Cedarville City Council along with the Cedarville branch of Citizen’s Bank recently treated area residents to free lunch as part of a community celebration at the city park. Activities included a 5k race, Harvest Pageant, and Blue Ribbon Fair. Shopping along the walking trail was made possible by local vendors and area clubs. Entertainment was provided by Paden Baggett and the Hank Jones Band. Beautiful weather rounded out the day for this family friendly event.
The Paris Lady Eagles volleyball team continued their dominance in Class 3A volleyball Tuesday night with a 3-0 win at Mansfield. Paris defeated the Lady Tigers 25-18, 25-19, and 25-9. The win improved the Lady Eagles record to 24-1 and a perfect 11-0 in conference. Paris entered the week ranked number one in Class 3A by Max Preps, and 13th overall in Arkansas across all classifications. Paris continues its march toward a perfect conference season and the top seed in the upcoming senior high district tournament. But for Paris fans, the most encouraging news of the night was the return of senior middle player Faith Mainer. The Paris starter has missed games the past two weeks and appears to be moving back into her starting position. As a dominate middle player, her return is certainly good news for Paris as it prepares to defend its state title.
Although the Lady Tigers lost both the junior and senior high matches, both games were very competitive. Mansfield has steadily improved throughout the season, and particularly, with the junior high’s performance all season, as well as last evening, the future of Mansfield volleyball is bright for next year. For the remainder of this season, Mansfield could be a surprise in this year’s junior and senior high district tournaments. Mansfield’s junior high team is very talented and pushed Paris to the brink before eventually losing. If the junior Tigers get hot on the day of the junior high district tournament, they could threaten Paris for the junior district championship.
Mansfield’s senior high team also played very well against the defending state champions. In their first meeting at Paris, Mansfield pushed Paris in one set before eventually losing. Last evening, the Lady Tigers pushed Paris in two sets.
This season, the 3A-1 district will only have three teams that will qualify for the state tournament. Going into tournament play, Mansfield will be targeting Charleston, Booneviile, and Waldron for one of the remaining playoff spots should Paris win the district tournament. This all means that the Lady Tigers will have to win two games in the district tournament to qualify for state. If the Lady Tigers can continue to improve, play together, and finish sets, they have the opportunity to pull an upset in the district tournament and further their chances to qualify for the state tournament.
Mansfield will have starter Brooke Wright back for her senior year in 2020, as well as a talented junior high team that will play senior high games next year. All of this combined with Mansfield’s volleyball team moving to Class 2A next season, and the Lady Tigers could be competing for a state title in 2A next year.
It is almost tournament time, and everyone knows that once tournament play begins, anything can happen. There are plenty of stories out there where teams have dominated another throughout the season to only lose to them at tournament time when it matters most. Tournament success is often about who is hot and playing their best at tournament time. The best team does not always win; a team just has to beat them one time.
Both Paris and Mansfield have a lot to play for over the coming weeks. If you are a sports fan, you will not want to miss the conclusion of the regular season next week. Charleston travels to Mansfield next week, and that game will be a big step for Mansfield to mentally prepare themselves for the district tournament. Paris will be playing to wrap up a perfect conference season. The Lady Eagles came within an eyelash of running the table on a perfect overall season. They will be very tough to beat when everyone starts playing for the hardware of a state championship.
It should be fun. See you at the games!
Mansfield and Hackett decided to change things up this season for their Flag Football programs. Both towns left their old league and joined with the Greenwood Boys and Girls Club to create a league of their own. Change can be a scary thing. It can either go horribly wrong or awesomely sweet. Thankfully, the Tigers and Hornets have made it a huge success.
Mansfield suited up one team, Hackett put together two, and Greenwood ended up with three teams giving the league a total of six competitive squads. Each team plays two games on Saturday and rotates venues every time giving each program two home games a season. With smiles and a pure love for playing, these young men and women put on quite the show. The games are so fun that at times, they put the towns’ Sr High games in their shadows.
