FAYETTEVILLE- After a much-needed non-conference win over Florida International, the Hogs will end their 2023 season on Black Friday with their annual post-Thanksgiving Day game with the Missouri Tigers. Missouri will travel to Donald W. Reynolds Stadium for a 3 p.m., nationally televised game with the Razorbacks.
Here are some preview notes of Friday’s game as provided by the University of Arkansas:
MISSOURI TIGERS (9-2, 5-2 SEC) AP/Coaches: 10/10 Head Coach: Eli Drinkwitz (Arkansas Tech, ‘05) Career Record: 38-22 (5th season) Record at Missouri: 26-21 (4th season)
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (4-7, 1-6 SEC) AP/Coaches: NR/NR Head Coach: Sam Pittman (Pittsburg State, ‘86) Career Record: 23-24 (4th season) Record at Arkansas: Same
Arkansas concludes the 2023 regular season at home against nationally ranked Missouri in this year’s edition of the Battle Line Rivalry. Kickoff between the Hogs and Tigers from inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, on CBS.
The Razorbacks have knocked off at least one ranked opponent in each of head coach Sam Pittman’s first three seasons (2020-22) at the helm. Arkansas, 5-16 against ranked opponents under Pittman, will enter this Friday’s regular-season finale against Missouri seeking its first win over a ranked foe in four tries during the 2023 campaign.
QB KJ Jefferson has completed 188-of-294 passes (63.9%) for 2,105 yards and 19 touchdowns while also rushing for a team-leading 432 yards and two touchdowns through 11 games this season. Jefferson, one of only two SEC quarterbacks (LSU QB Jayden Daniels), to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 400 yards this year, is Arkansas’ all-time career leader in pass completions (624), passing yards (7,909), passing touchdowns (67), total plays (1,481), total yards (9,770) and touchdown responsibility (88).
RB Isaiah Augustave made the most of his opportunity in the win against FIU (Nov. 8), breaking loose for 101 yards on 14 carries (7.2 ypc) to lead the Razorbacks to a season-high 323 rushing yards. The true freshman became Arkansas’ second 100-yard rusher of the season, joining RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who rushed for 103 yards at Florida (Nov. 4), as the only Hogs to accomplish the feat in 2023.
WR Andrew Armstrong has solidified himself as QB KJ Jefferson’s go-to receiver this season, leading the Hogs with 52 receptions for 724 yards and four touchdowns through 11 games. The Texas A&M-Commerce transfer, who is in his first year at Arkansas, has multiple catches in all 11 of the Razorbacks’ games this season and has recorded at least one catch in 27 consecutive contests dating back to his 2021 campaign at Texas A&M-Commerce.
LB Jaheim Thomas is the SEC’s fifth-leading tackler this season, racking up a team-high 87 total stops with 6.5tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks, through 11 games. The transfer from Cincinnati has recorded a team-leading five double-digit tackle games this season and has logged six double-digit tackle games for his career.
RNN Sports photographers Greyson Bagett and John James will be on the field for the Hogs’ final game this season to bring you all of the action in pictures!
Note to Our Readers: Portions of the previous story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kyle Parkinson.
FAYETTEVILLE- The Arkansas Razorbacks got a much-needed win on Saturday in non-conference game against Florida International. The Hogs defeated FIU by the score of 44-20.
Arkansas quarterback K J Jefferson broke the all-time Razorbacks record for career touchdown passes. At the 12:22 mark in the first quarter, Jefferson hit Jaedon Wilson with a ten-yard touchdown pass to break the record.
Hogs’ Jaedon Wilson hauls in K J Jefferson’s record-breaking touchdown pass in the first quarter against FIU (RNN Sports Photo / John D. James)
Arkansas now turns their attention to hosting Missouri on a short week. The Hogs will host the Tigers on Friday for Senior Day.
Here are some final notes and comments on the Arkansas victory over Florida International as provided by the University of Arkansas:
QB KJ Jefferson has logged 11 career games with at least three passing touchdowns. Jefferson completed 15 of 28 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns. » QB KJ Jefferson became the school’s leader in passing yards (7,909) and passing touchdowns (67).
