Arkadelphia Coach J.R. Eldridge had a feeling the Badgers would have a special season in 2017.
One year after going 5-6, the Badgers (12-1) will make their second Class 4A semifinal appearance in three years, traveling to Pea Ridge on Friday.
The Badgers' only loss is to 7-4A Conference rival Joe T. Robinson, which plays in the other Class 4A semifinal game Friday at home against Warren.
"Our coaching staff has really built relationships with our players over the years," Eldridge said. "Our players, their energy and their effort in practice has been a significant key for us. They enjoy practicing. They're focused."
Arkadelphia, which is attempting to win its first state championship since 1987, has been led by junior running back Zion Hatley and sophomore quarterback Cannon Turner.
Hatley is one of the state's rushing leaders with 1,687 yards and 29 touchdowns on 123 carries in 11 games. He missed the Robinson game because of a concussion, and the Badgers did not play their Class 4A first-round game against Helena-West Helena because of a bus accident on Interstate 30 on Nov. 10 involving Helena-West Helena.
Turner is 68-of-125 passing for 979 yards with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He's also rushed for 874 yards and 11 touchdowns on 124 carries.
Eldridge calls Hatley and Turner huge parts of the Badgers' offense.
"They play really big roles," Eldridge said. "They understand their role and have executed their role all season. They're both great kids. They're outstanding young men. Great leaders for us."
Pea Ridge (12-1) features seniors Drew Winn, a running back, and quarterback Jakota Sainsbury.
Winn is at 2,170 yards and 31 touchdowns on 250 carries. Sainsbury has completed 152 of 238 passes for 2,275 yards with 26 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
"You can tell watching film that they're well-coached," Eldridge said. "They play really hard. They do what they're coached to do. They're doing it in all three phases of the game. That's what we try to do as well."
RIVERCREST
Goodbye, Cotton Patch
Friday will be the final game played by the Rivercrest Colts at Colts Stadium, which is known by locals as The Cotton Patch.
The 47-year-old stadium that opened in 1970 plays host to the Class 3A semifinals Friday with the Colts and McGehee Owls.
Rivercrest will open a new $2.6 million stadium next season that will seat at least 1,500.
"There's a lot of excitement in the community," Rivercrest Coach Kelly Chandler said. "The players are excited to be playing Friday."
The Colts (11-1), who won the 3-3A Conference, knocked off 2-3A champion Mayflower 41-14 on Friday in the Class 3A quarterfinals in Mayflower. Senior fullback Jamyka Franks rushed for 142 yards and 4 touchdowns on 17 carries. Demilon Brown, the Colts' senior quarterback, had 166 yards and 1 touchdown on 14 carries. Overall, the Colts totaled 475 yards, including 396 rushing.
"Our preparation last week, our minds were on our jobs all week," Chandler said. "The kids listened. They did what they had to do. We executed that plan really well."
Brown leads the Colts in rushing and passing, with 1,061 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground and 558 yards and 6 touchdowns in the air.
"They're leaders," Chandler said. "Every day in practice, they do their job."
Rivercrest played in the Class 3A state championship in 2015, losing to Harding Academy. The Colts are on the verge of their second title game in three years.
"We always strive for that," Chandler said. "That's what we point to. Sometimes, it works out, sometimes it doesn't. We want to win the conference first and then win the [state] championship."
EXTRA POINTS
Osceola snapped Charleston's 12-game home playoff winning streak with a 37-14 victory over the Tigers on Friday in the Class 3A quarterfinals. The Seminoles outscored the Tigers 20-0 in the second half. They will travel to Junction City on Friday for the Class 3A semifinals. ... Mount Ida rushed for 317 yards in a 34-28 victory over Conway Christian at home Friday in the Class 2A quarterfinals. Senior quarterback Ridge Gibbs finished with 110 rushing yards, and junior running back Jonathan Lagrange had 86 yards on the ground. The Lions, the defending Class 2A state champions, travel to 8-2A champion Camden Harmony Grove for a Class 2A semifinal game Friday. ... Joe T. Robinson is in the state semifinals for the first time since 2010 and will host a state semifinal game for the first time since 2003. The Senators face Warren in a rematch of last year's Class 4A quarterfinal game won by the Lumberjacks 35-28 in Warren.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
CLASS 4A
Warren at Joe T. Robinson Arkadelphia at Pea Ridge
CLASS 3A
Osceola at Junction City McGehee at Rivercrest
CLASS 2A
Foreman at Earle Mount Ida at Camden Harmony Grove
Sports on 11/30/2017