Arkansas Sports Archives
January 24, 2020
The Heber Springs High School dance and cheerleading teams held a clinic for youngsters in Heber Springs.
At the end of the clinic, these young ladies performed at halftime of the senior boys game between Heber Springs and Dover Friday night at the Panther Den.
Here a just a few of the girls that participated. Photos copyrighted by Philip Seaton.
January 21, 2020
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Heber Springs didn’t back down from 4-4A Conference co-leader Morrilton at the Panther Den Tuesday.
The Panthers (1-6 in conference, 1-16 overall) finished the game with a productive fourth quarter before falling to the Devil Dogs 58-43.
Heber Springs trailed 47-27 going into the fourth quarter when it outscored the Devil Dogs, 16-11.
Dalton McCollum scored 15 points for Heber Springs. Adam Martin, who missed the last two games because of a shoulder injury, had 14 points.
Devin Foster led Morrilton with 21 points and Darrius Allison had 19 points.
“We played well against the team which may win the conference championship,” Heber Springs coach Chad Johnson said. “They have the complete package. One of the motivating factors for the game was playing a team of its caliber. We played great defense in the first half, but turnovers and lack of rebounds hurt.”
Martin’s 3-pointer gave Heber Springs a 3-0 lead. Morrilton scored six straight points and maintained the lead for the remainder of the first quarter.
The Devil Dogs led 13-7 going into the second quarter.
Morrilton increased its lead to double figure midway through the second quarter and built it to 25-12 by halftime.
“We addressed our turnover and rebounding problems during halftime,” Johnson said. “We didn’t do that well at the start of the second half. That is why I called a quick timeout.”
Morrilton increased its lead to 47-27 by the end of the third quarter. The Panthers were outscored 20-15, but Johnson said the team’s play improved after the timeout early in the quarter.
“The effort was there and we played with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Johnson, referring to the team’s play after the timeout. “We needed better execution.”
Johnson said McCollum has played well in recent games. McCollum moved to point guard, with Martin to the shooting guard.
“Dalton cashed in after making the change,” Johnson said. “It was good to have Adam back on the floor again. We had missed his senior leadership.”
The Panthers will start the second half by hosting Dover Friday, a team they defeated in the conference opener.
“We won a tough game at Dover and did it by making big plays,” Johnson said.”We want to execute better and score more points. Dover has improved since that game, but we have improved, too.”
Friday’s game will start at approximately 7:30 p.m.
HEBER SPRINGS BOXSCORE Morrilton 13 14 20 11 - 58 Heber Springs 7 5 15 16 - 43 MORRILTON SCORING (58): Devin Foster 21, Darrius Allison 19, Bugg Rector 6, Quincy Clemons 4, Byron Hardiman 4, Julian Brockman 2, Nevin Williams 1, Benjamin Black 1. HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (43): Dalton McCollum 15, Adam Martin 14, Garrett Hudspeth 9, Logan Monahan 3, Wyatt Sanders 2.
4A-4 SENIOR BOYS STANDINGS
Conference Season
Morrilton 6-1 14-6
Ozark 6-1 13-6
Dardanelle 5-2 18-2
Pottsville 4-3 6-9
Clarksville 3-4 7-12
Subiaco Academy 3-4 7-11
Heber Springs 1-6 1-16
Dover 0-7 4-16 HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL 2019-2020 SCHEDULE RESULTS RECORD: 1-14 4A-4 RECORD: 1-4 November 21 - Riverview 68, Heber Springs 36 November 26 - Clinton 71, Heber Springs 35 December 3 - Conway St. Joseph 44, Heber Springs 21 # December 5 - South Side Bee Branch 50, Heber Springs 49 # December 10 - Heber Springs 37, Dover 32 ^ December 12 - South Side Bee Branch 64, Heber Springs 53 December 13 - Marshall 69, Heber Springs 43 December 16 - White County Central 65, Heber Springs 43 December 20 - Ozark 69, Heber Springs 34 ^ December 26 - Rose Bud 68, Heber Springs 65 (OT) * December 27 - Batesville 72, Heber Springs 60 * December 28 - Mayflower 66, Heber Springs 41 * January 7 - Pottsville 59, Heber Springs 26 ^ January 10 - at Subiaco Academy 47, Heber Springs 28 ^ January 14 - Dardanelle 70, Heber Springs 13 ^ January 17 - Clarksville 38, Heber Springs 32 ^ January 21 - Morrilton 58, Heber Springs 43 ^ January 24 - Dover ^ January 28 - at Pottsville ^ January 31 - at Ozark ^ February 4 - at Dardanelle ^ February 7 - Subiaco Academy ^ February 11 - at Morrilton ^ February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^ February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle (# - Denotes Conway St. Joseph Tournament) (^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest) (* - Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Classic at Heber Springs)
January 21, 2020
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Morrilton seized the momentum midway through the second quarter, dominated the second half and pulled away from the Heber Springs Lady Panthers 52-32 in a 4-4A Conference basketball game at the Panther Den Tuesday.