» QB KJ Jefferson has thrown for multiple scores in 22 career games. » WR Andrew Armstrong has recorded at least one catch in 27 consecutive games dating back to his 2021 campaign at Texas A&M-Commerce. » True freshman RB Isaiah Augustave recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game. Augustave totaled career highs in carries (14) and rushing yards (101). » RB Isaiah Augustave is the first Arkansas true freshman RB to tally 100 yards on the ground in a single game since RB Rashod Dubinion did in the Liberty Bowl against Kansas on Dec. 28, 2022. » Arkansas rushed for a season-high 323 yards. It is Arkansas’ most rushing yards since putting up 394 yards on the ground in the 2022 Liberty Bowl vs. Kansas. » RB Dominique Johnson’s rushing touchdown is the eighth of his career and his first since at Alabama on Nov. 20, 2021. » DB Al Walcott is the first Arkansas defender with two interceptions, including an interception return touchdown, in a game since DB Chris Houston did so at Mississippi State in 2006. The feat was also Walcott’s first career game with multiple interceptions. Walcott finished with five tackles and two interceptions. » DB Al Walcott registered his second game of the season with an interception return touchdown. » DB Al Walcott’s interception return touchdown is Arkansas’ nation-leading fifth defensive touchdown (4 INT TD, 1 FR TD) of the season. » Arkansas’ four interception return touchdowns this season are the most since recording four in 2016. » K Cam Little’s 53 career field goals ties for third-most in school history. » Under head coach Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks are 12-2 overall against non-conference
0pponents, including a 9-2 mark against non-conference FBS opponents.
ARKANSAS QUOTES Sam Pittman, Arkansas Head Coach Opening statement:
“It was nice to get a win for our crowd. Coming in from the Hog Walk, they were exceptional, and I appreciate the noise. Our fans helped us win the game. I felt like they were a big part of it and want to thank them for coming out and supporting their football team.”
On the run game and O-Line… “Any game, whether it’s game one or 11, very happy to get 300 yards. I think we averaged, it looks like, six yards a carry or something like that. I was proud of Isaiah [Augustave]. I mean he ran unbelievably. We handed it off one time in what really should’ve been a dead play and he got 12 yards on it. Proud of the offensive line and the runners. Obviously, we’ve got some injuries there and KJ is a big part of the running as well. It was good to see [Dominique Johnson] come in and split that up with a big time hole there on fourth and two, but to go down there and split it for 31 yards, it’s good to see him back.”
On being down early… “Oh, I think everyone’s gonna get down six points every now and then and we were just trying to figure out how to rush the football, protect it. We were giving up some big plays, so we need to stop that. We had some bad penalties too; special teams were costing us position. We had a penalty on a late hit or a low hit. We were talking about how we could stop hurting ourselves. I think we had four penalties in the first half, but there really wasn’t anything magical about being down six that we did to be honest with you.”
On KJ’s performance this season and setting two new records…
“I think he’s handled the season well. He competed tonight for us. I’m really happy. We recognized him after the game for being the all-time passing yards leader and in passing touchdowns. I know it meant a lot to him and it meant a lot to us. We’ve been able to have him for four years now. Feleipe Franks was here tonight too, that was cool, for him to come back and witness all that too. I know it wasn’t his record, but it was really neat that he was able to come back. KJ has meant a lot to our program, he’s gonna mean a lot to us next Friday too, I’m just really, really happy for him.” On Mizzou:
“l you know it’s a rivalry game, and they’ve got a really, really good team. They do. We’ve got a lot of respect for their program. I think in a rivalry, you never know what happens. We’ll have our kids prepared and I know they will as well. I’m excited about having the opportunity to play them.” Isaiah Augustave, Arkansas RB
What were your thoughts when Dominique Johnson got his touchdown run and what kind of impression has he made on you in your first year here? “I was happy for him; I know he really wanted that touchdown, and I wanted it for him.” What’s this year been like for you, having not run the ball since the first game this year and only getting on the field for special teams? “I’ve just really been patient, learning from all the other guys in front of me and getting prepared for this moment.” KJ Jefferson, Arkansas QB
On setting two new program records in one night: “It started with my teammates, them believing in me and me believing in them. Those guys just putting the ball in great spots and let me make plays. Let them be who they are, so extreme shout-out to them. And it’s by the grace of God as well, he’s given me a gift and I’m taking advantage and using it to the best of my abilities.”
