Resident News Network

The Bulldogs Start Off Where They Left Off

Sports

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5:41 pm

The Bulldogs Start Off Where They Left Off

By Adam Allen

The 2021-2022 season saw the Waldron Bulldogs capture their third straight conference title and finish the year undefeated in the Waldron Activity Center, passionately referred to as the WAC. In fact, the Bulldogs have not lost a contest inside the friendly walls of the 34-year-old gymnasium in 675 days and counting. That’s right, Waldron last dropped a game at home on January 8th, 2021. “There is just something special about this place”, added Bulldogs Coach Josh Atchley, “it’s got some magic in it.” The ‘magic’ that he is referring to just might be the passionate Bulldog fans that found themselves getting to enjoy Bulldog basketball nearly every night at home this opening week.

The opening opponent of the Bulldogs was the 2A defending state champion Lavaca Golden Arrows on Tuesday, November 8th. Some early season jitters were evident as the Bulldogs struggled to find any consistency on the offensive end throughout the opening quarter of play. As the first quarter ended, the Dogs found themselves with seven turnovers and holding a narrow three-point advantage, 11-8. However, the next quarter Waldron started to heat up, growing their lead to nine as they capitalized at the free throw line going 11 for 13 in the second quarter alone. Senior guard Petey Justice opened up the second half on both ends of the floor. Lavaca dumped the ball down low as Justice stood his ground and absorbed the contact for an offensive foul. On the next trip down the court, senior guard Lidge Stinson dropped off a no-look pass to Justice in the middle of the lane where he finished an acrobatic lay-in. Battling foul trouble the entire first half, the Bulldogs returning all-state guard Trenton Hunt heated up in the 3rd. A steal led to a hoop and harm for the senior and then a transition three-point bucket pushed the Bulldogs’ lead to ten. Senior guard Ethan Mayberry intercepted the next pass and pushed it coast to coast with the lay in, as Hunt finished a baseline drive. The scoring run had built the lead to 16 and forced Lavaca to call a time-out.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair with Lavaca cutting into the Dogs’ lead but never could get it back below ten, winning by a final of 55-43, marking the first regular season loss for the Golden Arrows since Christmas time of last year. Hunt lead Waldron in scoring with 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Mayberry finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Seniors Forrest Efurd and Lidge Stinson each added 8 points as well.

In the second game of the week-long homestand, the Bulldogs welcomed the Paris Eagles to town. A familiar opponent of the Dogs in past seasons as conference foes, these two had played against each other an amazing five times last season with Paris upsetting the top-seeded Bulldogs in the opening round of the district tournament, before Waldron got revenge in an overtime thrilling victory in the regional tournament. With both teams being state tournament participants last season, as well as each returning several key contributors, this game was set up to be a great early-season challenge for both sides. The scoring started with a step-back three-pointer by Hunt to get the Dogs on the board, which in turn made it rain stuffed animals on the floor. The annual ‘Toy Toss’ game features a toy drive where all items collected are donated to the Waldron City Hall to assist families at Christmas time. It wasn’t long before Mayberry got in on the three-point shooting by adding one of his own from the right wing.

The Bulldogs found themselves in foul trouble throughout most of the first half, but the scoring didn’t stop as Efurd, sophomore Roky Avila, and senior Kason Moudy stepped up for the Bulldogs on the offensive end and Hunt finished the first half with 15 points. Petey Justice and senior Jacob Daggs grabbed numerous rebounds and every loose ball en route to securing twelve boards between them. Avila, 6 foot 4, looked the part as he finished with eight points on the block for Waldron as they grew the advantage to 52-33 entering the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter showcased several of the young Dogs as sophomores Aden Allen and Keegan Lynch, along with juniors Kason Davis and Kaiden Johnson all got in on the scoring. Hunt finished with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Mayberry added 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Efurd had 9 points and was 3 of 4 from the three-point line. Coach Atchley had this to say about his team’s early season performances, “This team is so fun to coach. They absolutely understand the value of celebrating each other. Next time you watch a game notice how those guys love to hype each other up. I am proud of how they handled the challenges this tough opening week brought them. We will continue to iron out some personnel packages that we have been working on and really grasp our roles on this team. I just want to add a ‘Thank You’ to everyone who packed the WAC this week. We have been tough to beat in our gym and it is because of the energy you guys bring. Everyone wants to fly the W!”

