With a population of just under a thousand people, located in Logan County, sits Magazine, Arkansas. To the outside world, Magazine is just a speck on the map. A small town that is being overshadowed by the ever-increasing populated areas around it. Driving through town a few businesses you’ll encounter are gas stations, a bank, a hardware store, and a downhome country cookin’ cafe that has the best chicken fried steak in the River Valley.
But to the hard-working individuals and families that call Magazine home, its a town determined to succeed. A town filled with confidence, ambition, and motivation. And a town that’s going to take those qualities to the 2A football conference and knock everybody off of their pedestals. The Rattlers are headed by Coach Doug Powell, who will be starting his eighth football season as head coach with 14 years at Magazine altogether.
Over the summer, Coach Powell had about 45 athletes, grades 7-12, show up for summer workouts and football practices which is a far cry from his first year where only six kids turned up to participate. “Right now, I feel our strengths are strong leadership and experience,” Coach Powell explains. “Last year we were in the mix so this season we want to accomplish even more. Hopefully, luck will be on our side and we can send these seniors out with the best season that we are capable of achieving.”
Magazine will be returning seven starters on both sides of the ball this season. Fullback and Linebacker, Caleb Hyatt had a great season last year. Making plays on both sides of the ball, Coach Powell is expecting Hyatt to have an even better season this year. Running back, Quarterback, and Cornerback, Xeng Yang, “has been the most unselfish player. He is my blue-collar guy. I would take a team full of Xeng’s. He has made a lot of big plays for us.”
Offensive and Defensive Lineman, Bryce McDowell, “anchors our D-line and has the ability to both disrupt plays and make tackles.” Quarterback, Runningback, and Strong Safety, Tatum Scott, “finished last season as the QB. He is super competitive and capable of making big plays on both sides of the ball.” Running back, Fullback, and Linebacker, Kobe Faughn, “made a ton of tackles for us last year as a sophomore, and with more plays this year, we expect him to have a bigger offensive year.”
“We have several more athletes that we are expecting to make big plays for us this year. Unfortunately, there are only so many plays in a game and a season. When given the opportunity this year, they will have to take advantage of it, and make the most of it,” says Coach Powell.
The Rattlers will be playing their 2019 conference schedule against Hackett, Hector, Lavaca, Mountainburg, WYC, and JC Westside. “We have to bring our best every game. We have to be focused on our task at hand and on a mission to complete those task. We need to find a way to win every game. And most importantly, we need to provide an atmosphere that is conducive for our athletes to reach their full potential as well as accomplishing our vision and goals.”
Magazine will open their season on August 23 with a scrimmage at Cedarville followed by their first home game on August 30 against the Bigelow Panthers at 7 p.m.
Lavaca’s Fire Chief Steve Helms was never late to a fire in his three decades of service but he was late to his own retirement party Monday night!
Fire Chief Steve Helms was surprised with a retirement party after the regular city council meeting. Helms retired after 34 years of service to the city of Lavaca as a fireman, first responder, and chief.
Mayor Hugh Hardgrave presented Helms with an award that stated, “Presented to Steve Helms, In Appreciation of Your 34 Years of Service to the Lavaca Fire Department.” The mayor praised the newly retired chief for his service and dedication to the people of Lavaca over all the years. When asked why he became s fireman, Helms replied, “I just went to a couple of meetings to see what it was all about and I thought it was something I wanted to do.”
Moments before Helms arrived, the city council voted unanimously to make Assistant Fire Chief Paul Sanders the new fire chief. Sanders also presented out-going chief Helms with an award that said, “Lavaca Fire & Rescue 2019, Presented to Steve Helms. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement for providing 34 years of firefighting and first responder services.”
Mayor Hardgrave asked Helms if he’d like to say anything to the crowd of well-wishers who came to honor him. Helms jokingly replied, “See ya!” He went on to thank the city for the support that was given to him and to the fire department over the years, giving great credit to the many firemen that he had served with over the years. Around forty people attended the ceremony and were treated to refreshments after many handshakes, congratulations and photo oportunities.