On how it feels to break the records in a win: “It a whole lot better. It’s a better feeling. It’s almost surreal, it’s a surreal moment just to be able to come here. That’s a milestone for me. It was one of my goals to come in and make sure I go down in the record books and make history here. So it was just a surreal moment. Like I said, I just thank my teammates for always believing in me and making plays for me as well, and me just trusting in those guys.”
On Dominique Johnson’s TD “It was a big deal. There was actually confrontation on that play as well. The play was called, it was a designed quarterback run, but I was like, ‘Domo we got two yards, I need you to go get it right here.’ So I get it to him and the O-line did a great job up front handling movement and creating a line for him to run through. He made the most of it. I was extremely proud. I mean the whole team was. With the adversity he’s faced with his injury and him continuing to battle and keep fighting, it was a surreal moment for him as well. The whole team was extremely proud of him as well.”
Brady Latham, Arkansas CB What was the key to dominating after a slow start? “It was really nice having a win like that. The locker room was awesome and really enjoyable. I think the key was to keep working, Coach Pittman says all the time that when things aren’t going your way to keep fighting. I feel like that’s what we did tonight.”
Note to Our Readers: Portions of the previous story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Grace Taffola.
CONWAY- Hendrix got major offensive contributions from a multitude of players on Sunday afternoon in route to a comfortable 53-39 win over the LeTourneau Yellowjackets at Grove Gymnasium.
Hendrix led 24-15 at the halftime break after surviving a 9-0 Yellowjacket run to start the second quarter. The lead gave Drew Gaeng‘s squad some breathing room heading into the second half, and they would finish the game having not been outscored in any quarter.
The Warriors shot just 28.8% from the field, and were 3-of-16 from deep while being out-rebounded 45-39. However, Hendrix took full advantage of LeTourneau’s foul troubles over the course of 40 minutes by knocking down 20 of 26 free throws from the stripe.
The Warriors’ depth would prove to be a massive advantage as well. Hendrix got 27 points off the bench on Sunday afternoon compared to LeTourneau’s 10.
The win improves Hendrix to 1-2 on the year. They will now hit the road for their next three regular season contests, beginning Arkansas State University on November 21 and Centenary on November 25 in Jackson, Miss.
Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from Hendrix College Sports Information.
DALLAS- Chances are, if you are age 70 or older, you can remember where you were and what you were doing at 12:30 p.m. on November 22, 1963. Others who are much younger have read the stories and watched the television documentaries on this historic event.
The world changed that day with the assassination of a U.S. president in Dallas, Texas. President John F. Kennedy was gunned down in the streets of Dallas on that November day in 1963. Who or whom did it, remains a mystery that will likely never be solved. It remains unimaginable to most Americans that a crime of that magnitude could be committed in front of so many people, and in 2023, we still don’t know exactly how it happened and who all was responsible.
Kennedy was in Dallas on a political trip in advance of the 1964 election. As a democrat, President Kennedy had Texan Lyndon Johnson as his vice-president and was relying on his influence on the democratic ticket to help Kennedy win the Republican state of Texas. Shots rang out at the end of a parade from Dallas Love Field airport through downtown. Near the end of the parade route, President Kennedy and Texas governor John Connally were both struck by gunshots. Governor Connally survived, but President Kennedy was pronounced dead a short time later at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
The theories on what happened that day are well-documented and go in several directions, pointing the blame to multiple people and possible organizations. But, 60 years later, we still don’t know.
Our country lost a big part of its innocence with the murder of President Kennedy. Kennedy was the youngest person to serve as president and was the first Roman-Catholic to hold the office. Kennedy was a symbol of youth and the future to many Americans, and his violent death dealt a devastating blow to many.
The city of Dallas was also a victim and became known to many as simply, “the place where Kennedy was shot.” It has taken Dallas decades to recover from this dark image, and to some, the city may never completely rehabilitate its image nationwide.
Dallas will mark the 60th anniversary of the shooting with several memorial events this week. Interested readers can search the internet for multiple listings and more information on those events.
