Resident News Network

Hornets Embark On The Ultimate “Drive”

Sports

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1:25 pm

Pictured is Blake Payson

Although the recent heat index has been off the charts, it hasn’t weakened Hacketts golf game. The Hornets have been having success with their matches at Winn Mountain Golf Course in Mountainburg and plan to keep up the trend. The team may be small in numbers but they are big in heart. Ashley Johnson and Blake Payson were the pair of Hornets that competed for Hackett at Winn Mountain on August 26.

The three other schools in attendance were Magazine, Eureka Springs, and Mountainburg. Ashley Johnson ended the day with a score of 50 and to top it off, she walked away the winner of the 9-hole match. Blake Payson was also successful in his talented golf abilities as he achieved a score of 53. Coach Kent Elmore had this to say about his Hornets, “I look forward to seeing more and more growth from the team as they continue to practice. They have been hitting the ball better and hopefully with cooler temperature lower scores will follow!” The Hornets will play again at Winn Mountain on September 9.

Photos courtesy of Kent Elmore

Heavy Rains Keep LL Dragons From Hosting Jamboree

Sports

Megan Hecox

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11:17 am

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Heavy Rains Keep LL Dragons From Hosting Jamboree

The Mountainburg Little League Dragons were set and ready to host their football Jamboree on Saturday, August 24. Everything was looking perfect and the Dragons were pumped to get their season underway. But, typical Arkansas weather reared its ugly head and shut down Mountainburg’s opportunity to welcome Greenland, West Fork, and Cedarville to their lair.

Mountainburg’s WCFL Representative, Adam Hamilton said. “We were excited to bring the WCFL North teams to our field and play against them in front of our home crowd. But some things are just out of your control. Heavy rains just so happen to be one of those things.”

Due to the cancelation, Mountainburg along with the teams they had planned to host, had to head south to Mansfield for their Jamboree. But there’s always a silver lining to everything. Mountainburg was able to play 12 minutes of offense and 12 minutes of defense in each scrimmage against most of the teams they’ll face on their schedule this season. The extra practice in the Jamboree showed not only the Mountainburg coaches how good their teams were, but it also showed the Dragons opponents that Mountainburg will not be ones to push around this year. Instead, they’ll be the ones doing the pushing.

“These young Dragons are hungry. We feel like we’re in a great starting position for the season after playing in the Jamboree. We felt very strong defensively and we’ll be more competitive this year. I think our players can hang with anyone this season,” says Hamilton.

Mountainburg’s 6th Grade Quarterback Ryan Allen added “Our team is really developing and we are coming along with our plays. Our defense is stepping up big time too!” The Mountainburg LL Dragons will start their 2019 WCFL season off with a bang as they travel back to Mansfield on Saturday, September 7th to face the Tigers in what is sure to be a thriller of a match-up.

Rattlers Ready To Leave Their Mark On Panthers

Sports

Megan Hecox

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10:18 am

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Rattlers Ready To Leave Their Mark On Panthers

When the Magazine Rattlers take to the field, people notice. They are a team that is stacked with raw talent and heavy with players that conduct themselves with a favorable reputation on and off the field. Recently the Rattlers scrimmaged with the Cedarville Pirates. And although it was not the outcome that Magazine was hoping for, it was a great opportunity for the coaches and players to expose the areas that will need to be fixed before their next game.

Offensively, the Rattlers were able to spread around and give most of the players a chance to make a play. A chance for everyone to acquire some field time and get their feet wet. Defensively, Caleb Hyatt and Kobe Faughn were able to accomplish some great plays for Magazine. A duo that is just getting started when it comes to dominating on the gridiron.

This Friday, August 30, the Magazine Rattlers will host the Bigelow Panthers at 7 p.m. Last season, the Rattlers fell short in their game against the Panthers but this season, not only will the match-up be on Magazines home turf but they are bringing something new to the table. The Rattlers have a new attitude, a fresh outlook, and an above and beyond skill set that is going to leave competitors shaking in their cleats.

“We, like most teams, play better at home,” expressed Head Coach, Doug Powell. “Hopefully, our fans come out and overflow the stands and we can get this season started on a good note. Last year we were our own worst enemy. Bigelow made some big plays with some good athletes and that was the difference. This season, they still have athletes and I am sure they will make plays. But we will have to execute our game and finish our drives with touchdowns in order for us to bring home the win!”

Game Week! It’s Charleston vs. Melbourne this Friday!

