Fort Smith Northside played take-away last week in its season opener.
The Grizzlies knocked off the No. 1 team in Class 6A to open their season, defeating Pine Bluff 26-15 last Friday at Mayo-Thompson Stadium in Fort Smith.
Today’s game
FS NORTHSIDE AT LR CENTRAL
WHEN 7 p.m.
WHERE Quigley-Cox Stadium, Little Rock
RECORDS Fort Smith Northside 1-0; Little Rock Central 1-0
COACHES Fort Smith Northside: Mike Falleur; Little Rock Central: Ellis “Scooter” Register
Northside forced six turnovers in the game, including three interceptions by Kiondre Thomas that the Grizzlies converted into 17 points. In fact, 23 of the Grizzlies' 26 points came off Pine Bluff turnovers.
"I don't think anybody would have ever thought Pine Bluff would have committed six turnovers," Northside Coach Mike Falleur said. "Credit to our guys for being in the right place at the right time. We have to take advantage of it when it happens."
Daytrieon Dean, who is orally committed to Arkansas, had two sacks for the Grizzlies, who had been searching for a signature victory in their second season under Falleur. Northside returned 10 starters on offense and nine on defense this season, and Falleur said it was important for the team to experience success early.
"They're excited to see some benefits from their work," Falleur said.
Still, like most coaches, Falleur cautioned that it's only one game and the Grizzlies need to be looking ahead instead of behind. Northside moved up to No. 8 overall and No 5 in Class 7A in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette rankings, and it travels to central Arkansas tonight to take on 7A/6A-East member Little Rock Central, which is No. 6 in Class 7A.
"It's over with," Falleur said. "People bury dead fish in the newspaper. We have to go forward."
Northside running back Justin Curry ran for 147 yards and a touchdown against Pine Bluff and helped the Grizzlies control the clock in the second half, when they rushed for 276 yards.
Falleur said he expects Curry will only get better running behind an experienced offensive line.
"We've known all along that Justin is a heck of running back," Falleur said.
Little Rock Central opened its season last Monday with a 38-0 victory at Dallas James Madison. Cooper Westbrook completed 13 of 22 passes for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Tigers.
"We know we have a big challenge," Falleur said. "Each week is going to get tougher and tougher. I think we have to play really good to have a chance to win."
Northside's schedule is one of the toughest in the state. In addition to Pine Bluff and Little Rock Central, Northside hosts Greenwood -- No. 5 overall and No. 1 in Class 6A -- next Friday. Following that, Northside opens 7A-West Conference play against Fayetteville, ranked No. 3 overall and in Class 7A.
"I don't know if you can get prepared for it," Falleur said when asked if the Grizzlies' nonconference schedule was designed to prepare them for the 7A-West.
The Grizzlies are back in the 7A-West Conference after a two-year hiatus, and Falleur is looking for a gauge to see how prepared Northside is for the grind that comes with playing against teams such as top-ranked Bentonville and Fayetteville in the regular season.
"There's no doubt they're huge and physical," said Falleur of 7A-West opponents. "I hope we can compete with them. Until we get there and line up against them, I don't know."
Sports on 09/12/2014