers got the ball back for set point, and a block by Cavin gave them the win at 25-23.
Beneisha Williams had three kills in the set for North Little Rock.
The third set started out all Lady Wildcats, but Cabot rallied back to make it close. North Little Rock’s biggest lead was 18-8 before the Lady Panthers scored five consecutive points on the Freeman’s serve to cut the lead to 18-14.
The teams then exchanged points until the Lady Wildcats came out the winner.
Brown started the scoring on set four with a down the line kill, giving Cabot the 1-0 lead, but North Little Rock came charging back to lead 4-1 on an ace serve by Jada Bailey.
The Lady Panthers went on a run of their own to take a 7-5 edge on Johnson’s service. Cabot led 13-11 before the Lady Wildcats all but sealed the match with 10-0 run.
Brown finished with 20 kills for Cabot while Bell had 11. Cavin and Johnson finished with four blocks apiece. Maddie Brown also had 12 digs, while Kaelee Simmons led the team in that category with 21. Campbell had nine and Freeman eight.
Brown had 25 kills on Tuesday against Northside while Johnson had 10.
Defensively, Simmons finished with 28 digs while Brown had 22 and Leah Gerald finished with 17.
Johnson also had three aces, all three during a during a 14-1 run that turned the tide in game one to Cabot’s favor.
The Lady Panthers begin their second half of the conference round robin on Tuesday at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock.
SPORTS STORY >> Beebe’s fumble late lifts Warriors
By ANN THARP
Special to The Leader
A fumble returned for a touchdown by the Little Rock Christian Warriors proved to be the difference in Friday’s 44-33 victory over Beebe Friday at Bro Irwin Stadium.
It was Beebe’s only turnover, but the 14-point swing was more than the Badgers could overcome.
Beebe also suffered several injuries. Neither of the two co-starting quarterbacks, Mason Walker and C.J. Cauldwell, nor starting fullback Kahlil Anthony finished the game.
“The kids played hard,” said Beebe coach John Shannon. “I’m proud of the effort we got. I thought we got after it the entire game, never quit, kept playing. We just made too many mistakes, and it came back to haunt us. Hats off to them, they’re a good team, but they’re in the same boat that we are. They’re young, but their youth beat our youth tonight. I’m proud of my kids. They never quit. They kept fighting the entire way.”
The Warriors hurry-up offense didn’t score on its first two drives, but only took three plays to score on the third possession. Chris Hightower scored from 27 yards with 1:28 remaining in the opening quarter.
Taylor Boyce returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Warrior 9-yard line. But Beebe turned the ball over on downs.
After forcing LRCA to punt, Beebe got on the scoreboard with a 48-yard, seven-play drive, capped by a 24-yard run by Nathan Clifton. The extra point was no good, leaving the score 7-6 with 5:36 remaining in the half.
The Warriors answered, moving from their own 16 to score on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Bowersock to Henley Bland. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 13-6 with 2:55 remaining in the second quarter.
The Badgers scored on a 61-yard touchdown scamper by Boyce. Again, the extra point was no good, and with 1:32 to go before the break, the LRCA lead was 13-12.
The Warriors took the ball on their own 41-yard line and on five pass completions, scored with 10.8 seconds on the clock to make the score 20-12 at intermission.
Beebe had a 50-yard run in it’s first possession of the half by Nathan Burnett to help move to the LRCA 9-yard line, but again could not score and turned the ball over on downs.
However, a Warrior fumble was recovered on the first play by Jackson, and Beebe had the ball on the LRCA 10-yard line. Burnett scored from two yards out. A two-point conversion was good by Boyce, and the score was tied at 20-20 with 7:26 to go in the third.
The Warriors answered with a score and extra point with 5:58 remaining in the quarter and the score was 27-20. Then, a Badger fumble was picked up and taken 62 yards for a touchdown by Andrew Casto, and the lead grew to 34-20.
Jackson picked up the following on-side kick and returned it to the LRCA 11-yard line. Boyce scored from eight yards out, Daniel Martinez’s kick was good, and the score was 34-27.
The Warriors struck again with 9:03 in the fourth to up the lead to 41-27.
A 46-yard run by Burnett set up a 1-yard run by Beebe quarterback Gage House. The conversion attempt was no good, and the score was 41-33 with 6:05 remaining.
LRCA scored once more, a 30-yard field goal by Hankins with 2:59 remaining to set the final score at 44-33.
Burnett led the Badgers in rushing with 116 yards and one touchdown. Boyce had 105 yards, two touchdowns, and one two-point conversion.
Beebe travels to Little Rock Friday night to face Pulaski Academy.
