When it comes to maintaining the health and beauty of your property, soil quality is key. Topsoil, the outermost layer of dirt and minerals in your yard, greatly contributes to the well-being of your lawn and plants. As such, occasionally laying down a new layer of this soil mixture can go a long way in fostering better growth long term. This is especially true for larger, previously uncultivated properties. Consider using these helpful tips for spreading new topsoil in your yard to ensure your land gains every possible benefit.
Find the Right Type of Soil
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure you acquire the right type of topsoil for your land. Soil composition can vary greatly depending on where you live. Because of this, you’ll want to find something that complements the natural mixture of minerals found on your property. By testing your soil, you can gain some insight into what your land carries on its own and what your vegetation will need to thrive. After conducting these tests, use your newfound knowledge to make an informed decision regarding the right topsoil mixture.
Remove Any Roots or Obstructions
Before you start spreading the new soil, take some time to remove any roots from dead trees and shrubs or obstructions like weeds and rocks. These items can get in the way and make it harder to create the even, full-coverage layer you want. Note that obstructions can lurk just beneath the surface as well as on top of your yard. For this reason, you should thoroughly rake your property to unearth any deeper vegetation prior to the soil spreading process.
Use the Proper Equipment
For the spreading process itself, you’ll want to ensure you use the right equipment. While you could easily sprinkle dirt by hand over smaller gardens, larger sections of property can take all day to sufficiently cover using this method. Therefore, utilizing heavy machinery, such as a skid steer with a skid steer dozer blade attachment, can be incredibly helpful for proper soil spreading. These machines will efficiently push the dirt over larger areas and give you more control over the thickness of the layer being put down.
Remember To Aerate
Another crucial tip for spreading new topsoil in your yard is to follow up the spreading process with aeration. Soil aeration is the act of making multiple small holes in the dirt to allow resources to better penetrate the ground. Aeration is also great for pushing your new topsoil deeper into the earth to promote a better mixture of nutrients for plants. By doing this, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving landscape when the time comes to plant new grass or trees.
Proper topsoil spreading ensures your entire yard is ready for the growing seasons. Use these tips to get a head start—we promise they’ll make a lasting difference in the look of your property.
Hello everyone! We couldn’t ask for better weather if we had ordered it. Halloween was a huge success. I had so many trick-or-treaters at one point that Dylan Thomas had to direct traffic. They loved the games I had set up. Every year I make a pot of chili, that a show dog couldn’t jump over, and have all the family over. We have chili dogs and Frito pie. I also made brownies, Mississippi mud brownies, kisses cookies, and coconut pie. Margaret Mergan brought Rice Krispie treats. We all had lots of laughs and a good time. I love when the family is all together and we missed those that could not attend.
If I repeat my stories, it’s because I’m 59 and I’m not sure what I have told and what I have not. Jacob, my son from 14 hours of labor, is not here to tell me when I repeat myself. He won’t just let me slide, he has to correct me and let me know when I have already told a story.
Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love gummy worms and bears. They are one of my favorite candies. I was eating some of the worms at work one day and I got one lodged in my throat. I was choking and could not breathe. Debra Overton, who worked with me at the time, started asking if I was ok. I could not speak, I just shook my head no. Without hesitation, she runs to me and does the Heimlich maneuver. Out came that gummy worm, right at the drive-thru window. No customers were there at the time. Debra Overton is my lifesaver woman, that’s one of the reasons I want her to get a good seat at my funeral.
When I got home, I was telling Chuck about it, and he said “good thing you were at work because I wouldn’t have done the Heimlich on you. Let me tell ya when it was supper time he would have wished he had. Just a FYI, a good funeral this day and time is around $12,000. That being said, I’m sure that my son Jacob, 14 hours of labor, will have me cremated even though I have money for my funeral. He will have me cremated to save money and he will be on a flight to Florida to Universal Studios so fast your head will spin. I will be sitting on a shelf somewhere collecting dust while he’s out living it up.
