It’s the time of year when the leaves should start changing and a chill in the air. Alumni coming back into town for Reunion’s surrounding Homecoming week. Unfortunately, it is hot as if it was still August, but the Bulldogs are heating up just as much on the field.
Coming off a 61-7 win against Siloam Springs, the Bulldogs look forward to welcoming the Pointers on Friday in the 3rd round of Conference action in the 6A West. The Pointers are coming into Friday’s contest 1-2, with the sole win being a 40-14 rout of Greenbriar last week. Van Buren had several key players out with injuries but they were back in action last Friday. Star receiver Malachi Henry has returned and boosts the Pointer offense
Greenwood’s high powered offense flexed it’s muscle in just the first quarter against Siloam Springs, with Senior QB Hunter Houston connecting with Grant Karnes (Twice), L.J. Robins, and Peyton Presson all for touchdowns. Senior running back Jake Glover would add another touchdown and the score in the first quarter was 34-0.
L.J. Robins with a 1st Quarter Touchdown against Siloam Springs Ross Fujibayashi Photo
Defense has held strong over the last two games. They got the shut out against Mountain Home and just 7 points against Siloam Springs. Landen Nelms had a big interception in the first quarter, but the back to back scoop and scores from Eli Whitaker and Brady Mackey stole the show.
Bulldog Defense against Mountain Home Ross Fujibayashi Photo
Homecoming festivities start before the game, with kickoff at 7p.m. Greenwood welcomes back former Head Coach Ronnie Peacock to Friday night. Coach Peacock led the Bulldogs to a 63-23 record in his time at Greenwood, his program got Greenwood Football their first of 15 State Championship game appearances in 1996. In 2000 he coached Greenwood to their first of 10 State Championships. Alumni that played for Coach Peacock come by and say hi to the former Head Coach.
Former Head Coach Ronnie Peacock in a reunion in 2014 Ross Fujibayashi File Photo
How did a team go from being just another stop on a schedule in the 90’s to being a tradition rich powerhouse regardless of classification. On the 100th Anniversary season we take a look into the modern era of Greenwood Bulldog Football
“Let’s go! Get to your position coaches! No walking on the field!” Head Coach Chris Young exclaims during Pittbulls PAD Camp. I am sure you are asking yourself, “I thought he was the Bulldogs Head Coach?” See, that’s where where this story begins. There are several things that tie together the program, and just how do these all work in unison? Well, to tell the story we have to go back to the mid-90’s.
The Beginning of the Modern Era
It is 1994 and Greenwood makes a Coaching change, Ronnie Peacock who had some success with High School and College coaching stops is hired at Greenwood. Right away things become different. Greenwood becomes the epicenter of the pass heavy offense in Arkansas, something unheard of at the time because across the river at then rival Alma and all over the state the Wing-T offense reigned supreme. Coach Peacock and soon-to-be household name Guz Malzahn at Shiloh Christian discovered that Arkansas not only had guys that can run the ball they can throw and catch pretty well too. The culture within the Greenwood program changed, Father-Son Retreats, Mom’s Night, Thursday Night Theme, amongst other things within the community started popping up. Then came the first State Championship game appearance in 1996. The Bulldogs had arrived and the expectations have never stopped. Since then the Bulldogs have not missed a Playoff appearance in 26 consecutive seasons. Oh and State Championships? Fifteen appearances in that time winning 10 of them.
How is it sustainable? You see programs in the state and the country that have runs and then are competitive but not covered as they once were. For example, our neighbors to the West, Oklahoma. For so long it was Jenks and Tulsa Union, now it’s Owasso and Bixby grabbing the spotlight. In Arkansas things rise and drop like the Arkansas River as well. Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Barton, once proud programs are now shells of what they once were. Bryant, Greenwood, Pulaski Academy, Shiloh Christian are now the teams everyone talks about. The changing landscape and economics play a part sure, but how has Greenwood been able to do it for realistically 28 seasons.
