Ashdown Coach Matt Richardson said he’s discovered a way to stop Arkadelphia’s dynamic 1-2 punch of senior quarterback Jakahari Howell and senior tailback Kris Oliver.
“Pray,” Richardson said with a laugh. “Pray that they stay in the locker room or something’s good on TV Friday night.”
Howell, who wears No. 1, and Oliver, No. 2, are scheduled to be on the field Friday night when Arkadelphia (7-0, 4-0 7-4A) hosts Ashdown (6-1, 3-1) in a marquee conference match up.
Arkadelphia, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, is off to its best start since finishing 14-0 and winning the Class AAA state championship in 1987. Ashdown climbed as high as No. 2 before tumbling out of the rankings following a 16-6 home loss to Malvern on Oct. 11.
Ashdown rebounded to win last week at Nashville(10-6). It was the first time in Coach Billy Dawson’s two stints at Nashville (2005-2009 and 2012-) that the Scrappers failed to score at least 10 points.
“They’ve got a lot of good athletes on that side of the field,” Arkadelphia Coach J.R. Eldridge said of Ashdown’s defense.
Richardson said a personnel decision was critical in last week’s victory over Nashville. Junior Macardo Anderson moved from safety to cornerback in order to cover 6-3 junior wide receiver La’Michael Pettway, who has a scholarship offer from Nebraska.
Richardson said Pettway was limited to two receptions, one coming on a “busted coverage.” Pettway caught 13 passes for 259 yards and 1 touchdown in a 28-19 loss at Arkadelphia on Sept. 27.
“We took their best player off the field,” Richardson said.
Ashdown will have to worry about two players Friday night.
Howell has completed 77.1 percent of his passes this season (111 of 144) for 1,579 yards and 17 touchdowns. Oliver has rushed 107 times for 1,034 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Badgers average 51 points per game.
“It’s going to be really exciting,” Richardson said. “They’ve got a great offense, and we’ve got a good defense.”
After opening conference play with a victory over Nashville, Arkadelphia dominated Arkansas Baptist (56-6), Central Arkansas Christian (55-14) and Pulaski Robinson (64-22) the past three weeks.
“It’s exciting about where we are,” Eldridge said. “I’ve felt like we’ve done what we’re capable of doing.”
Ashdown Panthers vs. Arkadelphia Badgers
WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Badger Stadium, Arkadelphia COACHES Ashdown (Matt Richardson, third season, 15-12); Arkadelphia (J.R.
Eldridge, third season, 20-9) CONFERENCE 7-4A RECORDS Ashdown (6-1, 3-1 7-4A); Arkadelphia (7-0, 4-0) RANKINGS Ashdown is unranked; Arkadelphia is No. 1 in Class 4A PLAYERS TO WATCH Ashdown (WR/DB Parrish Guillory, 6-1, 170, Sr.); Arkadelphia (QB Jakahari Howell, 6-0, 175, Sr.)
NOTEWORTHY Arkadelphia won last year’s meeting, 29-7, on the road. … Ashdown Coach Matt Richardson is a 1999 Cutter Morning Star graduate. He was an assistant for four seasons at Blinn (Texas) Junior College before becoming Ashdown’s defensive coordinator in 2010. Blinn, led by future Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton, won the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship in 2009. … Arkadelphia is off to its best start since finishing 14-0 and winning the Class AAA state championship in 1987. … The Badgers have won 11 consecutive regular-season games and eight consecutive conference games.
Sports, Pages 24 on 10/24/2013