The Mansfield Sr Tigers knew that nothing would come easy this season. With a schedule full of daunting opponents, the Tigers started their “Death Row” slate of games Friday night at Greenland against the Pirates. The Tigers went back and forth all game with Greenland but eventually fell 21-18.
#7 Tyler Holmes
Greenland started off the game with an onside kick in an attempt to keep the ball away from the high powered Tigers offense, but it was to no avail as the Tigers recovered the ball. Mansfield drove the ball with a couple of quick plays but the Pirate defense was ready. As Greenland took over, Mansfield gave the pirates a taste of their own medicine laying the boom down on everyone in a green uniform. Greenland was forced to punt…..big mistake. Layton Howard took the Pirates punt and turned on the jets to scream downfield for the first points of the game.
#6 Randy Claude and #21 Will Meadows
The Tigers took a 6-0 lead but didn’t make the extra point after the score. After the Mansfield defense shut down another attempt by the Pirates offense, the Tigers took over again. Ethan Stovall threw an interception giving Greenland the ball right back, but only eleven seconds later, Tyler Holmes showed he had the Tiger QBs back as he picked off a Pirates pass giving Mansfield the ball right back. At the end of the first quarter, the Tigers led 6-0.
#1 Layton Howard
Mansfield came out in the second quarter slinging the ball all over the field. Stovall threw a strike to Tyler Holmes for a huge 27-yard boost before connecting with Howard for another Tiger touchdown giving the Tigers a 12-0 lead. The defenses held nothing back as they created a slugfest by pounding each other’s offenses for most of the second quarter. Greenland found a gap just before the close of the half with a speedy run for a score closing the gap to 12-7 before going into halftime.
#45 Cameron Macon
Greenland started the second half with the ball, but again it was the Tiger D shutting them down from the start. Mansfield played the run game for the next series who forced the Pirates defense to tighten up, but that was all according to the master plan. The Tigers used a run play action to open up a huge Stovall to Howard 70 yard pass for a touchdown giving the Tigers an 18-7 lead with 9 minutes left in the third quarter. Greenland fired right back with a touchdown of their own setting up the scoreboard at 18-14.
#5 Ethan Stovall
The two juggernauts continued the battle deep into the fourth quarter. Standing toe to toe neither team seemed to have an answer for the other. Greenland was able to put together a drive late in the game with outside speed runs bringing them down to the 5-yard line. The Tigers held off the Pirates push for the first two downs, but the Pirates found a kink in the Mansfield defenses armor and stepped across the goal line to take their first lead of the game 21-18 with only 2:45 left.
#79 Jacob Brown and #19 Blayne Bryant
The Mansfield offense shot downfield quickly getting into scoring range in less than a minute. Isaac Cothran got the call and pushed right to the razor’s edge of the goal line but when the dust settled, there was no touchdown. Greenland picked off the Tigers next pass with 0:46 seconds in the game and ran the clock out defeating Mansfield 21-18. The Tigers will hit the road again and head to Charleston to face the Tigers on October 11 at 7 p.m.
After a thrilling victory in their first home game of the season last week over Greenland, the Charleston Tigers traveled to Cedarville (4-1, 1-1) to play a critical conference game with the Pirates. Charleston (2-3, 2-0), behind a potent rushing attack led by Breckon Ketter, defeated the Cedarville Pirates 27-18. The Tigers, ranked 20th in 3A by Max Preps, pulled the mild road upset over the 12th ranked Pirates. The conference win moves Charleston into a share of the conference lead with Booneville.
The Tigers are continuing to get stronger with the return of players who were injured earlier in the year. Last night, one of those players, Garrett Rudd, returned to play against the Pirates. Rudd had two interceptions on the night, including a critical late second quarter interception. Charleston escaped another week without injury or loss of personnel for the next week. Coach May also indicated that he hopes to have yet another player available next week for the game against Mansfield.