This week’s recipe is something good for this time of year. I love different soups. It’s lasagna soup. My friend, Curtis Feimster says it’s delicious.
LASAGNA SOUP 1 pound ground beef 1 small onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced (I buy it in a jar already minced) 1 teaspoon thyme 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon brown sugar 32 ounces of chicken broth 2 (14.5 ounces) cans petite diced tomatoes 15 oz. can tomato sauce 2 cups broken lasagna noodles (if you can find the little miniature ones you can use those). If you use the broken noodles, use about six. 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (I buy this already shredded) In a large pot, brown the ground beef with onion and bell pepper. Add garlic during the last couple of minutes so it doesn’t burn. Drain the excess grease from the meat mixture. Stir in the thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, brown sugar, chicken broth, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and gently simmer for about 20 minutes. Then add the broken lasagna noodles and stir. Simmer until the noodles are tender. Stir occasionally. Stire in the parmesan cheese. When you put it in your bowl, top with the mozzarella cheese. Enjoy this with some good garlic bread.
Penny Denise Cheshire (Brown), 64, of Boles, Arkansas passed from this life on October 29, 2022 at her home. She was born on March 21, 1958 in Sterling, Illinois to Paul K. Cheshire and Joyce (Planthaber) Curtis.
Penny was an electric individual that breathed life and love into every room she entered. She was quick to share a hug and a smile that stretched ear to ear to brighten any heart. She was full of love and loved everyone and everything she knew, with her whole heart. Penny loved so completely that to know her was to become as family. Whether by blood or simply with ties of her big heart that family was the center of her being. She worked to stay connected to her loved ones both near and far. She was always ready for a phone call, a board game, a card game or anything that provided time together. Additionally, Penny loved to travel. Everyone that knew her well, knew about her gypsy toes that would carry her away to the next stopping place at any given moment. There in those stopping places she would grow her love and family even more.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents Paul K. Cheshire and Joyce Curtis, one daughter, Rebecca L. Williams and one grandson, Jonathon K. Schafer.
Penny leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband James “Jimmy” Brown Sr. of the home, seven children: Bruce A. Schafer Jr. (Ana) of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Sabrina Pierce (Bobby) of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Richard A. Schafer (Kanisha)of Waldron, Arkansas; James Brown Jr. (Erica) of Brownsville, Arkansas; Tosha Carter of Clarksville, Arkansas; Victor Brown of Boles, Arkansas and Thomas Brown (Tatianna) of Needmore, Arkansas, five siblings: Paul Cheshire (Connie) of Sterling, Illinois; Connie Kelly of Rock Falls, Illinois; Janice Holcomb of Camo, Illinois; Keith Cheshire (Mary) of Lake Panasoffkee, Florida and Karen Gossett of Lamar, Arkansas. As well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Penny’s life celebration will be at 11:00 am Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Pat Ray Biggs officiating. Interment will follow in the Dooley Cemetery in Boles, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Penny’s pallbearers will be Richard Schafer, Bruce Schafer Jr., James Brown Jr., Thomas Brown, Robert Pierce, Brent Riddle, EJ Eusebio and Kevin Schafer. Honorary pallbearer: Victor Brown.
Penny’s visitation will be at 10:00 am Saturday, November 5, 2022 prior to her service.
Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office: Janna Lee Alter of Charleston was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 29, 2022 at 6:45 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Alter was charged with failure to appear – class C felony.
Derrell Wayne Britcher of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 26 at 4:32 p.m. and released on signature bond November 3, 2022 at 8:41 a.m. Britcher was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Travis Wayne Smith of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 26, 2022 at 8:21 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Smith was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), Failure to Appear – Class C Felony, and Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor.
Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department: Christian Alejandro Becerra of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 27, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. and transferred to another agency on October 27, 2022 at 6:58 a.m. Becerra was charged with assist outside agency – felony, failure to appear at delinquency review, and juvenile probation revocation.