The Lady Panthers (3-3 in conference and 12-7 overall) finished the first half of the season in a third-place tie with Dover and Pottsville.
Libby Stutts led Heber Springs with 14 points. A’mya Everette and Grace Brown each scored 12 points for Morrilton, followed by Cheyanne Kemp with 10 points.
The Lady Devil Dogs outscored Heber Springs 28-13 during the second half.
“Part of it may have been Morrilton’s defense, but we had a bad shooting game,” Heber Springs coach Jamey Riddle said. “We were getting wide-open shots and didn’t make a lot of them. We didn’t have good shot selection at times”
Heber Springs broke a 9-9 tie late in the first quarter on Jillian Herring’s field goal. Stutts made a 3-pointer, which was matched by the Lady Devil Dogs. Herring hit a 3-pointer as Morrilton scored in the final seconds.
The Lady Panthers led 17-14 lead going into the second quarter.
Morrilton regained the lead on a 6-2 run and never trailed again. The Lady Devil Dogs led 24-19 at halftime.
Morrilton outscored the Lady Panthers 15-9 and took a 39-28 lead into the fourth quarter.
“I felt we would come out for the start of the second half and play better,” Riddle said.”I wish we have played with more intensity.”
Heber Springs will begin the second half of the conference schedule by hosting Dover Friday. The Lady Panthers won in the first meeting of the two teams in Dover.
“We need to put this game behind us and move forward,” Riddle said. “We can’t feel sorry about ourselves. We need to focus on what we need to do, not what our next opponent will do.”
The junior girls’ game will start at 4 p.m., followed by the junior boys, senior girls and senior boys games.
HEBER SPRINGS BOXSCORE Morrilton 14 10 15 13 - 52 Heber Springs 17 2 9 4 - 32 MORRILTON SCORING (52): A'mya Everette 12, Grace Brown 12, Cheyanne Kemp 10, Jhyla Calvin 8, Kennedy Reel 5, Kaylee Mitchell 3, Mary Kate Tipton 2. HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (32): Libby Stutts 14, Jillian Herring 9, Ellie Riddle 4, Claudia Newberry 3, Brandy Meredith 2.
4A-4 STANDINGS
Conference Season
Clarksville 6-0 10-9
Morrilton 5-1 12-5
Heber Springs 3-3 12-7
Pottsvile 3-3 9-7
Dover 3-3 12-7
Ozark 1-5 13-6
Dardanelle 0-6 2-18HEBER SPRINGS SENIOR GIRLS 2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS RECORD: 12-7 4A-4 RECORD: 3-3 November 12 - Heber Springs 55, Nemo Vista 31 November 19 - Heber Springs 70, South Side Bee Branch 45 November 21 - Heber Springs 67, Riverview 27 November 26 - Heber Springs 56, Clinton 54 (OT) December 3 - Conway St. Joseph 47, Heber Springs 44 # December 5 - Heber Springs 53, South Side Bee Branch 34 # December 7 - Heber Springs 44, Wonderview 43 # December 10 - Heber Springs 59, Dover 56 ^ December 13 - Marshall 70, Heber Springs 52 December 16 - Heber Springs 51, White County Central 31 December 20 - Heber Springs 55, Ozark 42 ^ December 26 - Heber Springs 70, DeWitt 34 * December 27 - Pea Ridge 49, Heber Springs 44 * December 28 - Mayflower 58, Heber Springs 37 * January 7 - Pottsville 49, Heber Springs 45 ^ January 9 - Heber Springs 70, Newport 51 January 14 - Heber Springs 47, Dardanelle 29 ^ January 17 - Clarksville 48, Heber Springs 41 ^ January 21 - Morrilton 52, Heber Springs 32 ^ January 24 - Dover ^ January 28 - at Pottsville ^ January 31 - at Ozark ^ February 4 - at Dardanelle ^ February 11 - at Morrilton ^ February 14 - Clarksville (Senior Night) ^ February 17 - 4A-4 District at Dardanelle (# - Denotes Conway St. Joseph Tournament) (^ - Denotes 4A-4 conference contest) (* - Denotes Steve Landers' Cowboy Chevrolet Holiday Tournament at Heber Springs)
January 22, 2020
By ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats conducted foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Conway last year. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Conway through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 1-22-2020) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is normal Lake Conway stained and at a normal level. Bream are good and are biting redworms and crickets, along with hair jigs and nightcrawlers. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good; use plastic worms, chatterbaits and bass minnows. Catfish are good on worms, dough bait, minnows and nightcrawlers.
