LITTLE ROCK — RUNNING BACK
The Razorbacks' main weapon on offense is senior Dennis Johnson. Johnson has shredded opposing defenses all year, and he has the 6A classification yardage record with 4,300 yards in his career.
When Lake Hamilton needs yards on the ground, it need to look no further than to Cole Lorigan. Lorigan can be used in short-yardage situation, break free on a long run or catch a pass for a score.
ADVANTAGE: Texarkana WIDE RECEIVER
Texarkana may be a runfirst offense, but a successful ground attack is opened up by a successful air campaign. When the Razorbacks take to the air, they look for Bingham's younger brother Dylan Bingham or one of the backs coming out of the backfield.
The Wolves have been just as successful and just as generous, if not more so, when it comes to receivers getting looks at the end zone. Of Butterfield's 19 touchdown passes, six were to different receivers, many for large gains.
ADVANTAGE: Lake Hamilton OFFENSIVE LINE
The Texarkana offense has yet to be held to less than 100 yards more thanonce this season, a 13-7 win over Little Rock Central. Most of the time, the offense gains more than 300 yards.
The Lake Hamilton offensive line has been partly responsible for the Wolves averaging 40 points per game this season with sound pass blocking and overpowering defenses during runs.
ADVANTAGE: Texarkana DEFENSIVE LINE
The Texarkana defensive line have completely shut down offenses at times this year, like the 103-yard performance against Central. The Razorbacks have also held six opponents to 7 points or fewer.
The Wolves have given up just 7.6 points per game over the first four and have held every opponent but one to less than 14 points.
ADVANTAGE: Lake Hamilton SECONDARY
The Razorbacks secondary has been a stonewall all season, but they will have a challenge in stopping the creative play calling of Lake Hamilton and a quality quarterback in Butterfield.
Lake Hamilton's secondary has held strong all season long, but they cannot allow themselves to cheat up on the line to stop Johnson because Bingham has the arm to make them pay. ADVANTAGE: Evenof the team's touchdowns.
Lake Hamilton - Junior quarterback Philip Butterfield has passed for 19 touchdowns on the season and rushed for a few more.
LAST GAME Texarkana won 38-14 at Watson Chapel.
Lake Hamilton won 38-7 at El Dorado.
LAST MEETING Texarkana defeated Lake Hamilton 48-7 at home.
KEY STATS Neither team has given an inch on defense, with Lake Hamilton giving up just 7.6 points per game and Texarkana giving up 8 points per game. As effective as their defenses have been, both team's offenses have put up impressive numbers. Lake Hamilton is averaging 41.3LAKE HAMILTON WOLVES VS. TEXARKANA RAZORBACKS WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Wolf Stadium in Lake Hamilton COACHES Texarkana - Bill Keopple 43-21-1 Lake Hamilton - Jerry Clay 244-77 PLAYERS TO WATCH Texarkana - Senior running back Dennis Johnson has been the key to the Razorbacks offense all season, accounting for the majority
The third-ranked Lake Hamilton Wolves (8-0, 5-0) will host the top-ranked Texarkana Razorbacks (7-0-1, 5-0) Friday night at Wolf Stadium in what could be a precursor to the state championship game.
Both teams started the season strong last year as well, but a trip to Texarkana brought Lake Hamilton back to reality in the form of a 48-7 drubbing.
With almost everyone back from last year's team, the Wolves are hoping that a year of experience will lift them over one of the top teams in the state, in any classification. The Razorbacks have not lost in their last 18 games.
The winner of the game will also clinch the 6A-South Conference and play most, if not all, of their playoff games at home.
QUARTERBACK
Texarkana will depend on senior quarterback Bo Bingham to move the ball and keep defenses from crowding the box to stop the running game.
The Wolves will look to Phillip Butterfield to lead the offense against the Razorbacks. The senior has passed for 19 touchdowns and ran for a few more this season.
ADVANTAGE: Lake Hamilton
Tri-Lakes, Pages 70 on 10/25/2007