Greenwood moves to 7-0 on the season with two big games looming on the horizon.
It has been since December 5, 2020, since Lake Hamilton last scored points against the Bulldogs. This Friday night it was no different. In 2021 and 2022 Greenwood won in convincing fashion 35-0 and 24-0 respectively. The Bulldogs were coming off a bye week and showed themselves to be well rested.
Greenwood deferred to the 2nd half on the coin toss and would not get the ball until 5:09 in the 1st. Lake Hamilton, using a running clock control offense, made it down to the Greenwood 23 yard line and could not convert on 4th and 12. Greenwood took over with passes to Junior Isaiah Arrington and Senior Noah Chaser to get the Bulldogs to mid-field. From there, Sophomore Kane Archer would find Junior Grant Karnes down the home sideline for a 51-yard Touchdown. The Body Steinfeldt kick was good making it 7-0 with 3:19 in the half. Lake Hamilton got two good runs to get out of the hole they found themselves in after a Junior Kaylor Jasna stop on the Kickoff. Junior Cash Archer got his 12th sack of the season on this defensive series. Lake Hamilton would punt on fourth down. Senior Brayedan Davis got the Bulldogs to midfield as the clock expired on the 1st quarter.
Kane Archer with the pass to L.J. Robins for the touchdown with 7:57 in the half, the Jack Edwards snap, Blaze McDaniel hold and Steinfeldt kick was good for the point after making it 14-0. Lake Hamilton punted on their next series and Greenwood would drive 80 yards with Kane Archer taking it in from 14 yards out. Point after was good making it 21-0 with a under a minute left in the half. Lake Hamilton would return the kick and then elect to run the clock out on the half. Kane Archer was 14-of-14 with 2 Touchdowns as the Bulldogs went in for halftime.
Kaylor Jasna opened up the 2nd half taking the onside kick down to the Lake Hamilton 26-yard line. Brayedan Davis took in the touchdown from 3 yards out to get his 18th TD on the season. With 10:26 left in the 3rd quarter it was 28-0 after the Steinfeldt kick. On first down Lake Hamilton would throw an interception that Braden Skaggs would take in for a Touchdown. Point after was good pushing the score to 35-0 and starting the Sportsmanship rule. Lake Hamilton would punt on their next possession. Greenwood ran out the clock on the remainder of the 3rd quarter up 35-0 heading into the 4th quarter.
Kane Archer opened the 4th quarter with a jumping catch to Grant Karnes with 10:30 left in the running clock 4th quarter. Hudson Meeker with the point after making it 42-0. Lake Hamilton would drive down to the Greenwood 7-yard line after successful runs on the Greenwood defense. On 4th and 1 the Wolves threw an incomplete pass to turn the ball over and the clock would run out on the game.
“Our defensive guys do a great job planning for those guys.” Head Coach Chris Young said after the third shutout against Lake Hamilton. “Our guys kept them out of the end zone. It’s tough to shut out a team like that.”
“I thought our pass protection was really good. I thought our run blocking was not very good. We have got to get more physical up front; we have got to be able to run the football on a light box.” Coach Young said on the offense.
“You know we hadn’t played in two weeks. But to come out and score every possession against a well-coached team, a lot of positives tonight.”
Greenwood will be at home against Russellville next week for Homecoming. Kickoff is at 7pm and the game can be seen on Greenwood Sports Center on Youtube.
There are times in life when you face adversity head-on without backing down and still fall. Sometimes it’s a lack of experience or circumstances beyond your control. The Mansfield Tigers are a program on the rise, but not quite to the point of excellence, not yet that is. The Tigers spent the past two weeks preparing for two of the state’s top two premiere teams in Charleston and Booneville. Both teams played for the 2022 State Championship last year and were pegged to make a run at it again this season. Mansfield went to Charleston last week but fell 14-7 against the defending State Champions then followed that up by taking on the Booneville Bearcats who are favored by many to win it all. Although the scoreboard read 42-7 with a Booneville victory, the Tigers’ fight showed that they are no fluke of a team.
Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
Mansfield started out with their defense on the field to take on a powerful Bearcat rushing attack. The Tigers started out with few good stops, but the power and size of Booneville matched the ball downfield over a nine-play series to score. The Bearcats added on an extra point kick to go up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Mansfield was set for a solid return on the ensuing kickoff, but the Tigers returner slipped after catching the ball which pinned them back at the 30-yard line. The Tiger’s offense went to work with good gains on runs by Tyler Turnipseed and Daniel Burton as they drove the ball down to Booneville’s 38-yard line. Unfortunately, the Tiger’s drive stalled forcing them to punt the ball away. The punt set Booneville’s offense back at the six-yard line which gave Mansfield’s defense a long field to work with. Mansfield made good on the opportunity and forced Booneville to do something they rarely ever do …punt. As the teams were still trying each other out, the first quarter closed with Booneville holding a narrow 7-0 lead over the Tigers.
Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
The second quarter is where size and power made itself evident. Booneville did what Booneville does best and began to use their superior size, strength, and numbers to wear down the Tigers on both sides of the ball. The Tigers definitely stayed in the fight though. Mansfield took every punch on the chin and popped back up seemingly asking for more. Booneville might have had an advantage, but even as the Bearcats jumped up on the scoreboard by adding three more scores, Mansfield still put together impressive offensive drives and some intense defensive stops. Daniel Burton had a handful of big runs in the second quarter while Jeremy Strozier and the Tigers passing game began to put things together. Unfortunately, the half closed before the Tigers could capitalize on their momentum as Mansfield went into the half down to Booneville with a 28-0 score.
Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
One can always tell when a team is defeated by the way they come out after halftime. A defeated team isn’t defined by the scoreboard but by their actions, body language, and effort as they come out of the locker room. Mansfield came out of their locker room with a look of determination, not defeat. The Tigers started off the second half with the ball and gave Booneville a taste of their own medicine right off the bat. Manfield faced a fourth and one on their opening drive and chose to go for it on Booneville’s side of the field. A quarterback sneak by Jeremy Strozier was the play call, but the success came from the push as all ten of Strozier’s teammates on the field rallied to get their quarterback across the line for a first down. Strozier would then make a connection with Daniel Burton on a 36-yard pass for another first down. The Tigers would again face a fourth and one later in the drive which could have stalled them out. But again it was a quarterback sneak with ten players pushing that made the difference earning a first and goal for Mansfield. The bold move set up Daniel Burton for a four-yard run into the endzone for a Tiger Touchdown. Ethan Martin tacked on the extra point to get the Tigers on the board, but still down 28-7. Booneville was just too much for the Tigers though as the Bearcats continued their ground-and-pound game for two more touchdowns as Manfield fell to the Bearcats with a 42-7 final score.
Photo courtesy of Joey Bolin
In their inaugural season under new head coach Whit Overton, the Tigers have shown quite a bit of promise. Starting out with a 5-0 record before dropping two games in a row to two premier 3A teams doesn’t make Mansfield overrated, it makes them on schedule actually. Not very many teams have to face teams like Charleston and Booneville back to back, but the Tigers did and although it didn’t go their way, they definitely didn’t back down from the challenge. Mansfield is a program determined to prove themselves to the critics which makes them a dangerous team for opponents. The Tigers will head to Lavaca on Friday, October 20th to face off against another up-and-coming Golden Arrows team. Lavaca sits with a 6-1 overall record and a 3-1 conference record, but unlike the Tigers, they have yet to play the conference’s top two teams. With Mansfield keeping their poise through two losses, the Tigers will be ready for Lavaca’s air raid offense as the two teams will not only play for the W next Friday but also for a good seeding in the State Playoffs.
MELBOURNE, AR- It’s easy to compete when people come out in mass to see you play. Heck, sometimes they even come out in big numbers just to watch you practice.
But for some athletes, such as Paris All-State track star, Mason Ulrich, and Paris golfer Emily Patterson, their sports are a labor of love. No one comes out to watch them as they invest countless hours in practicing the skills necessary for their sports. And few people come out to watch them compete.
Anyone who has played the game of golf knows how difficult a sport it is to play. It requires a variety of skills to use each club, and countless days, weeks, and months of frequent play to perfect the sport.
For the second straight year, Paris High School senior Emily Patterson has finished in the top five of all individual golfers in Class 3A in Arkansas. In 2022, as a junior, Patterson finished fifth in the state individually. This year, Patterson placed fourth.
So, all of the days of practice…all of the days when no one was there except her family and coach, has paid off for this Paris High School student who is also the top of her graduating class academically.
Recently, RNN Sports had the pleasure of visiting with Emily following her return from the 2023 state golf tournament. Emily is a very modest person who is very personable and humble about her successes, both on the golf course, and in the classroom.
