Category: Football

Hendrix looks to Rebound in 2019

August 17, 2019

By HENDRIX SPORTS INFORMATION

CONWAY – After guiding Hendrix to a 2015 Southern Athletic Association Championship and leading the Warriors to an impressive 8-2 record in 2017, head coach Buck Buchanan looks to continue to revitalize the Hendrix football program following a 2-8 effort in 2018.

Buchanan, who was hired immediately after Hendrix football ended its 52-year hiatus, enters his seventh season as the head man for the Warriors. Buchanan currently holds a 34-27 (.557) mark while at Hendrix with a 23-21 (.522) record in SAA play and also has guided Hendrix to finishing in the top three in the SAA three different seasons in his six years here.

Returners
After an injury sidelines him for over 75 percent of the 2018 season, one of the top quarterbacks that Hendrix has seen is back and will be wearing the black and orange this fall. After being one of the top quarterbacks, statistically, in the entire country in 2017, Miles Thompson played just more than one full game before getting injured and missed the rest of the 2018 season. Thompson, who has throw for more than 4,400 yards and 46 touchdowns, will be one of several Warrior players who bring back several years of collegiate experience.

Offensively, Thompson is joined again by Kip VanHoose. VanHoose, who led the entire SAA in rushing yards a season ago, is looking to build off a season in which the Kansas City, Mo., product rushed for 860 yards and three scores.

On the offensive line and returning for this season year is Xavion Gardner. Gardner is a two-time All-SAA First Team selection and was part of the offensive line that led the NCAA with 600 yards of total offense per game.

Defensively, Ronnie McShan, Tanner Hartsfield and Jared Bazley return for the Warriors. All three obtained All-SAA Honorable Mention honors a year ago while Hartsfield led the team in tackles with 31 solo and 70 total tackles and Bazley earned D3football.com National Team of the Week honors once. On the special teams side of things, kicker Sandy Burks returns for his senior year. A native of North Little Rock, Burks has successfully made 14 field goals, 70 PATs and has logged 56 kickoffs for 2,973 yards as a Warrior and earned D3football.com National Team of the Week honors once, as well, last season.

Newcomers
Coach Buchanan was able to welcome in more than 25 new Warriors to the Hendrix football program. Of those 25-plus newcomers, one of those names should be familiar to Conway residents.

Multi-sport sport athlete Jacob Wood shined as the star quarterback for Conway Christian, a guard for the men’s basketball team and also played baseball for the Eagles.

Wood, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback who holds several school records, led the Eagles to a 10-3 record on the 2018 season that ended in a two-point loss in the state quarterfinals to Mount Ida.

Other notable newcomers who could have a sensational freshman campaign include: wide receiver Tyler Rodriguez who earned Texas 3A Player of the Year honors and recorded 42 touchdowns at quarterback from Bonham, Texas; Thayne Garnett who is an all-around half back, tight end and running back and is a Weatherford, Texas, native running with the first-team offense; and also freshman wide receiver Harrison Campbell a native of Bentonville. Wood and Campbell both played in the Arkansas All-Star Game in June at University of Central Arkansas. Defensively, notable players to look for include defensive back’s Canon Roeder of Frisco Wakeland, Texas; Gus Asle from Frisco Reedy, Texas; and Riley Strey of Flower Mound, Texas.

Schedule
Hendrix opens the 2019 season Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. with another nonconference contest against Lyon College in Conway in a classic “Battle for ScotZilla” rivalry; looking for its third victory over the Scots in Conway in three attempts. The Warriors will hit the road for the next two games; taking on Texas Lutheran in Seguin, Texas and battling Birmingham-Southern in Birmingham, Ala., to open up SAA play. Hendrix returns back to Conway Oct. 5 to look for another victory against SAA rival Rhodes. Other notable games include the annual Hendrix College Sports Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony Nov. 2 versus Trinity and Senior Day Nov. 16 against the Sewanee Tigers from Young-Wise Memorial Stadium.

OBU Ranked Fifth in AFCA DII Coaches’ Top 25

August 28, 2019

By OBU SPORTS INFORMATION

ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita Tigers Football are ranked fifth in American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches’ Top 25 to start the season.

The Tigers earn the ranking after going 12-1 last season which included making it to the NCAA Division II Playoff semifinals. The Tigers also were the number one rated defense in 2018 during the regular season returning many starters this season.

Ouachita is one of two Great American Conference teams selected to the Top 25. The other team chosen is 18th ranked Harding University, who the Tigers face week one in the NCAA Division II Showcase on the ESPN App.

Ranked first in the polls is reigning Division II National Champions, Valdosta State. After them are the runner ups for the National Championship, Ferris State, who defeated Ouachita in the semifinals last season. The Tigers then trail Minnesota State and Notre Dame (Ohio) rounding out the top five.

Ouachita starts their season on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7:05 at Cliff Harris Stadium.