Sports

Resident News Network

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10:07 am

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Game Week! It’s Charleston vs. Melbourne this Friday!

All of the winter off season weight lifting and running has been completed. Spring practice and summer workouts in extreme heat is now behind them. The season is here, and now, it is game week. The Charleston Tigers will play Melbourne Friday at Hendrix College in week one of the high school football season. The game is the second in the recent series contract between the two schools. Charleston won last year’s game 37-14.

After a 2018 season that ended in a disappointing first round exit from the state playoffs, the Tigers are chomping at the bit to start the new season and begin the process of erasing the memories of last season.

The Tigers will play a tough schedule this year that begins with a Melbourne Bearkatz team that is ranked 17th in 3A according to Max Preps. The Bearkatz finished the 2018 season as the third seed in their conference before facing a first round defeat at the hands of Mansfield. Melbourne plays in the 3A-2 conference that includes Clinton, Cedar Ridge, Harding Academy, Marshall, Mountain View, Rose Bud, and Yellville-Summit.

In addition to Friday’s game with Melbourne in week one, the Tigers schedule will be followed by road trips to Dardanelle in week two, and Ozark in week three. The Tigers will find out a lot about themselves in the three-week non-conference schedule leading into conference play.

This year’s return match-up with Melbourne is an important game for Charleston for many reasons. The Tigers want to get off to a fast start against a ranked team to prove to everyone that their program is back to the level it expects for itself every year. It is also the first game for first year head coach Ricky May who follows in the tradition of highly successful Charleston football coaches. “The game is big for us, I think, because one of our goals is to start 1-0. That’s what you work for all year. The first game, you kind of live for six months, extra in the spring to just get to that first game. Everybody wants to get off to a hot start, I think that is the key. The key is for us to not do a lot of stuff to hurt ourselves. With it being my first game here, I would kind of like to make it a little bit special. The community, if we start off 1-0 that would be good for them. Overall, the consistency is what we want; the biggest jump in improvement is from week one to week two. We are hoping to do that from the scrimmage to this week’s game.”

Melbourne, ranked 17th in class 3A statewide, lost a tough first round playoff game to Mansfield in 2018. The Bearkatz feature an offense with talented position players that can score quickly and at anytime. In 2018, according to Max Preps, the Bearkatz averaged 223.9 yards per game receiving, and 165.5 yards per game rushing. They scored 46 touchdowns during the season. Defensively, Melbourne averaged 65.2 tackles per game and inflicted 13.5 sacks and 9 interceptions on their opponents.

“I think Melbourne is very talented. They are well-coached. They’ve got two or three really explosive players that are really good. Their quarterback is a two-time all conference selection and throws the ball really well. Their tailback was all-conference last year as well, and he’s a good football player on both sides of the ball. Then they have a slot receiver / utility man because he does everything. He’s been all state for two years; he’s a really good one, and probably the best defensive player on the field. So, that’s what we have in front of us. We have to slow their offense down, make it hard for them. Defensively, they are sound, what they do is good.”

Charleston will go into week one with its outstanding offensive / defensive lineman Jonathan Williams’s playing status listed as questionable. “He (Jonathan) kind of tweaked his knee in practice. He is supposed to see somebody today and we are holding our breath that he is fine. That will be the fifth guard we have tried there. We want to win the first game, but the big prize is winning in conference, so we don’t want to do anything to mess that chance up.”

Friday’s game will be played at Young-Wise Memorial Stadium on the campus of Hendrix College in Conway. Having opened in 2013, the stadium features an artificial playing surface with high quality seating for fans and for a high quality total fan experience.

After all of the hard work from the night of the loss to Clinton in last year’s first round state playoff game to this Friday night’s game, the 2019 Tigers begin the road back to getting the bad taste out of their mouths that has pushed them the entire off season. A lot is on the line for this year’s team, and I know Coach May and the entire Tigers football program wants your support in Conway on Friday night. Charleston has always traveled well, and your Tigers need your support to get this year’s season off to a good start.

So, Tiger fans, set your GPS for 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, and make the trip to Hendrix in mass to support your Tigers!

Obituary – Betty Williams (1939- 2019)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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9:56 am

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Betty Williams, 80, of Abbott, Arkansas went to meet her Lord and Savior on August 25, 2019. She was born January 15, 1939 in the Palestine Community to the late Robert Chauncey and Clyde (Edwards) Leonard.

Betty was a member of The Westside Pentecostal Church in Huntington, AR. For many years she was secretary at CVs IGA in Mansfield and later ran her own tax service.