So, as we began our interview, I asked Emily to back up to the beginning of her story when she first began to play golf. Emily began by saying, “I started the summer before my freshman year (of high school). I started taking lessons.”
Emily began taking lessons from Jim Edgin of Altus. Emily explained, “He is only here (Paris) in the summers, and in the winters, he goes to Florida and coaches in Florida. He is a family friend, so I can always call him up ask him advice or a lesson.”
From that point her freshman year, Emily played golf for the Eagles for four years. She played in seasonal matches all four years. She played in district tournaments in every year except her freshman year. Much of her freshman year was devoted to learning how to play the game after just having started to play the summer before.
In Emily’s junior year, she placed second individually in a tie with another girl in the district tournament. She accomplished this just three years after having taken up the sport. That same year, Emily qualified for the state tournament and finished fifth overall. Emily would go on to finished second individually at district her senior year, and fourth in state.
It is nothing short of amazing that Emily was able to begin golf at what is normally considered a fairly late point to go on to have the success at the state level that she has in just three to four short years. In the sport of golf, it is not unusual for golfers to “grow up with a golf club in their hands” as young children and to become very proficient by age 14. This, in my opinion, makes Emily’s accomplishment even more impressive.
When asked if anyone else in her family was a golfer or had played golf, she answered, “No, not really.” So, this is all Emily’s talent and work that she has invested to get her to the place that she enjoys today. “For the most part (that is all true). My dad pushed me to start it (playing golf). He was friends with the guy who I took lessons with because they both work together. He told me that there were a lot of opportunities here and a lot of golf scholarships for girls and that it can really help you in college. He was like, why don’t you just try it out, and if you like it, we can keep doing it. And I ended up liking it!”
It was Emily’s sophomore year that she knew that she really liked the sport of golf. “My freshman year was fun, and I ended up hitting a lot of good golf balls. But my sophomore year, I began getting a lot of really good hits. I was like, wow, I can really do something here.”
Emily Patterson hits a fairway shot in the 2023 3A-4 district golf tournament (RNN Sports File Photo / Jim Best)
At the end of this academic year, Emily will take her place at the head of the class at graduation, then she will be on to the next step of her adult life. I asked Emily what her plans were for college and beyond, and she shared with me, “I’m not entirely sure where I want to go or if I want to continue playing golf. I guess it just depends on if I have any offers. And scholarship-wise, too, because I have pretty good academic grades too, so it really depends on if I can go somewhere that can give me the best scholarships and opportunities.”
And among those opportunities for Emily will be a career as a pharmacist. Emily wants to study pre-pharmacy as an undergraduate student in college. Balancing the academics of pre-pharmacy and playing college golf can be challenging, but with Emily, she has been preparing for this moment for several years.
In addition to leading her class academically, Emily has played two and three sports at Paris high school, as well as now working part time at a local business in Paris. She has learned how to balance her time and excel at everything she does. These are all great experiences that will help her be successful in college, no matter what path she ultimately decides to take.
Emily is well-grounded in her thoughts and in her priorities. When I asked her how far she wanted to take her golf, she responded by saying, “Golf is a game you can play for a long time. But to be good (I had asked her about dreams of playing in the PGA someday) you have to devote all of your time to the sport. Like, my golf coach’s son is on his way to qualifying for the PGA, and he has sponsors and travels all of the time. And he really doesn’t get to do another job; golf is his job.”
The sport of golf itself takes a lot of time and practice to gain any degree of proficiency. “I took golf lessons during the summer, every week, one day a week (her freshman year.) I didn’t really practice that much after school started because I was still playing volleyball.” Emily played volleyball her freshman and sophomore year and now plays golf and softball (her junior and senior years). And as I shared before, the time commitment that was required for her to play so many sports and still be top of her class academically is nothing short of amazing.
There have been times when Emily questioned herself on the number of commitments she balanced throughout high school. But she stuck with it, and she has seen the rewards of hard work, discipline, and the organization that has been required to be successful at each endeavor. “There were times, like when I was practicing for state, two hours per day, every day, when I just wanted to stay home and do nothing.” We have all been there, and it is remarkable that Emily kept her focus and continued to work and prepare. That work ethic and discipline is why she is the top student in her school as well as one of the top golfers in the state.
