Photos courtesy of Ashley Capes  Photography
Lavaca Golden Arrow Football Homecoming Court
Sr High Lady Bulldogs Dig Up Victory Against Mansfield
The Waldron Sr High Lady Bulldogs aren’t ones to step down from a fight so when the night came for the girls to face the Mansfield Lady Tigers, they were ready. With four to the floor sets being played, Waldron walked away with a grand winning tally of 3-1. After the Lady Tigers took the lead and the win of 25-20 in the first set, the Lady Bulldogs opened total domination. In the last three sets, Waldron ended victoriously with a scorecard that read 25-17, 25-13, and 25-17.
“My top two scorers from the game were Rheagan Sanford and Taylor Stacy. Offensively, we were smart placing the ball where we saw an opening. We really came together and played as one! I love games where I enter the locker room afterwards and don’t have a list of things to be corrected and worked on the next day! My girls were definitely scrappy and the stamina was better than we’ve had all season,” exclaims Head Coach, Toby Hollin.
“The fourth set came around and they fired back with the same intensity they had from the start of the night. The energy level of the team was the highest I’ve witnessed this season!” The Lady Bulldogs are anxiously awaiting their next road game against Charleston on September 9 when they face off with the Lady Tigers at 4 p.m. “We will have to bring that intensity and stamina with us next week for Charleston. The Lady Tigers are a scrappy team so our defense will definitely need to be on point!”
Jr Tigers Lose The “Battle” But The War Rages On
Although not the outcome that they were expecting in the Battle of Scott County, the Mansfield Jr High Tigers battled through the elements and delivered one heck of a fight. Losing to the Bulldogs 34-8, the Tigers did their best to stay positive and push through til’ the end.
In the Tigers passing game, Quarterbacks Fisher Willsey and Peyton Martin were quick to find their open teammates while also staying in tuned with what was going on around them. Willsey completed 5 passes for 75 yards and Martin completed 1 pass for 5 yards. Offensively it was Drew Elmore who secured the lone Tiger touchdown and with the help of Tyler Woolbright for the two-point conversion, Mansfield achieved eight points on the game.
Logan Cravey led his team in receiving with 3 long-winded receptions for a total of 75 yards. Totals on the game left the Tigers with 80 passing yards and 34 rushing yards. Mansfield is looking forward to their upcoming game against the Golden Arrows on September 12 at 7 p.m. in Lavaca.
Graduates Sworn to Protect and Serve
Today, men and women who have answered the call to serve their communities stood in the presence of their families, friends, local leaders, and many others to officially graduate from the Fort Smith Police Training Center.
These men and women follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before them, answering a call to serve and to protect others. All done with professionalism, and integrity.
As the commencement ceremony began, the graduating class entered after being called to order by Lt. James Hays, shortly followed by the posting of colors by the Fort Smith PD Color Guard.
Fort Smith PD Chaplain, Bob Lever led the invocation as his message stood bold in faith, humility and of being a servant.
Class spokesperson, Robin Gaines Jr. of the Fort Smith PD stated, “We run towards trouble, and I give my word to have your back to support and defend each other, and our community.
Recognition of Class Honors (* = Tie)
Academic Award
1st – Ryan Arritt, Fort Smith Police Department
1st* – Casey Cagle, Fort Smith Police Department
3rd – Robin Gaines Jr., Fort Smith Police Department
Top Gun Award
1st – Allan Chitwood – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office
2nd – Vincent Andrews, Fort Smith Police Department
3rd – Robin Gaines Jr., Fort Smith Police Department
Physical Training Award
1st – Robin Gaines Jr., Fort Smith Police Department
2nd – Casey Cagle, Fort Smith Police Department
3rd – Jonathon Plank, Fort Smith Police Department
It’s time for the moment these graduates have worked hard for, and their official position as a law enforcement officer.
Sr Lady Tigers Won’t Let A Little “Block” Magic Get Them Down
It was a tough loss for the Mansfield Sr High Lady Tigers in their volleyball match at home against the Waldron Lady Bulldogs on Thursday night. But that’s not to say that they didn’t go down without a fight. Playing a total of four sets, Mansfield took the win in the first round 25-20 but fell short 17-25, 13-25, and 17-25 in the last three sets.
“We have to learn not to relax after we get a win and continue to focus through every point during the set and on throughout the rest of the match,” explained Head Coach, Kaylie Pyles. “For us to be successful we will need to work together more as a team and eliminate our consecutive mistakes.” Offensively, the Lady Tigers started off great in the first set with some big kills from Brooke Wright with 9, Danielle Lillie with 8, and Sadie Roberts with 7 who also finished with 7 blocks. Brooke Wright led the team with 5 assists.
Defensively, the Lady Tigers were led by Haylee Helms with 7 digs and Vanessa Noblitt and Danielle Lillie with 5 digs each. “As the game went on, our serve receive passes weren’t where they needed to be in order for our setters to set the hitters.” The Mansfield Lady Tigers will regroup and prepare to host the Hackett Lady Hornets on September 9 at 4 p.m. “As we prepare for Hackett, we will work on moving low and quick on defense and establish better communication among players on the court.”
Jr Bulldogs Unleash Fury On Tigers
In an epic battle of football dominance, the Waldron Jr High Bulldogs went feral on the Mansfield Tigers in the always entertaining Battle of Scott County. After the dust had settled, the Bulldogs left Tiger territory with a 34-8 blowout victory under their collar.