Special to The Leader
A fumble returned for a touchdown by the Little Rock Christian Warriors proved to be the difference in Friday’s 44-33 victory over Beebe Friday at Bro Irwin Stadium.
It was Beebe’s only turnover, but the 14-point swing was more than the Badgers could overcome.
Beebe also suffered several injuries. Neither of the two co-starting quarterbacks, Mason Walker and C.J. Cauldwell, nor starting fullback Kahlil Anthony finished the game.
“The kids played hard,” said Beebe coach John Shannon. “I’m proud of the effort we got. I thought we got after it the entire game, never quit, kept playing. We just made too many mistakes, and it came back to haunt us. Hats off to them, they’re a good team, but they’re in the same boat that we are. They’re young, but their youth beat our youth tonight. I’m proud of my kids. They never quit. They kept fighting the entire way.”
The Warriors hurry-up offense didn’t score on its first two drives, but only took three plays to score on the third possession. Chris Hightower scored from 27 yards with 1:28 remaining in the opening quarter.
Taylor Boyce returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Warrior 9-yard line. But Beebe turned the ball over on downs.
After forcing LRCA to punt, Beebe got on the scoreboard with a 48-yard, seven-play drive, capped by a 24-yard run by Nathan Clifton. The extra point was no good, leaving the score 7-6 with 5:36 remaining in the half.
The Warriors answered, moving from their own 16 to score on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Bowersock to Henley Bland. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 13-6 with 2:55 remaining in the second quarter.
The Badgers scored on a 61-yard touchdown scamper by Boyce. Again, the extra point was no good, and with 1:32 to go before the break, the LRCA lead was 13-12.
The Warriors took the ball on their own 41-yard line and on five pass completions, scored with 10.8 seconds on the clock to make the score 20-12 at intermission.
Beebe had a 50-yard run in it’s first possession of the half by Nathan Burnett to help move to the LRCA 9-yard line, but again could not score and turned the ball over on downs.
However, a Warrior fumble was recovered on the first play by Jackson, and Beebe had the ball on the LRCA 10-yard line. Burnett scored from two yards out. A two-point conversion was good by Boyce, and the score was tied at 20-20 with 7:26 to go in the third.
The Warriors answered with a score and extra point with 5:58 remaining in the quarter and the score was 27-20. Then, a Badger fumble was picked up and taken 62 yards for a touchdown by Andrew Casto, and the lead grew to 34-20.
Jackson picked up the following on-side kick and returned it to the LRCA 11-yard line. Boyce scored from eight yards out, Daniel Martinez’s kick was good, and the score was 34-27.
The Warriors struck again with 9:03 in the fourth to up the lead to 41-27.
A 46-yard run by Burnett set up a 1-yard run by Beebe quarterback Gage House. The conversion attempt was no good, and the score was 41-33 with 6:05 remaining.
LRCA scored once more, a 30-yard field goal by Hankins with 2:59 remaining to set the final score at 44-33.
Burnett led the Badgers in rushing with 116 yards and one touchdown. Boyce had 105 yards, two touchdowns, and one two-point conversion.
Beebe travels to Little Rock Friday night to face Pulaski Academy.
SPORTS STORY >> Panthers pull away in fourth
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Catholic Rockets came with an obvious defensive game plan, and it took Cabot just a little while to figure it out. Once it did, it took control and rolled to a 35-10 victory in the 7A-Central Conference opener Friday at Panther Stadium.
“Well, we didn’t know what they were going to line up in defensively,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham. “So it took us a while to adjust on the fly. Once we got things going we did alright.”
Catholic was determined to stop Cabot quarterback Jarrod Barnes, and they did it aggressively and did it well for two and a half quarters. The Panther defense did its job to keep the Rockets out of the end zone in the first half, and Cabot’s halfbacks picked up the slack left by the Rockets taking Barnes out of the offense.
“Both halfbacks played well and the defense did a good job for us until we could get things figured out,” Malham said. “And of course, Jarrod, he made some runs in the second half and that’s a big advantage to have.”
Through three quarters, Barnes had five carries for -5 yards, as well as an errant pitch that lost 17 yards. But in the fourth quarter, he had five more carries, including touchdown runs of 41 and 56 yards as the Panthers pulled away.
“Sometimes he tries to do a little too much,” Malham said of Barnes. “I try to tell him, sometimes there’s nothing wrong with no gain. It’s better than losing 15 or 20 yards. But he believes in himself and he always thinks he can make it happen. And usually he makes something good happen so you take the good with the bad.”
