In year 11 of its football program, Arkansas Baptist College is having its best season with the biggest home game in program history set for Saturday.
The Buffaloes stand at 5-1 for the season and are rated No. 1 in the Independent National Junior College Athletic Association poll while receiving three votes in the latest top 20 national poll.
Arkansas Baptist Coach Richard Wilson is encouraged by the votes, but he hopes the Buffaloes can break into the top 20.
"That was a big accomplishment," Wilson said. "That would be huge for our program just to crack that."
Arkansas Baptist never has been over .500, and this is the first season the program has won at least five games.
"You always talk about putting your best foot forward and always try to be competitive," Wilson said. "Actually, this was the year where we said we needed to be over .500 and learn how to win.
"Right now, we're living a dream, because we passed the winning season thing a couple of games back."
Saturday's homecoming opponent is Georgia Military College, a program that won the 2001 national championship and has been runner-up three times, with 2013 being the latest. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Little Rock Central's Quigley Stadium.
Wilson said there is a buzz around the school.
"Everybody thinks we're world beaters right now, but the reality of it is this game Saturday is going to be a big challenge," Wilson said. "They've had their way with us for 10 years."
The Bulldogs come into the game with a 3-4 record, but the losses were to powerhouse programs.
"They played Navarro the first game that was a loss," Wilson said. "They played Arizona Western, who went to the national championship last year. That was a loss, and then they played NEO, who's in the top 20.
"It will be great measuring stick for our guys."
Six sophomores from Arkansas have been big contributors for the Buffaloes. Receiver and return man Kendriel Johnson, 5-7, 180 pounds, of Forrest City has 16 receptions for 164 yards and 4 touchdowns.
"He's doing a great job," Wilson said. "He's stuck with us, and he's one of the guys when people look at us on film they say they have to stop Johnson. Because if we can get him in some one-on-one situations, most of the time he's going to win."
Running back Byron Person, 5-7, 175, starred at Warren before making his way to Arkansas Baptist. He's rushed 55 times for 366 yards and 4 touchdowns.
"He came to us from Coach Bo Hembree's program," Wilson said. "The hardest people to convince about what you're doing is the in-state kids because a lot of people rag on them and say why would you go over there, but these kids have stuck with us."
Running backs Jaylon Swift, 5-7, 180, and Markell Scott, 5-10, 185, have rushed for more than 100 yards for the season and hail from Pine Bluff Dollarway.
Nose guard Larry Hatchett, 6-2, 280, of North Little Rock and linebacker Kyron Whaley, 6-2, 235, of Pine Bluff are key members of the defense.
The future looks bright for the Buffaloes, who start five freshmen on offense and eight on defense.
"Honestly, the most talented players we have are freshmen," Wilson said. "They'll have the opportunity to come back next year."
Saturday’s game
GEORGIA MILITARY AT ARKANSAS BAPTIST
WHEN 1 p.m.
WHERE Quigley Stadium, Little Rock
RECORDS Georgia Military 3-4; Arkansas Baptist 5-1
Sports on 10/24/2018