With over half of their starters missing from last night’s game, the Hackett Jr High Hornets knew they had quite the flight ahead of them. But in true Hornet fashion, Hackett pushed through the adversity in their game against Lavaca and finished with an 8-0 win. That might not sound like much to some people but some people don’t know how hard the Jr Hornets worked to not only get those eight points but to keep the Arrows from landing in the endzone as well! The Jr Hornets now hold a 2-2 season record with only a handful of games left to play.
Offensively, QB Landen Slavens finished the game with 11 passes for 71 yards as well as 4 rushes for 5 yards. Eli Slavens ended with 6 receptions for 44 yards and 4 rushes for 27 yards. Wyatt Oliver earned 1 15-yard reception. Kristopher Elkins snagged 1 8-yard reception. Danny Robinson made 14 rushes for 130 yards including to lone TD of the night. And Steven Thornburg acquired 1 5-yard reception. Defensively, Eli Slavens got 6 tackles and 3 interceptions. Alex Woody had 1 fumble recovery. And Danny Robinson landed 1 interception. The Hackett Jr Hornets will get back to it on October 8 when they take on the Pirates at Cedarville.
F9. Miss against Mena. J10. Miss against Waldron. A7. Miss against West Fork. G1. Hit and sink against Greenland! After missing the mark so far this season, the Tigers traveled to Greenland Thursday night to zero in on their first win of the season. The Mansfield Jr Tigers showed guts, determination, and solid teamwork in a back and forth instant classic 28-22 victory as they sunk the Greenland Pirates.
The game started off with the Tigers getting the ball first but Mansfield couldn’t figure out the Pirates defensive map right off the bat. That all changed with 3:47 left in the first quarter when QB, Peyton Martin, dipped and dove his way into the end zone. Jeremy Strozier pounded through the Pirates stiff defense for the two-point conversion to get the Tigers ahead early 8-0. In just a hair over a minute, Greenland would answer the Tigers TD with a score of their own and tacked on the extra points to tie things up 8-8 at the 2:13 mark of the first quarter. Remember the word “thriller” in the title of this article? Here it is. In just ten seconds after Greenland scored, Martin drilled a pass to Tyler Turnipseed who used his “TurnipSPEED” to fly 40-yards downfield for a Tiger touchdown. Mansfield was not able to convert the two-point conversion leaving the score at a 14-8 Mansfield at the end of the first quarter.
#23 Trey Powell
Now that the teams had both fired their offensive cannons in the first quarter, the game turned into a defensive chess match. Tackle for tackle and turnover for turnover, both the Tigers and Pirates blasted each other’s offenses. In on those massive blasts were Toby Towe, Turner Wright, Trey Vaughan, and Dakota Langford. It was a game of who wants it more at that point. Who wants it more, Tyler Turnipseed wants it more, more, and way more. With the Tigers quarterback Martin being flushed out of the pocket, he zipped a wild pass into coverage in the end zone. In a one on one matchup, both Turnipseed and a Pirate defender got their hands on the ball. The call of interception or touchdown wasn’t clear until Turnipseed literally ripped the ball away for the big-time score. That show of determination sent the Tigers into halftime with a 20-14 lead and momentum in their favor.
#7 Jeremy Strozier
The third quarter was filled with falls and flags as both teams struggled to get things going on either side of the ball. It was the end of the 3rd quarter before points were put up on the board. Unfortunately, it was Greenland who took the high waves to score with 0:32 left in the 3rd quarter giving Greenland a 22-20 lead going into the final quarter of the game. It was sink or swim time for Mansfield. Lifejackets? They don’t need no stinkin’ lifejackets. The team was Mansfield’s floatation device. After a few big runs by the Tigers running backs, Greenland took the bait on some play action and Martin dropped a perfect pass to the one, the only, THE Trey Powell who rolled in for a 40-yard Tiger touchdown.
