El Dorado hasn't missed the playoffs since Scott Reed's first season at the Union County school in 2007.
A victory tonight against Little Rock Parkview (5-4, 2-4 6A-South) at Quigley-Cox Stadium in Little Rock assures El Dorado (4-5, 2-4) of its eighth consecutive playoff appearance, but the Wildcats will have to find a way to win their first game in a month after starting 4-1.
They've lost four consecutive in the 6A-South, including to Texarkana, Lake Hamilton, Pine Bluff and Benton. El Dorado was held to 211 total yards by Benton in a 35-12 loss last Friday.
"We couldn't get it done in any phase," Reed said.
Reed has been pleased with the attitude of his senior class, led by running back Kawon Love, following a four-game losing streak.
"We've had a tough stretch here, but they've come to work every day leading," Reed said. "They've won a lot of games since they've been here."
Reed hasn't talked about playoff scenarios with his team. If the Wildcats win tonight, they'll clinch at least the No. 5 seed in the Class 6A playoffs from the 6A-South.
"We haven't talked about what-ifs," Reed said. "The one thing we've talked about is the playoffs start on Friday. If we're going to be a part of it, then we have to get it done starting this Friday."
ALMA
Airedales on track
Alma Coach Doug Loughridge challenged his team leading up to its 33-14 victory last Friday at Van Buren.
The Airedales lost 34-7 at Russellville on Oct. 23, and Loughridge put his team through tougher practices last week and the results worked.
"It was a two-a-day mentality," Loughridge said. "We're going to keep getting after it."
Junior quarterback Noah Dotson was the difference against Van Buren, rushing for 137 yards and 1 touchdown on 13 carries. Alma turned to the running game after a rainstorm hit Van Buren at halftime. The Airedales ran the ball 42 times.
"I like the way we adjusted," Loughridge said. "We got the yardage we needed."
Alma (6-3, 4-2 7A/6A-Central) hosts Greenwood (9-0, 6-0) tonight as it tries to reach the Class 6A postseason for the second consecutive season. A victory by the Airedales would assure them of a playoff spot, while a victory by Alma and a Russellville victory over Siloam Springs would mean a three-way tie for first at 2-1 among Class 6A teams in the Central.
"We know there's a little more added pressure," Loughridge said. "We could finish as high as No. 1 or be left out in the cold. The only thing we can control is what we do against Greenwood."
TEXARKANA
Razorbacks in line
Texarkana could host a first-round game in the Class 6A playoffs if it wins tonight at Sheridan.
It's all Coach Todd Ledford could hope for after the Razorbacks' 0-5 start that included losses to Liberty-Eylau, Texas, and defending Class 6A state champion Pine Bluff. The Razorbacks are 3-1 over their past four games, with victories over El Dorado, Little Rock Parkview and Little Rock Hall. They held Hall to a safety in a 45-2 victory last Friday.
"We've gotten better defensively," Ledford said. "We've been more consistent."
Texarkana will see one of the top running backs in Class 6A tonight in Sheridan senior Brockton Brown. Brown has rushed for 1,749 yards and 17 touchdowns.
"Nobody has stopped him all year," Ledford said. "He's a tough runner. They do a good job of putting the ball in his hands."
Texarkana's success over the past month isn't enough for Ledford or the Razorbacks as they want the opportunity to host Class 6A's No. 3 seed from the 7A/6A-Central next week.
"We're very hungry," Ledford said. "They want to have success. Sheridan is going to throw everything they have at us, and we'll throw everything we have at them."
Sports on 11/06/2015