Christopher Lee Carter of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 28, 2022 at 12:26 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Carter was charged with criminal impersonation in the second degree – false ID, fleeing on foot – misd., theft by receiving >$1k, assist outside agency – felony, parole violation, absconding, and two counts of failure to appear – class B misd.
Colten James Waldmann of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 28, 2022 at 4:24 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Waldmann was charged with False Imprisonment 2nd Degree Misdemeanor, and Domestic Battering Purposeley.
Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department: Lucas Coburn Ellis of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 31 2022 at 10:37 p.m. and released on signature bond November 1, 2022 at 10:33 a.m. Ellis was charged with Possessing Instrument Of A Crime, and Driving on Suspended or Revoked DL – DWI.
Arresting agency – Magazine Police Department: Jody Austin Faldon of Magazine was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 30, 2022 at 2:18 a.m. and released on November 3, 2022 at 2:24 a.m. Faldon was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department: Adam Floyd of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 28, 2022 at 8:58 p.m. and released on October 31, 2022 at 1:44 p.m. Floyd was charged with Assault On Family Or Household Member-3rd Degree.
Arresting agency – Barling Police Department: Michael Rudd Hunt of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 28, 2022 at 10:13 a.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Hunt was charged with Fugitive from Justice Out of State, and Theft by receiving $5000.00-$25000.00.
Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department: Chad Raymond Watson of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on October 30, 2022 at 10:11 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Watson was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Felony.
Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office: Ashleigh Moore, 33 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on October 24, 2022 at 5:16 p.m. Moore was charged with permitting abuse of a minor.
David Lewis, 60 of Magazine, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on October 24, 2022 at 9:38 p.m. Lewis was charged with driving while license suspended or revoked for DWI, fail to pay, and driving while driver’s license cancelled, suspended or revoked.
Ryan Trusty, 35 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on October 25, 2022 at 4:44 p.m. Trusty was charged with aggravated assault, and possession of firearm by certain persons.
Tammy Roberts, 52 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on October 26, 2022 at 12:59 p.m. Roberts was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with the purpose to deliver.
Lonnie Adams, 39 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on October 27, 2022 at 6:53 p.m. Adams was charged with two counts of theft of property, and criminal trespass.
Clayton Holbrook, 42 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on October 27, 2022 at 7:43 p.m. Holbrook was charged with possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance with purpose to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
Hunters headed to deer camp to get things ready for opening weekend of modern gun deer season may want to make a quick pitstop to fuel up at their local Hardee’s restaurant. Every Hardee’s restaurant in Arkansas will give a free sausage biscuit to anyone who shows their valid hunting license to the cashier during each restaurant’s normal breakfast hours Thursday, Nov. 10.
“It’s a great way of recognizing hunters’ contributions to Arkansas conservation,” said Trey Reid, assistant chief of communications for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “Having a business show its appreciation for hunters and wildlife conservation in this way points to the importance of hunting to both Arkansas’s outdoor culture and our economy. This is the fifth year we’ve worked with Hardee’s to promote this special day for hunters, and hopefully it will become a tradition as strong as hunting season itself.”
All 53 Hardee’s locations in Arkansas are participating in the one-day giveaway. Hunters may show their license just like they would to a wildlife officer in the field to claim their free food. Printed paper copies, a screenshot of the image on your phone or a Commission-issued reloadable license card may all be used. Visit www.agfc.com and click the green button labeled “Buy Licenses | Check Game” to purchase your license online today.
It is with great sorrow, the family of Bradley Charles Powell of Waldron, Arkansas announces his passing from this life on Thursday, October 27, 2022. Brad was born to LD and Virginia (Ray) Powell of Waldron, Arkansas on September 20, 1974. He was 48 years old.
Brad was an adventurous free spirit who loved the thrill of anything that had a motor and would go fast. His passion began at a very young age riding go-carts, 3-wheelers, and motorcycles on the family farm. Most of the time he was jumping dirt mounds or riding wheelies across the front yard. He competed in youth division dirt bike motor cross racing at the age of 8. His parents spent many weekends taking Brad and his friends to tractor pulls and monster truck rallies. Brad later remodeled his grandma Fern’s antique step-side Chevy and competed at the Centerville drag races.