Emily is not sure where she wants to attend college next fall. She indicated in our interview that she would like to stay fairly close to home. “I definitely want to stay close to home. I have applied to a lot of colleges and have been accepted, it is just deciding where I want to go.”
From here, Emily is playing golf for fun, just in case a college golf offer comes her way. But mainly, she is concentrating on school and practicing softball with the Lady Eagles softball team.
Emily’s parents have been instrumental in her success. When I asked her to share what their support has meant to her, she said, “My dad (Jared Patterson) is probably one of the main reasons that I have gotten to this point. My mom (Kim Patterson) has also been very supportive, but my dad was the one who went with me to most of my lessons, was always checking up if he couldn’t make it, and he came to a whole lot of matches when he wasn’t working.”
Parents make a lot of sacrifices behind the scenes that people do not see. They are the invisible cheerleaders and supporters of the sons and daughters. They drive their children to countless practices and games, cook meals, pay the monetary cost of participation, and, provide endless love and counseling for their children along the way.
Emily Patterson’s success is an example of what I call, “Great things happening to great people.” She and her family are great people, and it is so good to see Emily and her family enjoy the successes that have come their way and will continue to do so over the coming years.
RNN Sports would like to congratulate Emily Patterson and her parents, Kim and Jared Patterson, on her success on the golf course and in the classroom. We can’t wait to see what great things she will accomplish in her bright future!
Hello everyone! Fall is here! Won’t be long till we can take a drive and look at all the pretty foliage.
Y’all know I’m a widow and Chuck and I always made plans to do this or that and seems like we never done those things. I am saying that to say this, just do things together and enjoy each other.
Here a while back Justin Weaver told me, while we were at church, he was praying for me a husband. Of course, he said it so Ronnie Black could hear him. I told Justin, “Do not pray for me a husband, I don’t want one.” So, the next service Ronnie Black comes up to me and says, “have you got any calls this week?” And I said, calls? He says, “Yes, calls from men. Justin Weaver is praying for you a husband.” Them two together is not a good combination.
Wednesday night our preacher is preaching and he’s telling a story about this lady doctor he went to see, and she told him she had to call a plumber to her house, and she ended up marrying him. So, he tells me in front of everybody, “Sheri, you need to call a plumber.” Do y’all see what I have to put up with? So, if I ever get married, you will know Just Weaver’s prayers have been answered. Just kidding, I hope they don’t reach the ceiling. Ha, ha! I do have a bunch of Facebook stalkers, he needs to be more specific when he prays for me a man.
On to something funny. My middle E, Evan, is a man of few words, but sometimes he cracks me up. He always talks a lot when we are by ourselves. We were in the car the other day and he was telling me how chess players use calories by using their brains while playing chess. Then he goes on to say, Nana, if you burned calories by talking, you would be a twig. Grrrr, that kid. Too bad that couldn’t really happen.
This week’s recipe is a pecan dump cake. Y’all know me and my dump cakes.
PECAN DUMP CAKE 2 packages of pre-made sugar cookie dough (the kind in the tube) 1 can coconut pecan frosting 2 cups chopped pecans 1/4 cup caramel syrup 1 box vanilla cake mix 3/4 cup butter, unsalted (1 and 1/2 sticks) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick spray. Spread the sugar cookie dough on the bottom of the pan. Spread the coconut pecan frosting on top of the sugar cookie dough. Sprinkle the pecans on top. Then drizzle the caramel on top of that. Sprinkle dry cake mix on top of the caramel. Do not mix. Add the sliced butter to the top and bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
If you’ve invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income. So, if your IRA still has sizable assets after your passing, it would likely end up in your estate plan. If you leave your IRA to grown children or other family members, could they be hit with a big tax bill?
Here’s a little background: Up until the Secure Act of 2019, those who inherited traditional IRAs could extend their required withdrawals over their lifetimes, which stretched out the annual taxes due on these withdrawals. But the Secure Act changed the provisions for non-spouse beneficiaries who inherited an IRA after 2019, meaning that beneficiaries of inherited IRAs had only 10 years (beginning the year after death) to withdraw the entire balance. For some beneficiaries, this could potentially create a tax burden. (Inheritors of Roth IRAs are also required to follow the 10-year distribution rule but are not subject to income taxes on account earnings if the Roth IRA’s five-year holding period has been met).