Waldron will hit the road next week and head to Magazine for a four-game night on Tuesday, November 15, and finish the week in the opening round of the Mansfield Turkey Week Shootout when they take on the Tigers on Friday.

Obituary – Marilyn Sue (Wagner) Wheelis (1956-2022)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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5:20 pm

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Obituary – Marilyn Sue (Wagner) Wheelis (1956-2022)

Marilyn (Wagner) Wheelis, better known as Sue to most, of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Monday, November 14, 2022 near Waldron, Arkansas with her family by her side. Marilyn was born December 7, 1956 in Mena, Arkansas to T.G. Wagner and Charlotte Millard. She was 65 years old.

Marilyn was a very laid-back person. She was happy just being surrounded by family and enjoying life. Marilyn loved her extended family and the close bond she had with them. Light blue and purple were her favorite colors. She did love to shop and especially finding a good yard sale to treasure hunt. She could always seek out a bargain and was proud of her goodies. Marilyn was a kind person and always had a big warm smile for those around her.

Marilyn leaves behind to cherish her memory, one brother Tim Wagner and wife Treva of Waldron, Arkansas and her nieces and nephews who lovingly referred to her as Big Sis: Jennifer (Chris) McCafferty, Amber (Torrance) Underwood, Misty (Danny) Parsons, Amber (Clint) Scott, and Daniel Urban all of Waldron, Arkansas. Marilyn also leaves a legacy of love and care with her greats: Samantha, Kodi and Danielle Underwood, Destiny and Trinity McCafferty, Brooklyn and Erika Brothers, Shelby Parsons, Lanee Powell, Brayden and Korie Underwood, Hunter and Trent Copeland and Lane Scott. Marilyn will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of cousins and friends she loved dearly.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her mother Christine Branham and husband Ray, father T.G. Wagner and wife Rose and grandparents, Iva and Sammie Wagner and Leona and Clifton Millard.

Marilyn’s life celebration will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2022 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Rickey Hunt, Rev. Konnor McKay and Rev. Reiko Cothran officiating. Interment will follow in the Earl Ladd Cemetery near Danville, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Marilyn’s pallbearers will be Torrance Underwood, Clint Scott, Chris McCafferty, Danny Parsons, Hunter Copeland and Trent Copeland. Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Evans, Jamie Hale, Jimmie Hale, Jeff Cabe and Justin Burton.

Marilyn’s visitation will be Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Arrest Reports 11/6

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

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1:14 pm

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Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Jason Drew Dean of Pryor, OK was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 8 at 2:48 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Dean was charged with Fugitive from Justice Out of State.

Joshua Lee Featherstone of Subiaco was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 10 at 6:28 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Featherstone was charged with Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor, and Assist Outside Agency-Misd.

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Terry Ross Moore of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 10 at 4:13 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Moore was charged with parole violation, possession of drug paraphernalia – pack or repack and other, and possession of drug paraphernalia – ingest.

Charles Edward Weathers of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 7 at 3:58 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Weathers was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g, and Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
William Barry Witt of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on November 9 at 3:33 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Witt was charged with Fugitive from Justice Out of State, Assist Outside Agency-Felony, and Theft of Property >$1k–motor vehicle.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Vernon Renfroe, 44 of Pine Bluff, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 10 at 4:37 a.m. Renfroe was charged with absconding and failure to appear.

Hartley Ducharme, 58 of Waldron was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 10 at 7:28 p.m. Ducharme was charged with disorderly conduct.

Nicole Millsaps-Bollingham, 44 of Delaware, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on November 11 at 2:44 p.m. Bollingham was charged with failure to appear, and two counts of theft by receiving.

**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**

WMS Hosts Veteran’s Day Program

News

Tammy Teague

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1:12 pm

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By Cassie Coben OM VFW Post 1345 Auxiliary President

Waldron Middle School, Mrs. Tammy Chronister, and the WMS Student Council held their yearly Veteran’s Day program today. As always it was a very heart-touching ceremony and we appreciate their efforts!

Daniel Fielding (L), *Bill Coben and *Rachel Poor* (R)* with the winners of the Patriots Pen Essay Contest.