Former Golden Lion takes step to making NFL Roster

August 29, 2019

By UAPB SPORTS INFORMATION

PINE BLUFF – Former University of Arkansas At Pine Bluff football star Terron Armstead and the key starters for the New Orleans Saints had the night off, while Jamie Gillan took another step toward making the Cleveland Browns’ roster on the final night of the NFL Preseason schedule.

Armstead, Drew Brees and other top players did not play in the Saints’ 16-13 home loss to Miami. New Orleans opens the season on Monday, Sept. 9 hosting Houston.

Gillan handled all punting duties for the second straight game, averaging 44.3 yards on six punts, including a 50-yard punt and one downed inside the 20. Gillan also continued to display his all-around skill with two special teams tackles while also serving as the holder on all four scoring kicks in the Browns’ 20-16 win over Detroit.

Gillan had punts of 38, 42, and 48 yards in the first quarter, as he made the tackle on his punt of the opening stanza.  Gillan had a 45-yard punt in the second quarter, a 43-yard punt in the third quarter, and a 50-yard punt in the fourth quarter.

Following a safety, Gillan booted the free kick 67 yards and also made the tackle on the return.

In four preseason games, Gillan averaged 46.6 yards on 17 punts, with an NFL-long of 74 yards with six downed inside the 20.

Gillan will learn his status soon as final cuts of the NFL Preseason must be made by 3 p.m. CT on Saturday.

UAPB opens season at TCU

August 31, 2019

By UAPB SPORTS INFORMATION

FORT WORTH – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team as the Golden Lions will play at TCU Saturday.

HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN, ATTEND:

The Golden Lions held their final walkthrough Friday morning and will now finalize preparations through meetings and rest prior to kickoff.

“I think the guys are really focused,” said UAPB head coach Cedric Thomas. “In looking at them based on the walkthrough and the pertinent information in I’s being dotting and t’s being crossed, they have a good wherewithal of what this high-powered team is going to give them. We’ll just continue to iron out the small details between now and Saturday night.”

Both teams are coming in off winning finishes to the 2018 season. UAPB won in the Lone Star State with a 15-10 at Texas Southern on November 17. TCU won its final two games to earn a bowl bid and ended 2018 on a three-game win streak with an overtime victory in the Cheez-It-Bowl on December 26.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve hit someone else other than ourselves and get the chance to compete against another opponent,” Thomas said. “Competitors love to compete, and Saturday presents another opportunity to do so. For these seniors, we’re on this countdown to their journey be done as college players. We’re going to celebrate each gameday opportunity and it starts in a couple of hours.”

SEASON TICKETS STILL ON SALE FOR UAPB HOME GAMES: Season tickets for the six-game Golden Lion home football schedule are on sale o Season tickets are on sale now for the six-game home schedule. General admission tickets can be purchased online at uapblionsroar.com/tickets starting at only $60.

Reserved chairback and benchback seats, as well as the five-game family pack and first responders’ discounts can be purchased in person at the UAPB ticket office at Simmons Bank Field Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Single game tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 9.

For more information, call 870-575-8601 or email Brenda Jones at [email protected].

Arkansas State-SMU Game Notes

By ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

GAME 1: Arkansas State (0-0) hosts SMU (0-0)

Aug. 31, 2019 | Allison Field at Centennial Bank Stadium Jonesboro | 6 p.m.

Radio: EAB Red Wolves Sports Network (107.9 FM, flagship)Matt Stolz (pxp), Tim Allison (analyst), Brad Bobo (sideline)

Television: ESPN+Roger Twibell (pxp), Pete Cordelli (analyst), Rich Zvosec (sideline)

Live Stats: AStateStats.com

Live Game Notes: twitter.com/AStateGameDay

ON TAP: Arkansas State will open its season at home for the fifth time over the last seven seasons, hosting SMU at Centennial Bank Stadium this Saturday, Aug. 31.  The game will appear on ESPN+, and every Red Wolves football game can be heard live on 107.9 FM in the Northeast Arkansas area.  The live radio broadcast can also be accessed on the official A-State Athletics web site (AStateRedWolves.com) and the A-State Athletics app.

THE PRINCIPALS:  The Red Wolves play both their home and season opener Saturday against American Athletic Conference member SMU.  A-State was picked in the Sun Belt Conference preseason coaches’ poll to finish second in the league’s west division.  SMU, coming off a 5-7 season, was picked to finish fourth in the AAC’s west division in the league’s preseason media poll.

HEAD COACH BLAKE ANDERSON: Blake Anderson, a 19-year coaching veteran at the NCAA FBS level who also coached in an NJCAA National Championship game, was named the Red Wolves’ 30th all-time head coach on Dec. 19, 2013.  Anderson led the Red Wolves to Sun Belt Conference championships in 2015 and 2016, as well as five consecutive winning seasons and five bowl-game appearances (2018 Arizona Bowl, 2017 Camellia Bowl, 2016 Cure Bowl, 2015 New Orleans Bowl, 2014 GoDaddy Bowl) during his first five seasons leading the program.  Under his direction, the Red Wolves have set nine new single-season records, including average yards total offense (494.8 ypg in 2017), total offense (6,174 yards in 2014) and points scored (520 in 2015).