The Flag Football players are grades Kindergarten through 2nd Grade so you know things can get really exciting really fast. The kids sometimes run forwards, backwards, and side to side while trying to allude their opponents. They dive and tumble attempting to grab flags. They tend to even dance a little jig and cheer super loud after any play (good or bad).
The coaches try to maintain a bit of control but a lot of the time ends up looking like they are trying to give a bunch of kittens a bath. These Flag Football games are a modern-day Little Rascals and Dennis the Menace show rolled up in one.
The overall benefits of Flag Football for Mansfield and Hackett are unmatched. The programs get to see what talent they have moving up into their Little Leagues which helps the coaches place them in positions that benefit the teams better. The players learn proper techniques of handling the football and how to tackle low with their heads up by having to look at the flag on the waist of their opponents.
Since both Mansfield and Hackett are not operated by the schools, they are able to help improve their programs’ finances by gate fees from hosting Flag Football games. Most importantly, it gives the kids a chance to show off their skills and have a lot of fun playing football at an early age.
The next Flag Football games will be played at the Hackett High School football field on Saturday, October 12th starting at 9:00 a.m. and going until noon. The gate fee is $3 per adult and kids are free. The last game of the season will be held at Mansfield on Tuesday, October 15th starting at 6:30 p.m.
That game will be held under the lights at Tiger Stadium for the purpose of giving the kids a big-time High School football game feeling. Why do a night game for something like Flag Football? Simple. Because all of the players on every team deserve the spotlight for their hard work and effort in making this season’s entire program a success.
During the course of a long season, any team is bound to have a game in which they are just not themselves. Late in the season, factors such mental and physical fatique, injuries, etc., begin to take their toll. Good teams find a way to overcome these factors. They know how important each game is and they know the consequences of losing games that they should win. Last evening, the Lady Tigers played well in spurts, but did not have the consistency that they or their coach would have liked to have seen. With a little more than a week to go in the regular season, it is the time of year when the Lady Tigers have to dig deep and maintain their focus.
Charleston (14-2, 9-2) swept West Fork in three sets Tuesday night at Charleston gymnasium. The win completed a regular season sweep of West Fork. They accomplished what they needed to do. West Fork played hard and with pride, and forced Charleston to reach down deep to win three competitive sets. The win came 24 hours after an emotional and tough match against Lavaca on Monday. It was obvious that the energy expended against Lavaca affected the Lady Tigers Tuesday night. The positive side of this is the fact that Charleston was able to win an important conference match and maintain its hold on second place in the conference. The Lady Tigers now have Wednesday to correct some mistakes in practice and rest before they travel to Waldron for a critical match with the Lady Bulldogs that could have playoff seeding implications. The next two matches for Charleston will be tough road games at Waldron and at Mansfield next Tuesday. The Lady Tigers will have to have greater focus than they had against West Fork when they play their final two road matches of the regular season. Charleston defeated both Waldron and Mansfield at home this year, and both teams would love to even the score against Charleston.
So, a win is a win, is a win. Charleston did what they had to do by winning and not dropping a crucial conference match. But Lady Tigers head coach Ryan Rachuy told his beloved Lady Tigers that they have to step it up to accomplish their goals over the remaining weeks of the regular season and the playoffs. “When you play two nights in a row you’ve got to raise your level. Unfortunately, tonight for us, the first two sets for us were pretty ugly. There were a couple of times I caught our girls kind of jolted or surprised when balls were coming toward them. I called a couple of time outs and I said that if you are not expecting the ball then you are not ready to play. If you’re not ready to play, then somebody else probably needs to come in the game for you. Because we need to win; district play. We expended a lot of energy against Lavaca because they are a very good team. But also, Charleston vs. Lavaca is something special. It means something in these areas around here. Not to say that Charleston vs. West Fork does not, but it (Lavaca) is a local rivalry.”