PAD Camp and Pittbulls
Just as Coach Chris Young’s predecessor before him, Coach Rick Jones, for one week during the summer the Varsity program opens up their recipe book and shares what makes it tick like a well oiled machine. From holding drills and coaching the kids just as the High School does, to having players coaching the younger groups. What it does is allows the youth players a chance to talk to the Varsity players that they watch on Friday nights. Along with the coaching of the kids, the High School coaches hold a coaches clinic for the Pittbull coaches to show them how they run a practice and the techniques they teach. With there being two teams usually on the Pittbull level, Coach Young emphasizes both teams working together during practices because when they reach 7th Grade they will have to blend either way. As I was told when I coached it was our duty to prepare these student-athletes for the next level.
During the season it is not unusual to see a High School player assistant Coaching or helping the Pittbull program in some capacity. Roaming the sidelines are former High School Coaches that are now coaching their kids as they move through the program. The play calls on the sideline use the same naming as the Jr. High and Varsity does, albeit simplified given the ages but some teams are running a base Greenwood offense as early as the 3rd Grade. This year the Pittbulls program added 1st and 2nd Grade which will then further the education for when they get to school ball.
Mom’s 101
For a night in August the Mom’s of the players get an opportunity to go through a typical practice that their son’s do. They work the position drills while being coached not only by the High School Coaches but by their Son’s. It starts by Coach Young introducing the mom’s to the coaches and then he gives them a quiz about their football knowledge. They then break off into position meetings with their son’s coach, then the practice starts. After one on one’s and 7 on 7, the moms then get to go through team drill, where there is a full offense and full defense. It is a cool night that allows the players to bond with their mom in a different way. As one said “Mom has been through enough Mom’s 101 she could be a Power 5 Defensive Back.” From what I saw, he was right. It is an incredible experience (I will say this a few more times), not just for the player’s mom but the player’s themselves.
Father-Son Retreat
Started by Ronnie Peacock in the 90’s it was an opportunity for Dad’s and Son’s to bond before their last season. It starts just as the Mom’s 101 where Coach Young introduces the Coaches and then an ultra competitive Volleyball tournament. In the past they have done a ropes course as well. From there it is the Trust Walk. It is fitting as the Father leads their blindfolded son down a path, just as they have in life. During the walk, you talk with your son about not just what lies on the path but the path of life. Once at the end it’s now the son’s turn to lead their dad. There’s a dinner and then the dad’s and son’s are split into two groups. Son’s write letters to their Mom and the Dad’s write one to their son to be opened later.
The groups are brought back together and the dad’s talk to their sons about a moment they were most proud. The sons tell their dad’s their greatest memory. It is a very incredible experience. As an author’s note, when I went on my Father-Son Retreat my dad was living in the Chicagoland area. Coach Peacock got to be my “Dad”. It will change your respect level for that person, I did not see him as just a Coach but like a dad.
Spring Game, Parrot Island, and Jr. High Games
Having a Spring Game since 2000 is nothing new but it was the addition of the 8th and 9th Grade to the program this year that added a neat wrinkle. The 8th and 9th Grade skill players ran a 7 on 7 in front of the crowd, while during the break after 10 plays, the Lineman went through several competitions. During the fall practices the Booster Club rented Parrot Island for the night for the 7th-Varsity players. The addition of the younger grades on those two nights they would probably be home, shows what Coach Young is trying to do, tie the programs together even tighter. It allows the younger players to again get to know the Varsity squad and want to be involved and get to their level.
The usual scene on the sideline during Jr. High games is a mix of upperclassman helping in some form. Helping give tips, being ball boys, or giving support. At a recent 9th grade game that went into Overtime, the Varsity squad lined up on the sideline from the back of the endzone to the sideline to cheer on the Freshmen. As Jr. High Head Coach Luke Hales commented after the game “This was a special night for Greenwood Bulldog Football in general. We dressed out every single kid from 7th through 9th grade. Our High School team was down here supporting us, it’s a special time to be a Greenwood Bulldog.”