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS: The Arkansas State Athletics Department family was saddened to learn of the passing late Monday night, Aug. 19, of Wendy Anderson, wife of sixth-year head football coach Blake Anderson.  Wendy’s courageous battle with cancer will continue to serve as an inspiration to many across the nation, and the outpouring of support far and wide for the Andersons and the A-State family has been overwhelming.  Coach Anderson has taken a leave of absence to be with his family during this difficult time.

DUGGAN NAMED INTERIM HEAD COACH: Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator David Duggan was named A-State’s interim head coach on Monday, Aug. 19, until Blake Anderson decides to resume his activities as head coach.  A-State Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Terry Mohajir remains in communication with Coach Anderson both on a personal and professional level and has stated that A-State “will obviously respect and honor any amount of time he needs before he feels he can return.”

INTERIM HEAD COACH DAVID DUGGAN: Currently serving in the interim head coach role at A-State, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator David Duggan is in his first season with the Red Wolves.  While he holds a 10-9 all-time record as a head coach in NFL Europe and possesses 26 years of collegiate coaching experience, he will be the acting head coach in a college football game for the first time when A-State plays SMU Aug. 31 in its season opener.  He came to the Red Wolves after spending the previous three seasons at Western Michigan, where he helped lead the program to a pair of bowl games, a Mid-American Conference championship and a combined 26-13 record.  His initial year saw the Broncos post an undefeated 13-0 regular-season record, a final No. 12 ranking and a berth in the Cotton Bowl, where it dropped a narrow 24-16 decision to Wisconsin.

THE ARKANSAS STATE-SMU SERIES: The Red Wolves and Mustangs have met just three times before, playing a home-and-home series in 2006 and 2007 as well as the first contest of the current home-and-home arrangement in 2017.  SMU leads the series 2-1 after claiming 55-9 and 44-21 victories in Dallas in 2006 and 2017, respectively.  The Red Wolves’ picked up their lone win in the series in 2007, when it defeated the Mustangs 45-28 in Jonesboro.

A-STATE vs AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: Arkansas State holds an all-time 29-37-5 record against current members of the American Athletic Conference. While the Red Wolves are set to face a team competing as a member of the league at the time of the game for just the fifth time in school history, this will be third consecutive season they have played an AAC foe.  Their four previous games against the AAC came in 2013 when they fell 31-7 at Memphis, 2016 when they defeated UCF 31-13 in the Cure Bowl, 2017 when they dropped a 44-21 decision at SMU and last season when they topped Tulsa 29-20 on the road.  A-State has also played the following current AAC teams, although they weren’t members of the league at the time of the games:  Cincinnati (1-1), East Carolina (0-2) and Navy (0-1).  The Red Wolves hold an all-time 3-2 record versus Tulsa and 23-29-5 record against Memphis.

FOR STARTERS: A-State snapped a three-year skid in season openers last year when they defeated Southeast Missouri State 48-21.    Since moving to FBS status in 1992, the Red Wolves have posted just a 6-21 record in season openers.  In addition to its 2018 season-opening win, A-State began the 2014 (37-10 vs Montana State), 2013 (62-11 vs. UAPB), 2008 (18-14 at Texas A&M), 2006 (14-6 vs. Army) and 1995 (21-17 vs. Utah State) campaigns with wins.

HOME OPENERS: Arkansas State claimed a 48-21 win over Southeast Missouri State last season in its home opener and has won its first game at Centennial Bank Stadium in 12 of the last 14 seasons dating back to 2005.  The Red Wolves stand 32-13 all-time in home openers at the stadium and are also 18-8 in such games since moving to FBS status in 1992.

HOME SWEET HOME: Arkansas State has strung together 14 consecutive years (2005-18) with a winning record at Centennial Bank Stadium dating back to 2005.  The Red Wolves are now 64-15 (.810 winning percentage) since the 2005 season and have won 39 of their last 47 home outings.  The Red Wolves actual on-field record all-time at Centennial Bank Stadium is 156-78-1 since it opened in 1974.  A-State’s six home wins in 2011 were its most since 1985.  The 2011 season also marked the last time the Red Wolves went undefeated at Centennial Bank Stadium.

AN A-STATE VICTORY WOULD . . . :  even its all-time record vs. SMU to 2-2 . . . mark the 13th time over the last 15 seasons it has won its home opener . . . give the Red Wolves a win in their season opener in back-to-back years for the first time since 2013 and 2014 . . . move its all-time record vs the American Athletic Conference to 3-2 . . . give David Duggan his first collegiate victory as a head coach.

PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT: Including five first-team and six second-team selections, the Arkansas State placed a league-high 11 different players on the 2019 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team.  Representing Arkansas State on the first team were senior wide receiver Kirk Merritt, junior tight end Javonis Isaac, junior defensive end William Bradley-King, junior defensive lineman Forrest Merrill and junior cornerback Jerry Jacobs.  Earning a spot on the second team for the Red Wolves were senior wideout Omar Bayless, junior center Jacob Still, senior defensive lineman Kevin Thurmon, senior safeties Darreon Jackson and B.J. Edmonds and senior punter Cody Grace.  A-State’s 11 selections tied Appalachian State, which had 10 players comprise its 11 picks, for the most in the conference.  The Red Wolves’ 11 players on the preseason all-conference team are their most since 2016, when they also had 11.  They have now earned at least 11 selections four of the last six seasons as well.

WATCH ME, WATCH ME: A-State has 10 players on at least one major watch list for the 2019 season, including six who play on the offensive side of the ball (Logan Bonner, Dahu Green, Javonis Isaac, Kirk Merritt, Marcel Murray, Jacob Still), three on the defensive (Tajhea Chambers, Darreon Jackson, Jerry Jacobs) and one on special teams (Cody Grace).  The Red Wolves have at least one player on 11 different watch lists.

EIGHT STRAIGHT: Arkansas State has secured a winning record in a school-record eight consecutive seasons (2011-18).  The next longest streak was six straight seasons from 1912-17.  The Red Wolves have piled up 67 victories from 2011-18 for its most over an eight-year span in the program’s 105-year history.

ELITE COMPANY: Arkansas State is one of just four teams in the nation to win five conference titles and appear in eight bowl games since 2011, joining Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma.  The Red Wolves won the Sun Belt title in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 and hold the 15th longest active streak in the nation for bowl game appearances with eight.

105TH SEASON: Arkansas State will kick off its 105th season of football Aug. 31 at home against SMU.  A-State holds a 473-487-37 record since the inaugural season and has played in 16 bowl games.  A-State did not field a team from 1942-44 due to World War II.  Arkansas State also didn’t have a team in 1918 as World War I was ending.

A-STATE vs THE SUN BELT: Arkansas State has won 51 of its last 63 Sun Belt Conference games (.810 winning percentage) to run its all-time record in the league to 83-48.  The Red Wolves hold their most all-time victories against ULM with 26.  A-State has defeated every team in the conference since the football league was formed in 2001.  Along with ULM and Louisiana, A-State is one of three teams that have been a part of the conference since its inaugural football season.

SUN BELT CHAMPS (5 of 8): While Arkansas State last won the Sun Belt in 2016, it is still the only Group of 5 program and one of just four FBS programs in the nation to win five conference championships over the last eight years (2011-18).  The only other teams to do so are Alabama (SEC), Clemson (ACC) and Oklahoma (Big 12).  The Red Wolves most recently won back-to-back Sun Belt titles in 2015 and 2016, compiling a 15-1 league record over that span.  A-State also won the league title 2011-13, making it one of just two programs in league history with at least five SBC titles.

BOWL ELIGIBLE: Arkansas State has obtained bowl eligibility status each of the last eight years (2011-18) and 11 times over the last 14 seasons.  Arkansas State has become bowl eligible in 10 games or less each of those seasons.  Since moving to FBS status in 1992, the earliest A-State ever became bowl eligible was in 2011 when it was 6-2 through eight games.

BOWL STREAK: Arkansas State has made a school-record eight consecutive bowl-game appearances (2011-18), which is the third longest streak in the Group of 5 and ranks 15th in the nation among all FBS programs.

A LOOK BACK: With a 3-1 record, Arkansas State secured a winning record last season against non-conference opponents for the first time since 1995, when it went 3-2.  Additional, with wins against Tulsa and UNLV, the Red Wolves won back-to-back non-conference games against FBS opponents for the first time ever since moving to FBS status in 1992.300-PLUS:  Dating back to the 2010 season, Arkansas State has posted at least 300 yards total offense in 104 of its last 115 games (.904 percentage).  A-State has produced 300 yards in 59 of 64 games during the Blake Anderson era, including the last 25 in a row.400-PLUS:  Arkansas State has hit the 400-yard total offense mark 43 times over its last 64 games (67 percent) since 2014, which was Blake Anderson’s first season as head coach.  The Red Wolves have posted 400 or more yards total offense in each of their last seven games.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD: Including 20 of their last 39 contests, the Red Wolves have posted at least 30 points in 61 of their last 94 regular-season games (65 percent) dating back to the 2011 season.  The Red Wolves have won 48 of their last 54 games when scoring at least 30 points.

A LOSS ON THE PLAY: Dating back to the 2015 season, the Red Wolves have posted at least five stops behind the line of scrimmage in 39 of their last 42 games.  A-State has ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation each of the last three seasons in tackles for loss.

GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK: A-State has ranked among the top 27 teams in the nation in sacks four of the last five years, posting a combined 177 sacks over that span.  The Red Wolves have recorded at least one sack in 36 of their last 37 games dating back to the 2016 season.

Tusk V to make Debut against Portland State

By RAZORBACK COMMUNICATIONS

FAYTTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas, home to one of the nation’s longest tenured and most recognizable live mascot programs, will celebrate the debut of Tusk V, the official live mascot of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Born Saturday, April 19, 2018, at the Stokes Family Farm in Dardanelle, Arkansas, Tusk V is the son of recently retired, Tusk IV, a Russian boar which closely resembles the type of “wild band of razorback hogs,” first described by then Arkansas head football coach Hugo Bezdek in 1909. The following year, in 1910, University of Arkansas students voted to officially adopt the new nickname changing the mascot from the Cardinals to the Razorbacks.

Tusk V officially takes over official mascot duties after his father, Tusk IV, who retired at the end of the 2019 Razorback Baseball season.

Tusk V lives on the Stokes Family Farm near Dardanelle, Arkansas. The work of caring for V is shared between Keith and his wife Julie, their daughter Abbey, their son Chip and his wife Lori, five-year-old son (Keith and Julie’s grandson), Colt and two-year-old daughter(Keith and Julie’s grandson), Caroline.

Tusk V will make a two-hour trek up to Northwest Arkansas for every Razorback football game as well as select other Razorback athletics events throughout the year. Beloved by Razorback and opposing team fans of all ages, Tusk is always the center of attention when he makes an appearance at games or other special events. Through the years, he has traveled the state and throughout the region to appear at various locations including at bowl games, Razorback Clubs and even the Arkansas State Capitol.

Arkansas’ first live mascot, Tusk I was selected in 1997 and served as the Razorback mascot for eight years.

After spending four football seasons at the Little Rock Zoo, Tusk I was moved to the Tyson Foods Farm in Springdale in 2001. In 2002, Tusk I became the father to Tusk II. Tusk I passed away in 2004 and his son, Tusk II, was moved from the Tyson Farm to the Stokes Family Farm and served as the live mascot from 2005 until 2010.

Tusk III was the brother of Tusk II and both were second-generation Russian boars. Tusk III served for only one football season in 2010. Tusk IV is the son of Tusk II and took over as the official live mascot during the 2011 football season. He recently completed his seventh season.

In 2008, Razorback Athletics created the Tusk Fund to help provide financial assistance for the maintenance and upkeep of the live mascot program. Donations to the fund provide Tusk with improvements to his facilities and most of all, create a legacy program for guaranteeing the longevity of the Razorback live mascot program. Fans interested in supporting the Tusk Fund, can do so by clicking here.

The tradition of a live mascot predates the Tusk lineage, dating back to the 1960s with a series of hogs that have proudly represented Arkansas.

Razorback fans of all ages will have the opportunity to interact with Tusk V in HogTown beginning four hours prior to kickoff of each home game. Additionally, Tusk V will lead Coach Chad Morris and members of the Razorback Football team through the official Hog Walk which will take place two hours and forty minutes prior to kick through HogTown.

For more information on Tusk V, click here or follow @Tusk_UA on Twitter.

UCA rallies to take down FBS Western Kentucky

Central Arkansas Football
Josh Goff Photos/University of Central Arkansas

August 29, 2019

By UCA Sports Information

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Central Arkansas Bears piled up 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter on Thursday night to knock off the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 35-28 in the season opener at Houchens-Smith Stadium.

The FCS Bears downed the FBS Hilltoppers for the second consecutive time following a 28-7 win back in 2009 on the same field. This time, UCA overcame a 28-14 deficit to midway through the third quarter and put together scoring drives that covered 64 yards (7 plays), 80 yards (1 play) and 74 yards (5 plays), the latter with just 6:51 remaining, to pull off the upset again.

Two defensive stands by the Bears, the final one with just 46 seconds remaining, sealed UCA’s third victory over an FBS opponent. The Bears amassed 176 yards on just 12 plays in the fourth quarter and held the Hilltoppers to 140 yards on 24 plays and no points.

“I thought our guys fought, they believed in our plan,” said UCA head coach Nathan Brown. “Coach (Chad) Williams, Coach (Ken) Collums and Coach (Ryan) Howard, our coordinators, did a great job with their plans. Our players trusted them and that’s what it’s about in a big game like this against an FBS opponent. They’re a good football team. They’ve got a lot of good players, some really good length on the D-line. 

“We had a lot of new faces that were having to learn on the fly. But man, what a great fourth quarter. And that’s something I told our guys… Last year’s team may have struggled and may have lost (the game), because we lost a lot of close ones in the fourth quarter. But I thought we learned from that and I think our guys paid attention to details and made plays when it mattered.’