Little Red River
(updated 1-22-2020) Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) said the river is clear with two units running each day for 12 hours. This should continue for the next several days since the lake is still about 2½ feet above normal. For the last few days the generation has been split into two periods – one starting at 5 a.m. for 6 hours ending at 11 a.m. and beginning again at 5 p.m. for another 6 hours. This provides a small window at the dam in the early afternoon for wade-fishing and drift-fishing is available by staying ahead of the morning generation. “The cold weather has been keeping most anglers off the river, including me, so my report on how the fish are biting isn’t going to happen today. If you are in the mood for cold fishing, they are probably still taking sowbugs, large nymphs and micro-jigs.
“Please stay safe if on the river during the generation. Higher water with increased flows requires more attention to remain safe on the water.”
Notice: The free fly-fishing class will again be offered in Heber Springs this year. The first class will be at 7 pm on Thursday, Feb. 20. The class will consist of four consecutive Thursday nights at the same time each Thursday. There is no charge for this class but you need to call and register so we can know how many persons will be attending. This class is for beginners and anyone wishing to expand their knowledge of fly-fishing. Please call 501-690-9166 to register for the class. “If I’m on the river, please leave a message and I will return your call,” Greg says.
(updated 1-15-2020) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said the Little Red River is receiving 24 hours of generation daily. The Greers Ferry Lake level is above normal seasonal pool due to recent rains, so longer periods of generation to lower the lake level are expected. If you choose to fish these conditions, you will want to use long leaders and weight. Key for both fly-fishing and Trout Magnet fishing during heavy generation is the ability to get and maintain a good presentation of the fly or Trout Magnet. Working shoreline with streamers is also an effective fly-fishing method during high-water conditions. For fly-fishing, Lowell recommends San Juan worms, micro-jigs, egg patterns and streamers during high-water conditions. Hot pink, cotton candy and white bodies on chartreuse jigheads are recommended for Trout Magnet spin fishing. Be safe while enjoying the river. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecasted generation schedule.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 464.67 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl).
(updated 1-22-2020) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 464.90 feet msl, 2.86 feet above normal pool of 462.04 for this time of year. Black bass are still eating well on some moving baits and some dragging baits and all in between – pick your poison, and target 6-15 feet depth. Crappie are still eating, for sure, moving a little day to day; try 15-40 feet, trolling or jig fishing straight up and down. No reports on catfish. Walleye are scattering and moving with conditions and the conditions to come. Crankbaits, jighead minnows and rogues are working as well in 15-40 feet depth. Hybrid and white bass are eating off and on all day all over lake and rivers. Spoons, inline spinners and swimbaits are working, and now E Bar City Special is catching some good fish at 25-60 feet depth. No report on bream.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 1-22-2020) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) reported the water clarity is a little dingy and the water level is low. Stumps are visibly sticking out, indicating the water is a little low. Catfishing has been fair on worms. Otherwise, no other fishing reports came in the past week.
Lake Overcup
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Overcup last year. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Overcup through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 1-8-2020) Johnny “Catfish” Banks of Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) said the water level is high by about 2 feet and clarity is good. The surface temperature is around 48 degrees. Bream are slow but still catching some on redworms. Bass are doing good around brush tops and structure, but just a few people are fishing lately. Catfish are being caught on jugs and yo-yos with bass minnows and crappie minnows. Crappie are being caught on yo-yos at night lately, catching a few early morning and late evening. Everything has been slow but should start picking up. Visit Johnny’s Facebook page (Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park) for any latest updates and photos.
Brewer Lake
(updated 1-22-2020) David Hall, owner of Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303), had no report.
January 16, 2020
Despite a 28-point performance from Conner Riddle, Heber Springs dropped a 44-41 nonconference decision to Mount Vernon-Enola on Jan. 16 at the Panther Den.