Brad’s love for adventure didn’t stop with fast motors, he also loved spending time at the lake with his family. He learned to water ski, the first time he tried, at lake Spur with his Uncle John. He and his boys Devin and Dilan fished and enjoyed camping. He, Devin and Dilan made many great memories catfishing and spending time together. He and Melinda spent most summers camping at lake Ouachita, boating with Levi, and riding jet skis.
Brad was quite a prankster and loved to make people laugh. He always had a smile on his face and a joke on his lips. You could see the dimples in his cheeks when he was about to say or do something funny. Brad loved his family more than anything and always enjoyed family gatherings, and skeet shooting on Thanksgiving and Cuzmas. He and his cousin Shannen were more siblings than cousins. They grew up together and remained close throughout their adult life.
Brad leaves behind to cherish his memory, two sons, Devin Powell, and Dilan Powell both of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, two Uncles, Rabbit Ray and wife Billie and John Ray and wife Susan all of Waldron, Arkansas, his best friend and companion Melinda Cooper of the home, as well as three great aunts, Estelle Ennis of Waldron Arkansas, Margie Lasiter of Olympia, Washington and Dorothy Lovett of Sanger, California. Brad’s memory will live forever in the heart of his close friend Becky Denny. Brad will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including numerous cousins and a host of extended family and friends he loved.
Brad was preceded in death by his parents LD and Virginia Powell, infant sister Shelly Powell, and cousins Russell Ray, and Shannen Ray.
Brad’s celebration of life will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. David Williams, Rev. Jackie Smith, and Rev. Konnor McKay officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Brad’s pallbearers will be Brock Moses, Levi Cooper, Bill Lovett, Dusty Lovett, Brad Evans, and Jon Isham. Honorary pallbearers will be Parker Cox, Rick Hudson and Joey Deer.
Brad’s visitation will be Monday, October 31, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.
Mansfield cross country runners Ashley Martin, Raine Hecox, Addie Bowman, Trinity Triska, Laney Wood, and Jadelynn Wood take home a Tom Stuthard Top 25 medal.
The momentum is building for the Mansfield cross country team. As their senior high runners ready for a trip to the class 2A state championships on November 4, the Tigers have padded their racing pedigree with district and regional crowns.
Mansfield has had to balance the availability of a full roster for much of the season. Race results have been sporadic due to runners juggling dual sport duties. The women have shared volleyball players. The men have shared football kids.
MHS sophomore Laney Wood is ranked in the top 10 in class 2A state cross country.
Since the postseason has kicked into full gear, the opportunity to run has been more consistent. As such, the Tiger runners have built real running momentum as race results have trended in the right direction.
Mansfield freshman Joey Williams closes in and soon passes Acorn senior Issac Tedder who is among the top ranked runners in the class 2A state cross country.
Mansfield’s senior girls took home the Tom Stuthard Top 25 Regional Championship last Wednesday. That piggybacked off of last week’s 2A-4 District title.
The senior boys, finally blessed with a full squad, have also caught a rising wave. Powered by five elevated freshmen, the group claimed a top 5 Regional team placement on the heels of their recent District Championship.
Within the fray of the senior high boys race, Mansfield also saw their number one freshman runner insert himself into the overall state picture.
Lady Tiger senior Jadelynn Wood leads the start of the Tom Stuthard regional run in Acorn.
The benchmark for the Mansfield men has been freshman Joey Williams. In only his second race since being moved up to the high school division, Williams beat three state ranked runners at the Acorn hosted regional run. His individual runner-up time of 18:26.30 was only about 1 minute and 15 seconds behind the third ranked time in class 2A.
