Ozark-
Hillbillies answer early 5A test, turn focus to Huntsville
The Hillbillies (1-0) opened their season with an encouraging win over Maumelle, using a punishing ground attack, disciplined defense and a strong response to adversity to handle an early test against a 5A opponent. Coach Watson said the matchup was intentionally scheduled to give his team a playoff-style challenge from the start.
“We wanted to challenge ourselves early on,” the coach said. “We wanted to see a team that had a skill set of somebody that we’ll see deep in the playoffs.”
Maumelle provided that test with capable receivers and a quarterback who has drawn Division II interest, including from Northwest Missouri State. But the Hillbillies met the challenge on both sides of the ball, according to the coach, who praised his players’ effort, intensity and discipline.
Offensively, the Hillbillies controlled the game with an effective rushing attack that averaged a little more than eight yards per play. The tone was set immediately when the offense scored in just three plays on its opening drive.
Quarterback Cade Capp said that quick touchdown gave the unit confidence that it could dictate the action for the rest of the night.
“I felt really good going down in three plays and scoring,” Cade said. “We knew we could be able to do that all night, and they couldn’t stop our overload set. It gave us a lot of confidence.”
The quarterback sneak was particularly effective, with Cade saying Maumelle’s alignment often left only a linebacker in position to meet him at the line of scrimmage.
“There’s nobody there except for that linebacker,” Cade said. “It was just guaranteed like five yards.”
The Hillbillies also showed resilience after Maumelle created some momentum around halftime. A holding penalty before the break had the potential to shift the game, and Maumelle later scored to pull within one possession. Instead of allowing the game to tighten, the Hillbillies answered quickly.
“That’s what you want to see,” the coach said. “That’s a great thing to test yourself early on.”
Defensively, the Hillbillies pressured Maumelle’s passing game, played tight man coverage and limited costly mistakes in the secondary. The coach said the team had few blown coverages and consistently rallied to the football.
The effort extended beyond the starters. In a key fourth-and-short situation during the second half, several reserves entered the game and helped produce a stop.
“We had probably five or six different subs in on it that got the stop on fourth-and-one, fourth-and-two,” the coach said. “That just speaks volumes to all the kids. They’ve all been ready, they’ve all prepared, and you put them in and they go and exceed your expectations.”
Now, the Hillbillies will look to carry that momentum into their first home game against Huntsville. The coach expects Huntsville to present formations similar to Maumelle, including trips, two-by-one and two-by-two sets, but said the Bulldogs bring a different group of athletes.
Huntsville’s quarterback and running back will be the primary defensive priorities.
“The quarterback and running back are very good football players,” the coach said. “Those are the two guys we know we have to stop.”
The Hillbillies could also unveil portions of a newly installed 3-4 defensive look as they continue building their scheme for later in the season. On offense, the team plans to expand its playbook when opportunities allow, while still maintaining the physical identity that worked so well against Maumelle.
“When something’s working, you’ve got to stick with it,” the coach said. “Sometimes you’ve just got to be willing to eat the clock up and pound the ball.”
For Capp, the opening victory over a larger-school opponent offered proof that the Hillbillies can compete against the caliber of teams they may encounter later in the postseason.
“I think it’s huge, starting off the season with that kind of win,” Cade said. “Going into a big team like that, a 5A school, I think it better prepares us for the playoffs.
Huntsville (0-1) dropped their season opener 27-0 to Lamar.