#72 Trey Vaughan, #2 Raine Hecox, and #61 Turner Wright
To make sure the game would either be a win or go into overtime, Mansfield went for the two-point conversion and it was none other than Peyton Martin who rolled in to add the duce bringing the score to 28-22 Mansfield with 5:05 left in the game. The Pirates had to set sail fast and started passing, but their passes only found red and white jerseys. Turnipseed picked off a pass, but it was called off due to a penalty against the Tigers. The next play Greenland tried the same pass play to the other side of the field and the pass found none other than Peyton Martin who intercepted the ball to close out the game with 2:55 left on the clock. Trey Powell and Jeremy Strozier ran the ball a few times to run the time out and Martin took a knee on the final play giving Mansfield the 28-22 final over Greenland.
#10 Tyler Turnipseed
Peyton Martin finished the game with 7 passes for 128 yards and 3 TD and 8 rushes for 29 yards and 1 TD. Powell rushed 7 times for 52-yards. Strozier earned 7 rushes for 13 yards. And Turnipseed made 8 receptions for 88 yards and 1 TD. The Jr Tigers will hit the road to Charleston on October 8, and attempt to paw down the gold and black felines in what is sure to be a “Clash of the Tigers”.
In Thursday nights contest against the Waldron Jr Bulldogs and the Trinity Jr Buffaloes, the Jr Bulldogs eluded the Buffaloes stampede by logging a final score of 40-6 in their tally book bringing them to 3-2 on the season. Waldron created double trouble with Trinity as the 7th-grade Bulldogs secured a 14-8 win earlier in the evening. As always, the night started off with the Jr Bulldogs playing opossum with the Buffaloes before unleashing their secret weapon in running back, Chris Lopez.
#3 Chris Lopez
Lopez set the Bulldogs up nicely with an explosive 65-yard run that even a Peregrine Falcone would be proud of. In the next breath, thanks to an opening created by the O-line that was big enough to fit the state of Texas through, Lopez took the ball in from 22-yards out to deliver the first TD of the night. With the 2-point no good, the Bulldogs led 6-0. After Michael Grano, Joe Slater, Gage Cox, and Hunter Copeland made better defensive stops than sandbags in a flood, Trinity’s offense was shut down giving the Bulldogs possession of the ball.
With the 1st quarter almost over, the Bulldogs decided to uncover another hidden running back gem that they had been hiding in Kason Davis. Davis took a handoff from QB Brayden Mays and was gone with the wind for an 82-yard TD. Joseph Rogers added the two-point conversion and the quarter ended 14-0 Waldron. The entire first half of the game, Bulldog QB, Mays, was tossing handoffs to his receivers better than Santa tossing candy in a Christmas parade. Keeping the score lights rolling, Mays made a handoff to Rogers who yet again earned a Waldron TD with his 21-yard outside run to paydirt. Lopez landed the two-point conversion and the Bulldogs ruled the roost 22-0.
#23 Joseph Rogers
As Trinity was thinking they might finally be able to get in the game, dream crusher Lopez picked off a Buffalo pass giving the Bulldogs control of the field. With another Mays to Davis handoff, Kason took the Buffaloes to the barn with his 23-yard run for a TD. After a no-go conversion, the game went into halftime with Waldron owning the board 28-0. Finishing a water break and a pep talk, both teams were ready to get back to business. But unfortunately for Trinity, the business was better in the Bulldogs corner.
#18 Brayden Mays
With Waldrons O-line having zero time to rest, Nathan Canada, Jon Garzon, Damion Dickens, and Aden Allen were just a few of the Bulldogs stoppin’ and blockin’ every defensive Buffalo that came their way. Cashing in on these offensive stops was Cole Bailey who took a handoff from QB, Noah Patrick to slam the ball in from the 3-yard line. With no extra points to add, the score stood at 34-0 Waldron. Trinity finally caught a break though as they snagged a TD in the 4th quarter. But never ones to back down from the go big or go home motto, the Bulldogs delivered one final blow to the Buffaloes. On a Trinity kickoff, Ambrose Poor scooped up the ball at the 13-yard line to run it back almost the entirety of the field for a TD breaking Buffalo wings along the way. The game ended with the Bulldogs putting the Buffaloes back in the barn with a final score of 40-6. On October 8, the Jr Bulldogs will be back in action to take on the Warriors at Lamar.
