Heber Springs 7th-Graders tops Riverview, finishes with winning record

Heber Springs’ Harper Jones fights for extra yardage against Riverview on Tuesday at Panther Stadium. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

October 29, 2019

The Heber Springs seventh-grade football team finished with a winning record with a 14-0 victory over Riverview Tuesday night at Panther Stadium.

Heber Springs got on the board late in the first half as Liam Buffalo connected with Ty West for a 17-yard touchdown. Buffalo ran in the 2-point conversion to make it 8-0 with 9.6 seconds left in the first half.

The Panthers added another touchdown with 7:03 left in the contest when Buffalo connected with Harper Jones on a short screen pass and Jones did the rest weaving his way past several Raider defenders for a 53-yard touchdown to set the final score.

Heber Springs finished the season with a 5-3.

PANTHER CLIPS

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’ Julian Cameron sets state PAT record

November 16, 2018

Heber Springs senior Julian Cameron, front center, gets ready to sign his letter-of-intent to play college football for Arkansas Tech University on April 5, 2019, at the Panther Den in Heber Springs. Pictured, front, Julian’s parents, Amanda and Michael Cameron. Back row, from left, Heber Springs assistant football coach and head soccer coach Jay Bishop and Heber Springs head football coach Darren Gowen. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

Heber Springs senior kicker Julian Cameron closed out his high school career by kicking 100 consecutive Point After Touchdowns without a miss.

He finished his Sophomore season by hitting 11 straight, and was a perfect 40 of 40 his junior year and a perfect 36 of 36 this season. He finished his senior campaign hitting a perfect 49 out of 49.

On October 12, against Bald Knob at Panther Stadium, Julian tied and then broke the state record of 75 consecutive without a miss. The previous state record belonged to Springdale’s Alex Tejada, who connected on 75 straight without a miss during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. North Little Rock’s Savanna Milton followed that with 68 straight.

Cameron’s career on Extra Points: 128 of 132 (97 percent)
Cameron’s only kicked miss was on Sept. 23, 2016, at Lonoke
Cameron’s PAT kicks were blocked twice against Baptist Prep on Oct. 14, 2016, and once the next week on Oct. 21, 2016, at Southside Batesville.

(Note: Blocked kicks are scored as missed PAT kicks. Source for Tejada’s information the Arkansas Activities Association 2018-2019 Record Book and the Springdale Morning News. Source for Milton’s information, the Arkansas Activities Association 2018-2019 Record Book)

Heber Springs senior Julian Cameron waits for holder Adam Martin to get the ball to attempt an extra point against Pocahontas on November 9 in a 4A state playoff game at Heber Springs. PHILIP SEATON PHOTO

State Records

  • Most Consecutive Extra Points Made Without A Miss (Career)
  • Extra-Point Percentage (Season) – 2017 (40 out of 40) (Tied)
  • Extra-Point Percentage (Season) – 2108 (49 out of 49) (Tied)

Also

  • Extra-Point Percentage (Career) – 4th in State History (128 of 137) (97 percent)
  • Extra Points Made (Game) – 2016 against Stuttgart – 8 (5th most)

Julian Cameron PAT KICKS

2018

  • August 31 at Clinton (4/4)
  • September 7 vs. Greenbrier (1/1)
  • September 14 at Harding Academy (3/3)
  • September 21 at Lonoke (4/4)
  • September 28 vs. Stuttgart (3/3)
  • October 5 at Central Arkansas Christian (6/6)
  • October 12 vs. Bald Knob (6/6)
  • October 19 at Southside Batesville (3/3)
  • October 26 at Riverview (6/6)
  • November 2 vs. Little Rock Mills (5/5)
  • November 9 vs. Pocahontas (4/4)
  • November 16 at Rivercrest (4/4)
  • Season: 49 out of 49 (100 percent)

2017

  • September 1 vs. Clinton (2/2)
  • September 8 at Greenbrier (3/3)
  • September 15 vs. Harding Academy (5/5)
  • September 22 vs. Lonoke (5/5)
  • September 29 at Stuttgart (1/1)
  • October 6 vs. Central Arkansas Christian (4/4)
  • October 13 at Baptist Prep (5/5)
  • October 20 vs. Southside Batesville (2/2)
  • October 27 vs. Riverview (2/2)
  • November 3 at Helena-W. Helena Central (3/3)
  • November 10 at Gravette (7/7)
  • November 17 at Gosnell (1/1)
  • Season: 40 out of 40 (100 percent)

2016

  • September 2 at Clinton (2/2)
  • September 9 vs. Greenbrier (5/5)
  • September 16 at Harding Academy (0/0)
  • September 23 at Lonoke (4/5) #
  • September 30 vs. Stuttgart (8/8)
  • October 7 at Central Arkansas Christian (5/5)
  • October 14 vs. Baptist Prep (2/4) *
  • October 21 at Southside Batesville (2/3) ^
  • October 28 at Riverview (6/6)
  • November 4 vs. Helena-WH Central (4/4)
  • Novmber 18 vs. Shiloh Christian (1/1)
  • Season: 39 out of 43 (90.7 percent)

# – Missed Kick

* – Made First Attempt, second and third attempts blocked

^ – Third attempt blocked, last miss of career

CAPFA 2019 Schedule

August 14, 2019

Central Arkansas Prep Football Association

Third-Grade Schedule

Week 1 — August 24

  • Vilonia White at Bald Knob, 9 a.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Clinton, 9 a.m. *
  • Riverview at Midland (3 & 4), 9 a.m. *