There are football games that some people will never forget. Some teams are just not supposed to win and when they do, boy howdy does it send waves through the football world. Appalachian State wasn’t supposed to win at Michigan at The Big House in 2007, but they did. Joe Namath and the New York Jets didn’t have a chance against the Colts in Super Bowl III, but they pulled it off. The Mansfield Tigers were serious underdogs on Friday, November 17 when they traveled four hours to take on the undefeated Hoxie Mustangs who were the 3A-3s 1Seed in the State Playoffs. Most statewide critics and media had Hoxie rolling over Mansfield with ease. But in what will become an instant classic for Tiger fans, Mansfield shocked Hoxie, the critics, and the entire 3A with a 14-13 victory.
Hoxie spent most of the season with the 3As stiffest defense. Leading up to their Round2 game versus Mansfield, the Mustangs led the 3A in points allowed by holding their opponents to 117 points in 11 games. That’s an impressive 10 points allowed per game average. But the Tigers didn’t exactly have what you’d call a powder puff squad on their defensive side either. Mansfield scored second place in the 3A in overall points allowed behind Hoxie in regular-season play. The Tigers slipped in their Round1 Playoff game against Centerpoint by allowing the Knights to score 22 points which quickly dropped their defensive rankings down to fifth place. While some saw this as a sure sign of Hoxie having the superior defense going into their game against Mansfield, the Tigers saw it as an opportunity to show the state that Mansfield football is more than mere strength of schedule and statistics on paper.
Mansfield’s defense got their first opportunity right off the bat when Hoxie elected to receive the opening kickoff and send their offense out on the field first. The Mustangs went to work quickly by running and passing the ball behind their massive offensive line. The Tigers defensive line was outsized, but they were able to make up for that with speed and ruthless aggression as they were able to pressure Hoxie’s quarterback into an ill-advised pass that senior, Peyton Martin, nearly took back for a pick-six. Although Mansfield didn’t get the interception, the Tigers defense kept their poise to get a turnover on downs two plays later. The Mustangs returned the favor by shutting down Mansfield on their opening offensive series forcing the Tigers to punt. Hoxie must’ve seen a hole in the Tigers armor as they marched the ball downfield on Mansfield’s defense with an offensive aerial attack marching 45 yards before capitalizing on a 32-yard pass for a Mustang touchdown. Hoxie added on the extra point to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead over Mansfield early in the first quarter. The Mustangs would make it to the end zone again on a quarterback keeper, but it was called back on a holding penalty negating the touchdown. With Hoxie driving the ball easily against Mansfield and all of the game momentum in their pocket, Mansfield was looking like the team critics portrayed them to be as they went into the second quarter down 7-0.
The Tigers had their backs against the wall as the second quarter started with Hoxie’s offense only 34 yards away from their own end zone. That’s a situation where a lesser team would begin to lay down, but not Mansfield, not on that night. The Tigers defense rallied behind big tackles by Dakota Deer, Logan Ore, and Jeremy Strozier to force the Mustangs into a fourth-and-long situation. Determined to not back down, Hoxie went for it on fourth and 13 but Mansfield’s secondary provided lock-tight coverage to create an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs. Both team’s defenses owned the next two series as yards became harder and harder to come by and punts seemed the new norm. But when some things seem stuck, sometimes you just gotta spray some WD-40 on it to loosen things up. Mansfield Head Coach, Whit Overton, made an extremely risky play call that would hold the biggest reward for the first half. Quarterback Jeremy Strozier took the snap and threw the ball to Peyton Martin, but the pass was short and skipped off the ground before entering Martins hands. Once the ball hit the turf, Hoxie’s defense pulled off thinking it was incomplete, but in all reality, it was a lateral pass and a trick play. Martin, being a former junior high quarterback, then shot the ball downfield to a wide-open Daniel Burton for a 36-yard Tiger touchdown. Kicker Ethan Martin tackled on the extra point and just like that, the Tigers and Mustangs were all tied up at 7 points a piece on the scoreboard. With Hoxie in shock and the Tigers now roaring, Mansfield chose to take a knee on their next offensive possession as what was supposed to be a blowout, was all of a sudden a tied chess match at halftime with a 7-7 score.