#33 Seth Blankenship
Thank you Sandy Tull for your always EPIC pictures!
The long-awaited rematch between the top two teams in the 3A West volleyball conference will have to wait for fans of both schools. The October 6 rematch of Hackett traveling to Paris for in all likelihood will determine the conference champion and the number one seed in the state tournament has been postponed due to COVID reasons. As previously reported by Resident Press, the Paris volleyball team remains in quarantine and will not resume practice until later this week. Paris will potentially not have its entire varsity team available for practice until after the October 6 date.
Paris defeated the Lady Hornets in five sets back on September 10 at Hackett. The match featured two great teams playing the match down to the wire to eventually determine a winner, and fans from both schools have been eagerly awaiting the second match in Paris.
Both Hackett and Paris have conference matches to make-up before the state playoffs. It is unknown to Resident Press at this point as to if the post-season district tournament will be held, and if teams will make-up missed regular season conference matches. If a conference tournament is not held, conference teams would possibly have a week to make-up missed conference matches.
Hackett coach Bridget Freeman and Paris coach Jordan Devine are both working to reschedule matches, and Resident Press is assuming that both coaches are having a difficult go at finding time to reschedule matches.
Resident Press will continue to follow this story, and will post any new information regarding the rescheduling of matches as soon as it is known. But for now, the fan bases of both schools will have to wait for the rematch of “Super Fight 2” between the top two teams in the 3A West.
Sebastian County Judge David Hudson announced that the Fall Cleanup Campaign has been scheduled on four Saturdays in October beginning October 10 as part of the Great Arkansas Cleanup Statewide. The County Cleanup Campaign maintains the natural beauty of Sebastian County and helps eliminate illegal dump sites.
Due to COVID 19 restrictions, the campaign will operate differently this year. County residents may take their waste to the Fort Smith City landfill, located at 5900 Commerce Road, Fort Smith 72916 at no charge during the cleanup on Saturdays, October 10, 17, 24, and 31.
Proof of Sebastian County residency is required by Arkansas Driver’s License for disposal of trash at the Fort Smith City Landfill.
The landfill will be open on Saturday from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
NOTE: the following items are NOT acceptable:
Yard waste, grass, leaves and brush
Used oil
Tires
Batteries
Hazardous or toxic wastes
**TV’s, computers – electronic equipment
Cleaning chemicals
herbicides or pesticides
Paints or liquids of any kind
Fluorescent bulbs
Freon containing appliances (appliances using Freon must have the compressor removed before it can be accepted)
NOTE: tires will NOT be accepted as part of this cleanup campaign
NOTE: barrels used to burn trash will NOT be accepted as part of this cleanup campaign
NOTE: computers, TV’s or VCR’s will be accepted with a trailer designed for these items at the Fort Smith City Landfill during their designated Cleanup time. Please contact the Solid Waste District at 479-452-4104 for a complete list of E-Waste recycle centers with dates and time of operation.
This cleanup is for residents only and not for commercial disposal. Proof of Sebastian County residency by driver’s license will be required prior to disposal.
Although it’s not technically a rivalry, anytime the Mansfield Tigers and Greenland Pirates play football at any level, you can go ahead and break out the popcorn because it’s going to be a showstopper game. This was no different on Thursday night as the 7th Grade Tigers traveled to the green water of Pirate territory. Greenland had the home field and size advantage over the Tigers, but pure will power drove Mansfield to an edge of the sword 20-14 victory.
