LITTLE ROCK — Cluster at the top of 3-2A
Augusta is the only remaining team with an unbeaten record in the 3-2A heading into Friday night’s home game against East Poinsett County.
But a victory by EPC (3-1, 2-1 3-2A) would likely mean four teams would have one conference loss at the midway point in the season.
“Without a doubt, it’s a big game,” EPC Coach Brian Weathers said. “Augusta is playing well right now and is obviously in the driver’s seat. It would be hard to beat them twice, if they get up two games on someone.”
Augusta (3-1, 2-0) has won three consecutive games since a 48-20 loss to Hazen on Sept. 3.
EPC is riding a two-game winning streak since a 30-6 loss to open 3-2A play at defending conference champion McCrory on Sept.
10.
“I just don’t know if there wasn’t a little bit of an intimidation factor there with McCrory, from the season they had before,” Weathers said. “The big 6-6, 6-7 kid walks out on the field [McCrory junior lineman Jemar Clark] and it gets in your head a little bit.”
EPC has rebounded with victories over Walnut Ridge (54-35) and Cross County (44-8).
The Walnut Ridge outcome is noteworthy since the Bobcats haven’t allowed a point in their other three games.
EPC only has one senior on its 19-man roster, running back/cornerback Byron Ford, 5-7, 150 pounds. Ford has rushed 51 times for 357 yards, caught 8 passes for 116 yards and scored 44 points this fall.
Junior receiver/linebacker A.J. Turner, 6-3, 170, has caught 8 passes for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns and has a team-high 60 tackles, including 10 for loss.
Junior quarterback Darius Barnes has rushed 44 times for 464 yards and completed 20 of 39 passes for 329 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“Probably four guys touch the ball 95 percent of the time,” Weathers said. “It all starts with Darius Barnes.
He’s a dual threat.”
Weathers said EPC’s numbers should be much better next month after 15 ninth-graders move up from an unbeaten junior high team.
Walnut Ridge and McCrory also have one conference loss.
BEARDEN
Showdown looming
Bearden Coach Mike Cox said he called every school in the state with an open date Friday night in an attempt to secure a game for his Bears ( 3-1, 3-0 8-2A), which are the top-ranked team in Class 2A.
There were no takers, meaning Bearden will play 2A No. 2Junction City (3-1, 3-0) following an open date.
In the previous cycle, Bearden’s open date fell in Week 10, well after the meeting with Junction City, a matchup that normally now decides the conference championship.
On redrawn schedules for the nine-team conference during the 2010-2012 cycle, Bearden’s open date is Week 5
“Oh, yes, we would rather play,” Cox said. “When the [Arkansas Activities Association] puts nine teams in a conference, there’s an odd team, so there’s going to be an open date every week.
It’s killing small schools, because you can’t pay the bills with open dates.”
To keep his team sharp, Cox said he played many of his regulars in a junior varsity game Monday against Fordyce and there will be a “hard” practice today.
Cox said the open date should allow two injured starters to be healthy for Junction City.
BENTONVILLE
Gean leaves team
Senior quarterback Pearson Gean, who helped Bentonville to the Class 7A state championship as a sophomore, has left the team because of injury concerns.
Gean completed 12 of 14 passes for 181 yards and 1 touchdown in a 45-0 season opening victory over North Little Rock.
But Gean suffered a calf injury during the game, and junior Dallas Hardison has directed Bentonville (4-0) to victories the past three weeks.
Gean is also one of the state’s top swimmers.
Sports, Pages 23 on 09/29/2010