All teams are subject to mental let downs at any point during the long course of the season. Coaches hope that they do not occur at inopportune times, such as the playoffs. This week’s schedule of three games in four days is comparable in some ways to tournament play in which a team may have to play multiple back-to-back nights. As Coach Rachuy explained, the difference at this point is that a loss now does not mean the season comes to an abrupt end as it does during tournament play. However, the mental and physical fatigue is comparable and this week and next is a good opportunity for Charleston to grow and develop in this area so that they are ready for the grind and intensity of district and state tournament play.
Next week is the last week of the regular season, and for the seniors on this team, it will mark the last few games of their high school playing careers. As the team came out of the dressing room on Tuesday night, Coach Rachuy was handing out questionnaires to his seniors in preparation for next week’s senior night. Rachuy loves his players, and each year, it is evident that he and his seniors hate to see their final seasons together come to a close. Rachuy shared with me some of the things he and the program does to honor and thank seniors. I will share those with you next week as we approach senior night.
For now, the next point on the Lady Tigers radar is Waldron. They have to strategically, mentally, and physically prepare for a tough road conference match that is very important to Charleston maintaining the two seed in the district tournament.
I believe last night’s match is a wake up call that can benefit the Lady Tigers for the rest of the season. If the team learned from the experience and takes the steps for the remainder of the season to be ready to play, it could benefit the Lady Tigers greatly.
We will see. I believe the seniors on this team want to go out as regular season, conference runner-ups, a chance to win a district tournament championship, and a chance to advance to the state tournament. I think that will drive them the last week of the season.
This week ARVBands traveled to Greenwood to catch the Greenwood Bulldog Marching Band in action. They were holding their Mass Band Night, where all band students 6th through 12th grades collectively joined on the field during pregame. The 7th through 12th grade played “Wipe Out” while the 6th-grade students danced along.
Once in the stands, the band played the fight song as the team entered the field. The band and football team are supportive of one another. As the team played, the students cheered and played to encourage their team. Band members were enthused by the game as each team traded scores.
During the 2nd Quarter, the band began preparation for their halftime performance. That night, the Greenwood Band was preparing for their first Marching Contest at Bentonville the next day. This was the first time for the band to wear their new uniforms and hats. As the color guard stretched and warmed up, the band circled up to tune and warm-up.
On the field, the Greenwood Band performed their 2019 performance titled, “Jilted.” Jilted is about a groom who is left at the altar by his fiancé. The band tells the story of how the groom deals with his emotions. This featured a trumpet solo and a flugelhorn-trumpet duet.
Our feature of Greenwood was exciting. Many of our early followers are from Greenwood. It was great to finally be on the sidelines covering the Bulldog Band. Jilted is a show that you do not want to miss. You can catch the show at the Region 8 Marching Assessment on October 15th at Northside High School.
With perfect weather, the competition side of marching season started for many area bands as they competed at the Dale Bumpers Marching Invitational in Charleston, Arkansas. Bands from Arkansas and Oklahoma were in attendance competing for Grand Champion. Eight area bands signed up to compete this year. This year, Arkansas River Valley Bands was back at the Marching Contest, to capture the action of all the competing marching bands.
The Ozark High School Hillbilly Marching Band is under the direction of Brandon Hanlon and Mike Mankins. The band’s performance this year is titled, “Pulse.” This year the Ozark Band earned 1st division in Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, and 1st Division Superior Ratings Overall. The Ozark Band was awarded Outstanding Drum Major, Outstanding Solo – Trumpet. The Band won High Music Score, High Marching Score, and High General Effect Score. Which earned them 1st Place Grand Champion with a score of 95.15.
The Booneville High School Bearcat Marching Band’s 2019 show is titled “Flight”, placed 3rd with a score of 89.60. The band also earned 1st Division in Drum Major Color Guard, Percussion, and 1st Division Superior Ratings Overall.
The Magazine High School Rattler Marching Band earned 1st Division in Drum Major and Percussion and 2nd Division Color Guard. The band was awarded 2nd Division Overall. Magazine placed 13th with a score of 72.24.