Mansfield started the second half with the ball and senior Tyler Turnipseed decided to make the best of it. Turnipseed took the first offensive handoff of the half and gashed Hoxie’s defense for a 35-yard run. Hoxie would have the last laugh of the Tigers opening drive though as a Mustang defender made an amazing one-handed interception on a Mansfield fourth and long pass. The Tigers defense would again stuff Hoxie though forcing the Mustangs to punt giving Mansfields offense the ball back again at midfield. Daniel Burton caught a Jeremy Strozier pass on the perimeter of the field for a 19-yard gain and was followed up by Tyler Turnipseed with an 18-yard run up the middle putting Mansfield in scoring territory. The Tigers only gained seven yards on the next three plays, but finally punched the ball into the end zone on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Jeremy Strozier. Ethan Martin split the uprights for the plus one which set Mansfield up on Hoxie with a 14-7 score. Hoxie wasn’t 11-0 and first in the 3A-3 by accident though. The Mustangs stampeded the Tigers defense as they went 52 yards on merely 5 plays to put a Hoxie touchdown on the scoreboard. Hoxie elected to go for the tieing extra point kick, but senior Turner Wright and Dakota Deer somehow made it through the Mustangs line and blocked the extra point kick allowing Mansfield to maintain a very slim 14-13 lead to end the third quarter.
Football is a game that is played for four quarters and this Round2 clash of two of the 3As defensive titans would come down to who could battle it out until the final tick of the clock. No Constitutional Amendments or Geneva Convention laws would stop Mansfield and Hoxie from waging an all-out defensive war against each other’s offenses. Hoxie was able to get the upper hand on the Tigers defense though as the Mustangs quarterback took a direct snap and made a Kentucky derby run 72 yards for what would have been a Hoxie touchdown. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, a holding call again took Hoxie’s points off the board. Hoxie didn’t allow the penalty to stop them though as they methodically marched downfield to eat up yards and time off the clock. With just a hair over a minute left in the game, Mansfield’s fate seemed to be sealed as the Mustangs held a first and goal at the six-yard line. The Tigers defense allowed a three-yard run setting up second and three. Then another two yards to put Hoxie at third down and only one yard away from a touchdown and the win. Mansfield held strong though and only allowed half a yard on third down to put the game on the line with only one snap of the ball left. Fourth and inches. Advance to Round3 or go home. Who wants it more? Hoxie took the snap and bobbled the ball causing a fumble. The Mustangs recovered, but the recovery didn’t matter as the Tigers took over on downs with 0:17 seconds left in the game. The Tigers defense put the game on their backs and delivered big time. Mansfield’s offense lined up in victory formation and took a knee to run out the clock and move on to Round3 of the Arkansas State Playoffs.
Statistically, Hoxie had the superior defense. The Mustangs held the Tigers to 178 total yards while Mansfield allowed Hoxie to gain 280 yards in the game. But it wasn’t the stats that won the game, rather it was the Tigers determination against all odds on a goal-line stand that won the game for Mansfield. Mansfield wasn’t supposed to win. The stats, the critics, a four-hour road trip, and the undefeated 1Seeded Hoxie Mustangs were dead set against it. But through great coaching, determined players, and a loyal fan base, the Tigers defied all of the odds to win a game that will go down in Mansfield history as one of the greatest ever played by a Tiger team. Now that Mansfield moves on to the third round of the Arkansas State Playoffs for only the fourth time in school history. But they’ll again face the same odds as before as the Tigers will travel four and half hours northeast to face the undefeated and 1Seeded Salem Greyhounds out of the 3A-2. The Greyhound’s prolific offense has hung 460 points on opponents in eleven games this season while only allowing 166 points on defense. But the Tigers proved they can take on a number one team from across the state once already and will aim to do it again as Round3 starts on Friday, November 24th. So eat all the Turkey you want for Thanksgiving this upcoming Thursday and trade the dessert table for something even sweeter the day after. A slice of Mansfield Tiger state quarterfinal football.
For the third time in four seasons the Greenwood Bulldogs faced the Mountain Home Bombers in the 6A Quarterfinals. For the third time in four seasons, the Bulldogs ended the Bombers run in the Playoffs.
