Stone Cold Lock Of The Week: Playoffs Round 3

It has been an interesting set of Playoffs to say the least. Upsets, close games, it is everything we hoped it would be. It is going to get downright chilly tonight in the area, make sure to bring hot hands, blankets, and make sure to buy that hot chocolate at the Booster Club concession stand.

We are three weeks away from finalizing the Stone Cold Lock of the Week: Dudes of the Year team. Get your suggestions in! Need names and stats if possible. Also need the suggestions on spirit squads, best band, AND best concession stand food. Mine will always be the burgers served at the Greenwood Pittbull games. If they could have been paired with the crinkle cut fries from the Greenwood Band. Oh my! Chef Gordon Ramsey would have been left speechless.

Stone Cold Lock Of The Week

Booneville vs Fordyce

This is an interesting game. Two legendary programs that have just been beating nearly everyone in their path by quite a bit. Rison is the only team that has come close to the Redbugs this season in week 9. Booneville is Booneville. Like their neighbors to the West, the Bearcats always find a way to Little Rock, just tonight they must face the 11-0 Fordyce Redbugs. We know the Booneville season story, only blemish coming at the hands of Mansfield.

The Rest

Dumas vs Mansfield

How Dumas upset Glen Rose last week is up there with Waldron’s win over Ozark. But! This is why we love the Playoffs! The 6-6 Bobcats make the near 4hr trip from the Arkansas Delta to Scott County to take on the Tigers. Looking at Google maps there is not one uncomplicated way to get from Point A to Point B. Which is my other favorite thing about the playoffs. Heck last week Pocola, Ok went seven hours to the Oklahoma Panhandle for their game. Gosh what a trip. Will the Tiger train keep rolling ending the Cinderella story for Dumas? Or is there some Dumas magic left in the tank?

Mountain Home vs Greenwood

The Semi-Finals, Greenwood is no stranger. The Bulldogs have made this trip twenty-four times, while the talented upstart Bombers are making their first trip since 2006. There are some important numbers at stake tonight for the Bulldogs. Consecutive home wins sit at 69, consecutive trips to finals is at 4. Tonight, Greenwood and Mountain Home could break into new territory. Mountain Home could cap an excellent season and knock off the Powerhouse Bulldogs and go to State. Greenwood could make it number 70 in a row at home and get the fifth consecutive trip to Little Rock.

Osceola vs Bismarck

Last Week, Osceola beat Charleston 50-28 to setup this game. If not for an early loss to Ensworth out of Nashville, Tennessee, tonight’s game would be a match of undefeated teams. Bismarck has been on an absolute tear this season but has had some close games, one notably being against Mansfield in Week 0. The winner faces either Booneville or Fordyce in the Semi-Finals

Rivercrest vs Salem

When Salem lost to Prescott early in the season, I had a feeling they would meet each other again and they did last week. Salem got the 16-10 win to face a tough Rivercrest Colt team this round. The winner will face either Dumas or Mansfield in the Semi-Finals. Kind of hoping Salem gets this one to have a rematch of Salem vs Mansfield from last year’s playoffs.

Shiloh Christian vs Benton

The other 6A Semi-Final. The Saints are going against a tough tough Benton Panther team that has been rolling teams this season in a fashion similar to Greenwood. Shiloh is making the trip to Saline County to try and make it an all 6A-West State Final as it has been the last two seasons. It will also mark a feat by Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian, and Greenwood to make the Finals in every classification they have played in.

Malvern vs Elkins

There has not been a team close to Elkins this whole season. The Elks have had FIVE shutout victories this season and are poised to make the trip to Little Rock if everything keeps going their way in 4A. While Malvern is sitting at 11-1 on the season, I just do not think they have enough for Elkins.

East Poinsett vs Mt. Ida

Record wise, both teams seem evenly matched at 9-3. Both teams are fighting to make a berth in the State Championship next week. The winner will face the winner of Conway Christian and Junction City at noon on Dec. 6th

Arkansas vs Missouri

The Battle Line Rivalry. If Arkansas starts slow like they have in the last two weeks this could be a long day for the Razorbacks. The defense can only keep them in the game long enough before it gets out of hand. The chirping about Coach Pittman and the slow offensive start in games completely overshadows how good that defense is. Only two more games left of this season, hopefully that defensive staff can stick together and resist getting poached.