Thank you, Steve Helms, for all you have done to keep Lavaca and this area safe for so long!
In blistering heat, the Charleston community was treated to scrimmages of all Tigers football teams including youth teams and school teams from 7th grade through senior high school. The scrimmages were attended by many fans who braved the heat to support their Tigers.
Before the scrimmage, this reporter had the opportunity to sit down with Coach May and get his thoughts on the upcoming Tigers program. When the Charleston Tigers take the field August 31 to play the 2018 Class 3A playoff Melbourne Bearkatz, the modern-day Charleston coaching dynasty will pass the torch to new head football coach Ricky May. May was hired in February succeeding Greg Kendrick who resigned to assume offensive coordinator duties at Alma high school.
According to Max Preps, May takes over a program that is 171-26-1 since 2004. After a first-round playoff appearance in 2018, the Tigers are anxious to return to its state title contending ways of the past. May has a track record of success at nearby Booneville as well as rebuilding Waldron’s program to a competitive level. “Coming into that is nice [Charleston’s past success], of course the pressure is a little greater because they have been so good. They have hired really good assistant coaches that are just top notch. The head coaches that have preceded me have been awesome. Obviously, Greg [Kendrick] was like 67-12, won two state championships, and before that he was a part of one. When I came in I didn’t want to change much; why would you want to change it?”
When asked if Coach May felt any additional pressure of being at Charleston with their long history of success at the state level he responded “Not really. Of course, it’s not Friday night yet. I’m sure when it gets here, I will feel the pressure a little bit more. But the support in this community is so great, and everybody I have talked to has been so supportive. As far as pressure goes, I feel that as a coach I put more pressure on myself than anybody can put on me. I feel that if I am not doing that, I am not a very good coach.”
Coach May is humbled to be leading a program with such a rich tradition of success. “When they called me, I was very humbled. I was ready to get back in and work with the players.”
May’s first year will be a challenging one as this year’s 3A-1 conference may be the best in class 3A. Several teams, including Charleston, are pre-season ranked in the top twenty-five statewide in class 3A. In the Max Preps statewide, class 3A pre-season rankings, Booneville is ranked #1, Lamar #8, Mansfield #10, Charleston #14, and Greenland #22.
Tigers fans will have the opportunity to see Charleston host important conference games at home this season. The Tigers play at home vs. Greenland on September 27, Mansfield on October 11, Booneville on October 25, and Lamar on November 11. “Like you said before, it’s Title Town, our kids are thinking every year that they are going to win, so, that part of it is really good. Because they know the expectation of where they are at. As far as the conference goes, man, it is loaded. I think the conference will put five good teams in the playoffs, five good teams that have a chance to beat somebody. I think we have as good of a shot as anybody. I think it is going to come down to who is healthy in November.”
The Tigers first game of the year will be played on a neutral site at Hendrix College in Conway. The Tigers will play the Melbourne Bearkatz who finished last season as a number three seed in their conference and lost a first-round state playoff game to Mansfield. The Bearkatz enter the 2019 with a pre-season ranking of #17 in class 3A according to Max Preps. Charleston enters 2019 ranked 14th. We asked why the game will be played at Hendrix College, Coach May stated that previously the schools had decided to play at the college to create a special atmosphere and event for the players. “We are working now to create something for next year, perhaps at Harding University or Arkansas Tech.”
When asked about his team, May replied, “we’ve got some dudes that can go. But we have had some underclassmen that have moved, and that has hurt us for the future, as well as our depth for this year.” The Tigers have several key players this year that they will be counting on to lead them back to the playoffs.
“Jonathan Williams is our right guard, and he’s as solid as they get. He leads by example; he leads by mouth; he leads by any way possible you could lead. A senior, will be a three-year starter this year.”
“We have a receiver, Kaden Benge, really, really solid kid, works hard, and he plays receiver, slot back, and plays corner on defense. Just a really solid kid. You can count on him. We’ve got a center that is maybe 155 lbs., but thinks he is the baddest dude on the planet, his name is Devin Donberger, and he works really hard and will play some nose man for us too. He’s a little bit crazy, but we need a little crazy!
