Teams do job setting up showdown

LITTLE ROCK — Bearden and Junction City deserve a lot of credit.

Instead of concentrating on a season-ending showdown, the top-ranked teams in Class 2A not only managed to remain focused throughout the regular season, they both steamrolled through their schedules with ease.

Bearden (9-0, 5-0 2A-7 West) shut out six of its nine opponents and has allowed only 19 points all season. Junction City's closest contest was an 18-point game in the third week of the season, and the Dragons (8-0, 5-0) have scored at least 55 points in their past four games.

While neither team has seen many challenges on the field, both know that will change Friday at Bearden.

"We've been looking forward to this game ever since we lost to them last year," said Bearden Coach Mike Cox, whose team squandered a 36-14 halftime lead and lost 45-36 to the Dragons. "We had five turnovers in the second half. It cost us a better spot in the playoffs, and I think it may have kept us out of the state championship game."

"You've got to look forward to a game like this," Junction City Coach David Carpenter said. "Considering what happened last year and with the two teams being ranked No. 1 and 2 since the preseason. But our guys have done a good job of staying focused. We told them they had to take care of business, and they have."

The teams are putting up similar offensive numbers. Bearden has outscored its opponents 353-19, while JunctionCity has posted a 368-39 margin. The offensive yards are close as well. Bearden averages 396.3 yards a game; Junction City 387.8.

"It's going to come down to who makes the least mistakes, but that's an obvious observation," Cox said. "We feel like the battle is going to be won in the trenches, and I can tell you that we've haven't seen a team that comes off the line like Junction City. They come off the line at a different speed than everyone else. They go all out on every play."

Bearden cannot concentrate on one back. Justin Cook leads the Dragons in rushing this season with 798 yards on 71 carries, but two other running backs - Alan Turner and Grantel Kennedy - have each rushed for more than 400 yards.

Bearden's offense is also loaded with senior quarterback Dewayne Watts and junior running back Michael Belin.

"They've got so many athletes it's unreal," Carpenter said. "Watts and Belin can do so many things, but you can't concentrate on just them. They're loaded."

Neither coach would predict an offensive shootout or a defensive struggle.

"You just can't tell," Carpenter said. "I've watched film of them all weekend long, and I can't tell how the game is going to go. I can tell you if we turn the ball over and fail to make tackles, they will take advantage of that and whip us big-time."

"Last year we scored more points on them in one half than they gave up the entire season," Cox said. "But that doesn't mean anything. This could be a lowscoring struggle."