Betty is survived by her husband of 63 years, Hurcel Williams of Abbott, four children; Stephen Williams and wife Kathy of Abbott, Pamela Hattabaugh and husband Randy of Lucas, Robert Williams of Burnsville, Johnny Williams and wife Darla of Fort Smith, eight grandchildren; Jesse Hattabaugh, Tasha Bailey, Zoe Hattabaugh, Elizabeth Williams, Hanna Williams, Sarah Williams, Jeremy Williams, Maleahh Williams, four great-grandchildren, and by numerous nieces, nephews, friends and other extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Aileen Gotwalt, and Venita Vineyard; and two brothers, Warren Leonard, and Robert Charles Leonard.

Visitation will be held Thursday August 29, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home Chapel in Mansfield.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday August 30, 2019 at Huntington Westside Pentecostal Church with Rev. Kennith Elmore officiating. Burial will be in Gilliam Cemetery under the direction of Martin Funeral Home in Mansfield, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Jim Bray, Robert Williams, Ronnie Leonard, Gary Leonard, Randy Hattabaugh and Jesse Hattabaugh. Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Leonard, Kenny Hunt, Tyro Ferro and Mark Cumbie.

Online condolences may be sent at www.martinfuneralhomes.com

Hackett LL Backs Up Hype At Jamboree

Sports

Megan Hecox

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9:22 am

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When your program dominates the previous season by finishing with a combined 15-1 record, winning the newly created rivalry trophies, and bringing home one of the two WCFL Championships, then expectations are always going to be high. The Hackett Little League Hornets walked into the WCFL Jamboree with everyone watching and in true Hackett fashion, they didn’t disappoint.

Both third and fourth grade and fifth and sixth grade Hornets played to near perfection as they scrimmaged some of their 2019 WCFL competition in Mansfield this past Saturday, August 24. The Hornets saw new faces and new teams, but like in years past, had the same dominating outcome. The Hornets showed onlookers and opponents why they are one of the favorites to take home the Championship again this year.

Hackett Coach, Nick Holbert said “I thought the jamboree went really well this weekend. We have had to cancel a lot of practices this year because of the heat but I thought our team did a fantastic job. We have things we need to improve on but we will be ready for the first game. This should be a fun season!”

“Just like most of the other teams in the league, we haven’t had much practice due to the heat,” said Hackett LL President and WCFL Board Member, Dave Slavens. “This gave our players the perfect opportunity to see what they’re going to be up against this season. Our guys went out and got some much-needed and exceptional reps. Our coaches were very pleased with what they have seen. We’re definitely looking forward to this season,”

The Hornets know they have a target on their backs, but they are ready and willing to take on any challenge that may come their way. Hackett along with the rest of the WCFL will have this weekend off and will start up regular season play on Saturday, September 7 with the Hornets taking a trip north to battle the West Fork Tigers.

Charleston Defeats Clarksville 3-0 in Volleyball Season Opener

Sports

Resident News Network

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7:59 pm

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Charleston Defeats Clarksville 3-0 in Volleyball Season Opener

The Charleston Lady Tigers traveled to Clarksville Monday night to open the 2019 volleyball season. In dominant fashion, Charleston defeated the Lady Panthers in straight sets to win the match 3-0. Charleston took care of business on the road with scores of 25-11, 25-6, and 25-9. Charleston looked every bit the part of a team that will challenge for their 3A conference title and a possible birth to the state tournament.

In junior varsity action, the Charleston junior varsity swept the Clarksville JV by a score of 2-0. The junior varsity continues to impress with each game, showing both quality depth and future talent development for next year.

Coach Ryan Rachuy was very pleased overall with his teams’ performances. “Clarksville is scrapy, they go after every ball. We just came out and was on top of everything we needed to be on top of. We’re finding spaces with our serves, we were taking advantage of the points that were given to us. I am proud of how the girls played. We changed things around. We’re in non-conference so we’re trying to see what combinations work, how girls react to different things, getting them to buy in. It doesn’t matter who is on the floor as long as a “W” is made.

Several players impressed Rachuy in the win. “Sydney Kaempfe for us in the opposite. I mean there were a couple of points where we really needed good swings, and she is a girl that doesn’t say much, doesn’t ask for a ton of sets coming her way. She just plays her position, does her job, and when the ball is put in front of her she usually makes a good swing and takes advantage of it.”