And then we have an H-back, named Brett Ward, he’s as solid as you get. He’s going to play linebacker for us too. Really good leader, very good, high-character guy. Just awesome, awesome kid. We have Geoffrey Scott, he plays a little bit everywhere. Very talented athlete. Then we have Dalton Curtis who is our backup quarterback and will play receiver and is probably our best defensive back, really steady. Smart, heady kid, has done really good in the spring.
Brayden Ross is going to be our quarterback. So far, I have seen nothing but good things from him. A senior, a very heady kid, who will have a lot of freedom in our offense to audible or do things like that. On the defensive side of the ball, we have Shane Turner, and he is actually in the National Guard, and he has been at basic all summer, but he is going to play defensive tackle for us this year.”
But May knows all too well that expectations are different at Charleston, and this is no rebuilding project. The Tigers are reloading and ready for a march to the state playoffs to contend for another state title. And that was apparent Saturday when the Tigers held their intra-squad scrimmages in Charleston. Teams worked in a controlled scrimmage in 30 minutes periods. In heat-advisory temperatures, the players showed focus and concentration as they continued their pre-season preparation.
It was quickly apparent by watching the large numbers of students who are participating in the Charleston football program, at all levels from 4th grade through senior high school, that the future of Tigers football is bright and will continue to be so for many years to come. The Tigers are re-loading this season and for future seasons.
The Tigers will play Hackett on August 20 at 7 p.m. The game will be the final tune-up for the upcoming season. The game is a benefit game for the Arkansas Activities Association. Proceeds from the game benefit the Association’s catastrophic injury fund.
With Ricky May as the new head coach, and with his track record of making successful men both on the field and off the field, there is plenty of reason for Tigers fans to be excited about the upcoming season that is now just a little more than two weeks away. In the words of Coach May, “It is a great day to be a Tiger!”
As the start of the 2019 Charleston Tigers volleyball season approaches, Coach Ryan Rachuy is in mid-season form. To say the Tigers coach is passionate and ready for the season may be the understatement of the year. On Friday, this reporter had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Rachuy to get his thoughts on the upcoming season.
As we walked into the Charleston gym, the building was empty. Rachuy had given his team the day off to prepare for the start of school. But as he turned on the lights, you could immediately see the volleyballs, cones, etc., that were strewn across the floor. “Looks like our girls were in last night to get in some extra hitting”, said Coach Rachuy. Yes, although the team had the day off, they had worked out on their own the night before to get in some extra work. Evidence of the work ethic and culture in the Charleston program that Coach Rachuy has implemented. And undoubtedly, will pay off big for the Tigers as they look to take the next step in the program of being competitive in the state tournament.
Immediately, Coach Rachuy’s love for Charleston was apparent. “I’ve known this place since I was in high school. We used to play Charleston. I played basketball, football, baseball, I ran track, I did everything.” “I went to a little school in Missouri called Culver-Stockton College, played football and baseball there. I transferred down to SAU (Southern Arkansas University) and I played football and baseball there. I finally finished at Arkansas Tech.” Rachuy’s background prepared him for change and starting new things. His background prepared him well for starting Charleston’s volleyball program.
“You come into volleyball, and, especially around here, five years ago when we started, it was Paris and Mansfield. Mansfield had won two state titles before, Paris had been in the finals with them those years. It seemed like it was always those two teams battling it out. When they said they were going to put volleyball into Charleston, I did a little research. I knew Paris was good. I said, OK, where are we playing?
“The first year, we are playing as many teams as we could. But the next year they put us into a conference. That conference was Mena, who had won a state title. Lavaca, who had won a state title. Mansfield who had won a couple. Paris who had won one at that time, and would go on to win four, and defending this year. There was just a lot of competition there.” We were playing Hackett, where coach Freeman is doing an amazing job there, and who we are going to play a benefit match with this year. But in all honesty, you want to get good at a sport, you want to get your program to grow quickly, that’s what you got to have.”
