If Pea Ridge is to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history, it will have to get past one of the state's most talented teams in Pulaski Robinson.
The Blackhawks (9-2) host the Senators (9-2) on Friday night in a Class 4A second-round game. The No. 2 seeds from the 1-4A and 4-4A conferences, respectively, are coming off blowout victories in the first round, with Pea Ridge shutting down Trumann 42-6 and Robinson handling Gravette 58-18.
Robinson features two of the state's most explosive players in senior running back T.J. Hammonds, 5-11, 201, and sophomore wide receiver Nathan Page, 6-0, 180. Hammonds, who has orally committed to the University of Arkansas, has rushed for 1,344 yards and 22 touchdowns on 91 carries and has caught 20 passes for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns. Page has caught 39 passes for 669 yards and 8 touchdowns and also has intercepted 6 passes at safety.
Senior quarterback Brennen Johnson, 5-11, 185, has enjoyed a solid season, completing 102 of 152 passes for 2,016 yards with 24 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Pea Ridge Coach Tony Travis knows the Blackhawks have their work cut out for them Friday night.
"They've got so many weapons," Travis said. "They do a good job of making you defend a lot of territory.
"It's the biggest challenge we'll have all year."
The Blackhawks hope to counter Robinson's big-play ability with time-consuming drives. Junior running back Zaine Holley, 5-7, 163, is the Blackhawks' bellcow, rushing for 1,547 yards and 25 touchdowns on 228 carries.
"He's such a tough runner," Travis said. "There's not too many times you'll get him stopped for no gain. He'll push a pile. We played a team this year and a player told him, 'You're not any fun to tackle.'
"It's a testament to how hard he runs the football."
Friday's winner will play Central Arkansas Christian or Gentry in the quarterfinals Nov. 27. For Travis, a victory Friday would be a program-changer for his school.
"This is our third second-round appearance in the last four years," Travis said. "This is where our season has stopped. To hit that quarterfinal round would be a big step for our program."
HS LAKESIDE
One-two punch
Hot Springs Lakeside's success this season can be traced to its running back duo of Maurice Bradford and Colt Housley.
The Rams seniors have combined for 2,665 rushing yards this season as Lakeside (9-2) earned its first conference championship since 1975 by winning the 5A-South title.
Housley, 5-11, 200, has rushed for 1,463 yards and 20 touchdowns on 254 carries. Bradford, 6-1, 200, has 1,202 yards and 25 touchdowns on 173 carries.
"They do the things that make us go," Lakeside Coach Jared McBride said. "They run well, they block hard. They make the plays when they're not there.
"They both share the load."
Last Friday in a 41-36 Class 5A first-round victory at Austin Field, Housley had 125 yards and 3 touchdowns on 27 carries. Bradford finished with 117 yards and 2 touchdowns on 24 carries as the Rams eliminated the No. 4 seed from the 5A-East in the Mustangs.
The Rams host Little Rock McClellan (8-2) on Friday night in a second-round game. McClellan has been led by junior running back Pierre Strong, who has rushed for 1,759 yards and 24 touchdowns on 130 carries. Strong, 6-1, 185, had 167 yards and 4 touchdowns on 12 carries in the Lions' 52-50 triumph over Morrilton last Friday in Little Rock.
"He's very fast and very physical," McBride said. "He's one who can take it to the house. We have to do a good job of getting on him early."
Lakeside was coming off its first loss since Week 2 at Sylvan Hills when it fell to crosstown rival Hot Springs on Nov. 6 17-15. McBride was pleased with his team's resiliency over the week leading up to its playoff opener.
"We had our best week of practice," McBride said. "We got more healthy and we're ready to go. That will help us again this week."
LR CHRISTIAN
Warriors on point
Little Rock Christian Coach Jeff Weaver may have been the happiest coach in Class 5A after last week's first-round games.
Weaver's Warriors cruised to a 42-15 victory over Sylvan Hills at Warrior Field in Little Rock to improve to 11-0 this season.
Senior running back Damarea Crockett rushed for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries as the Warriors led 14-0 after one quarter, 28-6 at halftime and 42-6 after three quarters.
"We really played well Friday," Weaver said. "We dominated from start to finish. I was very concerned about Sylvan Hills with their big play ability. But our guys did a great job of not giving them any momentum early."
Also, senior quarterback Kyron Sanders completed 16 of 25 passes for 270 yards with 4 touchdowns and 1 touchdown. Wide receiver Joe Hampton, also a senior, caught 6 passes for 113 yards and 1 touchdown.
Weaver wasn't concerned about the Warriors being complacent after winning the 5A-West Conference.
"These guys are hungry every week. They're excited to come out and practice and take advantage of every opportunity they've got."
Little Rock Christian hosts Wynne in the Class 5A second round Friday night.
EXTRA POINTS
Dardanelle hosts Hamburg on Friday night for the second consecutive season in the Class 4A second round. The Sand Lizards, the two-time 4-4A Conference champions, won last year's meeting 28-14 en route to an appearance in the Class 4A semifinals. Junior running back Dakota Rowland rushed for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns on 21 carries in Dardanelle's 42-0 rout of Lincoln last Friday. Hamburg, the No. 2 seed from the 8-4A, eliminated Baptist Prep 35-7. ... Star City senior defensive tackle Austin Capps, who has orally committed to the University of Arkansas, has recorded 52 tackles, including 15 for a loss, and 5 sacks this season. Capps also has 107 pancake blocks. Senior quarterback Tye Brown has passed for 1,905 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who travel to 3-4A champion Pocahontas on Friday night. ... Fountain Lake and Arkadelphia meet for the second time this season Friday night in Fountain Lake. The 7-4A Conference rivals met in Week 6 when the Cobras came away with a 35-14 victory. Senior running back Parker Ross has rushed for 1,490 yards and 26 touchdowns this season for the Cobras, the No. 2 seed from the 7-4A.
Sports on 11/19/2015