The Cedarville offense was as good as advertised. Charleston coach Ricky May commented, “We struggled early on stopping their rushing attack. Both of their running backs did well, more so in the first half. We made some adjustments in the second half on defense and had a little more success against their rushers.”
Coach May mentioned several players and coaches who contributed big in the Tigers win. “Slade Skeets played big. He told me before the game to put me in wherever I needed him, so, we did. We played him around in several positions. Devin Donberger played lights out, getting good penetration in their backfield. Coach May credited assistant coach Tyler Reese with the call for an onside kick that, although Charleston was unable to capitalize with a score, was able to maintain possession of the football and run critical time off the clock. Offense coordinator Matt Stewart was praised by May for his play calling throughout the game.
Charleston Tiger head coach, Ricky May looks over and encourages the defense.
Tigers quarterback Brayden Ross completed 12 of 20 pass attempts for 160 yards. Charleston receiver Kaleb Hamby led the Tigers in receptions with 4 receptions for 84 yards.
Charleston’s rushing attack was led by Breckon Ketter. Ketter rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries, including a 42 yard touchdown run. Quarterback Brayden Ross rushed for an additional 42 yards on 9 carries.
On defense, junior Slade Skeets had two sacks for the Charleston defense. Geoff Scott led the defense with 4 solo tackles and 2 assists. The defense produced 3 interceptions by Garrett Rudd who had two and Dalton Curtis who had one.
The Charleston win sets up a showdown match with the Mansfield Tigers this Friday in Charleston. Mansfield was upset at Greenland last night and gave the Red Tigers their first loss on the season, as well as their first loss in conference play. Both Charleston and Mansfield will have a lot at stake in conference play when they take the field. We will preview this critical 3A-1 conference match-up tomorrow in Resident Press.
Charleston’s #5, Brayden Ross maneuvers through a field of Pirates on his way down the field.
A lot of things have changed since that first brutal month of the Charleston football schedule. The Tigers now find themselves in a tie for first place in the conference with the opportunity to play some critical remaining conference games at home. The weather is changing, and so are the fortunes of the Charleston football team. Friday night should be another great conference match-up in Charleston. You will want to get there early for this one. The Mansfield fan base travels well and should fill the visitors side of Alumni Field. It should be a classic; a battle of two great teams. Fall is in the air, and so will be a lot of footballs as Charleston will face the potent Mansfield passing attack.
Look to Resident Press tomorrow for our preview of this great match-up.
On Thursday, October 3 the Mansfield Jr High Tigers hosted the Greenland Pirates in a showdown of heavyweights. The Tigers were riding high into the game after holding a 2-0 conference record. Unfortunately, Greenland was firing with all cannons Thursday as Mansfield fell 38-8 to the Pirates.
Fisher Willsey
Greenland showed their concern about the capabilities of Mansfield by starting off the game with an onside kick in an attempt to swing momentum their way right off the bat. The Tigers recovered the onside and went right to work with Tyler Woolbright, Caleb Collier, and Tyler Turnipseed taking turns on big runs downfield to get Mansfield inside the 5-yard line. Mansfield wasn’t quite able to punch it in and turned the ball over to the Pirates. On Greenlands first possession, Mansfields defense flooded the Pirates offensive ship pummeling the Pirates ball carrier for a safety to put the Tigers up 2-0.
Tyler Turnipseed
The Tigers played a game of hot potato with Greenland for most of the first quarter as neither team was willing to back down. The Pirates loaded up their cannons with 0:53 seconds left in the first quarter to score and take an 8-2 lead. Mansfield Quarterback, Fisher Willsey, darted with the ball 27 yards midway through the second quarter to get the Tigers on their feet, but Greenland answered with two big runs for touchdowns closing the half with a 24-2 lead.
Logan Cravey
Mansfield came out of the half defensively on fire as Tyler Turnipseed intercepted a Pirates pass and took it for a 19-yard return setting up the Tigers in Greenland territory. Unfortunately, Mansfield was picked off the very next play as the Pirates took the ball back for a pick 6 putting them up 30-2.
