CHARLESTON- THE game. Booneville vs. Charleston. That is all you have to know.
On Friday, two of the most storied high school football programs in Arkansas will meet in a conference showdown that will likely determine the conference championship and a number one seed in the state playoffs.
At press time, both schools had important road games that had to be played before this Friday’s big showdown. Booneville was preparing to make the trip to Scott County to play a big road game at Mansfield, and the Charleston Tigers were on the road to play a very dangerous Hackett Hornets team that is capable of scoring a lot of points. A loss by either team would only amplify the need to win this Friday in a head-to-head contest. A win by either team combined with a win this week would all but crown this season’s conference champion.
The Booneville Bearcats, a state finalist a year ago, have had this date circled on their calendars since December 10, 2022. On that date, Charleston defeated Booneville for the second time that season, this time in the state championship game at War Memorial Stadium. The Bearcats have key players returning, such as their all-everything running back and linebacker, Dax Goff, and make no question that he and the other upperclassmen on the team are focused on returning the favor to Charleston this season.
The Charleston Tigers graduated big numbers along with a lot experienced talent from their team a year ago. Charleston took their lumps early in the season, playing Class 4A schools in the non-conference portion of their schedule. Since the resumption of 3A conference play this season, Charleston is undefeated going into their game with Hackett.
Bearcats running back Dax Goff has now eclipsed 4,000 yards rushing in his illustrious career at Booneville. He will go down as one of, if not the greatest running back in Bearcats history. And folks, considering the great runners in the history of the program, that is saying something.
A year ago, Goff rushed for 2,323 yards on 156 carries and scored 29 touchdowns. What makes his stats even more impressive is the fact that he did not play in two games last season.
Defensively, the Charleston Tigers gave up a meager 8.9 points per game on average; well below the second place West Fork Tigers who gave up 21.6. But this year’s team is young, and last year’s stats cannot translate to this year’s game. Charleston coach Ricky May is known for his defenses, and the success of Charleston in this year’s game will rest heavily on the Tigers’ defense. That will be a tall order against the vaunted Booneville rushing attack.
Picked by many media outlets to win the 3A-1 conference, the Booneville Bearcats had a record of 8-2 in the regular season in 2022. Their only loses in the regular season were to Harding Academy and Charleston.
As the number two seed from the conference in the state playoffs, Booneville played once at home in a 42-14 first round win over Junction City, and then played on the road for three weeks at Smackover, Osceola, and Melbourne. The Cats played at Little Rock on December 10 in the state championship game. So, playing on the road will not phase the experienced Bearcats on Friday.
As of October 6, the Booneville Bearcats were 4-2 on the current season. Booneville has wins over Ozark, Hackett, West Fork, and Greenland. The Bearcats’ losses were again to Harding Academy and Camden Fairview. Booneville was facing a big road test at Mansfield on October 13 against one of their former coaches who is now coaching the Mansfield Tigers, Whit Overton.
The Charleston Tigers, Class 3A state champions from a year ago, graduated a lot of talent from that roster and have been reloading in 2023 with a young, talented sophomore class at the core of its roster.
On the current season, Charleston has victories over Greenland, Cedarville, and Mansfield. The Tigers opened the season with non-conference losses against Elkins, Ozark, and Nashville. Charleston is adjusting to injuries to key positions and faced a big road test at Hackett on October 13.
Tiger senior defensive lineman Hunter Little will lead the Charleston defensive effort against the Booneville rushing attack. Little was the second-leading tackler in the conference a season ago with 114 credited to him. The Charleston defense will have to keep the Tigers in the game late for them to have a chance to win. Little was second in tackles behind the league-leading tackler, Dax Goff of Booneville.
Offensively, senior Reese Merechka is a talented, multi-purpose player who contributes heavily on both offense and in the Tigers’ secondary. Merechka will be a key factor in Friday’s game. Merechka led the conference a year ago in receiving with 819 yards on 58 receptions. Merechka caught 11 touchdown passes.
As they say, this is the type of game that in any given year is going to be heated and highly competitive between both teams, regardless of records. But in a year where the eventual conference championship may be at stake as it seems to be this year, that will only intensify this great rivalry.
Kickoff at Alumni Field in Charleston is set for 7 p.m. Fans from both schools will want to arrive at the stadium early to secure a seat for this epic showdown.
RNN Sports photographer Ronni Tate Young will be on the field Friday to bring you all of the action in pictures!
Good luck to both teams in what has all the earmarks to be a high school football classic!
