SPRINGDALE — Springdale fumbled on its first play during a scrimmage Tuesday night against Siloam Springs, but that was about all the Bulldogs did wrong.
Springdale rolled to a 37-7 victory over Siloam Springs at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. No official score was kept, but Class 7A Springdale controlled the scrimmage against Class 5A Siloam Springs.
Springdale, which lost its quarterback and top receiver from a year ago, was impressive behind junior Joseph Calcagni,who guided the Bulldogs to a 21-7 lead at the half. Calcagni completed his first eight passes, including a pass that Blake Fogg fumbled away on the team's first possession. The turnover led to a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Adair to Greg Frabotta for the Panthers' only score.
Springdale answered with 37 consecutive points, including three short touchdown runs by T.C. Barkey. Calcagni was replaced in the second half by sophomore Evan Johnson, who led the Bulldogs to two more scores.
"Our quarterbacks threw the ball well and our receivers ran some good patterns," said Springdale assistant Dennis DeBusk, who is leading the Bulldogs while Coach Kevin Johnson is on a temporary leave of absence because of a health issue. "Our offensive line did a great job. We've still got things to work on, but I was very pleased with what we saw tonight."
Springdale's much-maligned defense, which has allowed more than 30 points a game the past two years, allowed only one score following a turnover and put points on the board with a safety in the fourth quarter.
The Panthers have a new coach in Bryan Ross, who took over after Clint Ashcraft accepted the head coaching job at Conway, and he said he learned a few things about his team.
"It was hot, and I thought we got tired pretty quick," Ross said. "That tells me we've got to get in better shape. I saw some good things and some bad things. That's why you play these scrimmages."
Calcagni was able to connect with open receivers for most of the night, but it was Barkey who finished drives off with touchdown runs of 1, 1, and 2 yards. Sophomore Rahmon Taylor showed some speed with a 24-yard touchdown run to begin the second half and Johnson added a 13-yard touchdown pass to Clay Sherrill in the fourth quarter.
"We're running a little tougher than we did last year," DeBusk said. "We could run some, but we didn't run real tough, and that's something we've been working on."
Sports, Pages 21 on 08/26/2009