Heber Springs trailed 16-4 at the end of the first quarter but bounced back to make it a 22-15 game at the half. The Panthers had a chance to close the gap further right before the half but missed a shot after holding the ball and the Warhawks were able to get another field goal to increase their advantage.
The Panthers cut the deficit to 28-27 at the end of the third quarter after closing the third on a 7-0 run on an Eli Riggs 3-pointer and a pair of baskets by Riddle.
The Warhawks led by five at 37-32 before a 3-pointer by Luke Greenwald and three-point play by Riddle gave the Panthers a 38-37 advantage with 38.1 seconds left in regulation.
The Warhawks were able to tie things up at 38-all after hitting one of two from the free-throw line with 24.6 to play. Heber Springs had a couple of chances to win the game in regulation but couldn’t get a shot to fall.
Heber Springs led overtime 41-40 after Riddle hit 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, the last coming at the 1:28 mark. Mount Vernon-Enola closed the game by going 4-for-4 at the line.
Riddle finished the night by going 10-of-15 from the line.
The Panthers were coming off a 43-17 setback to Dardanelle on Jan. 14 as Heber Springs trailed 22-4 at the half.
On Jan. 10, Riddle had seven points in the first quarter and finished with 11, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line as Heber Springs downed Subiaco Academy, 33-3.
Riddle scored 16, including hitting a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, on Jan. 7 in a 54-35 setback to Pottsville at the Panther Den.
Heber Springs led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter, but were outscored 37-10 in the second and third quarters as the Apaches pulled away for the 4A-4 victory.
JANUARY 16 BOXSCORE Mount Vernon-Enola 16 6 6 10 6 - 44 Heber Springs 4 11 12 11 3 - 41 MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA SCORING (44): Chapman 21, Millsaps 7, Furiegh 6, Hoover 2, Emery 2, Walls 2, Rowe 2, Henery 2 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (41): Conner Riddle 28, Eli Riggs 6, Luke Greenwald 3, Bent McClain 2, Maddox Reed 2 JANUARY 14 BOXSCORE Dardanelle 5 17 19 2 - 43 Heber Springs 4 0 7 6 - 17 DARDANELLE SCORING (43): Robert Millard 16, Braden Tanner 16, Trenton Whitecotton 4, Drew Vega 4, Ethan Turnbow 2, Victor Padilla 1 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (17): Xander Lindley 4, Luke Greenwald 3, Wyatt Winchester 3, Eli Riggs 2, Easton Cusick 2, Conner Riddle 2, Hud Haggard 1 JANUARY 10 BOXSCORE Heber Springs 16 4 8 5 - 33 Subiaco Academy 0 0 1 2 - 3 SUBIACO ACADEMY SCORING (3): Logan Hess 2, Brady Koch 1 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (33): Conner Riddle 11, Hud Haggard 9, Xander Lindley 6, Eli Riggs 5, Luke Greenwald 2 JANUARY 7 BOXSCORE Pottsville 12 20 17 5 - 54 Heber Springs 14 8 2 11 - 35 POTTSVILLE SCORING (54): Stanley 18, Ybarra 14, Palmer 5, Furrh 4, Daily 4, Martin 4, Williams 2, Bradley 2, Snowden 1 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (35): Conner Riddle 16, Bauer Pruitt 5, Eli Riggs 5, Ladd Choate 3, Luke Greenwald 2, Hud Haggard 2, Bent McClain 2
HEBER SPRINGS JUNIOR BOYS BASKETBALL 2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS COACH: Chad Johnson OVERALL RECORD: 5-12 4A-4 RECORD: 2-3 November 9 - Greenbrier 37, Heber Springs 17 ^ November 12 - Nemo Vista 45, Heber Springs 37 November 13 - Heber Springs 54, Yellville-Summit 50 ^ November 14 - Dover 43, Heber Springs 36 ^ November 19 - Heber Springs 44, South Side Bee Branch 38 November 21 - Riverview 51, Heber Springs 21 November 23 - Cabot South 8th 37, Heber Springs 33 * November 23 - Conway Blue 71, Heber Springs 39 * November 26 - Clinton 44, Heber Springs 27 December 10 - Heber Springs 45, Dover 33 # December 13 - Marshall 46, Heber Springs 38 December 16 - Heber Springs 36, White County Central 35 December 20 - Ozark 46, Heber Springs 28 # January 7 - Pottsville 51, Heber Springs 35 # January 10 - Heber Springs 33, Subiaco Academy 3 # January 14 - Dardanelle 43, Heber Springs 17 # January 16 - Mount Vernon-Enola 44, Heber Springs 41 (OT) January 23 - Marshall January 24 - Dover # January 27 - at Mayflower January 28 - at Pottsville # January 31 - at Ozark # February 3 - Quitman February 4 - at Dardanelle # Februaryr 7 - Subiaco Academy # February 10 - District Tournament at Ozark (^ - Denotes Marshall Tournament) (* - Denotes Heber Springs Tournament) (# - Denotes 4A-4 Conference Game)
January 16, 2020
Sophia Stone finished with 15 points while Jaylea Hooten added 10 in a losing effort as Heber Springs fell to Mount Vernon-Enola, 38-33, in junior girls action at the Panther Den.
