North Little Rock has rolled through its first seven games, going 7-0 and moving up to the No. 2 spot in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Overall Top 10.
But Charging Wildcats Coach Jamie Mitchell knows his team will be in for a test tonight at Fort Smith Northside, the Democrat-Gazette's No. 7 overall team.
North Little Rock at Fort Smith Northside
WHEN 7 p.m.
WHERE Mayo-Thompson Stadium, Fort Smith
RECORDS North Little Rock 7-0, 4-0 7A-Central; Fort Smith Northside 5-1, 4-0 7A-Central
RANKINGS North Little Rock No. 2 overall, No. 2 Class 7A; Fort Smith Northside No. 7 overall, No. 5 Class 7A
COACHES North Little Rock: Jamie Mitchell; Fort Smith Northside: Mike Falleur
KEY PLAYERS North Little Rock: QB Trey Cox (Sr., 6-0, 170), RB Alex Day (Sr., 5-10, 195), RB Wynton Ruth (Sr., 5-8, 200); Fort Smith Northside: QB/CB Tre Norwood (Sr., 5-11, 175); RB Derrick Wise (So., 5-10, 175); LB Robert Wilkerson (Sr., 6-1, 215)
"By far, the best football team we've played," Mitchell said. "We cannot go in there and make mistakes and expect to win."
The Charging Wildcats and Grizzlies (5-1) are tied for the 7A-Central Conference lead at 4-0. The winner will take over sole possession of first place with two regular-season games remaining after tonight.
North Little Rock has been led by its senior trio of Alex Day, Wynton Ruth and Trey Cox.
Since returning from a knee injury that forced him to miss the first two games, Day has rushed for 814 yards and 9 touchdowns on 71 carries. Ruth has accounted for 765 yards and 12 touchdowns, including 445 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Cox has passed for 1,061 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Charging Wildcats have averaged 52.8 points per game. They've scored at least 38 points in all seven games this season.
"It's hard not to be happy," Mitchell said. "They've played exceptionally well. Our quarterback [Cox] deserves a lot of credit. He's directed the ship. So many guys have been making plays."
Northside Coach Mike Falleur said he doesn't see any weaknesses with North Little Rock.
"We have to limit the big plays defensively," Falleur said. "Offensively, we can't make it easy on them and give it to them on the short end of the field."
The Grizzlies are expected to start senior Tre Norwood at quarterback in place of classmate Max Frazier, who injured his ankle last week at Conway. Norwood, a standout cornerback, has orally committed to Louisville.
"We haven't seen a guy like that this year," Mitchell said of Norwood. "He's an electric kid. He's a very special kid."
Mitchell has been in the high school coaching business for 27 years, but this year's Charging Wildcats team may be his favorite one to coach.
"They love coming to work," Mitchell said. "They have been since January. They've been incredible. They've worked their rear ends off. They love practice. They're an exciting group to be with. They make coaching a lot of fun.
"It's not a job. It's a true enjoyment. They'll tell you the same thing."
Northside's only loss was to Greenwood on Sept. 2. The Grizzlies have won five consecutive since that loss, and Falleur has been pleased with his team over the past month and a half.
"I think we've gotten better every week," Falleur said. "Each week, I've seen improvement. We have to keep working. We have to finish the last three weeks strong."
The importance of tonight's game in western Arkansas is not lost on Mitchell, who is trying to win his first conference championship at North Little Rock.
"The two of us want to get to 5-0. Only one team will be 5-0," Mitchell said. "There's a lot riding on this one."
Sports on 10/21/2016