Leading the Bulldog pack offensively was Quarterback, Matthew Brigance with his rocket launcher of an arm and Halfback, Trenton Hunt who was gone in the blink of an eye with his uncatchable foot action. Defensively it was DL, Miguel Triana, and Linebacker Trevor Bates, that kept the Tiger offense at bay all night eliminating any possibility of the Tigers getting ahead in the game.
“I was very pleased with my players’ performance,” expressed Head Coach, Garett Lazenby. “The hard work that the kids put in over the summer and the weeks leading up to this game definitely showed off.” On September 12, the Bulldogs will host the Paris Eagles starting at 7 p.m. “The Paris game will be a tough one. Last season it was a true dog fight. My players know that they must continue to work hard every day. I think if we are able to have the same focus and intensity we had during this past week, then we will put ourselves in a good position to come out on top!”Â
Jr High Pirates Earn Football Paydirt
Photos courtesy of Malinda Mizell
Sitting on a 2-0 undefeated football season, the Jr High Cedarville Pirates are making a big splash in an even bigger ocean. In Thursday nights smash-up, the Pirates set sail against the Mountainburg Dragons. Proving no task is too big, the Pirates left the Dragons grounded with a final score of 22-2.
Unfazed by the Dragons fire, Hayden Morton held tight to 10 carries for the Pirates totaling 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. Colton Arnold performed his own victory dance also delivering a touchdown for the board. And a high-flying 30-yard pass from Lane Hightower to Dillyn Pearcy set Morton up in perfect position for endzone glory.
The two points that Mountainburg acquired came from a fumbled snap on the Pirates punt team that resulted in a safety. “I am very proud of our team. Although it was hot, our team stayed focused and kept playing hard,” exclaimed Head Coach, Max Washausen. The Jr High Pirates are ready for their game against Bigelow when they host the Panthers on September 12 at 7 p.m.
Jr Lady Bulldogs “Serve-iving” The Game
With the volleyball season in full bloom, the Jr High Lady Bulldogs are shaping up to be quite the competitors. Although they fell short to the Mansfield Lady Tigers in Thursday nights match, the Lady Bulldogs continue to fine-tune and refocus until they find their rightful spot in the volleyball world.
“We have improved immensely on our middles,” explains Head Coach, Toby Hollin. “We have some growing room this season. Every day these girls come in and put in the work and are improving tremendously! We will continue to practice on getting those big swings!”
Establishing some huge block plays against the Lady Tigers were Peyton Boyd and Lily Woodard. Libero, Kaile Brewer, covered the back of the Bulldog court with style and ease as she flawlessly dug the Lady Tigers heavy hitters. The Waldron Lady Bulldogs will hit the road to take on the Charleston Lady Tigers next on September 9 starting at 4 p.m.
Jr Lady Tigers Attack The Court
The Mansfield Jr High Lady Tigers hosted the Waldron Lady Bulldogs in a straight down sugar and spike volleyball match on Thursday night. The Lady Tigers kept the Lady Bulldogs constantly guessing and on their toes during two action-packed sets. The intensity paid off because Mansfield walked away with double wins of 25-8 and 25-16. “We had multiple athletes contributing positive plays last night and that’s what needs to happen to be successful. It will take each and every one of them to step up in their position to earn every point,” expressed Head Coach, Erica McKay.Â
Leading with kills was Skylynn Harris with 8 and Alyson Edwards and Brooklyn Adams combining for 7. The Lady Tigers combined 11 aces total with Madelen Jones and Alayna Turner leading with 3 each. Combining for a total of 17 assists was Madelen Jones and Natalie Allison. Defensively, the team had a total of 16 digs with Brooklyn Adams leading with 6 and Kynslee Ward with her contribution of 4.Â
The Jr High Lady Tigers are back in court on September 9 when they host the Hackett Lady Hornets. “In facing Hackett we are going to have to minimize the consecutive mistakes we make. Mistakes are going to happen, but we have to do a better job of focusing on the next play and getting the momentum back on our side.” The games start at 4 p.m.
Mansfield 7th Grade Defends Tiger Territory
The 7th grade Mansfield Tigers kicked off their first game of the football season against the Waldron Bulldogs with a too hot to handle 24-14 victory. The Tigers wasted no time proving they meant business by throwing points on the board right out of the gate and putting the Bulldogs back in their doghouse.
Quarterback, Jeremy Strozier, led his team with graceful authority by making precise passes and smooth handoffs the entire length of the game. Austin Oldham was too quick for the Bulldogs to catch as he lit the field on fire bringing in two touchdowns and a two-point conversion for Mansfield.
A handoff from Strozier to Trey Powell put a touchdown on the board as Powell bobbed and weaved out of the Bulldogs grasp making sure Mansfield stayed on the top. Also contributing to the Tigers final score was Winston Allison and Toby Towe each bringing in a two-point conversion. Defensively, the powerful contributions from Dakota Deer, Brandon Raynor, Austin Ruiz, James Olinghouse, and Camden Nottingham, helped to ensure that the Bulldog playmakers were shut down at every door.
Head Coach, Tim Cothran, had this to say about the Tigers “I am very pleased with the seventh graders’ effort on the field. Their execution was good and their ability to adjust to their surroundings was great. This team has excellent heart and determination.” Up next on the agenda for the Tigers are the Golden Arrows on September 12 at Lavaca with 7th grade starting at 5:30 p.m.