FASDOGS
It is hard to have an article about Greenwood Bulldog Footbal and not discuss the summer work out plan. While it is not unheard of to have a summer workout plan for a High School team, but to include grades 3rd through 6th it sets it apart. Hooten’s wrote a great piece on it in 2019 and it made a special cover that year. The younger grades go through a workout similar to that of the High School and Jr. High. They are taught accountability from the start, one knee two eyes on coach. If they fail to do so at any point Coach Young will reset the time on the post workout huddle.
The Program
Has it been easy? Surely not, and the coaches will certainly tell you the same. From August to December, it is a 7-day a week job. From game planning, to logistics, to meal planning, to laundry, to practices it is non-stop. I joked with Head Coach Chris Young about the 10 State Championship rings on the shelf behind his desk during a preseason interview, about if there would be a picture of him wearing all 10. He replied, “You know there are a lot of important people that went into getting those, I am just fortunate I played a small part.” Sitting through meetings as a parent of an athlete, you see the message clearly. “Parents, I know you want to get on Social Media and talk about your kid getting a touchdown or a big stop. But remember, we are a team, congratulate the other kids on the team just as you would your own.” It’s a theme repeated at every pre-season meeting.
There is a lot as a fan we take for granted when we watch Greenwood take the field throughout the week. We expect success. We expect fireworks, to shoot the cannon, and points on the board. One thing we do look forward to is this is One Town, One Team and we would not want it any other way.
Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced directly from Mr. Glenn Parrish, Director of Communications, Booneville School District. Mr. Parrish is a RNN Sports contributor, and we thank him for bringing this story to our readers!
When head coach Doc Crowley agreed to play Harding Academy in a home-and-home series, the Bearcats figured to have both the defensive and offensive firepower to make a serious run at the three times defending Class 3A state champion now assigned to Class 4A Wildcats.
Then the injuries began to mount. Four two-way starters were in jerseys and shorts or jeans and the Wildcats took a 44-14 win at Bearcat Stadium Friday night.
That isn’t to say the Bearcats were completely overwhelmed. It was a 7-point game going to the second quarter, and again in that quarter, and a less than impossible 20-point game with all but three seconds of fourth quarter to go.
Harding (3-0) scored on its first possession but had to drive only 35 yards to do so after a Bearcat fumble, the first turnover of the season by the Bearcats (2-1).
After the possession change Harding got one first down through the air and another through the flag for pass interference on a third down.
The touchdown also came on a third down to make it 7-0 with 7:30 left in the opening quarter.
Harding had a chance to do more damage in the opening quarter after a failed fourth down by the Bearcats but a negative yardage tackle by Dax Goff and a couple of incomplete passes brought up a 45-yard field goal try that was unsuccessful.
Harding would use its field goal team, a lot.
After a Bearcat punt Harding drove 78 yards to go in front 14-0 on a 38-yard touchdown pass but the Bearcats answered in two plays.
After a touchback kickoff Trace Hall rumbled for 26 and Goff went 54 yards to make it 14-7 with the Marcos Mullor PAT.
Goff carried 13 times for 123 yards in the game.
But, Harding got a kickoff return to the Bearcat 49 and a 49-yard touchdown pass to go up 21-7 just 34 seconds later.
Starting from their 47 after a punt the Wildcats got one first down but a sack by Chase Plymale and Demari Poole help force the Wildcats into fourth-and-15 at the Bearcat 38. A 55-yard field goal was just good to make it 24-7.
A punt in the final minute gave the Wildcats a chance to do further damage and but on a third down on the final play a 25-yard run, accounting for a good portion of the 112 yards the Wildcats gained on the ground, ended the half.
Out of the halftime break the Wildcats drove to a touchdown on a drive that featured a personal foul and unsportsmanlike penalty on the same play, and took over 5:30 of the third quarter
The second Bearcat turnover of the night set up a 42-yard field goal – Lance Sims made a one handed stop for a loss on third down – and again it was good for a 34-7 lead.