The Ouachita Mountains VFW Post 1345 and Auxiliary would like to thank Mrs. Rachael Poor for her hard work with the 8^thgrade students and the Patriot’s Pen Essay competition. We had close to 120 entries this year and Mrs. Poor always makes our job a bit easier by narrowing the number down to around 10. Members of the VFW Post and Auxiliary judged the remaining essays and chose the 3 winners. This year’s 1^st place winner with a prize of $300, is Harlow Dickens, 2^nd place, winning $200, Diann Balance and 3^rd place Stephanie Parish winning $100.

Once again, we thank everyone involved in making this program so awesome every year!

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Crelias Named Sebastian County Farm Family of the Year

Tammy Teague

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11:16 pm

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Crelias Named Sebastian County Farm Family of the Year

The 75^th annual Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program has named the 2022 County Farm Families of the Year.

The 2022 Sebastian County Farm Family of the year is the Crelias. Caleb Crelia, his wife Hannah, and their two children, Thadd, age 2, and Halle, age five months, reside in the Washburn area. The family operates a cattle farm in the Dayton community.

The current family farm has been in operation for a year, however, Caleb Crelia has spent a lifetime working in agriculture.

The Farm Family of the Year program begins each year with the selection of top farm families in each county and culminates in December with the selection of the state Farm Family of the Year.

Since 1947, the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program has served as a vehicle to recognize outstanding farm families throughout the state. The objectives of the Farm Family of the Year program are:

To give recognition and encouragement to farm families who are doing an outstanding job on their farm and in their community;
To recognize the importance of agriculture in the community and state; and
To disseminate information on improved farm practices and management.

Selection as Arkansas Farm Family of the Year include efficiency of production, conservation of energy and resources, leadership in agricultural and community affairs, home and farm improvement, and home and farm management.

Sponsors of the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year program are Arkansas Farm Bureau, the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas. Additionally, support for the program is provided by the Arkansas Agriculture Department, Arkansas Department of Career Education, Arkansas Press Association, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of almost 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.

Congratulations to Crelia and his family on this outstanding achievement!

Obituary – Sylvia Irene Plante (1945-2022)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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8:18 pm

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Obituary – Sylvia Irene Plante (1945-2022)

Sylvia Irene Plante, passed away peacefully on, November 12, 2022, while staying with family in Waldron, Arkansas. Sylvia was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on September 13, 1945, to James Mitchell Sr. and Evelyn (Cox) Mitchell.

Sylvia was married to the love of her life Maurice Plante for 52 years. Sylvia enjoyed travel across the country with her husband. She loved the Grand Canyon and spoke about her trip there often. Sylvia mostly loved to sit by the Ocean any chance she got. Sylvia loved reading, and fishing, she loved going to the Christmas Tree store. Sylvia loved to plant flowers all around her home. She had many hobbies, like crochet, pottery, flower arrangements. Sylvia, my mom, always made home feel like home. She cherished her family and would do anything for them. She will be missed beyond words.

Sylvia leaves behind her beloved daughter Julie Kilfoyle-Kelly and her husband John Mitchell Kelly of Leominster MA. She leaves her son, Steven Plante of Hampstead, NC. Four grandchildren, Jason A. Kilfoyle, Shawn. Kilfoyle of Winchendon MA. Eric Plante of NH and his wife Rose. Jacob Plante of NH. Sylvia leaves two great granddaughters, Sophia Rose Kilfoyle, and Vivian Plante. One sister: Gloria Avery of Waldron, AR.: Brother, Jim Mitchell of NH. Sylvia leaves many nieces and nephews, and was very close to her God, Daughter Cathy Belletete, and her husband Casey also from Waldron AR. Sylvia leaves her sisters-in-law Beatrice Morgan and Shirley Mitchell, among many nieces and nephews.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Maurice Plante, on August 17, 2016.

Sylvia’s life celebration will be Monday, November 14, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas, with Rev. Konnor McKay officiating.

Finally arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Obituary – Betty Jo (Hines) Lee (1926-2022)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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8:12 pm

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Obituary – Betty Jo (Hines) Lee (1926-2022)

On November 11, 2022, our beloved matriarch was peacefully reunited in heaven with her son Randy and husband Robert. A mother of four, and grandmother of two, Betty Jo Lee was the third child born to Emmett Earl and Bertha (Dannenberg) Hines.

