Jackson Daugherty's impact for the Mena Bearcats isn't lost on Coach Tim Harper.
"You can't put a value on him," Harper said.
Class 4A state final
Warren vs. Mena
WHEN Noon Saturday
WHERE War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock
RECORDS Warren 11-3; Mena 12-2
NOTE Mena has been designated as the home team. The west side of War Memorial Stadium is designated as the home team’s stands, and the east side is designated as the visiting team’s stands.
Daugherty is worth plenty both offensively and defensively for the Bearcats, who face Warren in the Class 4A state championship game at noon Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Daugherty scored two touchdowns last Friday in Mena's 26-7 victory over 7-4A Conference rival Malvern in the Class 4A semifinals, one on a punt return and the other rushing. He returned a punt 37 yards to extend Mena's lead to 20-7, and his 37-yard run made it 26-7 as he finished with 78 yards on 10 carries.
He also came up with an interception on defense as Mena held Malvern to 235 total yards.
"Malvern double-teamed him all night, and he still scored two touchdowns," Harper said. "Jackson is a player."
Daugherty has rushed for 1,083 yards and 17 touchdowns on 110 carries and has more than 800 yards receiving. He's run for seven touchdowns in the playoffs and has caught two scoring passes.
Defensively, Daugherty has recorded 109 tackles to along with 5 interceptions and 9 pass breakups this season. He's also returned three punts for touchdowns.
Daugherty said he understands his role with the Bearcats.
"I have to do my job," Daugherty said. "The team will do their job, and we'll get the job done."
Mena's offense has scored a school-record 503 points, with senior quarterback Sage Kesterson and Daugherty leading the way.
"He's a play-maker," Harper said of Daugherty. "He wants to win. It doesn't matter who we're playing. He's going to play lights out. You can count on him to make plays."
Daugherty said he is happy the Bearcats have given Mena, a town of 5,746 located in Polk County, something they can be proud of this season. Mena finished second in the 7-4A and won its first playoff game since 1996, and this will be the Bearcats' first trip to the a state championship game since 1976.
"Everybody is so psyched for this game," Daugherty said. "We're ready to go out and win it."
That won't be easy, though, not against a Warren team that returns to the final after losing 14-12 to Booneville in last season's state championship game.
"If we come out and play our best game, I think we'll do just fine," Daugherty said. "It's going to be a great game."
Sports on 12/11/2014