Catholic got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal that capped a 13-play drive with 6:44 left in the first quarter.
Cabot also scored on its first possession after starting from its own 20. Junior halfback Adam Flores starred in the drive. He caught a 13-yard pass on third and 10 after a false start penalty. Later on third and 3, Flores took an option pitch right down the right sideline 49 yards for the score.
Mason Martin’s extra point made it 7-3 with 3:01 to go in the first.
After being pushed down the field on the opening drive, Cabot’s defense turned the tide for the rest of the half. The Rockets lost a yard on its next drive before safety Evan Hooper intercepted a Taylor Price pass at midfield and returned to the Catholic 31.
The Panthers wasted the opportunity.
Barnes made an ill-advised pitch as he was being tackled, and the ball sailed over halfback Austin Morse’s head. Morse chased it down, but the play resulted in a 17-yard loss.
An illegal procedure penalty moved Cabot back 5 more yards, and Barnes was dropped for a 5-yard loss on second down. An incomplete pass left Cabot with fourth and 37 from its own 42.
The two teams traded fruitless drives with Cabot’s defense forcing back-to-back three-and-out possessions by Catholic.
With 4:09 left in the half, Cabot took over on its own 7-yard line and went 93 yards for a 14-3 lead. Flores got a first down with a 12-yard run, and Morse then went 71 yards to the Catholic 7 to set up first and goal.
Two Braxton Burton runs and a Martin extra point later and Cabot led by 11 with 2:08 on the clock.
Catholic got a good drive going in its hurry-up offense, moving swiftly from its own 33 to the Cabot 14. That’s where linebacker Cody Nabors halted the drive with an interception at the 8-yard line with 44 seconds left in the half.
Cabot tried one long pass that was dropped at midfield before taking a knee to run out the clock.
Cabot got the ball to start the second half, but things didn’t go as planned. The Panthers went three and out, and Catholic scored on its first play from scrimmage, a 52-yard run right up the middle by Samy Johnson. The extra point made it 14-10 less than two minutes into the third quarter.
“That was not how we wanted the second half to start,” Malham said. “Thankfully we got a good drive right after that and I think we started wearing them down a little bit at that point.”
Panther defensive lineman Chris Jones covered a fumble on Catholic’s next drive, giving the home offense the ball at its own 40.
Morse went 13 yards on second down before Barnes made the play of the game. A run play designed for Barnes out of the shotgun saw the Razorback verbal commit run up his own lineman’s back about 20 yards downfield. Appearing hemmed in by the sideline, Barnes ran backwards a few yards, and then straight forwards again, dodging tacklers the whole way for a 41-yard touchdown run with 11:13 left in the game.
Spencer Nickell got Cabot’s first sack of the game on the ensuing drive. Nickell dragged Price to the ground with one arm while being blocked to the ground by a Rocket lineman. The play went for a loss of 22 yards, forcing Catholic to punt.
Cabot started its drive at its own 34, and needed eight plays to score.
Burton had a 44-yard run that was reduced to 22 because of a holding penalty. Barnes later went 26 yards to the 3 before Burton did the rest, making it 28-10 with 5:33 to go.
Nickell got another sack on Catholic’s first play of the ensuing drive, this one for a 7-yard loss. A 2-yard run by Johnson and an incomplete pass forced Catholic to punt again.
Cabot took over on its own 44, and Barnes went 56 yards to the left side for the final score of the game. Martin’s extra point set the final margin with 3:41 to go.
Cabot finished with 437 yards of offense while holding Catholic to 287.
Barnes finished with 10 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He had five carries for 132 yards in the fourth quarter. Morse had seven carries for 102 yards. Flores had six carries for 76 yards and a 13-yard reception.
Johnson finished with 25 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown for Catholic.
Price was held to 10 of 21 passing for 96 yards by the Cabot defense.
The Panthers (4-0, 1-0) will travel to Fort Smith to take on the Southside Mavericks next Friday. Southside, also 1-0 in conference, ran its overall record to 2-2 on Friday with a 23-20 win over Conway.
Leader sports editor
The Catholic Rockets came with an obvious defensive game plan, and it took Cabot just a little while to figure it out. Once it did, it took control and rolled to a 35-10 victory in the 7A-Central Conference opener Friday at Panther Stadium.
“Well, we didn’t know what they were going to line up in defensively,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham. “So it took us a while to adjust on the fly. Once we got things going we did alright.”
Catholic was determined to stop Cabot quarterback Jarrod Barnes, and they did it aggressively and did it well for two and a half quarters. The Panther defense did its job to keep the Rockets out of the end zone in the first half, and Cabot’s halfbacks picked up the slack left by the Rockets taking Barnes out of the offense.