The two teams were tied at the half, 20-20, while the War Hawks led 29-26 at the end of the three quarters in the nonconference contest.
Heber Springs pulled to within one at 34-33 with 3:18 left after at Hooten basket but the Warhawks went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line down the stretch to seal the win.
The junior girls return to action on Thursday when they host Marshall.
The Panthers have dropped three out of four contests to start the new year.
On Jan. 14, Stone finished with 16 points as Heber Springs fell to Dardanelle, 32-29, in a 4A-4 contest at the Panther Den.
On Jan. 9 at Newport in nonconference play, it was Hooten who finished with 16 as the Panthers downed the Greyhounds, 40-21.
Stone (15) and Hooten (10) both finished in double figures in a 34-31 setback to Pottsville in the Panther Den on Jan. 7.
JANUARY 16 BOXSCORE Mount Vernon-Enola 7 13 9 9 - 38 Heber Springs 6 14 6 6 - 33 MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA SCORING (38): Raby 14, A.J. Person 6, Wooley 6, Vaught 6, Kelley 3, Pruitt 2, Jobe 1 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (33): Sophia Stone 15, Jaylea Hooten 10, Rylee Harrod 4, Hope Turney 2, Savannah Stout 2 JANUARY 14 BOXSCORE Dardanelle 7 8 8 9 - 32 Heber Springs 12 4 4 9 - 29 DARDANELLE SCORING (32): Kaylee Meredith 14, Bethani Walter 8, Pfiefer Flemming 3, Karlie Barber-Cursh 3, Rylea Manning 2, Jayden Vasquez 2 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (29): Sophia Stone 16, Madison Clemons 6, Jaylea Hooten 4, Riley Bailey 2, Hope Turney 1 JANUARY 9 BOXSCORE Newport 4 5 4 8 - 21 Heber Springs 8 8 16 8 - 40 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (40): Jaylea Hooten 16, Sophia Stone 8, Addison Hudspeth 6, Madison Clemons 3, Hope Turney 2, Riley Bailey 2, Cristina Garcia 2, Mary Evans 1 JANUARY 7 BOXSCORE Pottsville 9 7 8 10 - 34 Heber Springs 6 10 4 11 - 31 POTTSVILLE SCORING (34): Garner 8, Pennington 8, Sweeden 8, Cunningham 6, Greathouse 2, Francis 2 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (31): Sophia Stone 15, Jaylea Hooten 10, Madison Clemons 4, Riley Bailey 2
HEBER SPRINGS JUNIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL 2019-2020 SCHEDULE/RESULTS COACH: Jamey Riddle OVERALL RECORD: 9-7 4A-4 RECORD: 1-3 November 9 - Heber Springs 27, Greenbrier 16 ^ November 12 - Heber Springs 33, Nemo Vista 27 November 14 - Dover 60, Heber Springs 49 ^ November 16 - Heber Springs 40, Marshall 25 ^ November 19 - Heber Springs 44, South Side Bee Branch 22 November 21 - Heber Springs 46, Riverview 13 November 23 - Heber Springs 62, Cabot South 8th 10 * November 23 - Conway Blue 35, Heber Springs 29 * November 26 - Clinton 48, Heber Springs 40 December 10 - Dover 43, Heber Springs 33 # December 12 - Heber Springs 52, South Side Bee Branch 31 December 20 - Heber Springs 21, Ozark 7 # January 7 - Pottsville 34, Heber Springs 31 # January 9 - Heber Springs 40, Newport 21 January 14 - Dardanelle 32, Heber Springs 29 # January 16 - Mount Vernon-Enola 38, Heber Springs 33 January 23 - Marshall January 24 - Dover # January 27 - at Mayflower January 28 - at Pottsville # January 31 - at Ozark # February 3 - Quitman February 4 - at Dardanelle # February 10 - District Tournament at Ozark (^ - Denotes Marshall Tournament) (* - Denotes Heber Springs Tournament) (# - Denotes 4A-4 Conference Game)
January 20, 2020
Heber Springs Athletic Director Brad Reese submitted his resignation, effective at the end of the current school year, to the Heber Springs School Board on Monday night.