Coming off the Playoff Bye Week the Bulldogs were able to add Peyton Presson. Presson went down for a shoulder injury last season against Little Rock Christian. The Bombers received the opening kick, but their drive ended with a punt. Two passes to Grant Karnes got the Bulldogs down to the 2 yard line, where Brayedan Davis rushed it in from 2 yards out for the Touchdown. The Bodey Steinfeldt kick was good, 7-0. Mountain Home’s next drive ended on a punt as well. The Bulldogs worked their way into Bomber territory where Kane Archer found Peyton Presson for the Touchdown, kick after was good, 14-0. The Bombers made it to their own 35-yard line and stalled out punting the ball away again. The first quarter clock would go to zero on the Greenwood drive.
The Bulldogs marched down the field with Kane Archer on a 27 yard run, that looked to be a Touchdown. It was called out at the half-foot line, where Brayedan Davis punched it in for the score. Point after was good 21-0 in the 2nd quarter. The Bombers would punt it away on their next drive but a fumbled reception gave Mountain Home the ball at the 10-yard line. After a 9-yard run all the Bombers needed was a 1-yard run to get in the end zone. Point after kick was good making it 21-7 in the 2nd quarter. The Bulldogs stalled on their next drive punting the ball back to Mountain Home. A 51-yard run by Brayedan Davis put Greenwood in position to score before the end of the half. a sack and 3 incomplete passes end the opportunity as the clock expired.
To open the 2nd half the Bulldogs used runs from Brayedan Davis and Kane Archer to setup a Grant Karnes touchdown. Point after was good Greenwood 28, Mountain Home 7. A pass interference penalty on the Karnes touchdown had Greenwood kicking a short field from the Bomber 45-yard line. The onside kick would be recovered by Mountain Home. To Bomber passes had them on the Greenwood 5 yard line, where they would run it in around the right side. Point after was good 28-14. The Bulldogs responded back quickly with a 66-yard run from Brayedan Davis, point after good 35-14 Bulldogs. Mountain Home QB Cade Yates would be sacked by Brenden Chick on the next drive setting up another Bomber punt. On Greenwood’s possession, Kane Archer found Isaiah Arrington for a 42-yard pass to put the Bulldogs again in scoring position. Brayden Davis again got the call and gave the Bulldogs another touchdown. Point after was good, 42-14. Another punt capped Mountain Home’s drive. A 48-yard pass to L.J. Robins and 18-yard run from Davis, once again put the Bulldogs deep into Bomber territory. A pass to L.J. Robins for was good for a touchdown, point after was good, making it 49-14 and putting the game into Sportsmanship Rule. Mountain Home would run out the remainder of the 3rd quarter clock.
Facing 4th down on the Greenwood side of the 50-yard line, Mountain Home threw a Hail Mary into heavy coverage, it was incomplete turning the ball over to Greenwood. With the game in hand there was a change of personnel in the skill positions with Cooper Goodwin and Wesley Raggio taking most of the running clock work. Goodwin scampered in from 26-yards out for the touchdown. The point after was good making it 56-14. Mountain Home would start to drive down the field as time expired.
“We challenged them at halftime. I thought we were sloppy in the first half. Got off to a good start, up twenty-one to nothing and make a mistake on punt return and give up the touchdown. And disappointed in how we finished the half offensively.” Head Coach Chris Young said after the win put the Bulldogs in the Semi-Finals for the 8th consecutive season.
“Brayedan Davis had a big night, ya know. It was my fault, Coach Hogan and I talked that we should have ran him more in the first half.” Coach Young said, “Peyton Presson, having him back out there was huge.”
Greenwood will face Pulaski Academy in the Semi-Finals at Smith-Robinson Stadium, the day after Thanksgiving. This will be the Bulldogs 23rd Semi-Final appearance since 1996, with mind boggling 17th trip to the State Championship on the line. Tickets for the game can be purchased online when the link becomes available. The game will be livestreamed on Youtube for those out of town for the Holiday. If you are in town… show up, buy some concession stand food and support either the football or band booster club.
Recently, the Smith Memorial Association was informed they were awarded $3.8 million in grant funding from the Arkansas Department of Commerce.