However, not all beneficiaries were affected by the new rules. Spouses can stretch their inherited IRA distributions over their lifetimes and exceptions exist for certain non-spouse beneficiaries. Minor children of the IRA owner (until the age of majority), chronically ill or disabled individuals, and beneficiaries who are no more than 10 years younger than the IRA owner may opt to stretch their distributions.
The new 10-year requirement applies to IRAs inherited on or after Jan. 1, 2020. But due to confusion over changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for some beneficiaries of inherited IRAs, the IRS waived penalties for individuals who failed to take RMDs in 2021 and 2022 and extended the RMD penalty waiver for 2023.
Although these rulings give beneficiaries — those not eligible for the exemptions listed above — more time to plan, they will eventually need to start taking RMDs, which could affect their tax situations. To help protect your heirs, consider these suggestions:
• Using permanent life insurance. A properly structured permanent life insurance policy could help you replace the assets your family might lose to the taxes resulting from an inherited IRA. You might even consider naming a charity as the beneficiary of an IRA, rather than your family members. The charity would receive the IRA proceeds tax free, and the life insurance could then provide tax-free benefits to your heirs.
• Leaving taxable investment accounts to your heirs. Apart from your tax-deferred IRA, you may own other, fully taxable accounts containing investments such as stocks or bonds.
Typically, these investments receive what’s known as a “step-up” in their cost basis once they are inherited. This means your heirs will essentially inherit all the gains your investments earned by the time of your passing — but they won’t be taxed on these gains if they sell the assets immediately. This type of sale could help offset the taxes your heirs will incur from the inherited IRA.
The tax and investment issues surrounding inherited IRAs can be complex, so consult with your tax and financial advisors before making any moves. And, as with many areas relating to inheritances, the sooner you start planning, the better.
This article is provided by Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor Edward Jones 20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855 479-963-1321 jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal Edward Jones, Member SIPC
When we open our homes to family and friends, we want to extend kindness and hospitality to our guests. One way we can do this is with a comfortable and inviting entryway. Let’s explore four entryway seating ideas to welcome guests so coming over is a pleasure for everyone.
1. Embrace the Classic Bench
A classic bench in the entryway is an attractive and functional choice for welcoming ourselves and our guests. Benches provide a convenient and comfortable place for everyone to sit while removing their shoes, leaving both host and guest feeling at ease and relaxed. With a wide range of designs, from rustic wooden benches to sleek modern styles, there’s a perfect bench to suit any home aesthetic.
2. Incorporate Multifunctional Storage Seating
Multifunctional storage seating options, such as ottomans or storage cubes, offer practical and aesthetically pleasing solutions for entryway seating. In addition to providing places to sit, these clever furniture pieces also offer hidden storage. Hidden storage allows you to keep items like shoes, umbrellas, or hats neatly tucked away. This helps maintain an organized and clutter-free space, which is kind for your own mental health and a way to prioritize comfort and hospitality for your guests.
3. Opt for an Elegant Settee or Loveseat
For those with larger entryways, a small settee or loveseat can make a bold design statement while adding an extra touch of elegance and comfort. These refined seating options invite everyone to sit and relax upon entering your home. Creating a cozy and inviting entryway with this seating option sets the tone for a warm, sophisticated gathering or some pleasant alone time. With a myriad of designs and fabrics to choose from, you can effortlessly incorporate a settee or loveseat into your existing decor, making your entryway reflect your personal style.
4. Consider Individual Accent Chairs
Another option to consider for inviting entryway seating is incorporating one or two accent chairs. You can pair these charming chairs with a small side table, establishing a mini seating area for you or your guests to relax before moving into the heart of your home. Accent chairs offer versatility in design, and you can easily update them with new cushions or fabric. You’ll be able to refresh your entryway’s look seasonally or whenever the mood strikes.
These four entryway seating ideas to welcome guests are thoughtful ways to extend hospitality and kindness to everyone who enters your home, including yourself. By creating a warm and inviting entryway space, you’re nurturing a sense of comfort and belonging for all who pass through your doors.
SPRINGDALE — Thanks to a decades-old partnership, the U.S. Forest Service and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are able to offer over a million acres of public hunting opportunity in the Ouachita and Ozark/St. Francis National Forests. Getting the most out of remote portions of these rugged lands, however, takes a little extra effort. Arkansas outfitter Casey Brewster has discovered the therapeutic power of hunting and relaxing in these out-of-the-way public lands, thanks to some ingenuity and a few surefooted assistants. He and his organization lead veterans and first responders on special multiple day hunting trips using pack goats to get their supplies where they need to go.
