Charleston is in the Class 3A state championship game for the second consecutive season and the third time since 2011.
For Coach Greg Kendrick, that's part of the reason he decided to keep his team in Charleston this week instead of practicing at War Memorial Stadium as the Tigers prepare to face Smackover on Friday night in Little Rock.
Class 3A state final
Smackover vs. Charleston
WHEN 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock
RECORDS Smackover 13-1; Charleston 13-0
COACHES Smackover: Brian Strickland; Charleston: Greg Kendrick
NOTE Smackover fans are asked to sit on the east side of War Memorial Stadium. Charleston fans are asked to sit on the west side.
It's all about keeping the Tigers on their usual schedule.
"Our kids are used to the process," said Kendrick, who is in his second season as the Tigers' head coach. "It's about the process, not the end result. If we take care of our responsibilities and win the day, we feel like Friday takes care of itself."
Charleston (13-0) overcame its first halftime deficit of the season, 14-7, to beat Booneville 21-14 in the Class 3A semifinals Friday. Kendrick said resiliency was what pushed the Tigers past Booneville, which Charleston beat 47-20 on Oct. 31.
"They haven't been in very many games in that situation," Kendrick said. "Very, very proud of our kids. They stayed the course. I looked in their face. I thought I was going to see anguish and anxiety. There was no panic."
Senior quarterback Ty Storey, a University of Arkansas oral commitment, threw two interceptions in the first half but set up Charleston's game-winning drive that resulted in junior Wade Gerlick's 6-yard touchdown run.
Storey finished 17 of 36 passing for 368 yards with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions. Senior Dylan Jones had 8 catches for 199 yards and 1 touchdown, and senior Taylor King had 8 receptions for 156 yards. Jones also blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for a first-half touchdown.
Smackover may be the most athletic team Charleston has faced this season.
The Buckaroos (13-1), champions of the 6-3A Conference, are led by senior quarterback Logan Clark, who has passed for 1,682 yards with 23 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Junior wide receiver Jordan Jones, another Arkansas commitment, has caught 27 passes for 642 yards and 3 touchdowns, while classmate Keiandre Purifoy has rushed for 771 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Purifoy also is Smackover's leading tackler with 110.
"They've got more team speed than anyone we've seen," Kendrick said. "I'm glad it's not a track meet. They've got unbelievable athletic ability. They've got dudes all over the field.
"We haven't seen team speed like this. You watch film of them, they're outrunning fast people."
Kendrick believes Charleston's experience will be beneficial entering Friday's game as it tries to win the program's fourth state championship (2005, 2008, 2013).
"They won't be mesmerized," Kendrick said. "We know it's business as usual. This is another week."
Sports on 12/11/2014