These funds will be used to revitalize the historic Smith
Hospital located in Logan County.
The Smith Memorial Association states this project will focus on workforce development, healthcare, and education for Western Arkansas and beyond. This project would not have been possible without the support of the Smith family. Finance chair, Dr. Lee Lane expressed her gratitude and excitement saying, “Because of the generous donation from Dr. JC Smith and his sister, Elaine Minden, community services can be created and expanded for the River Valley.”
This project has been a labor of love for many years by several dedicated individuals. After many conversations and assessments, the project plans to address many of the recognized needs of the area and provide opportunities for the young, old, and the in-between. The team plans to waste no time bringing their vision to life. Phase One of the project is planned to be completed by December 2026.
Services will again be provided in the historic Smith
Hospital “that can impact nine counties in Arkansas”, said Arkansas State Senator, Gary Stubblefield. This is truly an important project and the first of its kind in the state of Arkansas. Representative Jon Eubanks’ support was also instrumental in securing the grant funding. The Smith Memorial Association would like to extend thanks and appreciation to the legislators, including Govenor Sanders, individuals, and the many community partners and organizations that advocate for positive changes in the River Valley.
CHARLESTON- There will be a new state football champion in Class 3A in 2023. The defending champions Charleston Tigers dropped a heartbreaker at home on Friday night to the Bismarck Lions, 35-27.
After leading at halftime and seeing their lead evaporate in part by turnovers in the second half, Charleston’s final drive ended with less than 40 seconds remaining in the game at the Bismarck four-yard line. The Tigers were attempting to score a touchdown and a two-point conversion to send the game into overtime, but it was not to be.
As a result of Bismarck’s win at Charleston, the Lions will advance to the quarterfinals and will travel next Friday to Prescott to play the Curley Wolves for the right to advance to the state semifinals in Class 3A.
In other playoff action involving the remaining teams from conference 3A-1, the Booneville Bearcats defeated the Osceola Seminoles by the score of 52-20. The Bearcats advance to the state quarterfinals next week to play Harmony Grove Ouachita County.
Perhaps the biggest win of the night was 3A-1 Mansfield traveling four hours to northeast Arkansas to take on perennial power Hoxie. The Mansfield Tigers won a tough road contest tonight in Hoxie, defeating the Mustangs by the score of 14-13. Tonight’s second round win on the road may be the most historic win in the Tigers’ program history. With the win, Mansfield advances to the quarterfinals next Friday and will play at Salem against the Greyhounds.
Action involving remaining playoff teams from conference 3A-4, the Glen Rose Beavers defeated Perryville by the score of 37-0. Glen Rose advances to the state quarterfinals and will host Junction City on Friday. Jessieville, who won in an upset over Rison in the first round, went down to defeat at Salem by the score of 40-27 in the second round. The Bismarck Lions are the other remaining team from the conference who will also play in the quarterfinals next week.
After tonight’s game in Charleston, RNN Sports asked the Tigers’ head coach, Ricky May, to comment on the game. Coach May shared with us, “Our kids played their tails off and so did they (Bismarck). We made too many mistakes and they capitalized on them. I loved our kids’ effort.”
Tonight’s loss will hurt for a while. Charleston is a proud program who prepares to and expects to win each week. Coach May and his staff did an outstanding job this season by bringing a very young team that was predominantly a sophomore team to within a short margin of being in the third round of the state playoffs. Charleston lost their starting quarterback in the Mansfield game earlier in the season, and senior Eli Huck did a great job in stepping up for the Tigers.
Other Charleston seniors, including Reese Merechka and Hunter Little, among others, had great high school careers for the Tigers that included a state championship in 2022.
Look for action photos from this game on Monday on RNN Sports’ “Team Press Pass” page, as well as on Facebook at Charleston Tigers Sports.
Congratulations to the Bismarck Lions, and congratulations to the Charleston Tigers on a great season. We look for the Tigers to be a very good football team in 2024, and we can’t wait to cover their games!
And to all of our readers who have followed us during this season, thank you for reading our coverage, and we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
By Tracy Courage U of A System Division of Agriculture
At Thanksgiving, it’s all about the turkey — but at least two lucky birds have been spared from being the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving feast.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders pardoned “Hank” and “Davie” during a Turkey Week Celebration on Friday at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. The event, coordinated by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, recognizes the value that turkey producers bring to the state’s agricultural industry.