#21 Zander Walters
In case there is someone out there in Tiger Land who didn’t know, Mansfield’s 7th Grade has a running back stable that would make Sr High teams in the area jealous and that stable ran wild Thursday night. Dawson Robinson, Zander Walters, and Cooper Edwards all took turns running on the Tigers offenses opening possession. Each back ate up substantial yards every snap until Robinson took a quick pitch to the outside and saw nothing but the open field as he darted 22-yards for the first score of the game. Ethan Martin charged past the goal line for the two-point conversion giving Mansfield an early 8-0 lead. Greenland quickly answered back, but the Tiger defense stood tall stopping the Pirates extra point conversion to maintain their lead at 8-6 with 3:33 left in the first half. Walters rumbled, stumbled, twisted, and turned his way through the Pirates defense for a 70-yard touchdown, but unfortunately, the score was called back due to a penalty. Mansfield then stuffed the ball down Greenland’s defenses throat driving downfield with Robinson punching it in from four yards out to put the Tigers up 14-6 at halftime.
#13 Dawson Robinson and #9 Kanon Fisher
It didn’t take long after the half for Mansfield to get right back on the board again as Walters plowed through the Pirates for 55-yards and a touchdown. Mansfield couldn’t convert the two-point leaving the score at 20-6 with 2:45 left in the second half. The Pirates would not sink easily though. Midway through the last half of the game, Greenland’s massive offensive line held back the Tigers smothering defense allowing a perfectly precise pass play giving Greenland a touchdown. After earning the two-point conversion, the game was cut to a six point 20-14 lead for Mansfield. The Tigers had another Walters touchdown called back on a penalty, but it was the defense who secured the victory as they forced a fumble late in the second half allowing the Tigers to sail away with a 20-14 win over Greenland.
#2 QB Cooper Edwards
Although it was the run game of Robinson and Walters that kept the Pirates defense busy, it was the Tigers defense that was impressive against a much larger Greenland offense. James Bausley, Wyatt Boyd, Jacob Elmore, Chris Dickinson, and Jacob Delp slayed the monstrous Krakens forcing the Pirates to use the outside of the field for most of the game. But once Greenland hit the perimeter, they ran right into the claws of Cooper Edwards, Kanon Fisher, Cadien Ore, Dominic Shores, and Logan Newman who laid the smackdown on the ball carriers. Turning running backs into the teeth of the Tiger defense was Joey Fildes and Traevin Martin. And linebackers (aka headhunters) Alex Hecox, Dawson Robinson, and Zander Walters mopped up any stragglers who dared make it past the Tigers D-Line or D-Backs with punishing hits.
#51 Jacob Elmore
With victories over West Fork and Greenland, the 7th Grade Tigers completed the Northwest Arkansas Sweep and now sit at 2-0 in conference play. Mansfield will put those wins behind them though and go right back to work as they face what could be their biggest test of the season when they travel away from home to play the conference powerhouse Charleston Tigers on October 8. Mansfield will work on stopping penalties, shoring up their tackles, and staying on blocks because this will be a BIG catfight. Playing Charleston is never a walk in the park, but this group of 7th Graders will walk through the valley of the shadow death and fear no Black and Gold Tigers.
The River Valley Regional Food Bank will start a new program beginning in October designed to combat child food insecurity in the River Valley. The RVRFB is partnering with AT&T and area law enforcement agencies to distribute Patrol Packs — tote bags of easy-to-prepare grocery items — to carry in their patrol units.
These Patrol Packs will be distributed to children in their respective communities upon the individual department’s discretion. Law enforcement agencies in the area will begin picking up the prepared Patrol Packs tomorrow morning (Friday, October 2) at the food bank’s facility, at 1617 South Zero Street in Fort Smith, beginning at 10 a.m.
Each food bag contains shelf-stable items like peanut butter, fruit cups, easy-to-prepare rice and soups, quick meal items like cereal and oatmeal, and easy-to-open canned goods and more. The items were donated by AT&T through its “Believe Arkansas” program to combat hunger. The RVRFB, along with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, and the five other Feeding America food banks in the state, are participating in the program.