The Bears, facing their second 14-point deficit of the night heading into the fourth quarter, cut the margin to 28-21 on the first play of the period when sophomore quarterback Breylin Smith hit sophomore receiver Lujuan Winningham with a 20-yard touchdown pass, his second of what would be three touchdown receptions on the night. 

The Hilltoppers then missed a field goal after UCA’s defense held and the Bears pulled off a halfback pass from their own 20 yard line to tie the game. Senior running back Carlos Blackman found a wide open Lujuan Winningham in stride for 80 yards and a touchdown to make it 28-28 with 9:59 remaining.

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A quick three-and-out for WKU gave the ball back to UCA at its own 26 with 8:53 left to play. Smith passed 38 yards to junior running back Kierre Crossley and 35 yards to Winningham down to the WKU 1. Blackman went in from there to give the Bears their first lead of the night at 35-28. UCA then turned to its defense, which recorded a pair of interceptions (Robert Rochelle, Duke Upshaw) but had to play the final three quarters without Upshaw, who was injured after his second career interception.

Rochell, a junior cornerback from Shreveport, broke up a pass on fourth down on WKU’s initial drive. After a UCA punt put the Hilltoppers at their own 22 with 2:30 remaining, the Bears allowed the Hilltoppers to reach the 33 before forcing an incomplete pass on fourth down.

“I thought the fourth quarter, we believed,” said Brown. “As soon as we got that game tied, then we got a big stop on the field goal, we knew we were going to take a shot with the halfback pass. Not ideal conditions to be backed up on your own (20), that’t not really where you script it to happen. But Coach Collums looked at me asked if I was good with it and I said let’s go get it. And obviously they bit on it and Lujuan was able to take it down and score.’

Winningham, a sophomore from Humble, Texas, finished with eight receptions for 222 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs. He caught 12 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown all of last season. True freshman Tyler Hudson added four receptions for 59 yards and another score.

“Just two amazing athletes, two young guys,’ said Brown. “Tyler and Lujuan made them hurt and Breylin put it where it needed to be. The offensive line gave protection when we needed protection most. We made plays.’

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Smith, who was playing for the first time since a broken ankle sidelined him in Game 4 of the 2018 season, was his old efficient self, completing 20 of 28 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. In the first half alone, Smith was 14 of 17 (77.8 percent) for 174 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Bears dug themselves an early two-touchdown hole after the Hilltoppers scored on their first play from scrimmage with a 68-yard touchdown run, then made it 14-0 with a 9-play, 56-yard drive at the 6:16 mark of the first quarter.

Two nice completions from Smith to Hudson, and another to Crossley got the Bears down to the WKU 6 at the close of the quarter. However, Blackman was stopped for no gain on fourth down on the first play of the second period to end the UCA threat. The Bears got on the board with 8:59 left in the half when Smith threaded a pass Winningham from 23 yards out on fourth down to close the gap to 14-7. 

The Hilltoppers answered UCA’s score with a quarterback keeper from the three with 3:03 left in the half, good for a 21-7 lead. The Bears then worked their two-minute offense to perfection, aided by a pass interference on the Hilltoppers. Passes of 12 and 11 yards to Winningham set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Hudson with :23 left, bringing the Bears within 21-14 at the half.

The Hilltoppers pushed their lead to 28-14 six minutes into the second half with a 10-yard touchdown run by Gaej Walker that capped a 7-play, 60-yard drive before UCA put together its dominant fourth quarter.

The Bears finished with 424 yards of total offense, averaging 7.3 yards per play. Defensively, transfer linebacker Malik Wilson had a team-high eight tackles, while Rochell and Isaiah Macklin had seven each. 

UCA returns to the road next Saturday, facing FCS Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn. Game time is 2 p.m.

Game StatsUCAWKU
First Downs1722
Total Offensive Yards424488
Passing Yards404304
Rushing Yards20184
Penalty Yards6-466-49
3rd Downs5-139-16
4th Downs1-20-3
Time Of Possession24:4935:11
1st QuarterUCAWKU
12:45 – WKU – WALKER, G. 68 yd run (MUNSON, C. kick ), 1 plays, 68 yards, TOP 0:1207
06:16 – WKU – SIMON, J. 5 yd pass from DUNCAN, S. (MUNSON, C. kick ) 9 plays, 56 yards, TOP 3:47014
2nd QuarterUCAWKU
08:59 – UCA – Winningham, Luj 23 yd pass from Smith, Breylin (Ray, Hayden kick ) 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 3:11714
03:03 – WKU – DUNCAN, S. 3 yd run (MUNSON, C. kick ), 12 plays, 83 yards, TOP 5:51721
00:26 – UCA – Hudson, Tyler 4 yd pass from Smith, Breylin (Ray, Hayden kick ) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:371421
3rd QuarterUCAWKU
08:54 – WKU – WALKER, G. 10 yd run (MUNSON, C. kick ), 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 3:411428
4th QuarterUCAWKU
14:55 – UCA – Winningham, Luj 20 yd pass from Smith, Breylin (Ray, Hayden kick ) 7 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:332128
09:59 – UCA – Winningham, Luj 80 yd pass from Blackman, Carlo (Ray, Hayden kick ) 1 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:112828
06:51 – UCA – Blackman, Carlo 1 yd run (Ray, Hayden kick ), 5 plays, 74 yards, TOP 2:023528