“We want to continue to support, grow and do all we can to increase the agriculture industry here in Arkansas,” Sanders told a group of more than 100 industry officials, legislators, members of Arkansas 4-H and Future Farmers of America and other guests.
Turkeys in Arkansas
“Agriculture is our state’s largest industry, and turkey production plays a role in that,” Arkansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward said.
Poultry production is the leading agricultural industry in Arkansas. Currently, Arkansas ranks second in the nation for turkey production, according to the Poultry Federation. Last year, 26 million turkeys were processed in Arkansas, equating to 556 million pounds of poultry, valued at $594 million, Poultry Federation President Marvin Childers said.
“We’re fortunate to have two of the largest turkey producers operating plants here in Arkansas,” Childers said, referring to Cargill and Butterball. “Every whole turkey sold by Butterball at Thanksgiving and Christmas is processed here in Arkansas.”
Cargill has also donated a quarter of a million pounds of poultry to Arkansas’ food banks, Sanders said.
This year’s lucky turkeys were raised by Jackson Barber, 15, of Cabot, who has provided the turkeys for the governor’s pardon for three years now. Barber, son of Tom and Scharidi Barber, is part of FFA and Arkansas 4-H.
While it was Barber’s third turkey pardon in Arkansas, it was Sanders’ first as governor, and she called the pardons a “fun and nonpartisan way to encourage Americans to give thanks.”
Sanders said she was pardoning Davie and Hanks “so they can enjoy a peaceful Thanksgiving.”
“We don’t want to see them anywhere other than right here,” she said.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: aaes.uada.edu. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. The Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
By Ryan McGeeney U of A System Division of Agriculture
Hunting safety encompasses many things, including firearms safety, proper handling of game and a working knowledge of emergency first aid. But as temperatures drop and fall hunting season enters full swing, Arkansans should also be aware of a danger that can sometimes accompany modern efforts to stay warm: carbon monoxide poisoning.
Jesse Bocksnick, extension 4-H outdoor skills coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said carbon monoxide, often a byproduct of certain kinds of heating units, can kill with little warning.
“If you get carbon monoxide poisoning, you may not even realize it,” Bocksnick said. “It can happen in just a few minutes.”
Inhaling carbon monoxide can impair your body’s ability to absorb oxygen, effectively suffocating you. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that at least 420 people in the United States die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and more than 100,000 Americans visit emergency rooms with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Earlier this month, a father, 46, and son, 26, were both discovered dead in a cabin in Sharp County of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. Investigators said the cabin reeked of propane fumes, and a propane stove was found in the “on” position, its tank empty.
Bocksnick said that many hunters use small propane heaters in hunting blinds when temperatures are cold. These heaters run off of small, 1-pound propane tanks. In blinds, which are notoriously drafty, carbon monoxide build-up is typically not a problem, but they may present other concerns, such as fire risk due to tipping.
“A lot of newer heaters have anti-tipping sensors, which will shut the heater off if it tips over, or is moved too quickly,” he said. “Be sure and test that out at home. If your heater uses any kind of filter, inspect that as well. Make sure all your safety features are functioning properly before you even get out to the woods.”
If using a propane heater in a more enclosed space, such as a cabin or camper, Bocksnick recommended bringing a carbon monoxide detector with fresh batteries.
Some heaters, such as those using “forced air,” are completely inappropriate for anything other than very well-ventilated areas.
“They don’t work that well in a deer blind, and are very dangerous, as far as both heat and carbon monoxide,” Bocksnick said.
“Silent Killer: What You Should Know about Carbon Monoxide” is a free publication available from the Cooperative Extension Service, the education and outreach arm of the Division of Agriculture. It details the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning:
Low level poisoning:
Tiredness in healthy people
Chest pain in people with heart disease
Medium level poisoning:
Flulike symptoms including nausea, dizziness, headache and confusion
Impaired vision and coordination
Breathing difficulty and increased blood pressure
Skin with a reddish cast
High level poisoning:
Convulsions or seizures
Loss of consciousness
Death
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
