NASHVILLE, AR- In the storied 2022 season for Charleston that saw the Tigers win a Class 3A state championship, the Nashville Scrappers gave the Tigers their only loss of the season. The 4A powerhouse of a program, traveled to Charleston for what turned out to be a very good football game between two very good programs. In fact, Nashville would go on to advance to the 4A state semifinals, losing to the eventual 4A champion, Malvern, by the score of 56-37.
Last year’s game at Alumni Field saw the Tigers fall to Nashville by the score of 27-19 for the Tigers’ only loss of the season. Charleston had the ball for the last possession of the game and just didn’t have enough time remaining as they frantically tried to tie the game and send it into overtime.
The Scrappers play in the extremely tough 4A-7 football conference that includes Arkadelphia, Ashdown, Malvern, Mena, and Waldron.
Nashville senior running back, Tre Hopkins, was the second-leading rusher in the conference with 1,356 yards on 224 carries. Hopkins rushed for 19 touchdowns in 2022. Nashville averaged a little more than 38 points per game last season.
But the graduation of key players from a year ago has affected Nashville this year, too. Last year’s star senior quarterback, Sloan Perrin, has moved on to play college football at Henderson State. As a result, sophomore quarterback Karson Chambers will start for Nashville. He is the first sophomore to start at that position since 2006 for the Scrappers.
At press time for this story, Nashville was preparing to play at DeQueen on September 8. The Scrappers opened their season on zero week, August 25, with a loss at Magnolia by the score of 48-20. In week one, Nashville got their first win of the season at home against Hope by the score of 24-21. The Charleston Tigers were preparing for “The Battle of Franklin County” and their annual game with Ozark. Charleston lost to Elkins in their home opener on September 1 by the score of 49-13. So, both schools are adjusting to young players and having to replaced experienced rosters who were very successful a year ago.
On defense, the Scrappers are led by junior safety Skyler Gibson. Gibson will be counted on heavily this season in an otherwise unproven secondary for Nashville. According to Hootens Arkansas Football publication, the Scrappers will return four, 3-year starters on offense, but on defense, Nashville will have questions in the secondary.
Charleston will look to continue their development and hopefully avoid injuries that could affect next week’s conference opener. Charleston will return home on September 22 to open 3A-1 conference play against the Greenland Pirates at Alumni Field. Greenland started their season 0-2 with losses to Lincoln on August 25, and Green Forest on September 1. Nashville will travel to Arkadelphia for a tough 4A-7 conference opening game against the Badgers. Arkadelphia also opened the 2023 season with two losses, losing to Camden Fairview on August 25 and at Hot Springs on August 31.
RNN Sports will be in Nashville on Friday to bring you special coverage of this important non-conference matchup between the Tigers and the Scrappers. Watch for our post-game story on this game on Saturday on our website at residentnewsnetwork.com, or, on social media at Resident News Network on Facebook. Action photos from this contest will also be available to our readers on Facebook at RNN Sports’ “Team Press Pass” page.
So, Tigers fans, travel safely, and we look forward to seeing you at the stadium this Friday in Nashville!
