HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
The 0-3 start that perennial 3A power Charleston had to start the 2026 season is starting to feel like a distant memory. The Tigers started the season with losses to 4A-4 powers Booneville, Pottsville, and Ozark, but have since reeled off four straight wins, and more importantly are sitting pretty at 3-0 in Conference 3A-1.
With a victory over West Fork on Friday at Alumni Field, Charleston can clinch a playoff berth for the 39th consecutive season, extending a current Arkansas state record across all classifications.
“That is an amazing record, just glad I have been able to be a part of it,” Charleston head coach Ricky May said. “Getting in is the big thing.”
Many media outlets in the state dismissed Charleston after the 0-3 start, labeling the Tigers to be on a ‘down year,’ and several predicted Cedarville to upset the Tigers two weeks ago. But after conference wins over Paris, Cedarville, and Greenland, Charleston has proven to still be in the mix for the 3A-1 conference title, and is a team that shouldn’t be overlooked.
West Fork comes in with a 2-5 overall record, and 0-3 in conference play. They have suffered a mercy-rule defeat in each conference loss to Greenland, Lavaca, and Mansfield.
Everyone knows the biggest game of the 3A-1 schedule is October 30th, when Mansfield visits Charleston in what will likely be for the conference title, barring some major upsets. But Coach May isn’t concerned about his guys looking ahead.
“No, the kids know it’s coming and how big of a game it is, but we have preached one game at a time enough.”
Charleston has relied heavily on the ground game this season, with Finn Schmalz leading the way last week against Greenland with 131 yards and two touchdowns. Lukas Burleson added two rushing touchdowns on quarterback keepers, and Finn’s older brother Gunner added a rushing touchdown last week as well. On the season, Finn has 513 yards rushing on 69 carries with four touchdowns.
The passing game is still there when needed, with deep threats Matteo Gaona and Ryder Julian both hauling in touchdown passes this season from Burleson. Lukas has 547 yards passing with six touchdowns.
The defense has stepped up in a big way the last two weeks, holding Cedarville and Greenland scoreless in the first half of both games.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Alumni Field in Charleston.
All photos by Ronni Tate Young.