Game Stat Leaders

SMITH,BREYLIN

#3 Smith, Breylin

  • CMP 20
  • TD 3
  • YDS 324
  • INT 0
BLACKMAN,CARLO

#23 Blackman, Carlos

  • CMP 1
  • TD 1
  • YDS 80
  • INT 0

Vilonia tops Heber Springs in Benefit Scrimmage

4A Panthers battle 5A Eagles; Heber Springs opens with Clinton

Heber Springs junior Matthew Cook fights for yardage as Vilonia’s Kyle Vines brings him to the ground during a scrimmage at Phillip D. Weaver Stadium in Vilonia on Tuesday. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

August 27, 2019

By Philip Seaton

VILONIA – Unofficially it was a 21-7 first-team loss to Vilonia in an Arkansas Activities Association benefit scrimmage on Tuesday at Phillip D. Weaver Stadium, but for Heber Springs coach Will Cox, he saw enough to come away happy with his teams performance.

“I thought there were some bright spots,” Cox said.  “We saw some guys step up and play.”

Heber Springs finished with 202 yards of total offense in an abbreviated first half of play that saw the teams start at the 30-yard line without any kickoffs or punts.

Panther senior quarterback Adam Martin was 14-of-24 passing for 155 yards including a 7-yard touchdown pass to junior Matthew Cook right before the half to put the Panthers on the board. Returning all-conference performer Tri Johnson was Martin’s favorite target with five receptions for 84 yards.

With all-state running back Blaze Nelson and his 2,000 yards plus rushing gone from last season, senior Landon Johnson took on the bulk of the load rushing eight times for 40 yards.

“You know what you are going to get with Landon,” Cox said. “The effort you get on game day is the same effort you get every day. He’s a guy that worked out twice every day during the offseason. You know what you are going to get with him. He’s really reliable and he showed everybody else what we know about him.”

While there were some bright spots, there were some things that Cox said his team needed to work on before they open their season against Clinton on Sept. 6 at home in the Battle of the Little Red.

Among those were some dropped passes that could have led to touchdowns and missed blocks on offense, and some missed tackles and bad angles on defense that lead to Vilonia pilling up 319 yards of total offense with the majority of those coming on a screen pass that turned into a 97-yard touchdown.

“It was a lot of first opponent mistakes, but that is stuff that we can clean up” Cox said. “I told the guys that this is going to be great film for us.We are going to learn a lot from this film. It was a great opportunity to learn tonight.”

Vilonia sophomore quarterback Austin Myers was 9-of-10 passing for 266 yards and three touchdowns.

“That’s a very good Vilonia team,” Cox said of the 5A Eagles. “They are deep. They are big. They are going to have a good season. Our guys competed against them.”

SECOND HALF: The two teams played a 10 minute second-half period with the second teams. Vilonia outscored Heber Springs, 20-0, over that stretch, but senior running back Levy Phillips did show some promise during that stretch. 

“(He) came in and got some good runs for us,” Cox said, “that shows that we have some depth at the running back position which is good.”

LET’S PLAY TWO: Cox said that is exciting to see that his team loves to love to play. “They can’t get enough,” he said. “ If I could let them play another game tonight, they would.”

BIG NUMBERS: While Heber Springs has 43 players on the roster, Vilonia had 83 dressed out Tuesday night and that will be the most any team dresses out against the Panthers this season. Heber Springs has the third most players out in the 4A-2 with Southside Batesville leading the way with 51 and Bald Knob with 44. Other opponents by the numbers: Clinton (37), Greenbrier (61), Harding Academy (46), Lonoke (37), Stuttgart (37), Central Arkansas Christian (40), Riverview (33) and Little Rock Mills (20).

NO CONTACT: Both quarterbacks were off limits in regards to being tackled and were downed by touch. Martin and second-team quarterback John McBroome wore a red no contact jersey.

EXTRA POINT: Jackson Harrod connected on the lone extra point for Heber Springs. The Panthers will be looking to replace the graduate Julian Cameron, who connected on a state record 100 extra points. Cameron is battling for a starting position at Arkansas Tech.

NEW COACH: Will Cox was named interim head coach over the summer after former head coach Darren Gowen left at the end of the school year in the spring to pursue other opportunities in northwest Arkansas. Gowen has since been named the offensive coordinator at Gravette. Cox was co-defensive coordinator last season with E.G. Dew.

