LITTLE ROCK — The last time Wynne reached the playoff semifinals, Don Campbell was the coach and the Yellowjackets ran, ran, ran.
That was 2006.
It will be more pass, pass, pass tonight at Yellowjacket Stadium as Wynne (11-0) hosts Camden Fairview (12-0) in the semifinals of the Class 5A playoffs.
Campbell, whose patented trap play fueled state championships in 2001 and 2004, retired following a 43-42 home loss to Pulaski Academy in that semifinal game six years ago.
Wynne didn’t record a winning season from 2007-2010 but has quickly returned to statewide prominence the past two seasons under Chris Hill, who installed a Spread offense and honed the throwing and catching skills of his players through an ambitious 7-on-7 tournament schedule each summer.
Reed Wingo threw for 2,642 yards last fall, roughly twice Wynne’s combined total the previous five years, Hill said.
“It was a definite change, but kids at Wynne don’t mind the work,” Hill said. “Kids working hard makes the job for a coach a lot easier.”
Wynne finished 9-3 last fall, eliminated 42-7 by eventual state champion Greenwood in the quarterfinals.Wynne, No. 3 in Class 5A, claimed the school’s first conference title since 2006 this fall by beating two-time defending champion Batesville 40-27 on Oct. 12.
“Coach Hill has done a great job,” Camden Fairview Coach Buck James said. “He came in there and completely changed the culture.”
Wingo, who splits time with promising sophomore Ross Trail, is one of 24 seniors, along with running back Josh Selvy, a three-year starter.
Wynne’s leading receiver, Zach Morris, and leading tackler, Roy Like, are sophomores. Sophomore nose guard DeAndre McGill, 5-9, 178 pounds, has 15 1/2 sacks, Hill said.
Wynne will be tested by a program that is in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive season.
Camden Fairview, top ranked in Class 5A, averages 443.9 total yards per game and allows just 203.9.
Senior tailback Jamie Smith has rushed 122 times for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Matthew Ollison has completed 120 of 168 yards for 2,089 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Senior Jerry Moorehead (46), senior Braxton Hoof (43) and junior Deion Holliman (31) lead the team in receptions.
Senior linebacker Aaron Wynn has a team-high 149 tackles, including 68 unassisted.
James’ son, senior defensive lineman McKinze James, has 54 unassisted tackles and 11 sacks. James is a major college recruiting prospect.
The Cardinals normally overwhelm opponents with speed on both sides of the ball.
“If you’re looking for any weaknesses, you can’t find any,” Hill said. “They play hard and they play fast.”
Camden Fairview, which has never won a state championship recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association, was state runner-up in 2009 and 2010.
Camden Fairview at Wynne WHAT Class 5A semifinals WHEN 7 p.m. today WHERE Yellowjacket Stadium, Wynne RECORDS Camden Fairview 12-0; Wynne 11-0 RANKINGS Camden Fairview is No. 1 in Class 5A and No. 5 overall; Wynne is No. 3 in Class 5A SEEDS Camden Fairview is No. 1 from the 5A-South; Wynne is No. 1 from the 5 A-East
Sports, Pages 26 on 11/23/2012