“Joey has an opportunity for a special state debut,” proclaimed Mackey. “All-State credentials are certainly within his reach. He’s a smart runner. He studies the stats and knows the competition. He will be a tough out. This will be so fun. Can’t wait to see it play out.”
Mansfield’s junior girls post six runners inside the Top 25 at the last junior high event of the season.
The calling card for the Lady Tigers has been its All-State star Laney Wood. Only a sophomore, Wood has been approaching her personal best time offered up at last season’s state finals. In 2021, the team’s top producer ran 21:38 in Hot Springs, the site of last season’s state championship. On Wednesday at the Tom Stuthard Top 25 Regional, Wood went 22:26 for fifth place.
“Laney knows the pace she needs to reach,” offered Mansfield head coach John Mackey. “Our classification is loaded with talent. Laney is certainly among that talent. We’re looking forward to her having a fabulous race day on Friday.”
Mansfield managed only one team championship plaque at Acorn’s Tom Stuthard after sweeping all four divisions at the district race in Magazine. That was in the senior girls division. However, among the four race events, the collective team spoils included 17 All-Region medals.
Seventh grader Abby Smith pushes towards the top of the leader board for Mansfield in the 1.5 mile xc race in Acorn.
Mansfield’s senior girls used the combination of Laney Wood (5), Jadelynn Wood (6), Trinity Triska (9), Raine Hecox (18), and Ashley Martin (23) for the win. All brought home top 25 medals including their displacer, Addie Bowman, who came in at 25th place.
Williams claimed the highest individual ranking among the Tiger senior boy entries. His second place Regional time moved him to the tenth best time in the class 2A state rankings. In the 2A-4 conference, he owns the best time in all six categories of distance racing from a 1.5 mile race up through the 5K distance.
Williams (2), Jonah Martin (21), Alex Hecox (24), Joseph Carter (42), and Braxton Bartlett (43) combined for the men’s score. The Tigers’ first three finishers claimed All-Region status with a Top 25 medal. As a unit, the group finished fourth behind Acorn, Ouachita, and Centerpoint.
Gunner Williams clears the woods in second place with one-half mile remaining at the Tom Stuthard Top 25 race.
Gunner Williams, an eighth grader, took over as the lead runner for the Mansfield junior boys when older brother Joey moved to the high school squad. The younger of the siblings placed second overall in his 1.5 mile race in a time of 9:44.30.
Teammate Holden Powers, another eighth grader, closed at ninth. His time was 10:33.00.
Mansfield eighth grader Holden Powers sprints to the finish for an eigtht place medal at the SW Regional XC Race.
The two top junior Tigers meet All-Region standards. Their scores cobbled together with seventh graders Raihan Islam (41), Matthew Knight (42), and James Drews (43) leaving the youthful squad in sixth place in the team standings.
Abby Smith finished strong in the junior girls race. The Lady Tiger’s usual number two runner climbed into the team’s leadoff spot with a sixth place clocking of 11:22.60.
Rylan Jones, the team’s typical ace, faltered just a bit but still managed a quality run. She rounded the one loop course in 11:29.40 for seventh place.
Adeline Bray (20), Miley Clopton (23), Lily Young (24), and Bailey Quick (25) closed in a flurry to push the team total to third place overall finish. Those four plus Smith and Jones all meet All-Region standards.
Dierks took the junior girls first place plaque home. Horatio dropped in as the second place team. Mansfield’s junior girls closed in third place.
One championship on any level is an accomplishment. But, three in a row?
For the Mansfield Tigers it’s a reality as of today. Throughout the entire season, the State Championship in Hot Springs was the goal, and for the Senior Tigers, their last potential destination of their storied high school volleyball career.
Leading up to Saturday’s victory sets, the Tigers beat Magnet Cove, Quitman, and Thaden on their home court which hosted the 2A State Tournament.
Notable rival Lavaca, had already faced England, Marshall and Conway Christian in the previous week, eagerly awaiting the Tigers match in Hot Springs.