“Both halfbacks played well and the defense did a good job for us until we could get things figured out,” Malham said. “And of course, Jarrod, he made some runs in the second half and that’s a big advantage to have.”
Through three quarters, Barnes had five carries for -5 yards, as well as an errant pitch that lost 17 yards. But in the fourth quarter, he had five more carries, including touchdown runs of 41 and 56 yards as the Panthers pulled away.
“Sometimes he tries to do a little too much,” Malham said of Barnes. “I try to tell him, sometimes there’s nothing wrong with no gain. It’s better than losing 15 or 20 yards. But he believes in himself and he always thinks he can make it happen. And usually he makes something good happen so you take the good with the bad.”
Catholic got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal that capped a 13-play drive with 6:44 left in the first quarter.
Cabot also scored on its first possession after starting from its own 20. Junior halfback Adam Flores starred in the drive. He caught a 13-yard pass on third and 10 after a false start penalty. Later on third and 3, Flores took an option pitch right down the right sideline 49 yards for the score.
Mason Martin’s extra point made it 7-3 with 3:01 to go in the first.
After being pushed down the field on the opening drive, Cabot’s defense turned the tide for the rest of the half. The Rockets lost a yard on its next drive before safety Evan Hooper intercepted a Taylor Price pass at midfield and returned to the Catholic 31.
The Panthers wasted the opportunity.
Barnes made an ill-advised pitch as he was being tackled, and the ball sailed over halfback Austin Morse’s head. Morse chased it down, but the play resulted in a 17-yard loss.
An illegal procedure penalty moved Cabot back 5 more yards, and Barnes was dropped for a 5-yard loss on second down. An incomplete pass left Cabot with fourth and 37 from its own 42.
The two teams traded fruitless drives with Cabot’s defense forcing back-to-back three-and-out possessions by Catholic.
With 4:09 left in the half, Cabot took over on its own 7-yard line and went 93 yards for a 14-3 lead. Flores got a first down with a 12-yard run, and Morse then went 71 yards to the Catholic 7 to set up first and goal.
Two Braxton Burton runs and a Martin extra point later and Cabot led by 11 with 2:08 on the clock.
Catholic got a good drive going in its hurry-up offense, moving swiftly from its own 33 to the Cabot 14. That’s where linebacker Cody Nabors halted the drive with an interception at the 8-yard line with 44 seconds left in the half.
Cabot tried one long pass that was dropped at midfield before taking a knee to run out the clock.
Cabot got the ball to start the second half, but things didn’t go as planned. The Panthers went three and out, and Catholic scored on its first play from scrimmage, a 52-yard run right up the middle by Samy Johnson. The extra point made it 14-10 less than two minutes into the third quarter.
“That was not how we wanted the second half to start,” Malham said. “Thankfully we got a good drive right after that and I think we started wearing them down a little bit at that point.”
Panther defensive lineman Chris Jones covered a fumble on Catholic’s next drive, giving the home offense the ball at its own 40.
Morse went 13 yards on second down before Barnes made the play of the game. A run play designed for Barnes out of the shotgun saw the Razorback verbal commit run up his own lineman’s back about 20 yards downfield. Appearing hemmed in by the sideline, Barnes ran backwards a few yards, and then straight forwards again, dodging tacklers the whole way for a 41-yard touchdown run with 11:13 left in the game.
Spencer Nickell got Cabot’s first sack of the game on the ensuing drive. Nickell dragged Price to the ground with one arm while being blocked to the ground by a Rocket lineman. The play went for a loss of 22 yards, forcing Catholic to punt.
Cabot started its drive at its own 34, and needed eight plays to score.
Burton had a 44-yard run that was reduced to 22 because of a holding penalty. Barnes later went 26 yards to the 3 before Burton did the rest, making it 28-10 with 5:33 to go.
Nickell got another sack on Catholic’s first play of the ensuing drive, this one for a 7-yard loss. A 2-yard run by Johnson and an incomplete pass forced Catholic to punt again.
Cabot took over on its own 44, and Barnes went 56 yards to the left side for the final score of the game. Martin’s extra point set the final margin with 3:41 to go.
Cabot finished with 437 yards of offense while holding Catholic to 287.
Barnes finished with 10 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He had five carries for 132 yards in the fourth quarter. Morse had seven carries for 102 yards. Flores had six carries for 76 yards and a 13-yard reception.
Johnson finished with 25 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown for Catholic.
Price was held to 10 of 21 passing for 96 yards by the Cabot defense.
