Perfect 10

THREE RIVERS AREA — Like most coaches, Bald Knob coach Paul Johnston was never big on making predictions, but he did predict prior to the start of the season that his year’s Bulldogs were a special group, and he was correct.

Bald Knob capped the first 10-0 season in school history on Nov. 6, and Johnston said that it was a season neither he nor his players will ever forget.

“It’s been kind of like a dream,” Johnston said. “It’s just an awesome feeling to be a part of this. They are a part of Bald Knob football history, and no one can ever take that away from them. We just want to keep it going. Each week will get tougher, but we have a good group of kids.” The Bulldogs had little trouble wrapping up the perfect season as they cruised past Batesville Southside 47-6 led by senior quarterback Nick Glaze. In his final regular-season game, Glaze threw for 265 yards and five touchdowns, allin the first half, as members of the class of 1968 looked on. That class was the first to go undefeated at Bald Knob, posting a 9-0 record. That team was honored at halftime by the community.

“It’s great to have a 10-0 season, but you want to keep going, Johnston said. “The playoffs are a new season, and we want to have success there as well. The community has been great. Last week some of the parents cooked the players steaks at the Bald Knob Country Club. The parents and some of the other community members also got together and made up hats and T-shirts for our undefeated season.”

Johnston, now in his 11th year as head coach, said his teams in 2000 and 2001 may have had a little more talent, but they lacked the closeness of this year’s squad.

“The biggest thing about this team is they hold each other accountable for their actions,” Johnston said. “From missing practices to not going full speed on drills, they have to answer to each other, they don’t come running to me.” Johnston said that he was not surprised by his team’s success. The Bulldogs were knocked out the playoffs last season in the first round by Newport. This year Bald Knob defeated Newport early in the season and has put up big offensive numbers the entire year.

“At the beginning of the season I went to the Rotary Club to speak,” Johnston said. “I normally don’t make predictions, but I did this year, and I told everyone we would have a good year. They didn’t believeme because last year we were 5-5. We’ve practice hard, conditioned hard and lifted a lot. This group of kids bought into what we were trying to do, and they have taken it to the field. They believe in the offense and the defense and they have takenit to the field, just a good group of kids. Sometimes you have a good team but you have a few with bad attitudes and they can make it hard on you. That’s not the case with this bunch.”

Bald Knob might not be known for winning state championships, but this season included wins against traditional powers like Bauxite, Newport, Stuttgart and Lonoke. Johnston said the winning has brought the community closer.

“It’s just a tremendous time right now,” Johnston said. “That winning attitude is contagious all over the school. Everyone is fired up about it. When Heber came to town, the whole town of Bald Knob was trying to come into the stadium. The Clinton game was on the road and in really bad weather, but our fans filled the stands and overflowed onto the track. I really appreciate that from the standpoint of a coach, and I know our kids appreciate it as well. The crowds have gottenlarger for each game we play. Now people have to get here an hour before the game just to claim a seat. You know you’re doing something right when you are warming up and the stands are full.”

Glaze had a great season, completing more than 50 percent of his passes. His primary target was Trey Gavin. Johnston said Glaze’s ability to see the field and his football IQ are what make him a special quarterback.

“He is a good passer, and he can read the secondary,” Johnston said. “People in the stands might not know this, but he goes through read progression on every play. If they flush him out he’s good at running as well. His speed is very deceptive. The only drawback is his size. When he talks, histeammates listen. He’s just a playmaker and makes things happen.”

Defensively the Bulldogs have been good as well. Blake Rouse leads the team in tackles, and the defense reached double digits in interceptions as well as fumble recoveries. Johnston said at one point during the season his team led the state in interceptions.

“I feel this group can go as far as they want to go,” Johnston said. “We are through our hardest part of the schedule. When you get into the playoffs, you need to be in a groove.”

Three Rivers, Pages 126 on 11/15/2009

Print Headline: Perfect 10