The board accepted his resignation with a 5-0.
The resignation does not include his assistant principal duties at the high school.
The Hot Springs High and Arkansas Tech alum came to the Heber Springs School District in 1991 as an assistant coach on John Richardson’s staff. Reese was promoted to head coach the following season when Richardson stepped down as coach to concentrate on teaching duties.
Reese served as head coach until the 1997 season, leading the Panthers to their first playoff berth in 14 years in his last campaign, to take the head coach position at Huntsville.
Reese coached at Huntsville for two seasons before returning to Heber Springs. First working as defensive coordinator for his long-time friend, Todd Thompson, then in various roles including head junior high coach before taking over as athletic director in December 2013 when Steve Janski resigned to take a similar position at Fayetteville High School.
January 20, 2020
By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
Todd Wood, the defensive coordinator at Russellville High School since 2017, became the new leader of the Heber Springs Panther football program at Monday night’s school board meeting.
Wood was hired on a vote of 3-2. Kevin Thomas, Dr. Ryan Buffalo and Bryce Farmer voted in favor of Wood, while Judy Crowder and Jason Jones voted no.
Wood was one of six candidates interviewed by a five-member search committee and Superintendent Dr. Alan Stauffacher. Wood is expected to be on campus Wednesday and begin his duties on Feb. 3. He also will teach social studies.
Wood was the defensive coordinator at Pulaski Academy from 2003-2016. The Bruins won six state titles during that time frame. He also a baseball coach at Pulaski Academy.
Wood and five other candidates were interviewed in December and then again in January. The position became vacant in July when Darren Gowen resigned to accept another coaching position. Assistant coach Will Cox was interim head for the 2019 season.
“We started this process in the summer when coach Gowen resigned,” Stauffacher said. “We are ready to move forward.”
Stauffacher said Wood will work with a contract to finish the spring semester before he will have a new contract for the 2020-21 school year.
Wood is the first football coach hired that had not previously served on the coaching staff since Steve Janski in 2005 and only the third head coach hired outside of the program since 1974, joining John Richardson in 1989. Richardson came to Heber Springs from Huntsville.
The Panthers will open their 99th football season against Newport in September.
(Editor’s Note: Philip Seaton contributed to this article.)
January 20, 2020
BY LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY
The search for Heber Springs’ next head football coach will end Monday night when a recommendation will be presented to the school board during its meeting.
Six candidates were interviewed by Superintendent Dr. Alan Stauffacher and a five-member search committee in December and then again in January.
The position became vacant in July when Darren Gowen resigned to accept another coaching position. Assistant coach Will Cox was named interim head coach for the 2019 season.
Athletic director Brad Reese, high school principal Marc Griffin, former school board member Richard Whybrew, current board member Dr. Ryan Buffalo and coach Jay Bishop comprise the committee.
Monday’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the school district’s central office.
January 16, 2020
Heber Springs raced out to a 20-4 halftime lead and would go on to down Mount Vernon-Enola, 46-10, in seventh-grade boys action.
Lawson Greenwald paced Heber Springs with 12 points while Jacob Harrod and Liam Buffalo each finished with seven points.
JANUARY 16, 2020 HEBER SPRINGS 46, MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA 10 MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA SCORING (10): Rodgers 6, Harris 2, Casteel 2 HEBER SPRINGS SCORING (46): Lawson Greenwald 12, Jacob Harrod 7, Liam Buffalo 7, Jude Herring 6, Weston Warden 4, Ty West 4, Braden Biggs 4, Brayden Kent 2
HEBER SPRINGS 7TH-GRADE BOYS SCHEDULE Jan. 20 - Clinton Jan. 23 - Marshall Jan. 27 - at Mayflower Jan. 30 - at Southside Batesville Feb. 03 - Quitman Feb. 06 - Cedar Ridge