Charleston’s volleyball conference is as tough as any in the state. “Teams like Paris just go after you. Teams like Mansfield just go after you. You have to learn, I have to learn as a coach, what are they doing. I have to get better, better every year.”
“Charleston’s athletic department has been competitive in everything. This is something I believe Charleston [volleyball] can be. We gotta put in the time, gotta put in the effort. And I have been fortunate enough since we have started that I have girls that just want to learn. They want to come out here and work their tails off. We made the state tournament the first year we were eligible to do so. Not a lot of people know that or realize that, but our second year of playing volleyball we got to go to the state tournament.”
Coach Rachuy has networked with other coaches around the region and the state to benefit the Charleston program. Specifically, he mentioned coaches at Paris, Hackett, Greenwood, Fort Smith Southside, UAFS, and others in seeking advice and learning opportunities for him to bring to the Tigers program. “I want Charleston to be a good as possible, to be the best volleyball program we can have. I want Charleston to have the best volleyball program in the state. But the next thing, I want every school around to pick this sport up.”
Of the players who began the Charleston program in 2015, this year’s junior class were 7th graders that first year. “I’m just now getting girls that have been in the volleyball program for five years.”
Jadyn Womack
Rachuy has always supported his players playing multiple sports but admits that he has also been fortunate to have some that have solely focused on volleyball.
“Jadyn Womack, as the program started, it seemed like the more we did it, the more she got into it. She’s in here, and I have had other girls who do it, is in here 10 minutes before practice starts and stays 15 minutes after practice is over. “Her vertical is just outrageous right now. And its that type of work ethic that has other girls looking at it [volleyball].”
For the Tigers to reach the state tournament, they will rely heavily on both experienced players and newcomers to senior high volleyball for stepping up their games and showing leadership both on and off the court.
“For us this year, it starts with Jadyn. Over the last three years, she has been a player that’s elevated her game. I’m not saying at all that the other girls haven’t, but, she has just really done the work. She gives 100% of her effort 100% of the time. She wants her teammates to be the best they can be, too.”
“I’ve got girls like Kylie Frederick who is a returning starter in the middle from last year, an extremely capable player. She’s a great server, was probably our best server last year.”
“Sydney Kaempfe, hitting in the opposite, has become a much more consistent, aggressive hitter from the opposite side. That’s one of the reasons why I think we have the potential to do well.”
“Girls like Bria Byrd who got a lot of playing time last year and will be looked at a lot in the middle this year. She is a girl that has a lot of potential. When she is focused, she is really tough to play.”
“But then I have girls like our junior setter, Gracie Young. Gracie came in and started for me last year as a sophomore as a setter. As the year went along, she got better and better. More consistent with where she was setting the ball.”
“Defensively speaking, we lost our libero, but we have Kenzie Revis who will be working for that spot. We have girls like Rylan Robinson coming in as a junior battling for that spot. We have several girls that will be battling for defensive spots.”
A competitive sophomore class has the potential to see three or four players get playing time this season, adding to the senior high talent base that makes the future for Charleston volleyball bright.
A competitive sophomore class has the potential to see three or four players get playing time this season, adding to the senior high talent base that makes the future for Charleston volleyball bright.
When asked who he expects to be at the forefront of this year’s district, coach Rachuy commented that “until someone beats them, Paris has to be the favorite.” Booneville, Hackett, and Waldron were other schools that Rachuy expects to be competitive for the precious few state playoff births from the district tournament. “If we are playing to our level of expectation, are playing to our level of ability, I believe we can make it to the state tournament first off, that’s the first thing. Being in state and competing at state is a totally different thing. Because now you are looking at teams like Walnut Ridge, Hot Springs Lakeside, Ashdown, Hoxie, I mean, there are teams all around the state that are good volleyball programs.”
“Community-wise, they [Charleston fans] take a lot of pride in the athletic department here at Charleston. But they also take a lot of pride in the kids.” “Members of our community want the success for our school, our program, and our kids.”
“That’s just being a part of Charleston. You have to expect everybody’s best. Because everybody wants to beat Charleston. The question to my players is can you handle being in that position?”