The Panthers (4-0, 1-0) will travel to Fort Smith to take on the Southside Mavericks next Friday. Southside, also 1-0 in conference, ran its overall record to 2-2 on Friday with a 23-20 win over Conway.
SPORTS STORY >> Bear defense shuts down LR McClellan
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Sylvan Hills Bears won a huge conference opener Friday at Blackwood Field in Sherwood. Other than a few mishaps, the Bears dominated the defending state runner up McClellan Lions en route to a 41-20 win in an early but crucial 5A-Central matchup.
“That was the biggest win we’ve had in a while,” said Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow. “Last year, that was a game we wanted back really bad. So everybody wanted to play well in this one, and we really did. The defense was outstanding.”
The Bears scored two touchdowns over a two-minute span late in the second quarter to take a 28-12 lead into halftime, and continued to dominate defensively in the second half to preserve the victory.
McClellan converted a fourth and 2 to keep a scoring drive alive midway through the second period. Two plays later Caleb Hendrix went 46 yards on a misdirection play for a touchdown that made it 14-12 with 6:12 left in the half.
But Sylvan stole all the momentum from that point.
After taking over on the 33 and converting one first down, quarterback Jordan Washington hit Payton Terry with a deep pass inside the Lion 20. A penalty after the catch moved it back to the 31, but it was still good enough for a first down.
A facemask penalty at the end of a Washington run moved it to the Lion 13, and tailback Deon Youngblood did the rest on a direct snap. Mendoza made it 21-12 with 3:26 left in the second quarter.
Sylvan Hills then recovered a pooch kickoff at the McClellan 40 to keep possession of the ball. Facing fourth and 7, Washington hit Youngblood inside the Lion 10-yard line.
On third and goal, McClellan was called for pass interference in the end zone, giving Sylvan Hills a fresh set of downs at the 4, and Washington scored on a keeper up the middle for a 28-12 lead that it took into the locker room.
That momentum carried into the third quarter. Washington converted a third and long with a 12-yard run to midfield, then hit Jamar Porter inside the 10-yard line.
After another Washington run to the 1, Youngblood takes another direct snap for the score. The extra point failed, leaving Sylvan Hills with a 24-12 lead with 9:19 left in the third quarter.
After failed drives by both teams, McClellan scored on its second possession of the half when quarterback Davion Childs hit Pierre Strong with a 39-yard touchdown pass. Strong also converted for two points to make the score 34-20 with 58 seconds to go in the third.
McClellan then thought it had a fumble recovery on the ensuing possession, but roughing the passer was called, giving the Bears the ball back and a first down on their own 38.
Two plays later on third and 5, Washington hit Ryan Lumpkin with a short pass. Lumpkin shook a defender and got to the McClellan 27. Another first down moved it to the 13, and McClellan was called for pass interference on first down.
A series of penalties ended up moving the Bears back to the 13, but Washington converted on fourth and goal from the 2 and Mendoza’s kick set the final margin with 6:50 to play.
“I really think we dominated every phase of the game,” Withrow said. “You know, I expected us to win because I knew how much we wanted it. I don’t know if I expected us to win like we did. Again I have to look at the defense. They’re just better. The players have gotten better. They’re bigger, faster. I think our plan is better. We attack more. The kids are more aggressive. They’re just doing a lights out job right now.”
Things didn’t begin well for the Bears. McClellan ran the game’s opening kickoff back for a touchdown and took a 6-0 lead after Sylvan Hills stopped the two-point conversion attempt.
The two teams traded punts and the Bears started their second drive at their own 32. The Lions were called for pass interference on third and long, keeping the Bears’ drive alive, and setting up a go-ahead touchdown.
Two more plays set up another third and long, this time Washington kept for a 15-yard gain to the McClellan 35. On the very next play, he kept again on a delayed quarterback sneak up the middle for a 35-yard touchdown run.
Tito Mendoza’s extra point made it 7-6 Sylvan Hills with 3:52 left in the first quarter.
Sylvan Hills got another stop and got the ball back on their own 21 after a Lion punt.
The Bears converted four more third and longs on the drive, one a 7-yard pass to Jamar Lane on third and 6. Later on third and 4, Deon Youngblood took a direct snap 12 yards to the Lion 43.
On third and 10, Washington kept for 12 yards to the 31, and then 13 more to the 18 on the next play.
Another Washington run got it to the 11-yard line. A false start penalty moved the ball back, but Washington kept again and made to the 2-yard line to set up first and goal.
A sixth-straight Washington keeper pushed it into the end zone with 8:45 left in the second quarter and a 14-6 Sylvan Hills lead.