The Hackett High School Hornet Marching Band received a 1st Division in Drum Major and Percussion. The band was awarded 2nd Division Overall. Hackett placed 10th with a score of 75.71.
The Mansfield High School Tiger Marching Band earned 1st Division in Percussion and 2nd division in Drum Major. Overall, the band received a 2nd Division Rating. Mansfield placed 16th with a score of 63.95.
The Paris High School Eagle Marching Band received a 1st division in Drum Major and 2nd Division in Color Guard and Percussion. The Band earned a 2nd Division Overall. Paris placed 14th with a score of 68.41.
The Cedarville High School Pirate Marching Band earned 1st division in Drum Major and Percussion, and 2nd division in Color Guard. Overall, the band received a 2nd Division. Cedarville placed 11th with a score of 73.55.
The Waldron High School Band received 1st division in Drum Major and 2nd Division in Color Guard and Percussion Overall, the band earned a 2nd division rating. Waldron placed 12th with a score of 73.00.
Other awards that were given at the Dale Bumpers Marching Invitational was Outstanding Color Guard went to the Beebe High School Badger Marching Band. Outstanding Percussion went to the Pea Ridge High School Blackhawk Marching Bands. The West Fork High School Tiger Marching Band placed for 4th Place with a score of 86.55 and the Fountain Lake High School Cobra Marching Band placed 2nd Place with a score of 89.75.
Photo Credit: ARV Bands
By Mary Hightower, U of A System Division of Agriculture
Individuals with chronic pain may find their condition worsening if they fail to keep moving. The Cooperative Extension Service wants to help them manage their pain, by providing a low impact exercise class designed to relax and rejuvenate the body.
Move with Ease is funded by a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Agriculture Department, and is being offered in Clark, Clay, Hot Spring, Polk and White counties. The grant is meant to provide alternatives to opioids for those living with, and trying to manage, chronic pain.
“Research has shown that movement can help pain sufferers in many ways,” said Addie Wilson, extension program associate-health, for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Movement helps maintain muscle tone and muscle mass, increases flexibility and helps strengthen the structures that support our joints.”
She said the program’s low impact movements are based on a form of yoga that has shown to be effective in managing pain.
“The chronic pain we are targeting is that experienced in the joint and deep tissue,” Wilson said. “When the body experiences chronic pain, the muscles become tense. This tension blocks access to the deep tissue where a source of the chronic pain can reside.
“The program enables participants to practice poses that give the body time to relax and rejuvenate,” Wilson said. “This also can help participants improve their range of motion and flexibility – helping to prevent a permanent loss of mobility.”
The program runs six weeks, with two sessions a week. It features a structured progression enabling those who have difficulty moving to begin slowly practicing the poses with supports such as blocks, bolsters, and blankets to accommodate their bodies.
There is no cost to attend. Those who are interested should contact their county extension office to find out start dates and locations. Participants should have consent from their medical provider. Modifications are offered for exercises in the program, and the exercises may be tailored to individual needs and fitness level.
County agents offering the program are Kristal Draper in Hot Spring County, Bridgett Martin in Polk County, Debbie Baker in Clay County, JoAnn Vann in Clark County and Katie Cullum in White County.
To learn about Move With Ease or other wellness programs, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.edu. Follow the Cooperative Extension Service on Twitter at @uaex_edu.
For Mansfield, the opportunity to go to Fayetteville and run the same hills as some of the best college and high school teams in the country is a real treat. This year the Tigers took seven hand picked athletes to enjoy the upscale cross country races known as the Chile Pepper Festival.
Competing in the open division high school races were Faith Rainwater, McKenzie Griffin, John Branche, and Ashton Hinkle. For the junior high section, Trinity Triska, Laney Wood, and Jadelynn Wood all performed.
“It’s a real eye opener to see some of the talent on display at this event,” said Mansfield Coach John Mackey. “We make it a trip for invited athletes only. Those that have shown a real proficiency get the honor of representing our squad. It’s an exclusive club and a humbling experience.”