Week 2 — August 31

  • Heber Springs at Southside Batesville, 9 a.m. *
  • Riverview at Bald Knob, 9 a.m. *
  • Clinton vs. Midland (3 & 4) at Vilonia, 10:15 a.m. *

Week 3 — September 7

  • Southside Batesville at Riverview, 9 a.m. *
  • Vilonia White at Heber Springs, 9 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Midland (3 & 4), 9 a.m. *

Week 4 — September 14

  • Vilonia White at Southside Batesville, 9 a.m. *
  • Clinton at Riverview, 9 a.m. *
  • Midland (3 &4) at Heber Springs, 9 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Heber Springs (4), 12:45

Week 5 — September 21

  • Riverview at Vilonia White, 9 a.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Bald Knob, 9 a.m. *
  • Heber Springs at Clinton, 9 a.m. *

Week 6 — September 28

  • Bald Knob at Heber Springs, 9 a.m. *
  • Clinton at Vilonia White, 9 a.m. *
  • Southside Batesville vs. Midland (3/4) at Riverview, 9 a.m. *

Week 7 — October 5

  • Riverview at Heber Springs, 9 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Clinton, 9 a.m. *
  • Vilonia White vs. Midland (3/4) at SS Batesville, 9 a.m. *

Fourth-Grade Schedule

Week 1 — August 24

  • Vilonia White at Bald Knob, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Clinton, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Vilonia Red vs. Heber Springs at Midland, 12:45 p.m. *

Week 2 — August 31

  • Heber Springs at Southside Batesville, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Riverview at Bald Knob, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Vilonia White at Vilonia Red, 9 a.m. *

Week 3 — September 7

  • Southside Batesville at Riverview, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Vilonia White at Heber Springs, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Vilonia Red vs. Clinton at Midland, 11:30 a.m. *

Week 4 — September 14

  • Vilonia White at Southside Batesville, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Riverview at Clinton, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Vilonia Red vs. Bald Knob at Riverview, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Bald Knob (3) at Heber Springs, 12:45 p.m.

Week 5 — September 21

  • Riverview at Vilonia White, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Bald Knob, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Heber Springs at Clinton, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Vilonia Red vs. Midland (3/4) at Clinton, 2 p.m. *

Week 6 — September 28

  • Bald Knob at Heber Springs, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Clinton at Vilonia White, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Riverview at Vilonia Red, 12:45 p.m. *

Week 7 — October 5

  • Riverview at Heber Springs, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Clinton, 10:15 a.m. *
  • Vilonia Red at Southside Batesville, 11:30 a.m. *

Fifth-Grade Schedule

Week 1 — August 24

  • Vilonia White at Bald Knob, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Heber Springs vs. Southside Batesville at Clinton, 11:30 a.m.
  • Riverview at Midland (5/6), 10:15 a.m. *

Week 2 — August 31

  • Heber Springs at Southside Batesville, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Riverview at Bald Knob, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Midland (5/6) at Vilonia White, 11:30 a.m.

Week 3 — September 7

  • Southside Batesville at Riverview, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Vilonia White at Heber Springs, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Midland (5/6), 10:15 a.m. *

Week 4 — September 14

  • Vilonia White at Southside Batesville, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Riverview, 2 p.m.
  • Midland (5/6) at Heber Springs, 10:15 a.m. *

Week 5 — September 21

  • Riverview at Vilonia White, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Bald Knob, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Midland (5/6) vs. Heber Springs, 12:45 p.m.

Week 6 — September 28

  • Bald Knob at Heber Springs, 11:30 a.m. *
  • SS Batesville vs. Midland (5/6) at Riverview, 10 a.m. *
  • Vilonia White at Riverview, 12:45 p.m.

Week 7 — October 5

  • Riverview at Heber Springs, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Southside Batesville, 12:45 p.m.
  • Vilonia White vs. Midland (5/6) at SS Batesville, 10:15 a.m. *

Sixth-Grade Schedule

Week 1 — August 24

  • Vilonia White at Bald Knob, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Clinton, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Heber Springs vs. Riverview at Midland, 11:30 a.m.

Week 2 — August 31

  • Heber Springs at Southside Batesville, 12:45 *
  • Riverview at Bald Knob, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Clinton at Vilonia White, 12:45 p.m. *

Week 3 — September 7

  • Southside Batesville at Riverview, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Vilonia White at Heber Springs, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Clinton vs. Bald Knob at Midland, 12:45 p.m.

Week 4 — September 14

  • Vilonia White at Southside Batesville, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Clinton at Riverview, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Heber Springs, 11:30 a.m.

Week 5 — September 21

  • Riverview at Vilonia White, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Bald Knob, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Heber Springs at Clinton, 11:30 a.m. *

Week 6 — September 28

  • Bald Knob at Heber Springs, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Clinton at Vilonia White, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Southside Batesville at Riverview, 11:30 a.m.

Week 7 — October 5

  • Riverview at Heber Springs, 12:45 p.m. *
  • Bald Knob at Clinton, 11:30 a.m. *
  • Vilonia White at Southside Batesville, 2 p.m.

(* — Denotes Conference Game)