Betty Jo spoke fondly of her childhood years as a daughter of Waldron, the only town she ever called home. Betty Jo married Robert Lee in 1947, and welcomed the births of her beloved children Richard (husband to Lisa), Mike (husband to Viera), Randy, and Diana (wife to Dave). These were some of her happiest times, and some of her favorite memories to recount. This joy was sadly interrupted by the untimely passing of her son Randy, whom she loved tremendously.

Betty Jo found great purpose and support as a teacher, city-councilwoman, reporter, and as a committed friend to all. In her later years, she was devout in her love for her grandchildren, Miranda (wife to Ian, a welcome new grandson-in-law) and Gerick.

She was preceded in death by husband Robert, sisters Barbara Huston; Lela Rae Luttrell; and Elsie Earl Robbins, son Randy, and nephew Billy Luttrell. She leaves behind a sea of family and friends, including her children, Richard (Lisa); Mike (Viera); and Diana (Dave) Ward, grandchildren Gerick and Miranda (Ian) Johnson, niece Susan (Pat Svacina) Huston and nephew Robert (Kim) Huston. All of us will miss her terribly.

Betty Jo’s Mass will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Father Les officiating. Interment will take place at Birdsview Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted with Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Betty Jo’s pallbearers will be: Don Jones, Horacio ‘Junior’ Gonzalez, Don Smith, James Forbes, Neal Sparks and Terry Pyle.

Betty Jo’s Rosary will be held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Waldron, Arkansas on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 5:30 pm. Her visitation will follow from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, it was Betty Jo’s wish that donations be made in memory of Randy Lee to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

“Be Proud Be Pro”, a Huge Hit for Waldron Students

News

Tammy Teague

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8:00 pm

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“Be Proud Be Pro”, a Huge Hit for Waldron Students

The regular monthly meeting of the Waldron School Board was held in the Central Office Building Monday, November 14, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. Board members present were Clay Woodall, Angela Hunsucker, Konnor McKay and Mac Davis. Board member Tammye Sherrill was not present. Others present were Superintendent Daniel Fielding, Misty Owens, Tonya Cluck, Ryan Walker, Keith Brigance, Cheyenne Smith, Zack Taylor, and Chris Lipham.

Vice-President Clay Woodall called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.

Mac Davis began the meeting with a word of prayer.

Angela Hunsucker led the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to approve the Consent Agenda items: A) Approval of the October 17th Minutes; B) Approve Financial Reports and Expenditures. Motion carried 3-0.

A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to approve the recommendation of Superintendent Daniel Fielding to give all licensed and classified employees a one-time bonus in the amount of $750.00 to be paid November 18th. Motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Fielding informed the board about some negotiations that are taken place with the two buses that are being leased in order to purchase them.

A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Angela Hunsucker to appoint Clay Woodall as School Board President. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion was made by Angela Hunsucker and seconded by Konnor McKay to appoint Mac Davis as School Board Vice-President. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion was made by Clay Woodall and seconded by Mac Davis to appoint Angela Hunsucker as School Board Secretary. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion was made by Angela Hunsucker and seconded by Mac Davis to appoint Clay Woodall as Voting Delegate for ASBA. Motion carried 4-0.

Each of the principals reported on the things that are happening at their building. Mr. Walker reported that ABC/First Step will be having cookie and ornament decorating with parents coming up. He also stated that there are 33 students enrolled in Adventure Online Academy. Mrs. Smith told the board about the great success of the Fall Festival, even after having to move it to the FBC Family Life Center. Mr. Taylor informed the board of all the activities happening at the Middle School, some of which include; Red Ribbon Week, Homecoming Spirit Week, Socials that have started back up, Veterans Days program, Paint Party and Pep Rally’s. Ms.

Cluck was so proud of how Homecoming went and how great the floats looked this year. She also stated the “Be Proud Be Pro” was a huge hit for the students.

Superintendent Fielding informed the board members that there are a lot of good things going on in our school system. He spoke about the reading program where the high school students are going to the elementary school and reading to the students and how much they all enjoy it.