In the senior boys open division race, there were 891 runners at the start. Sophomore John Branche of Mansfield clocked in at 23:07.5 for a middle of the pack placement. Freshman teammate Ashton Hinkle was about 18 seconds behind that for the Tiger men.
Faith Rainwater off the senior girls team was the quickest Lady Tiger to finish. She went 25:53.6 for 246th out of 550 runners. McKenzie Griffin was close behind taking the tape at 26:01.4 for 251st place.
Seventh grade rising star Trinity Triska held her own among 633 junior girls. The newest Tiger talent went 14:17.8 for the two mile course to land in 114th place.
“This is the first time in a long time we took a seventh grader,” announced Mackey. “This year we took two. Both Trinity and Laney (Wood) have been scoring in bunches this season.”
Laney Wood crossed the finish line in 14:38.9 for 147th place. Wood’s sister, freshman Jadelynn Wood, came in 294 at 15:52.4.
“Jadelynn has been sick for two days,” explained the coach. “She wasn’t up to her usual self. She didn’t want to miss this chance to compete. The opportunity really meant something to her.”
Mansfield will rejoin the usual forces in preparation for the hills of Greenwood on October 10. A trip to Van Buren nine days later finishes off the regular season for the Tigers.
A quirk in the schedule puts the regionals ahead of district play this season. Those meets will run October 23 for the Acorn hosted regionals and October 28 for the Elkins hosted conference meet.
For the second straight weekend in October, area high school bands will be competing against each other. For the past 8 years, the Waldron Band Program has hosted the Bulldog Invitational. Sixteen High School bands from Arkansas and Oklahoma will compete for grand champion at Bulldog Stadium. The marching contest is limited to bands with 80 wind players or less.
The Bulldog Marching Invitational will be awarding 1st and 2nd division trophies for Color Guard, Percussion, Drum Major, and overall Band. In each class, 1st and 2nd place trophies will be given. Their will also be awards for most outstanding Color Guard, Percussion, Drum Major, and Soloist. The Contest will also have a People’s Choice trophy and a Grand Champion trophy, along with a first runner-up and a second runner-up.
4-H members across Arkansas and the nation will have the opportunity to serve their communities and showcase service projects throughout October, which is National 4-H Month.
“October is the season for county fairs and a great time to highlight 4-H and all that 4-H has to offer,” said Angie Freel, interim associate department head for 4-H Youth Development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
4-H Day activities are planned for Oct. 12 and Oct. 18. Among the highlights:
• Oct. 12 – 4-H Entomology exhibits
• Oct. 12 – 4-H Giant pumpkin and watermelon contest
• Oct. 18 – 4-H Poultry BBQ cook-off
“Inspire Kids to Do” is the theme of this year’s National 4-H Week, which is part of the larger National 4-H month. Many Arkansas clubs have planned events that allow youth with opportunities to serve others.
Franklin County kicked off its month-long celebration on Oct. 1 with its annual County 4-H Achievement Banquet. Later this month, teen leaders will have dinner with Franklin County Quorum Court members and discuss their 4-H experiences.
Many chapters have planned events designed to give back to their communities.
Arkansas County 4-H members are hosting an annual 4-H Appreciation Coffee event on Oct. 8 at the Arkansas County Courthouse in DeWitt. They are also assisting with the 4-H Hamburger Supper on Oct. 17 at the Arkansas County Fairgrounds.
In Crawford County, 4-H’ers will celebrate with a 4-H Family Night at Frog Bayou Farms in Alma, complete with a corn maze, hay rides, ziplines and a rock wall.
The 4-H program is operated by the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the Division of Agriculture. It teaches leadership, citizenship and life skills to more than 14,000 students in grades K-12 who participate in 4-H statewide.
To learn about Arkansas 4-H, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit http://www.uaex.edu/counties, or visit Arkansas 4-H online at http://uaex.edu/4h-youth/. Follow the Cooperative Extension Service on Twitter at @uaex_edu.
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