The Tigers open the 2019 season at Clarksville on Monday, August 26. The team will travel the next day to Ozark to play the Hillbillies. Charleston’s first home game will be played on Thursday, August 29 vs. Huntsville. The team is looking forward to a capacity crowd on August 29 to welcome the team home for their first home match. Home court advantage is important to the team and Rachuy wants to see a capacity crowd for all of Charleston’s home matches.
The next opportunity to see the Tigers volleyball team in action is Thursday, August 15, 5:30 p.m., for the annual Black / White scrimmage match. The Tigers will host Hackett August 20, 4 p.m., in a pre-season match to benefit the Arkansas Activities Association catastrophic injury fund. Their final pre-season warm-up will be at the 3A Preview Festival that will be held at Harding Academy in Searcy on August 24. The Festival will have a “jamboree” format and will not have bracket play.
In just the fifth year of the Tigers program, hopes are high for a very successful 2019 season that will take the Tigers to a trip to the state tournament and beyond. They look forward to a capacity crowd on August 15, and for each home match, to support a dedicated group of players who have pioneered the program and continue to work hard to realize their hopes and dreams. And if this year follows suit, the Tigers gymnasium that has witnessed so much history of the past, will witness a new chapter this year in Charleston Tigers championship play.
On June 25, 2019, friends and family were informed of the passing of beloved Hackett Little League legend, Donald Campbell. For over 20 years, Donnie had been a staple to the Hornet community. Anyone who knew Donnie Campbell would tell you that there weren’t enough words in the English dictionary to describe how great this man really was. But to try to know Donnie, I guess you would have to start from the beginning.
Donald Campbell was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and in 1989 he moved to the town of Hackett. This is where the true journey begins. Donnie had always been larger than life in character. The type of person that could light up any room he walked into. His compassionate, encouraging, and genuine nature would be what would set him apart in the decision he was about to make. A decision that would not only impact his life but the lives of everyone he was about to come in contact with.
Coach Campbell with some Little League Hornets
Donnie Campbell stepped onto the Little League scene with confidence and ease. Although he never received a formal education in coaching, Donnie proved that a degree was just a piece of paper with your name on it. What he did for the Hackett Little League Program, was more than anybody within a 500-mile radius with a coaching degree could have ever done. Although he did coach in Little League Baseball some, Donnie’s true passion was in coaching football.
Like all coaches, Donnie made sure to instill good sportsmanship in his players. But he also went out of his way to teach valuable life lessons too. “My dad wanted all of his players to succeed in life,” explains son, Kyle Campbell. “Not only was he someone who led by sportsmanship but he was a role model too. He was someone those kids could look up to.”
Hornet VIP Donnie Campbell
For Coach Campbell, it didn’t matter if you won or lost a game. As long as you had fun and gave it your best shot, that was all that mattered. For several years, Coach Campbell also took great pride in being the voice of the Hornets. “There has never been a man more passionate about sports that I know of,” expresses Kyle. “He lived for coaching those kids and loved watching them grow in sports through the years.”
For a lot of the Little League players, Coach Campbell played a big part in laying down the foundation of what it took to be an upstanding human being. Fellow coach and longtime friend, Dave Slavens, had this to say about his mentor. “Donnie had a true love for coaching and not just picking one or two kids to really focus on. He wanted everyone to have an equal opportunity to play this sport. Talent meant nothing to Donnie. But making sure every kid had a fair chance to get on that field and play this game that he loved, that’s what Donnie was about.”
The “DC” helmet stickers that LL-Sr High football players will be wearing this season as a tribute to Donnie
In 2017, Donnie was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer that would later spread to his bones and into his brain. In 2018, the Hackett Little League Program was asked to pick a name that would go on one of the trophies that would be battled over in the annual Mansfield and Hackett Little League Rivalry Game. That name was Donnie Campbell. “I remember going to see Donnie and asking if it was ok that we put his last name on our rivalry trophy,” Slavens recalls. “The man teared up and said that it was the coolest thing he had ever been asked. The last time I would see him was the night we won that trophy. Man, he was so proud we won that. It meant the world to him. Now, I believe that trophy means more to our little league than anything else.”