An 80-yard drive that took seven plays got the Bearcats on the board again. It was Hall scoring from the 3 but it was Cody Elliott who had a 31-yard gain that became 46 when he was drug down by his facemask that helped set it up.
Elliott ran for 42 of his 81 yards in the game on the drive.
Harding again struck quickly and again it was in the air, on a 67-yard touchdown pass to make it 41-14 with 11:30 to play.
The Bearcats turned the ball over on downs at the Harding 47 with 7:26 remaining and exactly five minutes later a third field goal – in four tries – made it 44-14. This one was from 40 from Harding’s Mississippi State commitment.
Jace Washburn had a nifty return on the ensuing kickoff and took over under center for Peyton Tatum and Garrick Barr and Clayton Loftin logged carries.
The Bearcats will be on the road at Hackett for their Conference 3A-1 opener this week.
RNN Sports is excited to announce special coverage of the University of Central Arkansas home football game on October 1 versus Austin Peay!
RNN Sports will have two photographers, James and Selena Shelly, roaming the sidelines to bring you the best action shots from the Bears’ game at Estes Stadium.
Watch for this story and photos from the game on the RNN online platform at residentnewsnetwork.com on Sunday afternoon, October 2.
RNN Sports is committed to bringing our readers LOCAL coverage of area high school and college sports, and we hope you enjoy our rapidly expanding coverage!
Thanks for reading RNN Sports, and we will see you in Conway on October 1. GO BEARS!
The Great Depression were hard years for the people of the River Valley. Drought, dust storms, falling prices for farm goods and business failures lead to a virtual collapse of the economy. My father spoke many times of going bare-foot and having only a couple sets of clothes a year as the norm. My grandfather could find only sporadic work, most of that for the WPA and to do that you often had to sale off most of your land to the government at ridiculous prices. Nationwide, people stood in soup lines and grasped any opportunity to make a nickel working. Times were often even harder for those that made their living in the arts; few had the money to invest in entertainment, music, or art. To remedy the situation, FDR instituted a series of programs that would employ artists and, at the same time, bring the arts to the common man. Between 1933 and 1945, the federal government employed thousands of these starving artists to works for public enjoyment.
One of the most popular and endearing facets of this work in Arkansas is the various murals found on the wall of local post offices. Nationally, over 1300 murals decorated public post offices and depicted life in the region. In our area, many of these murals still exist and are often unnoticed features in the background as we rush in to buy stamps, drop of letters, and get on with the business of the day. Morrilton, Van Buren, Dardanelle, Clarksville, and Paris all still have these mementoes of by-gone days decorating the walls of the post office. Often created by well-known artists, the paintings go unappreciated.
At Paris, the German born artist Joseph Vorst painted a masterpiece work entitled Rural Arkansas. In several realistic scenes, he depicted the life of rural Arkansas. Vorst, an immigrant and latter a native of St. Louis, obviously knew little of farm life. The first drawing he submitted had the improbable scene of a baby mule with its mother. As farmers know, mules are cross-bred and do not reproduce. Sent back to be redone, he created an amazing work of art. I can almost see McLeanbottoms in my mind as I look at figures picking, weighing, and ginning cotton. Bystanders gawk as a prime bull is brought to market and one can see the mountains in the distance. The art work is situated right above the door to the postmaster’s office; in fact, the door cuts into the original scene.
A similar art work by the artist L. Mactarian covers the wall at Dardanelle. The cotton industry is again the centerpiece of painting and one observes cotton from production to shipment overseas. One of my favorites, The Chosen Site in Van Buren shows a family heading west, the expressions of determination and grit written all over their faces.
The program ended in 1943. Payment for some of this priceless art was around 10 dollars per square foot, a total of around 750 dollars for each painting. Though not a great sum, it helped many of the artist survive and continue with their chosen career through the hard depression era.