ATVs and other motorized forms of transit are not allowed in most of the forest due to the damage they can cause if left unchecked on public land. Many hunters have learned the value of animals, such as horses, mules and even goats, to help them set up camp in Arkansas’s public wilderness. The animals cause much less disturbance and add more to the experience for many hunters and outdoors enthusiasts.
Brewster is a part-time worker with the AGFC and research scholar for the University of Arkansas who was one of the project leads in the AGFC’s effort to reintroduce collared lizards in restored habitat in the Ozarks. He also founded Snake Mountain Pack Goats, a nonprofit organization that uses specially bred goats to carry the gear necessary for multiple-day getaways, guiding his clients and friends on deer hunts, bear hunts, smallmouth fishing trips and campouts, all at no charge.
“I get some strange looks leading a string of goats on hunting trips and plenty of questions from curious hikers,” Brewster said with a smile when we caught up with him at the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off in September.
Brewster was wounded in combat in Iraq before his current career with the AGFC and the University of Arkansas. While he had loved the outdoors before his deployment, engaging in the outdoors and focusing on his education were pivotal in his adjustment back to civilian life.
“When my former spouse and I first got our farm out in West Fork, the property was overrun with non-native invasive weeds,” Brewster said. “I’d wanted goats for a long time, and using them to clean up that area of invasives was a great excuse to get a few. Then I started seeing some videos of people using goats for elk hunts out West, and I started making contacts to learn more. When I learned I could incorporate the goats and the outdoors into helping veterans and first responders, it just sort of all came together. ”
The goats aren’t just pack animals on the journeys. Working with them often becomes part of the experience for his guests.
“We call it, ‘mountain therapy,’ Brewster said. “We take people who may be having some difficulties and let them get away from everything, relax and just immerse themselves in the experience.”
The goats even help raise funds to continue the group’s mission. Staff lead day hikes and participate in other events to raise funds.
“Yes, some of our staff lead some goat yoga experiences to help with fundraising, too,” Brewster said.
Goats may not be for everyone, but they are essential to Brewster’s style of outdoor adventure.
“If you hunt or hike on leased or private land where you could get a side by side or ATV or only spend an hour or two on your hunts, maybe a string of goats isn’t for you,” Brewster said. “But a lot of public land in Arkansas has terrain and regulations that prevent the use of those things. If you’ve ever looked at some of those remote places and just knew that you could have the place to yourself if you could figure out how to get in there, goats can be a real game changer.”
In addition to their go-anywhere abilities, goats are much more agreeable than llamas, mules and other pack animals. The larger pack animals often require more effort to stay on lead, but goats are much more dependent on their owners. Brewster says most goats won’t wander out of sight of their team, and practically any tame goat will want to follow you, so they can be used without much training.
“They’re just a lot easier,” Brewster said. “I don’t really have to bring in food because they’ll eat pretty much whatever is available, and they don’t need much water. Even then, they’ll drink water right out of a bottle I carry and dip down in puddles and creeks to collect along the way.”
The standard rule for any pack animal, or people for that matter, is to keep any loads around 20 percent of their body weight. Where mules may carry 150 to 300 pounds of gear, most pack goats top out at 40 pounds of added baggage. An extra 80 pounds of gear distributed between two goats can make for a nice small camp, but Brewster’s team often works with a string of a dozen happy animals to create a full-blown base camp in their adventures.
Billy Joe Cross, 76, of Boles, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Billy was born April 2, 1947 in Waldron, Arkansas to William Weaver and Meora (Andry) Cross.
Billy loved fishing, going to the casino and spending time with friends and family. He will be remembered forever in the hearts of those that loved him.
A memorial service will take place Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Birdsview Cemetery. Cremation arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
You may leave words of remembrance for Billy’s family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com
HACKETT- Conference play continues this Friday when Charleston travels to Hackett for an important 3A-1 game. Kickoff in Hackett is scheduled for 7 p.m.
At press time for this story, the Charleston Tigers were getting ready to host the Mansfield Tigers in a 3A-1 showdown that would give the winner a leg up in finishing in the top two places in the conference standings. Mansfield is hosting Booneville this Friday making this week’s game for Charleston even more important in the conference standings. Charleston will host Booneville next week, October 20, at Alumni Field.