Lady Tigers hitter Jadyn Womack continued to impress from her performance last week against Hackett. “Jadyn did a really good job, I don’t think she had a single hit error tonight. She’s a machine when she gets out there and gets in a groove. I think our middles, we rotated three middles tonight, Khiley Frederick, she’s an anchor in the middle, she’s great defensively, she’s a good server. Bria Byrd is very energetic, very lively, she wants to get after everything. Addy Newheart, maybe a little undersized for a middle, but is extremely athletic, is a good passer.”

There is no doubt that the depth of the varsity plus the success of the junior varsity gives Charleston a great advantage as they enter the season. With the talent development that has taken place over the past few years, the pressure is off any one player to carry the load for Charleston to be competitive. Rachuy challenged his players early on to make it tough for the coaches to decide who would play this season. By the Lady Tigers performance thus far, that is exactly what is happening. It’s a great problem to have, one that many coaches would love to have. “I can’t do anything but give our players and Coach Dawn Rainwater the credit. We push them in drills. We tell them they have to practice as hard as they can. When you get out there in a game, it is just a little easier.”

Charleston will be back on the road in less than 24 hours to play at Ozark on Tuesday, August 27. First game begins at 4;30 p.m. Junior high “B”, junior high “A,”, senior high junior varsity, followed by senior high varsity games will be played on the four game night. There is little time to enjoy tonight’s win. For Rachuy’s Lady Tigers, their first challenge will be to match tonight’s intensity on back-to-back nights of playing on the road. My guess is, Charleston will again be ready to play!

Citizen Spotlight: Bronson Andrews

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Resident News Network

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2:50 pm

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Let me introduce you to someone

His name is Bronson Edwin Andrews. Bronson was born, lived most of his life within pitching distance from his birthplace, and one day, more than likely, he’ll meet his Maker within the city limits of Lavaca. At 84, his slow talk and walk will fool you because he maintains a large piece of land, and owns and cares for properties all over the town. He’s a good storyteller too!

Bronson was born on February 18, 1935, in Lavaca at Cason Bottoms. His mother was a Gantt, another familiar name in these parts. He had to have been a handful then because he still is one today. Bronson and his family lived in a two-story home. He recalled it having a high front porch that was perfect for playing beneath in the dirt. (Maybe it was a premonition of things to come?) He said he could play in the upstairs by himself all day long without a problem but, when he misbehaved, his mother put him upstairs and closed the door. In the darkness, it was a place of punishing time out and he was terrified when that door closed.

As a young man, Bronson reminisced about a friend who had a car. He said it never had gasoline and didn’t have a battery. All of his friends approached him about taking them to a favorite swimming hole north of town called Doctor’s Ford. (Bronson said it made him angry to pass there now because the actual name of the place is Cox’s Creek, he demands) The gang collected enough money to pay for one dollar’s worth of gas. Then, the boys all gave the car a fast enough push so the driver could pop the clutch and start the car. Bronson said that lots of people swam there, and many were baptized there, including him.

In the early 1950s, Bronson worked in the post office. It was a job he would keep until retirement into the 1990s.

Bronson met the lovely Pat Floyd who lived not far from Cox’s Creek on what is Boy’s Ranch Road today. They made their first home in Barling, living in rooms behind the old Motor Lodge cabins that stood behind the present-day Sonic Drive-In. Most of the cabins were rented to soldiers from Fort Chaffee. After a year or so, through a Farmer’s Home Administration loan, they built their present home on Lavaca’s Main Street.

His father was Walter Andrews and was known far and wide. He had a store on the corner in downtown Lavaca for a number of years. The sidewalk to the store was made of wide wooden planks that had been there since close to the beginning of the town. A crowd gathered, including young Bronson. As the boards were brought up, men and youngsters dived to grab the coins and treasures that hadn’t seen light since the turn of the century perhaps. Bronson was pushed to the back of the crowd and didn’t get even a souvenir from his own father’s store. Walter eventually moved across the street to a two-story building and then, later on, built a brand-new grocery store and hardware store in the intersection of Highways 96 and 255. Bronson later bought the grocery store from his father who kept the hardware and dry goods to run him. New stores were added later and it all became Bronson’s after his father passed.

Bronson retired from the Post Office and from the grocery business. He rents the stores to businesses that come in and out.

He and Pat had three children: Mike, Cheryl, and Mitch. They are all grown now with families of their own. The Andrew’s live quiet lives in their Lavaca home, surrounded by antiques and mementos of their lives. Bronson will write occasionally for the local paper, telling entertaining stories of the past. Today, they watch the town go by through large windows, out across a large a yard shaded by old oak trees and beautiful shrubs while birds play and perform in Pat’s rock garden.