As you enter the various post offices, take time and examine and enjoy these beautiful pieces of art and history, a legacy left to us from the 1930’s.
It was a great night for both candidates and voters with intelligent questions and informative responses.
On Thursday evening, September 15, at 6 p.m., attendees filled the courtroom at the Scott County courthouse. The candidate forum was co-sponsored by the Scott County Tea Party and Resident News.
Scott County Sheriff Candidates Clint McPherson and Tim Starr
Gary Epperson with the Scott County Tea Party welcomed the guests and the candidates. Pastor Ron Tilly opened the meeting with prayer, and Bill Coben, VFW Post 1345 Commander, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members of the forum panel included Tilly, Haskell Hicks, and Reggie Cowan. Don Cloud Davis served as the forum moderator.
Pictured from top, left: Waldron City Alderman June Haas, Scott County JP Candidate Jeff Gilbert, Scott County JP Lance Stinson, and Scott County JP Candidate Jamie Goff
Candidates present for the forum were: SCOTT COUNTY JUDGE Brad Evans SCOTT COUNTY SHERIFF Clint McPherson Tim Starr SCOTT COUNTY JP Jeff Gilbert Lance Stinson Jamie Goff WALDRON MAYOR Dave Tull David Millard (i)* ALDERMAN June Haas (i)* *i denotes incumbent
Waldron Mayoral Candidates Dave Tull, and current Mayor David Millard.
Candidates were given a three-minute period for an introduction, followed by a question and answer session from the audience and/or panel members.
All in all the forum was informative and valuable to voters. One audience member shared, “I wasn’t quite sure who I was going to vote for in the judge’s race, but now I know.”
The political forum ran up until its allotted time, approximately 9 p.m.
Scott County Tea Party representative, Gary Epperson
Candidates attending the forum (not pictured Alderman June Haas)
Forum moderator, Don Cloud Davis
Members of the forum panel, from left: Reggie Cowan, Haskell Hicks, and Ron Tilly.
Candidates took questions from members of the audience.
One would be hard pressed to find nachos I don’t like. Unless the nachos have no cheese, in which case I don’t even count them as nachos. Cheese and tortilla chips with some sort of protein? I’m in. Add in all the veggies you want, I’m already ready to eat.
We had hot smoked sausage in the fridge that I didn’t have a plan for; I didn’t know I got hot instead of just regular smoked sausage until I was home. I kept looking at it trying to decide what I could do with it. Jambalaya or gumbo was an option, but summer is just lingering on and that seemed out of the question. And then I saw the jar of queso blanco. Oh. Now we are in business.
Ingredients
-7 oz package smoked sausage (hot or regular)
-1/2 bell pepper
-1/2 regular onion
-1 Tbs cooking oil of choice
-1/2 jar cheese dip of choice
-Bag of tortilla chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350.
Slice sausage, peppers, and onions, add in pan with cooking oil. Sauté until vegetables are soft.
Place chips on sheet pan, drizzle with cheese sauce, sprinkle sausage and vegetable mixture over.
Place in oven for 8 minutes until cheese is heated.
On Thursday evening, September 15, the Mansfield City Council met in regular session. All members of the council were present including Julie Thomas, James Steele, Beverly Lyons, Sheri Hopkins, and Bobby Musgrove. Also present, Mayor Buddy Black and Recorder/Treasurer Becky Walker.
After calling the meeting to order, the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Black welcomed visitors and guests.
After the reading and approval of the August 18, 2022 minutes and financials, the council heard the city services reports.
Mansfield Fire Chief Michael Smith reported a total of 29 calls, two fire and 27 EMS. He noted that the ladder truck had sold and that he was waiting on interested parties regarding the Freightliner. Smith concluded that all trucks were up and running and that he had worked over 160 hours this month.