Washington finished going 13 of 28 for 200 yards passing. He also carried the ball 28 times for 144 yards and four touchdowns.
Leader sports editor
The Sylvan Hills Bears won a huge conference opener Friday at Blackwood Field in Sherwood. Other than a few mishaps, the Bears dominated the defending state runner up McClellan Lions en route to a 41-20 win in an early but crucial 5A-Central matchup.
“That was the biggest win we’ve had in a while,” said Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow. “Last year, that was a game we wanted back really bad. So everybody wanted to play well in this one, and we really did. The defense was outstanding.”
The Bears scored two touchdowns over a two-minute span late in the second quarter to take a 28-12 lead into halftime, and continued to dominate defensively in the second half to preserve the victory.
McClellan converted a fourth and 2 to keep a scoring drive alive midway through the second period. Two plays later Caleb Hendrix went 46 yards on a misdirection play for a touchdown that made it 14-12 with 6:12 left in the half.
But Sylvan stole all the momentum from that point.
After taking over on the 33 and converting one first down, quarterback Jordan Washington hit Payton Terry with a deep pass inside the Lion 20. A penalty after the catch moved it back to the 31, but it was still good enough for a first down.
A facemask penalty at the end of a Washington run moved it to the Lion 13, and tailback Deon Youngblood did the rest on a direct snap. Mendoza made it 21-12 with 3:26 left in the second quarter.
Sylvan Hills then recovered a pooch kickoff at the McClellan 40 to keep possession of the ball. Facing fourth and 7, Washington hit Youngblood inside the Lion 10-yard line.
On third and goal, McClellan was called for pass interference in the end zone, giving Sylvan Hills a fresh set of downs at the 4, and Washington scored on a keeper up the middle for a 28-12 lead that it took into the locker room.
That momentum carried into the third quarter. Washington converted a third and long with a 12-yard run to midfield, then hit Jamar Porter inside the 10-yard line.
After another Washington run to the 1, Youngblood takes another direct snap for the score. The extra point failed, leaving Sylvan Hills with a 24-12 lead with 9:19 left in the third quarter.
After failed drives by both teams, McClellan scored on its second possession of the half when quarterback Davion Childs hit Pierre Strong with a 39-yard touchdown pass. Strong also converted for two points to make the score 34-20 with 58 seconds to go in the third.
McClellan then thought it had a fumble recovery on the ensuing possession, but roughing the passer was called, giving the Bears the ball back and a first down on their own 38.
Two plays later on third and 5, Washington hit Ryan Lumpkin with a short pass. Lumpkin shook a defender and got to the McClellan 27. Another first down moved it to the 13, and McClellan was called for pass interference on first down.
A series of penalties ended up moving the Bears back to the 13, but Washington converted on fourth and goal from the 2 and Mendoza’s kick set the final margin with 6:50 to play.
“I really think we dominated every phase of the game,” Withrow said. “You know, I expected us to win because I knew how much we wanted it. I don’t know if I expected us to win like we did. Again I have to look at the defense. They’re just better. The players have gotten better. They’re bigger, faster. I think our plan is better. We attack more. The kids are more aggressive. They’re just doing a lights out job right now.”
Things didn’t begin well for the Bears. McClellan ran the game’s opening kickoff back for a touchdown and took a 6-0 lead after Sylvan Hills stopped the two-point conversion attempt.
The two teams traded punts and the Bears started their second drive at their own 32. The Lions were called for pass interference on third and long, keeping the Bears’ drive alive, and setting up a go-ahead touchdown.
Two more plays set up another third and long, this time Washington kept for a 15-yard gain to the McClellan 35. On the very next play, he kept again on a delayed quarterback sneak up the middle for a 35-yard touchdown run.
Tito Mendoza’s extra point made it 7-6 Sylvan Hills with 3:52 left in the first quarter.
Sylvan Hills got another stop and got the ball back on their own 21 after a Lion punt.
The Bears converted four more third and longs on the drive, one a 7-yard pass to Jamar Lane on third and 6. Later on third and 4, Deon Youngblood took a direct snap 12 yards to the Lion 43.
On third and 10, Washington kept for 12 yards to the 31, and then 13 more to the 18 on the next play.
Another Washington run got it to the 11-yard line. A false start penalty moved the ball back, but Washington kept again and made to the 2-yard line to set up first and goal.
A sixth-straight Washington keeper pushed it into the end zone with 8:45 left in the second quarter and a 14-6 Sylvan Hills lead.
Washington finished going 13 of 28 for 200 yards passing. He also carried the ball 28 times for 144 yards and four touchdowns.