Tracy Engel, director of the River Valley Regional Food Bank, said the Patrol Packs will be distributed to area law enforcement agencies, whose officers may pass out the food kits to children they believe face food insecurity while on patrol.
“With covid-19, domestic violence has increased, more children are being home-schooled, or are latch-key children, and this gift from AT&T will hopefully alleviate some of the stress on the parents or guardians and help the child concentrate on their schoolwork more effectively,” Engel said.
The Patrol Packs will offer some much-needed assistance to the RVRFB, which is currently experiencing a 50 percent spike in demand since the covid-19 pandemic began. The food bank is on pace to distribute more than 20 million pounds of food to communities it serves. To date, the food bank has distributed more than 15.6 million pounds to the public. That translates to more than 10.4 million meals provided in the River Valley.
The Feeding America network of 200 food banks across the country has distributed more than 5.2 billion meals to residents across the nation. The food bank hopes to continue the Patrol Pack program throughout the remainder of the school year.
On Thursday, October 1, a Greenwood Police Department investigator released the findings of an incident occurring on Monday, September 28 at the Walmart on Liberty Drive.
After reviewing all the evidence, investigators concluded that no crime took place, noting that at no time did the man reach for the child, or run away.
Increased awareness of child trafficking and abductions is important, and the department takes cases like this very seriously.
With a 2020 seven-game regular season where every team plays every team, last Saturday closed out what could be called the halfway point of WCFL Football. With four weeks left that will include rivalry week programs, there is still plenty of time for programs to do some jockeying for a coveted playoff seed. After the close of Week3 last week, every program is still in the hunt for one of those six coveted playoff spots.
Mansfield vs Lavaca. Photo by Karen Nichols-Campbell
The Mansfield Tigers loaded up their high octane offense and traveled to Lavaca to try to keep their undefeated record intact. The Tigers pulled off a 32-8 win in their 3rd and 4th grade game and won 24-0 in the 5th and 6th grade game. The scores may seem like these were short games, but according to Mansfield’s WCFL Representative, David Moore, that wasn’t the case. “The scores don’t exactly reflect the games,” Moore said. “Lavaca was a very tough opponent. They were big and fast and our players had to fight hard for every yard and tackle they made.” With the wins over the Golden Arrows, Mansfield improves to 3-0 on the season for both of their teams while Lavaca slips to 1-1 on the 5th and 6th grade side and 0-2 for the 3rd and 4th grade. Lavaca will have a makeup game against Cedarville on Tuesday, October 6th.
Photo by Joanna James. Mansfield vs Lavaca
Speaking of Cedarville, the Pirates welcomed Magazine to the Pirates Sea last Saturday. Cedarville agreed to play an eight-man 3rd and 4th grade contact game with the Rattlers due to Magazine being short on players. The Pirates won the game 36-0 but the win wasn’t the big story. The fact that the Rattlers were able to take snaps, run with the ball, and make tackles in a game was the big story. Magazine could have folded up shop on the season due to low numbers and Cedarville didn’t have to agree to play 8 man. But the programs are all about the players and every kid on both teams put in the work, so win, lose, or draw, this was an overall win. Cedarville then took the field against the Rattlers in the 5th and 6th grade game and dodged the snake bites to the left and right to come out on top 24-0. The victory puts the Pirates at 1-1 on the season and a four-way tie for third currently. That tie will narrow on one side or the other though as the Pirates square off with Lavaca for a makeup game next Tuesday.