Next, Police Chief Wayne Robb presented his report. In Scott County, there were eight citations, eight violations and one misdemeanor warrant served. For Sebastian County, there were a total of eight citations, 10 violations, five felony and two misdemeanor warrants served. In all, the agency had 54 calls, 21 agency assists (seven in Scott County and 14 in Sebastian County), 12 school calls, 10 medical calls, 12 total incident/arrest reports, three total accident reports, 62 total traffic stops, 44 warnings were issued, seven adult arrests and one animal call.
Public Works Director Joe Manes presented his departmental report, which included performing 96 work orders. Additionally, painting the parking lot stripes and safety lighting around the senior center building, replacing the display and relays on headworks at the sewer plant, a water tap for a new water customer, digging out ditches, and applying a second coat of chip and seal on the city lake road.
In the last report, City Attorney Travis Plummer discussed the yard sale ordinance. Yard sales are prohibited on city property with the exception of non-profit organizations. The council had previously voted to revise that ordinance.
In matters of unfinished business, Tracee McKenna, the Director of Community Development, WAPDD, was present. She discussed a plan to assist the city with possible grant funding to construct a new city hall. Currently, Mansfield City Hall is closed because of mold. McKenna will assist Mayor Black with a plan to get a more accurate reflection of residential income in hopes of procuring funding for future grants.
Next, the council discussed and confirmed the yard and ditch mowing responsibility of the homeowner. Ordinance 2021-6 states that homeowners are responsible for mowing their yard and their ditches. The city is responsible for mowing around fire hydrants and traffic signs.
In the last matter of unfinished business, the council voted unanimously to pay off the trash truck early, at $22,491.81. The early payoff saved the city a total of $453.01.
In matters of new business, the council voted unanimously to give city employee Sean Dickinson a $.50 per hour increase in pay.
The next item on the agenda, the requirement of a permit for food trucks and produce sales from parking lots. No council discussion or action was taken on this item.
Next, the council discussed the water rate increase from James Fork Regional Water. Mayor Black stated that the city will absorb the 20% rate increase and that they will not be raising water rates at this time.
The last item of new business, the unanimous approval to rebuild a submersible wastewater pump, totaling $4838.00 plus tax.
In announcements, Mayor Black shared that another layer of chip and seal had been applied at the City Lake Park and that after the first of the year, he anticipates the entire drive around will be completed.
With no other items on the agenda, the motion was made and approved to adjourn the meeting.
We don’t always want to admit it, but we spend a lot of time in the bathroom. It’s where we brush our teeth, shower, and take care of other essential business throughout the day. However, for many of us, it’s a room that we neglect when it comes to new and exciting renovations, and it’s a good idea to think about how a bathroom remodel can improve your quality of life.
Increases Resale Value
One of the most obvious advantages of performing a bathroom remodel is how it may increase your home’s value if you’re ever looking to sell. While bathroom renovations can be costly, the initial investment can pay off with increased value. Even if you’re not looking to sell right now, you can enjoy the effects of the investment for yourself.
Fitting Your Personal Needs
One of the most significant ways a bathroom remodel can improve your life is that a remodel allows you to make changes to suit your wants and needs. If you ever felt like you wanted a higher countertop or a different style of mirror for your vanity, this is the ideal opportunity to make it happen. You spend a lot of time in this room, so it should be a room that accommodates your overall needs.
Improved Safety
It’s probably a safe assumption that not much work was done on your bathroom after the house was built. There may have been a few modifications here and there or repairs on broken pipes or wiring, but how much do you really know about the inner connections of your bathroom? Performing a remodel gives you the opportunity to make deep-rooted repairs you may not have otherwise considered. Remodels are a chance to check for rotted wood in the walls or floors or look for any mold or mildew from excess humidity. Finding and fixing these problems may add to the total cost but provide you with a safer, cleaner restroom that could help you save money in the long run.