Caleb Collier
Mansfield wasn’t about to lay down though. Fisher Willsey delivered a 30-yard sniper shot pass to Drew Elmore who pounded his way into the endzone. Greenland then took the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown to answer the Tigers score setting up the final score of 38-8. The Mansfield Jr High Tigers may have lost, but it wasn’t without a fight. Mansfield’s determination and potential is unmatched win or lose. The tough loss put the Tigers at a 2-1 conference record as they prepare to take on the perennial powerhouse, the Charleston Tigers, on Thursday, October 10th at home.
With the volleyball season nearing the finish line, the Hackett Sr High Lady Hornets are sitting in a spot that they are all too familiar with. At the top. In the 2A West standing, the Lady Hornets secure the number one chair with their undefeated 10-0 conference record. In total season play, Hacket holds a record of 19-2-1. These numbers were recently upgraded due to this past week’s wins against West Fork and Decatur.
In their 3-0 victory against the Lady Tigers, Hackett ended their sets with scores of 25-20, 25-14, and 25-21. West Fork definitely made Hackett work for this win that’s for sure. After the Lady Tigers nearly matched the Lady Hornets’ point for point, Hackett was able to pull ahead narrowly escaping a defeat.
Rain Vaughn led her team in kills with 11 followed by Kenadi Wright with nine. Jamye Durham and Kandace Byrd trailed with six and five respectively. Delivering an ace to the face of the Lady Tigers was Byrd with six, Shayla Foster and Madeline Freeman with three each, and Brooke Holt with two. Wright executed the most blocks with eight followed by Vaughn with five and Durham with three. And with more digs than the movie “Holes” was Byrd with 12, Kayla Richardson with 10, and Madi Taylor with six.
The Lady Hornets achieved another great win against the Decatur Lady Bulldogs on Thursday night. Leaving the court with final scores of 25-10, 25-11, and 25-13, Decatur didn’t even come close to touching Hackett during this 3-0 triumph. With a total of 35 kills, Vaughn was the top slayer with 11 while Freeman brought in five and Wright earned four. Richardson made top ace rank with five. And delivering digs for days was Richardson with six, Foster with four, Vaughn with two, and with one each were Wright, Freeman, Sophia Neal, Alana Wooten, and Sarah Moss.
The Lady Hornets will host the Mansfield Lady Tigers at home during their “Pink Out” match on October 7.
After Tuesday’s thriller against Paris, the Charleston Lady Tigers took a business trip to northwest Arkansas to play the Lincoln Lady Wolves. Charleston (12-2, 8-2) defeated Lincoln in three sets. The Lady Tigers were all business following the emotionally charged game on Tuesday, taking little time to defeat Lincoln and to get on the bus to return home. Charleston, understandably, looked a little flat playing on the road against the Lady Wolves who have struggled this season. The Lady Tigers accomplished what they wanted to do; avoid a let down in a road conference game following the all out effort against Paris.
After the match, Charleston coach Ryan Rachuy reflected on his team’s performance. “The first set, we did really well. Served well, got a little lax in the second set, started playing sloppy, and every time you come to a conference foe you’ve got to play. Lincoln is improving and when you come to their gym you’ve got to be ready to play. First set we did. We came out and had the right attitude and then it just kind of tapered off. Would have loved for today to had been a time where we could have got a few more girls in there in the varsity game, but we had a JV game as well so they could get some quality time out there as well.”
Charleston now has the opportunity this weekend to recover from an intense week of conference play and rest for what promises to be another big week starting Monday against non-conference opponent Lavaca. In their first meeting this season at Lavaca, the Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Golden Arrows in three sets. All three sets were very competitive, and Lavaca was missing some players at the time due to injury. The return match Monday in Charleston should be another battle as the Lady Tigers expect Lavaca to come into Charleston gymnasium ready to get revenge from the Lady Tigers.