Charleston defeated Cedarville on September 29 by the score of 37-16 to improve their conference record to 2-0. At press time, the Hackett Hornets, off of their 42-35 conference win over Lavaca, were sitting in fourth place behind Booneville, Charleston, and Mansfield who were all 2-0 in the conference. The log jam has started to break with last week’s games and will continue this week. Only conference schools West Fork and Greenland had yet to win a conference game as of September 29.
After this week’s home game with Charleston, the Hackett Hornets will host West Fork on October 20. Charleston, as mentioned earlier, will return home for their big show down with Booneville.
The Hackett offense is a big play offense that is capable of scoring a lot of points. The Hornets scored 53 in their win vs. Centerpoint, and 42 points vs Lavaca. As of September 29, the Hornets were 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference. Hackett’s conference win was against Lavaca, and the lone conference loss was a 46-14 loss at Booneville. The Hornets were preparing to take the field at Cedarville on October 6 at deadline time.
The Hackett offense is led by senior quarterback Cole Ketchum who passed for over 1600 yards a season ago to lead the conference in passing. In doing so, Ketchum also threw for 17 touchdown passes, also leading the conference. In the 2022 game against Lavaca, Ketchum threw for 203 yards and a touchdown.
Ketchum will be throwing to his talented junior wide receiver, Brycen Hamilton. Hamilton is an athletic receiver who has a height advantage over most defensive backs and is a threat to score in the red zone. Hamilton was the third-leading receiver in the conference a year ago, hauling in 39 receptions for 665 yards and seven touchdowns.
Senior Aden Elmore anchors the defensive line for Hackett. Elmore is also a force offensively at right tackle. The defense struggled a year ago, finishing last in the conference by giving up an average of 36.4 points per game.
The Charleston Tigers have played very well in the first two weeks of the conference season. The Tigers are young and talented and appear to be gaining confidence with each game. The Tigers were 2-3 overall as of September 29 and will have to be focused on a dangerous Hackett team, not overlooking them for their October 20 date with Booneville. The current three game stretch for Charleston that includes Mansfield, Hackett, and Booneville will ultimately determine the order of playoff seeds for the state playoffs from the 3A-1 conference. Two of those three games will be played in the friendly confines of Alumni Field.
RNN Sports photographer Ronni Tate Young will be in Hackett on Friday to bring you all of the action in pictures! Watch for her action shots next week on RNN Sports’ “Team Press Pass” page!
Shocker at Alumni Field, an average of 50 points in the first 5 games only 7 points on Friday. If our readers were surprised about the Hackett comeback against Lavaca. Charleston winning over Mansfield for sure sent shockwaves. But! this sets up a very interesting next few weeks. Lets dive right in as conference titles and playoff seeding is right around the corner.
RNN Sport Stone Cold Lock Of The Week
Booneville @ Mansfield
After the first few games, I circled this game on the schedule. It’s what has started this column and it is what Friday Night Football was made of. Does the loss last week affect how I feel about this game… Nope. Two of the best teams in 3A doing battle in Mansfield, it’s a Heavyweight match with still two potent offenses and very tough defenses. Dax Goff went over 4000 Career Yards on his first run against Greenland last week. If Mansfield does what they did last week and keep it on the ground, the Bearcat defense will keep them grounded. If they throw…. it will make it a very interesting game. With former teammates of my son on both squads I wish I could watch this one in person, but we’re in Lake Hamilton tonight so I will have to settle for checking in on the Arkansas Sports Network Live Stream. Mansfield could play the spoiler in this one, but I feel Booneville has the upper hand in this one. Hope I’m wrong.
The Rest
Charleston @ Hackett
Could Hackett do it again? Could they surprise Charleston? After the Tigers big win last week against Mansfield, they have absolutely turned a corner on the season. A win this week and a Booneville win means next week could be decider for the 3A Region 1 Conference Championship when the Bearcats and Tigers tangle at Alumni Field in Charleston. BUT! That’s next week! This week Hackett could throw a wrench into the Conference with a win. Charleston pulls this one out and rides an undefeated Conference record into next weeks showdown.
Lavaca @ Greenland
The Pirates of Greenland have been getting beat up this season and it will not slow down this week. Lavaca still has a lot to play for in the 3A Region 1 Conference with Mansfield, Booneville, and Charleston left on the schedule. It’s a tough onslaught of games to go for the Golden Arrows and this might be a trap game if they are looking to far ahead in the schedule. I still think they bring home the W in this one and we will see if they corrected what ailed them in the Hackett game over the next three weeks.