Arkansas returns to conference play on Saturday to face the Texas A&M Aggies in the renewal of the Southwest Classic. The game is a neutral site conference game for both schools that will be played at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 6 p.m. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN. As part of ESPN’s coverage, the network’s “SEC Nation” pregame show will also be there to highlight the game. It will be the second time this season that SEC Nation has selected the Hogs for their national game of the week; the first being their season opener in Fayetteville vs. Cincinnati.
Arkansas survived a non-conference scare last Saturday against a highly-motivated Missouri State team coached by returning coach Bobby Petrino. Among many issues for the Hogs in that game, the defensive secondary continues to be a liability for the defense, and on Monday, Hogs head coach Sam Pittman was considering possible changes to the secondary. Myles Slusher has been eagerly awaiting his return to action following an injury in the Cincinnati game, and it is possible that he was held out last week to be ready for the game against Texas A&M. Arkansas needs his speed and athleticism in the secondary.
Here are some notes on this Saturday’s game versus Texas A&M as provided by the University of Arkansas:
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (2-1, 0-0 SEC) AP/Coaches Poll: 23/20 Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher (Salem [W.Va.], ‘90) Career Record: 119-38 (13th season) Record at Texas A&M: 36-15 (5th season)
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (3-0, 1-0 SEC) AP/Coaches Poll: 10/10 Head Coach: Sam Pittman (Pittsburg State [Kan.], ‘86) Career Record: 15-11 (3rd season) Record at Arkansas: Same
• No. 10 Arkansas hits the road for the first time this year to take on SEC West foe No. 23 Texas A&M in the 79th edition of the Southwest Classic. Kickoff between the Razorbacks and Aggies from inside AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, on ESPN.
• For the second week in a row, Arkansas is ranked in the top 10. The Hogs stayed put at No. 10 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, marking the first time since 2012 that Arkansas has spent consecutive weeks in the AP’s top 10.
• The Hogs are off to a 3-0 start for the second straight year, a feat that had not happened at Arkansas since 2010-11. With a win against Texas A&M, Arkansas would improve to 4-0 in back-to-back years for the first time since 1988-89.
• QB KJ Jefferson continues to wreak havoc on opposing defenses through the air and on the ground. Jefferson has completed 55-of-78 passes (70.5%) for 770 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 169 yards and three scores through the first three games of the season. He ranks second in the SEC and 15th nationally in total offense, generating 313.0 total yards of offense per game.
• RB Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders is the Razorbacks’ leading ball carrier through three games, totaling 440 yards on 66 carries (6.3 avg) with three scores on the ground. Sanders, who posted his third consecutive 100-yard rushing effort in the win over Missouri State, leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally in rushing yards (440) this season. His 146.7 rushing yards per game rank third in the country.
• WR Jadon Haselwood has helped lead Arkansas’ receiving corps through the first three games of the season with 13 catches for 158 yards (12.2 avg) and a pair of touchdowns. A transfer from Oklahoma, Haselwood has caught three or more passes in each of his first three games as a Razorback and has tallied at least one reception in 15 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2021 season.
• LB Drew Sanders has turned heads with his play on the defensive side of the ball this season. A transfer from Alabama, Sanders has racked up 28 total tackles (16 solo) with a team-leading 6.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 5.5 sacks through the first three games. He is tied for the national lead in sacks with 5.5 and has tallied at least one sack in all three games this year, including multiple quarterback take downs in each of the past two contests.
The game with Texas A&M is a game the Hogs cannot afford to look past anticipating a game with Alabama at home the following week. Defeating A&M this week would set up a raucous crowd at Razorbacks Stadium for a showdown with the Tide. But for now, it is all A&M, and if history plays out this weekend, the game should be another classic with a barn burner finish. The Aggies will be out to avenge last year’s loss to Arkansas, and Sam Pittman’s crew will be looking to play much better than last week in their conference game with Texas A&M.
It should be another great game in the long-standing series with this former Southwest Conference rival opponent. So….GO HOGS!
Note to Our Readers: Some portions of this story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Kyle Parkinson, Associate AD / Communications