Friday, September 23, 2016
TOP STORY >> Cabot Lions start fundraiser
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Motivational youth speaker Tom Thelen of Michigan brought his bullying-prevention program to Cabot’s students in fifth through 12th grades and their parents on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thelen is the author of “Victimproof,” a book about bullying in school and how to try and prevent it.
As a student, Thelen was bullied and he spoke about his experience. He speaks about overcoming the victim mindset and how to respond to bullying.
One of Thelen’s stops was at Cabot Middle School North.
“Bullying is intentional. It is a power grab, and it is repeated,” Thelen said.
Three types of bullying are physical, verbal and social.
“The kid who was bullied and felt hurt tries to get back and settle the score. Sometimes, they hurt other people, not with their fists but with words. It is important to not give someone who is bullying you a negative reaction. That is what they are looking for. You give it to them and you’re giving them power,” Thelen said.
Thelen said when he was a student he kept his anger and hurt inside and carried it around like a backpack, and it became heavy.
“I was the class clown. I was covering it up pretending I was fine. The biggest bully in all my life during those school years was my dad. I should have talked to a trusted adult,” Thelen said.
He said things got worse and he was almost kicked out of school, until he had a teacher who believed in him, when he didn’t believe in himself. She found help with a three-week counseling program that worked on character.
“Character is who you are in your heart. Character starts with the way you feel. Then it moves to things that you think about. It turns into the words that you say, then into the things you do. It then becomes a pattern and those habits become your character,” Thelen said.
“When you give up revenge, you break free from bullying. You might be bullied, but you don’t have to be a victim. Create a healthy boundary. When you learn to be the change inside yourself you can make change in others,” he said.
After the program, sixth-grader Alyssa De La Paz said the program inspired her to talk more about bullying and not to do it, because it could affect people later in life.
Sixth-grader Carson Mun-day said Thelen’s program inspired him to tell an adult if he is bullied and for them to tell the bully to stop.
Nicholas Hazeslip, also a sixth grader, said it inspired him to make a change.
“I’ve overheard kids saying they are going to bully someone, but not physically because they don’t want to get caught,” Hazeslip said.
“And they think it is alright,” sixth-grader Moira Haslip said.
“Words are more powerful than actual actions,” De La Paz said.
The Junior Auxiliary of Cabot helped bring Thelen to the Cabot School District.
Leader staff writer
Motivational youth speaker Tom Thelen of Michigan brought his bullying-prevention program to Cabot’s students in fifth through 12th grades and their parents on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thelen is the author of “Victimproof,” a book about bullying in school and how to try and prevent it.
As a student, Thelen was bullied and he spoke about his experience. He speaks about overcoming the victim mindset and how to respond to bullying.
One of Thelen’s stops was at Cabot Middle School North.
“Bullying is intentional. It is a power grab, and it is repeated,” Thelen said.
Three types of bullying are physical, verbal and social.
“The kid who was bullied and felt hurt tries to get back and settle the score. Sometimes, they hurt other people, not with their fists but with words. It is important to not give someone who is bullying you a negative reaction. That is what they are looking for. You give it to them and you’re giving them power,” Thelen said.
Thelen said when he was a student he kept his anger and hurt inside and carried it around like a backpack, and it became heavy.
“I was the class clown. I was covering it up pretending I was fine. The biggest bully in all my life during those school years was my dad. I should have talked to a trusted adult,” Thelen said.
He said things got worse and he was almost kicked out of school, until he had a teacher who believed in him, when he didn’t believe in himself. She found help with a three-week counseling program that worked on character.
“Character is who you are in your heart. Character starts with the way you feel. Then it moves to things that you think about. It turns into the words that you say, then into the things you do. It then becomes a pattern and those habits become your character,” Thelen said.
“When you give up revenge, you break free from bullying. You might be bullied, but you don’t have to be a victim. Create a healthy boundary. When you learn to be the change inside yourself you can make change in others,” he said.
After the program, sixth-grader Alyssa De La Paz said the program inspired her to talk more about bullying and not to do it, because it could affect people later in life.
Sixth-grader Carson Mun-day said Thelen’s program inspired him to tell an adult if he is bullied and for them to tell the bully to stop.
Nicholas Hazeslip, also a sixth grader, said it inspired him to make a change.
“I’ve overheard kids saying they are going to bully someone, but not physically because they don’t want to get caught,” Hazeslip said.
“And they think it is alright,” sixth-grader Moira Haslip said.
“Words are more powerful than actual actions,” De La Paz said.
The Junior Auxiliary of Cabot helped bring Thelen to the Cabot School District.