NEW ASSISTANTS: Former Greenbrier Panther Chase Roberts is the new junior high coach and will assist on the senior high team. Roberts was the head coach of the eight-man team at Pattonsburg (Missouri) High School last season. Roberts led his team to a 10-2 record last season. Also joining the staff is Hunter Davis. Davis coached at Star City last season. He will also be the head senior girls track coach. 

NEXT YEAR: Heber Springs’ 2020 schedule has been set. Riverview is moving down to Class 3A while Clinton will be moving back up to 4A. The Yellowjackets will replace Riverview in week 9 in conference. The Panthers will open at home in 2020 against Newport followed by a road date at Harding Academy before wrapping up nonconference play at home against Dover. Heber Springs athletic director Brad Reese said he attempted to schedule Riverview for a nonconference date but the Searcy school opted for a game with Bauxite instead.

GLOWING REVIEW: Former Heber Springs coach Bill Buckner made an appearance on the sidelines on Tuesday night to catch some of the action. Buckner, who has since retired after years of coaching in the area with stops at Quitman, Greenbrier and Vilonia among others, was impressed with what he saw from the Panthers. “Tell the people of Heber Springs that they have a good football team,” he said.

Heber Springs senior quarterback Adam Martin looks to complete a pass against Vilonia in a Arkansas Activities Association benefit game at Phillip D. Weaver Stadium in Vilonia. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

PANTHER DRIVES

OPENING DRIVE: 10 plays, 36 yards. Highlights: Adam Martin 10-yard run, Landon Johnson 14- and 13-yard runs. Result: Turnover on downs.

SECOND DRIVE: 10 plays, 68 yards. Highlights: Adam Martin to Tri Johnson for 34-yard completion. Result: Stopped on fourth-and-goal at the 1.

THIRD DRIVE: 5 plays, 20 yards. Result: Fictional punt.

FOURTH DRIVE: 10 plays, 70 yards: Highlights: Adam Martin to Landon Johnson for 12- and 25-yard pass completions. Result: Touchdown.

INDIVIDUAL STATS (First-half only)

Rushing: Heber Springs, Landon Johnson 8-40; Julie Rubio 5-5; Adam Martin 5-2. Vilonia, Draven Smith 7-43; Seth Kick 1-5; Austin Myers 1-3; Tyler Moran 1-2.

Passing: Heber Springs, Adam Martin 14-24-155-1-0. Vilonia, Austin Myers 9-10-266-3-0.

Receiving: Heber Springs, Tri Johnson 5-84; Landon Johnson 3-45; Matthew Cook 3-13-1; Landon Barbee 1-8; Nathan McKee 1-6; Hunter Kent 1-(-1). Vilonia, Tyler Moran 4-127-1; Jamison Hinsley 2-40-1; Kannon Bartlett 1-45; Draven Smith 1-38; Corbin Watson 1-24-1.

TEAM (First-half only)

Rushing: Heber Springs 18-47; Vilonia 10-53

Passing: Heber Springs, 14-24-155-1-0; Vilonia 9-10-266-3-0

Total Yards: Heber Springs 202, Vilonia 319

First Downs: Heber Springs 11, Vilonia 8

Turnovers: Heber Springs 0, Vilonia 1

Penalties: Heber Springs 1-5; Vilonia 4-50

Heber Springs, Vilonia scrimmage in Junior High Football action

August 27, 2019

Heber Springs’ Chandler Webber is tackled by a Vilonia defender on Tuesday at Phillip D. Weaver Stadium in Vilonia. Vilonia downed Heber Springs, 32-0, in the Arkansas Activities Association benefit scrimmage game. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO
Heber Springs’ Gideon Tate looks to avoid a Vilonia defender in junior high scrimmage action on Tuesday. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

Upper Class Teams win in High Games

Seniors and Juniors defeat Freshmen and Sophomores by Big Scores

October 6, 1913

LITTLE ROCK – The football team representing the senior and junior classes of the Little Rock High School defeated the freshmen and sophomores yesterday afternoon by the respective scores of 47 to 18 and 52 to 6. The underclassmen were not able to cross the goal lines of the opponents and secured their points through handicaps.

The upper class teams, although weakened by the absence of several players, put up good games and had things much their own way. Martin and England were the most consistent ground gainers for the seniors and Collamore played a good game for the freshmen. This quarterback is light, but very aggressive, and in a few years should prove one of the best players turned out at the local school. In addition to these players, Hampel, Nichols and Harris starred.

In the Junior-Freshmen game, Kavanaugh, Jackson, Harris and Bowman played the best football. The Juniors had possession of the ball practically throughout the game and their goal line was not in danger at any stage. Weist, Anderson, Kitchens and Lindsay did the best work for the Sophomores. The Juniors used the forward pass frequently and made gains with it.

The Seniors will meet the Juniors and the Sophomores will meet the Freshmen next Monday (October 13), and the best games of the series are anticipated.

Source: Arkansas Gazette, October 7, 1913