Charleston will return to conference play on Tuesday with a home match versus the West Fork Lady Tigers. Rounding out the week will be an important road game at Waldron. The Lady Bulldogs have been steadily improving throughout the season and will be tough at home. The week will be critical to Charleston maintaining second place in the conference and holding on to the coveted second seed in the upcoming district tournament.
Thursday night’s game at Lincoln marked the fifth season anniversary of the Charleston volleyball program’s very first game at Lincoln in 2014. Perhaps a sign of what was to come in the future, the Lady Tigers went to five sets in their inaugural match before finally losing that day to Lincoln. The very next season, in just their second year, Charleston earned a birth in the state playoffs. Now, in 2019, Charleston is in position to make a run at the state tournament again. This time, it is widely believed by some key observers that if this team plays with the focus and intensity that it has this week, the Lady Tigers are capable of going deep into the state tournament. Perhaps, Charleston fans could be making a trip to Hot Springs in early November. It is certainly possible, but this special group of Lady Tigers will need to play with everything they have for the rest of the season.
They are a special group, and they are certainly capable. To use the old coaching cliche, they will have to take it one game at a time.
Determination paid off in Thursday nights game between the 7th grade Mansfield Tigers and the Greenland Pirates. The Tigers were sitting undefeated 4-0 and through relentless willpower, the 7th graders will continue moving forward with that title in hand. After another almost complete blowout, the Tigers plundered the Pirates with a 42-6 victory upgrading their season record to 5-0.
#23 Trey Powell
Trey Powell got the Tigers score rolling with his “can’t catch me now” 45-yard touchdown only minutes into the start of the game. Add in Jeremy Stroziers two-point conversion and Mansfield took the lead 8-0. It was rough seas for the Pirates as a fumble allowed the Tigers to swoop in for the recovery gaining back control of the ball.
#3 Leland Powell
Strozier continued getting the ball warmed up with a pristine pass to Brandon Raynor for the second Tiger touchdown of the evening. Strozier yet again added the extra two points and Mansfield remained up 16-0. The Tigers definitely knew how to maintain the energy of a game. With seconds until the end of the first half, Powell tore up the field like a Tiger tornado delivering a 53-yard run for a touchdown. With Stroziers two-point conversion, the game went into halftime with Mansfield running the show 24-0.
#2 Brandon Raynor
Once the second half of the game got underway, it was only minutes before Powell was at it again with his lighting speed. This time with another 53-yard run for a Tiger touchdown rolling the bright lights on the scoreboard to 30-0. Greenland was finally able to put six points up but Mansfield was quick to respond with their own 16-yard touchdown completed by Towe, setting the score to 36-6. With 1:57 left on the clock, Raynor blasted in with an interception of the Pirates ball earning one last Tiger touchdown and closing out the game.
#7 Jeremy Strozier
The 7th grade Tigers are shaping up to be untouchable as they leave opponents scratching their heads trying to figure out Mansfields secret formula. Next, the Tigers will stay home and host the Charleston Tigers on October 10 with their game starting at 5:30 p.m.
I watched my mother sleeping, But she probably couldn’t tell, Nor would she know my name, Her mind is hidden beneath a veil. I know she is in there somewhere, But disease has robbed her mind. Oh, I wish that she would kiss me And hug me, please, just one more time. While I feel the hot tears coming, Rolling down both cheeks unchecked, I wish I could turn back time now, Before her memories turned to Black. Just one more conversation, Just one more “stopping by” Just one more, “Mom, I love you.” Before this Long Goodbye. Now when I see her sleeping, For her, there is sweet release, And so I begin my prayer, “Oh Lord, just give her peace.”