A motion was made by Konnor McKay and seconded by Mac Davis to approve the resignation of Ashley O’Dell as of November 14, 2022. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion was made by Angela Hunsucker and seconded by Konnor McKay to transfer Haleigh Hunt to ½ time ABC Paraprofessional and ½ time First Step Paraprofessional retroactive to November 1, 2022. With 2 years’ experience. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Konner McKay to hire Patricia Slade as High School Paraprofessional effective November 7, 2022. Motion carried 4-0.

A motion was made by Mac Davis and seconded by Konnor McKay to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

Nearly 400 Single Parents Benefit From ASPSF Fall 2022 Scholarships

News

Tammy Teague

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7:55 pm

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Nearly 400 Single Parents Benefit From ASPSF Fall 2022 Scholarships

Thanks to the support of generous donors, ASPSF awarded nearly 400 scholarships totaling more than $480,000 to low-income single parents pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and skilled- trade certificates in Arkansas and Bowie County, Texas. The single parents were honored at awards ceremonies hosted around the state, including Little Rock, Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Texarkana, Batesville, and Wynne.

“This scholarship will help tremendously financially and would relieve some stress in my life,” said scholarship recipient Bailey Birge, who is a freshman at East Arkansas Community College pursuing an Associate of Arts degree. She is a mother of two children, both with special needs.

ASPSF’s flexible scholarships of up to $1,200 helps single parents pay for the biggest financial obstacles to obtaining a degree that leads to a career with family-supporting wages. The monetary aid is paired with mentoring, financial instruction, and career coaching — the soft skill training that transforms students into sought-after employees.

Recipient Bailey Birge and volunteer Sherry Breckenridge

“The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has opened a door and the prospect of a brighter future, and it will play a key role in shaping me into a successful person in the future,” Bailey said. “[These scholarships] make life brighter for all single parents.”

So far in 2022, ASPSF has distributed more than $1 million in scholarships to over 1,000 single parents in 68 counties and has hosted hundreds of professional-development workshops.
This investment strengthens communities with viable economic impact and emboldens entire families to imagine a brighter future. Because as the children of ASPSF scholarship recipients witness their parent working hard to pursue a better life through education, the likelihood of them pursuing higher education after their own high school completion increases, often breaking a generational cycle of poverty.

Single parents are eligible for ASPSF scholarships if their household income is typically not more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, and have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree, among other requirements.

Staff members have begun reviewing the hundreds of scholarship applications for next year and will begin awarding Spring 2023 scholarships in the coming months. ASPSF’s next scholarship application period is Jan. 15 to March 15, 2023 for the Summer 2023 semester.

For more information about Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund — which has awarded more than $30 million in scholarships across the state to single parents since 1990 — contact ASPSF Communications Director Jen Para at jpara@aspsf.org or 479.318.2885

About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: For more than 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) congratulates its Fall 2022 scholarship recipients.

Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss Rebels Visit Arkansas on Saturday

Resident News Network

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4:19 pm

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Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss Rebels Visit Arkansas on Saturday

The cold deep freeze of Razorbacks Stadium on Saturday night will be in stark contrast to the hot rumors that suggest that Ole Miss’s Lane Kiffin will become the next Auburn Tigers coach at the end of the season.

Older Razorbacks fans like myself may remember the Lou Holtz era and the childhood days of Lane Kiffin, son of then Razorbacks defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin, roaming the sidelines along with Holtz’s son, Skip Holtz. Saturday’s game with Ole Miss, on a personal note, will be a sort of homecoming for the Kiffin family. Most recently, Kiffin came to Fayetteville as offensive coordinator for Alabama and in 2020 as head coach of Ole Miss.

During the past week, several names have emerged as rumored candidates for the Auburn job, but the Kiffin rumor is growing bigger by the day. In the meantime, Kiffin brings his Ole Miss Rebels to Fayetteville to battle Arkansas after a disappointing loss the week before in Oxford to Alabama. LSU has wrapped up the SEC West division title, and Ole Miss will be playing to finish as high as possible in the standings and be in line to play in a New Year’s Day bowl game.

For Arkansas, the Razorbacks who once had high aspirations a few months ago, will still be playing to become bowl eligible with a sixth win of the season. In fact, the Razorbacks have just two tough games remaining to get the job done, and Saturday’s game with Ole Miss will be the final home game. The Razorbacks will travel to Missouri for the final regular season game of 2022.