TOP STORY >> Bully prevention in Cabot
By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Motivational youth speaker Tom Thelen of Michigan brought his bullying-prevention program to Cabot’s students in fifth through 12th grades and their parents on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thelen is the author of “Victimproof,” a book about bullying in school and how to try and prevent it.
As a student, Thelen was bullied and he spoke about his experience. He speaks about overcoming the victim mindset and how to respond to bullying.
One of Thelen’s stops was at Cabot Middle School North.
“Bullying is intentional. It is a power grab, and it is repeated,” Thelen said.
Three types of bullying are physical, verbal and social.
“The kid who was bullied and felt hurt tries to get back and settle the score. Sometimes, they hurt other people, not with their fists but with words. It is important to not give someone who is bullying you a negative reaction. That is what they are looking for. You give it to them and you’re giving them power,” Thelen said.
Thelen said when he was a student he kept his anger and hurt inside and carried it around like a backpack, and it became heavy.
“I was the class clown. I was covering it up pretending I was fine. The biggest bully in all my life during those school years was my dad. I should have talked to a trusted adult,” Thelen said.
He said things got worse and he was almost kicked out of school, until he had a teacher who believed in him, when he didn’t believe in himself. She found help with a three-week counseling program that worked on character.
“Character is who you are in your heart. Character starts with the way you feel. Then it moves to things that you think about. It turns into the words that you say, then into the things you do. It then becomes a pattern and those habits become your character,” Thelen said.
“When you give up revenge, you break free from bullying. You might be bullied, but you don’t have to be a victim. Create a healthy boundary. When you learn to be the change inside yourself you can make change in others,” he said.
After the program, sixth-grader Alyssa De La Paz said the program inspired her to talk more about bullying and not to do it, because it could affect people later in life.
Sixth-grader Carson Mun-day said Thelen’s program inspired him to tell an adult if he is bullied and for them to tell the bully to stop.
Nicholas Hazeslip, also a sixth grader, said it inspired him to make a change.
“I’ve overheard kids saying they are going to bully someone, but not physically because they don’t want to get caught,” Hazeslip said.
“And they think it is alright,” sixth-grader Moira Haslip said.
“Words are more powerful than actual actions,” De La Paz said.
The Junior Auxiliary of Cabot helped bring Thelen to the Cabot School District.
Leader staff writer
Motivational youth speaker Tom Thelen of Michigan brought his bullying-prevention program to Cabot’s students in fifth through 12th grades and their parents on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thelen is the author of “Victimproof,” a book about bullying in school and how to try and prevent it.
As a student, Thelen was bullied and he spoke about his experience. He speaks about overcoming the victim mindset and how to respond to bullying.
One of Thelen’s stops was at Cabot Middle School North.
“Bullying is intentional. It is a power grab, and it is repeated,” Thelen said.
Three types of bullying are physical, verbal and social.
“The kid who was bullied and felt hurt tries to get back and settle the score. Sometimes, they hurt other people, not with their fists but with words. It is important to not give someone who is bullying you a negative reaction. That is what they are looking for. You give it to them and you’re giving them power,” Thelen said.
Thelen said when he was a student he kept his anger and hurt inside and carried it around like a backpack, and it became heavy.
“I was the class clown. I was covering it up pretending I was fine. The biggest bully in all my life during those school years was my dad. I should have talked to a trusted adult,” Thelen said.
He said things got worse and he was almost kicked out of school, until he had a teacher who believed in him, when he didn’t believe in himself. She found help with a three-week counseling program that worked on character.
“Character is who you are in your heart. Character starts with the way you feel. Then it moves to things that you think about. It turns into the words that you say, then into the things you do. It then becomes a pattern and those habits become your character,” Thelen said.
“When you give up revenge, you break free from bullying. You might be bullied, but you don’t have to be a victim. Create a healthy boundary. When you learn to be the change inside yourself you can make change in others,” he said.
After the program, sixth-grader Alyssa De La Paz said the program inspired her to talk more about bullying and not to do it, because it could affect people later in life.
Sixth-grader Carson Mun-day said Thelen’s program inspired him to tell an adult if he is bullied and for them to tell the bully to stop.
Nicholas Hazeslip, also a sixth grader, said it inspired him to make a change.
“I’ve overheard kids saying they are going to bully someone, but not physically because they don’t want to get caught,” Hazeslip said.
“And they think it is alright,” sixth-grader Moira Haslip said.
“Words are more powerful than actual actions,” De La Paz said.
The Junior Auxiliary of Cabot helped bring Thelen to the Cabot School District.
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