Cedarville @ West Fork
Well, I have a very strong feeling that West Fork gets into the conference win column this week. Cedarville is struggling defensively this season, and West Fork has a few offensive weapons waiting to be unleashed after being throttled the past three conference games. I expect there to be some fireworks from the Tiger offense.
Bigelow @ Magazine
Bigelow is really good and has been leaving a swath of teams in it’s wake. Magazine is looking to finish out the rest of their schedule. Short summary, Bigelow will do what they have done the past 6 games.
Two Rivers @ Paris
While the uniforms look like the Florida Gators, the Two Rivers Gators do not have the record to go with the shared team name. The Eagles just like West Fork will get their first conference win against Two Rivers. The rest of the schedule may bounce Paris’ way. A win tonight will be a confidence builder down the stretch. The conference out look for the 3A Region 4 could get very interesting. Paris looks to have already played the toughest part of the conference schedule and could very well win out on paper. Currently they are sitting in last in conference but could get the 4th or 5th spot out of Region 4 in the 3A playoff race with how the schedule is. For example, Centerpoint is in 2nd with a 3-0 record but still has to play Jessieville, Paris, and conference heavyweights Glen Rose and Bismarck.
Ozark @ Gentry
So last week I thought Ozark and Lincoln was going to be a game, sorry about that. My son even told me “Make Charleston vs Mansfield the Lock”. Next time the 16 yr old gives me advice I might take it. In the Lock Of The Week, Ozark shut down Lincoln, down to 7 points kind of like how Charleston did to Mansfield. Oof. This week Ozark has Gentry and their Sophomore QB Talan Williams. The Pioneer QB has 1077 yards with 10 TD’s while completing 71% of his passes. The Hillbilliy defense will get tested this week. Adam and I are split on this, I’m saying Gentry he’s saying Ozark. We’ll see who is right later tonight.
Greenwood @ Lake Hamilton
When I was leaving the GMAC at Greenwood two Fridays ago, I saw Head Coach Chris Young just outside the Locker Room and said “Did you see Van Buren beat Lake Hamilton?” I was shocked. Lake Hamilton has been a perennial contender in the 6A and the 6A West. Three seasons ago they had Greenwood on the ropes with a punishing clock control running offense, then made it to the State Championship game jumping out to a 10-0 lead on Greenwood in the first few minutes. The game would end 49-24 with Greenwood getting their 10th State Championship in Football. That would also be the last points they would score on the Bulldogs. In the 2021 and the 2022 seasons the would get shutout both of those being at Greenwood. This year the Wolves are sitting at 3-4 on the season and trying to get through the last few games of the season. Greenwood is coming off a bye week and gearing up for 4 games that could make a difference on the season. It’s a slightly long drive through the Ouachitas to play at one of my favorite stadiums.
Arkadelphia @ Waldron
Arkadelphia took on a tough non-conference schedule and is undefeated in conference. Waldron is still tracking to find traction. The Badgers take this one.
The Others
Conway @ Fort Smith Northside
The Buck James led Wampus Cats stroll into Fort Smith to take on the Grizzlies. Northside dropped a close one against Jonesboro that looked to go back and forth. The Wampus Cats are rolling this year and are the top team in the state. A few more games until the showdown between Conway and Bryant, pretty sure that’s the one everyone has circled as the must-see matchup of 2023.
Fort Smith Southside @ Rogers Heritage
Oh my gosh I could not wait to bring this up. Rogers Heritage last Friday took on Bentonville, the Tigers beat Rogers 84-0. Yes…. Eighty-Four to Zero. It left me speechless Friday Night. New week, new opponent. Granted the Mavericks probably will not put up 84 points but this will not be good for the War Eagles. Southside is playing really well right now even with previous 3 losses. But those losses will dictate playoff seeding and who they will meet out of the 7A Central.
For Funsies
Bentonville @ Fayetteville
Bentonville played a tough non-conference schedule that included Broken Arrow, OK, Kansas City Rockhurst, and Conway. They took two losses doing so, but they are on pace to meet Conway again in December. Fayetteville is bringing in a undefeated record into the game. They are putting up points but not in the north of 70 fashion that Bentonville has. I’d say keep an eye out for this score but every news outlet in NWA will have this as their lead in.