The City of Hartford has started issuing warnings and tickets for unmowed and unkept lawns. Some of the push back from the citizens is about the city not taking care of the alleyways and ditches. The city does not own the alleyways or the ditches. The alleyways are city easements. It is the responsibility of the property owner to keep them up. We do realize though, that in the past the city did take care of some of it. So this fall, after the first hard frost, the city will brush hog what it can of the alleyways as a courtesy to our citizens, but it will be the property owners responsibility for it’s continuing care.
We are also updating some of the existing city ordinances and are going to enforce these and other existing ordinances that have previously been ignored. The city leaders want everyone to know that we are serious about cleaning up our city and that it is in the best interest of all the property owners to improve our city.
On Tuesday, October 1, Hackett’s new youth recreational center, the Hackett Hornet’s Nest was all abuzz!
The center, located 206 Williams Street, opened their doors for the first time to students after school. Founders Todd and Renee Johnson and Kevin and Kim Henry have spent countless hours preparing for the big day. They are quick, however, to give credit to those who have helped them get where they are. With the expense of a non-profit start up, with no financial assistance, Kim Henry shared that they have depended greatly on donations.
Generous donations from a Greenwood resident, and a local Hackett business have been welcomed and appreciated. Kim Henry shared that they have filed for their 501c non-profit status, and it is pending approval. Currently, they are absorbing all the costs personally, and welcome any assistance or donations. Costs including rent, insurance, utilities, food and upkeep, all add up and prove that the center is a labor of love for these couples.
In fact, the center is more of a divine calling. Renee Johnson felt the need to open the youth center after the community lost four to suicide. Renee’s friend, Kim Henry, was a mother to one of those young men. Together, with the support of their husbands, have worked tirelessly to fulfill that calling.
The Hornet’s Nest is open from 3:30-9 p.m., and offers a safe, youth-friendly space. It is staffed with two volunteers, who have passed background checks. The staff will also be providing a daily evening meal.
The center boasts lots of kid-appealing fun, including arcade games, pool tables, air hockey, foosball, board games and so much more.
The center’s rules are simple and straightforward. The staff retains the right to ban anyone who does not follow the rules, or is disruptive.
If you are interested in learning more about the youth center, wish to donate or volunteer please contact Renee Johnson at 479-650-5183.
It seems that very few games, in any sport, that receive a lot of publicity and build up before the game ever turn out to be half as good as advertised. But this was not the case for last night’s barn burner in Charleston. Paris, once again, showed why they are the defending state champions. Missing a key player due to injury, playing away from home in a hostile environment, and playing against a top five ranked team in class 3A, the Lady Eagles were forced to go five sets before pulling out the victory. Paris defeated the spirited Charleston Lady Tigers three sets to two. And in the end, the defending state champions found a way to win. That is what great teams do.
It was truly one of those games where you hated to see any team lose Both teams left everything on the floor. It was a showcase for high school volleyball. Both teams have a lot to be proud of, and both coaches were very emotional at the end of the game when asked about their players’ performances.
The tone for the night was established in the first set. Both teams came out swinging, and from the very start, everyone in attendance knew it was going to be a battle of two heavyweights. The teams battled back and forth like a prize fight until Charleston shocked the Lady Eagles with a 28-26 first set victory.
But like true champions, Paris came roaring back, winning both the second and third sets. It appeared that the Lady Eagles had recaptured the momentum. Perhaps the Lady Eagles had taken Charleston’s best shot and had survived, and the fourth set would be the clincher for Paris.
But showing great character, grit, and determination, Charleston battled back and shocked Paris again by winning the fourth set. As the crowd went crazy in the historic Charleston gym, many Charleston fans must have taken a moment to reminisce about the long list of barn burner basketball games that had been played in the old gym up until February of 2004 when it saw its last game. Charleston volleyball has brought new life to a proud, old facility, and this match would prove to be one for the ages.
Charleston began the fifth and deciding set on fire by going out to a quick lead. Momentum was on the Lady Tigers side. Charleston built a lead to 11-7 in a 15-point deciding set. Victory was so close for the Lady Tigers.
