Author: Philip Seaton

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

Don’t look at Cave City’s games scores and expect the Heber Springs Panthers will coast to an easy win in the 2-4A Conference football at Panther Stadium.

The Cavemen (0-4) have been outscored 177-64 this season, but Heber Springs coach Todd Wood warned the Panthers (1-2) of falling into that trap for Friday’s 7 p.m. kickoff of the homecoming game.

Heber Springs finished the nonconference schedule last week with a second-half rally past Jonesboro Westside, 28-13. Cave City is coming off a 54-14 loss to Camden Harmony Grove.

“You can’t always just look at scores to learn about your next opponent, but situations and opponents are a better gauge,” Wood said. “Cave City played two good teams (Melbourne and Camden Harmony Grove). It’s the first conference game and a different situation. I expect a different Cave City team on Friday.”

The Cavemen depend on a one-two running punch from Bryce Walling and Shawn Walling, who also are starting linebackers on defense. Bryce Walling ran 16 times for 80 yards and scored one touchdown against Harmony Grove. He rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns against Clinton in the season opener.

“(Bryce) Walling gets the ball more, but both running backs are strong runners with speed,” Wood said. “He is similar to Clinton’s No. 7 (Spencer Banister), physical and will run over players. Cave City will put the ball into the air and try to catch the defense asleep. We can’t get locked in just on the running backs, but we must be ready for the pass.”

Wood said the team confirmed two characteristics during the three non-conference games, but also revealed other characteristics

“I already knew we would not quit and keep battling,” Wood said. “They showed me a lot of intangibles with players playing at different positions, especially on the offensive line. We also have last year’s starting defensive backs starting at two linebackers. We still are working on finding our identity.”

Wood said playing run-dominated teams helped in preparation for Friday’s conference opener.

“It gave us an advantage of what we need to do,” he said. “Chris Edwards and (Kenan) Sneed had great games. Jacob McMullen and Weston Warden played well on defense. We have a lot of guys that we can count on.”

One of the reasons for the offense’s improvement during the past two games was Lindley’s passing accuracy. Lindley completed 12-of-36 passes for 104 yards and one touchdown against Clinton. He completed 20-of-28 for 182 yards and one touchdown against Southside Batesville. Lindley completed 12-of-23 for 184 yards and two touchdowns against Jonesboro Westside.

Dalton Yancey, Easton Cusick and Parker Brown have been the primary targets. Yancey has caught 12 passes for 147 yards in the last two games. Cusick follows with eight catches for 99 yards. Brown caught four passes for 54 yards against Westside.

“Xander continues to improve and adding to his game,” Wood said. “I’m proud of how he steps up in the pocket, stays there and reads the defense and then runs. He ran for two first downs against Westside. He is getting more comfortable with the offense.”

The Panthers have struggled in protecting the football with 11 turnovers. Wood said the team is working to improving that.

“We have had issues holding onto the ball,” the coach said. “We must do a better job of protecting the ball.”

Like most games, the winner on the line of scrimmage will be the team that prevails.

“The battle up front is important,” Wood said. If we can establish the running game, it will make the passing game better.”

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