The Andrew’s will always be remembered as one of Lavaca’s first families who lived a life here and made memories with so many people in this town.

Mansfield LL Not Scared Of A Little Water

Sports

Megan Hecox

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12:57 pm

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Mansfield LL Not Scared Of A Little Water

When Mother Nature decides that she wants to rain on your parade, there isn’t anyone who can stop it. By late Friday afternoon, the rains had forced Mountainburg to shut down the North WCFL Jamboree. So with less than 24 hours, Mansfield had to double up on what was planned for their South Jamboree and instead host all 9 WCFL programs. Thankfully, on Saturday, August 24, the good Lord shined down on Tiger Stadium and kept the heavy rains away to where the crowds were able to watch some great Little League football. Players and fans from Mansfield, Hackett, Magazine, Mountainburg, Cedarville, JC Westside, West Fork, and Greenland, poured into Mansfield for what would turn out to be a great day of competitive scrimmages.

Mansfield Little League Football Treasurer/Secretary and WCFL Secretary, Adam Hecox said “It was quite a hectic situation at first. We got a late notice that we were going to host all of the teams in the league instead of the three teams we planned for. We had to take the times, schedules, and all of our original plans and trash them and start over from scratch. Coach Cothran graciously allowed us to use the field and gave us a few Sr High players to referee the scrimmages. David Moore, Steven Moore, and Jason Edwards pulled through big time for us as well and got everything put together to make it all run smoothly. All in all, everyone worked great together in a minimal amount of time to make it seem like we had planned it like this all along.”

The Mansfield players weren’t worried about the weather, who they played, or where they played them. They were focused on football and only football. The Tigers teams played each scrimmage as if it were the WCFL Championship game. Although a score was not kept, the Little League Tigers won their fair share when it came to shutting down opponent’s offenses and taking the ball to the end zone against their opponent’s defenses.

Mansfield 5th and 6th Grade Coach, Steven Moore said “I was very impressed with how our teams played Saturday. They took what they have learned in practice and executed it on the field very well. Even though these were scrimmages, we learned a lot about our player’s toughness and determination on the field. Our teams definitely showed up to play good football. Now we just have to take what we learned from the Jamboree, fix what mistakes we have, and get ready for our regular season opener against Mountainburg at home on September 7.”

They say success isn’t given, it’s earned. The Mansfield Little League Tigers have gone by the motto of “Earn It” over the past few years and they definitely backed those words up at Saturdays Jamboree. A few examples of their motto that came to light on Saturday included the board members and coaches who worked tirelessly to create a flawless and successful Jamboree. The Tiger players who backed up their motto on the field each and every play. And the fans of the Tigers who volunteered their time to the Jamboree while also supporting the Little League Football Program.

Rattlers Proving A “Point” With Their Fangs

Sports

Megan Hecox

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12:38 pm

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Rattlers Proving A “Point” With Their Fangs

With the heavy rains changing the plans for most of all the West Central Football League teams, Magazine knew where they were headed already. The destination wasn’t important nor was the teams they were going to face off against. The Little League Rattlers were headed to prove a point.

The Magazine Little League Rattlers took a drive to Mansfield Saturday, August 24, to prove that last year’s success wasn’t a “one and done”. Magazines roster grew in numbers since last year and the rise in numbers makes for one dangerous snake pit for any opponent. The Rattlers took on every team at the Jamboree and showed that both of their teams are contenders for the WCFL Championship.

Magazine 3rd and 4th Grade Coach, Cody Shelton said “I believe we came out and played very well against some very good teams. We still have some work to do but we should have a great season this year.”

Magazines Head Football Coach and WCFL President, Doug Powell said “I was pleased with the way our teams played and competed Saturday. I saw a lot of evenly matched competition out there and our players were right in the mix. It was a great day for teams who haven’t had a lot of practice due to the heat to get out and run a lot of plays. I am very excited to see the growth in our program. The league as a whole was a great thing to watch Saturday. You could see all of the teams have grown since last year and the league is quite evenly matched across the board. I see some very entertaining football for our communities to watch this season.”

Magazines Little League is poised for the top this season due to a great backing from their coaches and community. Numbers don’t lie and Magazine is going to be a force to be reckoned with. The Little League Rattlers have a week left of practice to work out some kinks before the WCFL season kicks off. They will host the Lavaca Golden Arrows on Saturday, September 7th.

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