Magazine vs Cedarville. Photo by Brian Mott
The West Fork Tigers rolled in Rebel territory Saturday looking to raid JC Westside’s camp of victories. The Rebels on the other hand were prepared for the Tigers as the two programs battled it out to secure a victory each. In the 3rd and 4th grade game, JC Westside was able to shut out the Tigers speedy offense. The Rebels defense grabbed the Tigers by the tail leaving West Fork with a goose egg on the scoreboard. The victory wasn’t a walk in the park by any means though. West Forks defense bowed up on multiple occasions to hold the Rebels at bay and make multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The Tigers running back, Kyler Doss, broke some big runs, but West Fork couldn’t punch it in for a score. Unfortunately for West Fork, the Rebels all-star running backs, Blake Cook and Jimmy Johnson, were led by their bulldozer linemen to put up a score each leading JC Westside to a 14-0 victory.
Photo by Tara Jones. JC Westside vs West Fork 3/4 Grade
The Tiger vs Rebels 5th and 6th grade game was not so easy to cut for either team. Like two heavyweight champions going at it in the ring, both teams went toe to toe with each other for what could be the game of the year. It was West Fork who was able to find the weaknesses quicker though as the Tigers walked away with a 22-18 win. Aiden Stanton and Parker Smith were the Tigers offensive workhorses as they grinded against the Rebels stout defense all night. Stanton, Parker, and Robbie Preston were able to get West Fork into the end zone. But it was the defense who kept West Fork in the game. West Fork coach, Rob Preston, said “Our defense stepped up when we needed it the most but credit to the offense for doing their job all night. JC has some very talented and great athletes so the game wasn’t easy by any means. Carson Jones came up with a game-ending interception to end the game for the second week in a row. We’re very proud of this squad and their effort.”
Hackett and Mountainburg were on the card to play Saturday also, but the game was postponed. They will meet up in Mountainburg on the Dragons Lair gridiron for a makeup game on Tuesday, October 6th.
Greenwood business owner Angela Neas will be presenting a proposed resolution to the city council on October 5 at 7 p.m. “in support of restoring freedom, choice, opportunity, and governance back to local and state elected officials.”
Neas stated in a social media post: “We are fighting for our children. We are fighting for our elderly. We are fighting for small business. We are fighting for mental health. We are fighting for you.” Naes went on to share that people have a constitutional right not to wear a mask and that the governor’s emergency declaration is unconstitutional.
A resolution by the City of Greenwood, AR in support of restoring freedom, choice, opportunity, and governance back to local and state elected officials.
WHEREAS, the City of Greenwood, AR is a thriving city responsibly enacting ordinances and affirming resolutions for the safety, prosperity, and well being of it’s citizens, visitors and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Greenwood, AR have elected local officials in a mayor and city alderman to lead our city; and
WHEREAS, the City of Greenwood, AR has demonstrated the ability to lead in trying times and in difficult circumstances, by hearing from experts, business leaders, and citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City of Greenwood AR has demonstrated its ability to create a civil environment that is attractive, an economic atmosphere that is conductive to success, and a diversity of industry that is growing, providing our citizens a wide range of employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, our local businesses have demonstrated tremendous courage, perseverance, restraint, and outstanding decision-making capabilities; and
WHEREAS, the citizens and businesses of the City of Greenwood, AR have suffered and continue to suffer undue damage and harm resulting from the diminishment of personal responsibility and the freedom to engage in commerce and live, more, and have our being as a result of an exercise of excessive and inconsistent state control and power over local governments, businesses, and schools beyond what is reasonable, right, and true; and
WHEREAS, being in a state of emergency since March 2020, the citizens and businesses of the City of Greenwood, AR feel the perpetual extension of a state of emergency by the means of the Emergency Services Act is an overreach of the spirit of the law and a main contributor to the said damage and harm;
THEREFORE; BE IT RESOLVED…THAT THE CITY OF GREENWOOD ARKANSAS supports and strongly encourages an end to the inconsistent, harmful, and damaging directives and policies against the citizens, schools, and businesses of the City of Greenwood, AR. We now implore the Governor of the State of Arkansas to restore a representative government of the people by the people, and for the people by ending the practice of perpetually extending the state of emergency without direct legislative involvement and returning governing authority back to local and state elected officials.