Mansfield came out serving up aces, and delivering kill after kill on offense, supported by a whirlwind defense taking the first set 25-16.
Carrying that valuable momentum into the third set, the Tigers could feel it and so did the numerous fans and student section. The synced team progressed as did there their collective mindset giving them a 2-0 set lead position with 25-15.
Lavaca came out from the bench with a focus on making Mansfield earn it. As each team scored back and forth, with neither gaining notable favor over one another, it looked as if the third set were to be the opening door to the fourth set.
However, Mansfield had other plans.
Deep into the third set, and a momentum favoring Mansfield, their rotation lit up again with kills, aces and an empowering demeanor focused on a victory formation.
After a power drive of scoring, Mansfield took control and ended the third set, and the championship with a score of 25-16.
The goal, and destination has now been achieved. The Seniors created a tradition through determination, and a now leave a legacy.
When you back a dog into a corner, it becomes very dangerous. A Tiger is dangerous at all times, but back one into a corner and you can imagine the slaughter that lies ahead. The Mansfield SR Tigers were cornered after losing three straight conference games. A close win over Lavaca last week gave them some breathing room, but they would still have to win out to finish the regular season with a winning record and a shot at the Playoffs. The first of their must-win games was against the always-tough Cedarville Pirates at Cedarville.
Photo courtesy of Malinda Mizell
The Tigers and Pirates always put on a show and this one would be no different as Mansfield kicked the ball off to Cedarville to start the game. Cedarville used their heavy-hitting rushing attack to drive 27 yards on the Tigers defense before Mansfield forced them to turn the ball over on downs. Mansfield’s offense set foot on the field for the first time in the game and played the ol’ game of “anything you can do I can do better”. The Tigers put the ball in the hands of senior runningbacks Tyler Woolbright and Fisher Willsey who took turns plundering the Pirates defense for nine plays before Woolbright crossed the goal line for a Tiger touchdown. Jeremy Strozier kicked through the extra point giving Mansfield an early 7-0 lead. Mansfield’s defense then showed their colors behind Samuel Burton, Trey Vaughan, and Dakota Deer who each made tackles for loss which created another Cedarville turnover on fourth down to close out the first quarter.
Photo courtesy of Malinda Mizell
Mansfield’s offense again ran behind the pads of Tyler Woolbright and Fisher Willsey to start off the second quarter and pounded their way downfield on Cedarville. Then Mansfield threw a wrench in the Cedarville defenses machine as quarterback Cole Kendle zipped a pass to Daniel Burton for a 12-yard Tiger touchdown. Jeremy Strozier split the uprights again for the extra point and Mansfield took a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. This is a Mansfield versus Cedarville game though so everyone knew Cedarville wouldn’t just lay down and quit. The Pirates came right back planking the Mansfield defense with a cannon shot pass downfield for a big Cedarville touchdown. Instead of settling for an extra point kick, Cedarville went for the two-point conversion and was successful in the attempt setting the score at 14-8. Both defenses would battle it out for the remainder of the half as the teams headed into halftime evenly matched with the Tigers narrowly holding onto a 14-8 lead.