And I know it is something the players, coaches, and fans don’t want to hear, but, it may be time to turn the focus to 2023. It may be time to get younger players on the field for experience that will help their development for the upcoming season, and, if they win a game and the Hogs reach a bowl game, then it happens. If not, the investment into next year will have begun.

A bowl game could benefit the Hogs in both recruiting and in giving them extra practices on the season to further the younger players’ development. In effect, the bowl practices are a second spring practice going into next season.

As awful as this all seems, it is a hard dose of reality for Arkansas fans. Coach Sam Pittman, in just his third season, inherited a bare cabinet, both on the player roster, and on the coaching staff. He literally is building the program from just him in the office to every aspect of the program. I know Arkansas fans are tired of hearing the word “patience”, but that is reality. Success will come in time, but to compete at a high level in the SEC, one cannot expect a program to immediately (within three seasons) begin to compete with the top tier teams. Arkansas’s recruiting history has never been able to bring in a roster full of 5-star recruits, and it is unrealistic to have immediate success. But with that said, it is time to win, and I believe no one understands that better than Sam Pittman. The 2023 season will be a critical season for the Hogs’ head coach. I look to see major changes on the coaching staff once the season has ended.

Here are game notes on Saturday’s game with Ole Miss as provided by the University of Arkansas:

OLE MISS REBELS (8-2, 4-2 SEC)
AP/Coaches/CFP Poll: 14/14/TBA
Head Coach: Lane Kiffin (Fresno State, ‘98)
Career Record: 84-44 (11th season)
Record at Ole Miss: 23-10 (3rd season)

• The Hogs and Rebels will meet under the lights at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in the penultimate game of the 2022 regular season. Arkansas, looking to reach the six-win mark for the second year in a row and become bowl eligible for the third straight season, hosts No. 14 Ole Miss
at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, on SEC Network.

• With a win against Ole Miss, Sam Pittman would become the fourth Arkansas head coach to earn bowl eligibility in each of their first three seasons, joining Lou Holtz (1977-79), Ken Hatfield (1984-86) and Houston Nutt (1998-00).

• The temperature at kickoff for Saturday’s home finale is projected to be 30 degrees. It would be coldest game played in Fayetteville since Nov. 2, 1991, when the temperature at kickoff between Arkansas and Baylor was 29 degrees.

• QB KJ Jefferson does his damage through the air and on the ground. Jefferson has completed 148-of-222 passes (66.7%) for 1,981 yards and 17 touchdowns with just three interceptions while rushing for 425 yards and six scores in eight games. Despite missing two contests, Jefferson, who
has eight career games with both a passing and rushing touchdown, is one of two SEC quarterbacks with 15 passing touchdowns and at least five rushing scores this season.

• RB Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders is the Hogs’ leading rusher through 10 games, totaling 1,147 yards on 185 carries (6.2 avg.) with seven scores on the ground. Sanders, who ranks second in the SEC in both rushing yards (1,147) and rushing yards per game (114.7), only needed eight games this
season to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark, matching RB Madre Hill’s program record of eight games set in 1995.

• WR Jadon Haselwood leads Arkansas with a team-high 49 catches for 592 yards (12.1 avg.) and three touchdowns through 10 games. A transfer from Oklahoma, Haselwood has caught three or more passes in each of his first 10 games as a Hog and has tallied at least one reception in 26
consecutive games played dating back to the 2019 season.

• LB Drew Sanders has emerged as one of the top defensive playmakers in college football this season, racking up 86 total tackles with a team-leading 12.0 tackles for loss and a team-high 8.5 sacks through 10 games. His 8.5 sacks are the most by a Razorback defender since DE Chris Smith totaled 8.5 sacks in 2013, which is tied for eighth most in a season in school history. Sanders leads the SEC in sacks, sitting a half-sack ahead of Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr. (8.0).

Temperature at kickoff on Saturday is forecasted to be around 30 degrees, and with a nighttime kickoff time, the temperature may be around 25 by the end of the game. Dress warm, drink lots of coffee / hot chocolate, and cheer on a great group of Hogs seniors in their final home game.

And from all of us at RNN Sports, we wish all of you a very safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!

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RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK