ARKADELPHIA -- Despite the cold, people lined the streets and filled the parking lots to tailgate. Baggo games were in progress, then at 11:30 a.m. the uniqueness of this 92-year-old rivalry became a reality.
Traffic was stopped on Highway 67, and "the shortest road trip in college football" happened as the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers walked across the street from their campus and into Carpenter-Haygood Stadium to take on archrival Henderson State University.
The Battle of the Ravine, a field of kudzu, was on. It was interesting, intense and incredibly charming, just as it has been historically.
Park anywhere you want, the young lady said at the parking lot. The lady at the gate explained apologetically that she didn't really know where to locate the press box, but she thought there was a ladder.
It actually was up a flight of stairs -- thank goodness -- and Henderson State SID David Salley already was on the job. The OBU radio team of Rex Nelson and Jeff Root were prepping for their five-hour broadcast that is carried on seven stations.
This rivalry was once so bitter that both schools agreed it was better to not play each other because the pranks were almost year round. The prohibition lasted more than 10 years, and today in this peaceful hamlet of a little more than 10,000 people the schools more than co-exist. The student bodies are keenly aware of the game and its bragging rights for about 24 hours.
Other than that, they worship together, dine together, shop together and even attend some classes together.
But in that 24 hours, fountains are guarded and marble-carved Tigers are watched. But for the most part, this rivalry is where it should be, on the field. That doesn't mean there aren't comments. There will always be comments.
The Reddies, who have only 16 Arkansans on their roster, came in looking for a winning season -- the 5-5 prelude would be forgotten with a victory over the undefeated Tigers. OBU was playing for a No. 1 regional seed in the Division II playoffs, which would mean a first-round bye and a home game or two. OBU has 71 Arkansans listed on its roster.
Apparently with the entire town watching -- attendance was announced at more than 10,000, which is the same as the population -- the Tigers, for the eighth time this season, took a lead of at least 14-0 by driving 37 yards after a Reddie fumble, then 69 yards. Brayden Brazeal and Brockton Brown scored touchdowns for the Tigers.
Henderson scored on a 36-yard pass from Richard Stammetti to Ben Johnson, his sixth catch of the game. It was only the 10th touchdown the Tigers have allowed this season.
Cole Antley hit a 35-yard field goal -- he has only one miss this season, and that one was blocked. After an interception, the Tigers went 47 yards in just four plays with Brazeal passing 16 yards to Ladarius McElroy for the touchdown and a 24-7 halftime lead.
Henderson owned the third quarter, having possession for 12:43 and outgaining the Tigers 125 yards to 16, but the Reddies were limited to a field goal.
On OBU's first possession of the fourth quarter, the Tigers used more than five minutes to drive 80 yards and make it 31-10 with 9:00 to play. A late interception, OBU's 19th of the season, led to a final score as OBU quietly walked home with a 38-10 victory.
The series is now tied 43-43-6. It is the best-kept secret in the world of football rivalries, and as it should be, it is contested more on the field than off.
Sports on 11/11/2018