Photo courtesy of Malinda Mizell
The Tigers would start off the second half with the ball and wasted little time jumping aboard the Pirates ship. Fisher Wllsey took a handoff from Cole Kindle on the opening play of the second half and stream rolled 28 yards downfield for a Mansfield first down. Three plays later Willsey would leap into the endzone from two yards out for another Tiger Touchdown. Jeremy Strozier added the extra point kick and the Tigers soared to a 21-8 lead in the third quarter. Mansfield’s defense as a whole created a red wave that continued to smash against Cedaville’s offensive ship and forced another turnover on downs. Two plays later, Fisher Willsey again screamed downfield, this time for a 43-yard touchdown. Jeremy Strozier’s kick was good again putting the Tigers up 28-8. Just like clockwork, the Tigers defense stranded Cedarville’s offense but this time the Pirates punted the ball. Now Mansfield’s offense set sail on a short field and Cole Kindle slung a pass to Peyton Martin who got down to the one-yard line. A Fisher Willsey one-yard touchdown run gave Mansfield command over the Pirates ship with a 34-8 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Photo courtesy of Malinda Mizell
The fourth quarter was a mirrored image of what the whole game was up to that point. Mansfield’s defense remained dominant behind players such as Dakota Deer, Kindel Noblitt, Caleb Collier, Samuel Burton, Trey Vaughan, Daniel Burton, Drew Elmore, Jeremy Strozier, Greyson Baggett, Tyler Turnipseed, and Andrew Burton. Even players like Austin Quninalty, Toby Towe, Trey Powell, and Tommy Phang who rotated in on defense stood strong as fresh bodies were rotated in regularly on defense setting Cedarville up for another three and out. The final Tiger touchdown of the night came from who else other than Fisher Willsey who surfed his way 42 yards for the score. Although Cedarville would score a touchdown of their own, it was Mansfield who sailed off into the sunset with a 41-14 victory.
Photo courtesy of Malinda Mizell
The Tigers big win over Cedarville sets a lot of things into motion for the program. First off, Mansfield now sits with a 5-3 overall record and more importantly, a 3-3 conference record. Their conference record sets the Tigers up for a Playoff appearance for the first time in two seasons. Seeding in the Playoffs is very vital though. Mansfield stands with Lavaca at 3-3 in conference play right now but owns the head-to-head tie-breaker. But wait, there is one more item on the Tigers to-do list, and that item is named the Hackett Hornets. Mansfield will play their Sebastian County rivals at home for their final regular season game on Friday, November 4th. The Hornets have held the Tiger’s number for the past two years as Mansfield has lost both shootouts against Hackett. A victory over Hackett would be a huge boost for Mansfield by giving the Tigers the rivalry bragging rights, a winning overall and conference record, while also solidifying their place in the State Playoffs for the first time since 2019.
The long 2022 season for the Eagles came to an end on Friday night with a loss to Magnet Cove at Eagles Stadium. Paris’s week ten game was cancelled earlier in the season when Danville cancelled the remainder of their season.
Although the record was certainly not what the team had hoped it would be, the Paris football players played all season with grit and determination, often battling nagging injuries all season. Moans and groans could be heard from the game field throughout the season, and players would go home each week beat up and bruised from the night before. But the Eagles battled all season, and their character was never doubted.
Symbolically, the Eagles battled Magnet Cove down to the final down of the season. Down 47-7, the Eagles sustained a drive with no time outs remaining and moved the ball inside the Panthers’ two yard line. Paris called time out with three seconds remaining in the game, called a play, and scored a touchdown on the final play of the season. Some fans might wonder why the Paris coaches called time out when the game and season was over, but most importantly, the Paris coaching staff sent a signal to everyone that you never quit. You never, ever, quit… and that will be the starting point for this winter’s off-season program looking forward to the 2023 season.
The Paris seniors who were honored tonight won a total of 24 games in three seasons and made two consecutive years of playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021. In the 2020 campaign, the Eagles advanced to the state quarterfinals.
With the win, Magnet Cove secured the five seed from conference 3A-4 and will play in the Class 3A state playoffs on November 11.
One last reflection from tonight. Once again, the Paris crowd was great. Just as they have been all season under very tough circumstances, Paris fans showed up in large numbers to support their Eagles. Everyone who attended games this year should be very proud of the support you gave your Eagles. On behalf of everyone connected to the program, thank you for your awesome support this year of Paris Eagles football.
Photos of tonight’s game will be posted on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports on Monday afternoon. And if you missed any of the photos from the Eagles’ games this season, you can go to the page to catch-up on all of the games and the photos from this year’s Eagles football season.
RNN Sports will be in Lavaca next Friday to bring you photos and coverage of the Charleston Tigers as they play the Golden Arrows. The Tigers will be looking to clinch the outright conference championship in 3A-1.