But at that point, Paris proved why they are state champions. The Lady Eagles took over the set, scoring the final points, and won the set 15-11.
When the game was over, both teams were completely drained. Every player on both sides had left everything on the court. A disappointed Charleston team was left to think about the ” what ifs” in a game that was full of opportunities. Paris was relieved to get out of Charleston with the win, although in some aspects, it almost felt like a loss to some of the players.
Paris coach Jordan Devine was both emotional and proud of her players’ performance, “It was awesome. Charleston played great. I’m just glad we came out with the last eight points of the game. We told them (the Paris players), Coach Fulmer actually told them in the locker room, true statement of how good you are. How you pull games out when your not your best, and they did that. I was proud of them. In the locker room, they’re like, we almost didn’t win that one, but I was proud of the way they came out and fought.”
When I asked Coach Devine about any concerns of a let down against West Fork on Thursday, she replied, “Yeah, it’s going to be tough. We’re really going to have to focus in practice tomorrow, to kind of almost put this behind us for now, and re-focus on what we have in front of us in the last few weeks of the season, and then the district tournament. If we meet them again (in the district tournament) it’s going to be this kind of atmosphere.” Coach Devine indicated that she hopes to have her team healthy and at full strength by district tournament time.
With the win, Paris now has a two game lead over Charleston in the conference race. Paris (21-1, 9-0) will return home on Thursday to play West Fork. Charleston (11-2, 7-2) will travel to Lincoln on Thursday. Both teams will be guarded from the potential emotional let down after playing such an emotional and grueling game.
Charleston coach Ryan Rachuy, although disappointed with being so close in pulling off the upset win, was beaming with pride for his players after their gutty performance. After the match, it was an emotional Charleston coached that talked to me. “When we played them at Paris, we just didn’t show up. We were not mentally prepared. That was on me, and I really worked to try to get it a lot better today. I think they (Charleston) showed the level of volleyball that they can play. Even though we lost our second outside, I am very proud of them. I can’t put into words how proud I am of those girls and of all they did. It’s pretty awesome.” In conference play, the Lady Tigers gave Paris their only set losses of the season. “Paris truly is an all-around team. They really are. They were a little short-handed tonight, and I know they had a player that was also injured and gutted it out and played, and she did a great job. But I really think our girls, they gritted their teeth and ground it out. The first set, its like, OK, what is possible? Then we lost the next two. A lot of teams, not just around our conference, but around the state, they dropped the next two and then it is done. You get your emotions down. This was the first 4 or 5 set match for my girls, too. And, I just can’t tell you how proud I am of our girls coming out in the fourth set and going back in forth. Getting to the back end of the set and saying, OK, who is going to score those two points that’s going to end up winning the set? And then, came out in the fifth set and started like a house on fire and really did seem like we tried to do too much in the end.” With tears in his eyes, it was obvious that Coach Rachuy loves his team and their effort in what was one of the best high school volleyball matches this reporter has witnessed.
Paris was clearly missing its dominant middle due to injury and it had a significant effect on the team. The Lady Eagles have good quality depth and it paid off for Paris Tuesday night. If Paris can weather the remaining conference schedule and get their key players healthy by district or state tournament time, the Lady Eagles should be in good shape for a title defense in the state tournament.
Charleston was not out for a moral victory Tuesday night, but although they did not win the game, they gained a great deal from the performance. The Lady Tigers will not play anyone in the state tournament that is any better than who they played Tuesday night. They now know they can compete with anyone. The game will go a long way to erasing the bad memories of the first match in Paris in which the Lady Tigers were swept in dominant fashion. They must find a way to put this difficult loss behind them and focus on the remaining schedule. After Tuesday’s inspired all-out effort, it would be a tragedy for this team to lose a game down the line that they should win due to not being ready to play mentally. Charleston has had great senior leadership all season, and I believe this group of seniors will keep the team focused on their opponents. The Lady Tigers proved Tuesday that they still have a lot to play for this season.