Donnie and the Hornets at the 2018 Mansfield/Hackett Rivalry Game
Keeping his memory alive are his four children, Leanne and her husband Todd, Josh and his fiancee Stephanie, Kyle and his wife Sonny, and Heather and her husband Russell, along with his 14 grandchildren. Donnie’s caring and devoted nature didn’t stop when he passed away. In August, Kyle and Sonny Campbell presented the Hackett Little League Board with a $5,000 check which Donnie had left to the program that had been the leading force in everything he did and had given him so much to live for.
Kyle and Sonny Campbell presenting the Little League Board with the donation check left by Coach Campbell
It’s a voice, a laugh and a name well-known in the Mansfield community. To say that Sheri Hopkins is a staple in this area would be an understatement. She’s active in her church and community, and is always helping others to make a difference.
Hopkins, 56, has met her share of adversity. Loosing her mom and husband in a relatively short period of time has been life changing. She has been through a lot, yet has retained a special joy.
No doubt, her strength comes from her faith. She has been a long time active member at her home church, the Mansfield Assembly of God. Her mother spent the end-times of her life battling Alzheimer’s, still singing the songs she knew by heart, never missing a lyric.
Hopkins is proud of her son, Jacob, who is a young minister. He is engaged to marry fiancé, Loren Lale. She is also proud to be a part of her precious grandchildren’s lives, the three “E’s,” Evan, Ethan, and Ella.
She is a friend to many, and a proud community supporter. Hopkins has served for several years on the Mansfield City Council as well as the Chamber of Commerce. Her customers at Chambers Bank befriend her, too!
It is a honor to feature Hopkins in this month’s Hometown Highlight. If you would like to nominate an ordinary individual who does extraordinary things, please use the CONTACT US link!
Last season brought some tough blows to the Hackett program. The Hornets went 4-6 in total season play, lost key seniors and team leaders to graduation, and they saw their beloved coach, Lonnie Hester, hang up his headset for the Hackett Athletic Director and Assistant Principal position. You better believe other teams took notice and are salivating at what they see as a weakened Hackett program for 2019. But those teams are going to be in for a surprise because the 2019 Hornets are ready and more than capable of proving that they are still the Bad Boys of the 2A.
Hackett’s 2019 Sr High Football program is brand spanking new from top to bottom. Along with new Head Coach, Michael Meador, the Hornets football team is also staffed with new coaches, Ryan Pointer, Stephen McMurray, and Jordan Shelby. For Coach Meador, new isn’t a bad thing. He knows Hackett will only be returning four starters on offense and defense. He also knows that he will be bringing a young team onto the field this season. And yes, a young team may be inexperienced. But youth brings intensity and hunger into the program. Most of all, Coach Meador has instilled the greatest winning formula of all time to his young squad. TEAMWORK.
“One of our many strengths as a team is how hard our guys work together and believe in each other. As with many teams, we also have our weaknesses to overcome. The big one is the lack of depth we have at certain positions. In order to have a winning season, we are going to have to excel at the little stuff. Every player has to do their job and not focus on doing another players job,” Meador says. “This season, my expectations are to show up ready to compete in every game and have a chance to win at the very end of the game. The key games we are looking forward to is the next one on the schedule.”
Some key players to keep your eye on this upcoming season is junior Linebacker and Running Back, Weston Winters, junior Weak Safety and Running Back, Fischer Shipman, senior Right Tackle and Defensive Tackle, Briar Goines, junior Quarterback and Defensive Back, Avery Hester, senior Wide Reciever and Defensive Back, Dylan Kats, sophomore Quarterback and Defensive Back, Ethan Slavens, and sophomore Defensive End and Left Guard, Mason Oelke. Those who believe that Hackett will be using this season as a rebuilding season may want to look at the Hornets blueprint again. The Hackett Hornets don’t rebuild, they just remodel and improve their existing House of Hornets.
Both Jr High and Sr High Hornets will start their seasons against the Mansfield Tigers with the Jr High playing at home on August 27 and the Sr High playing away on August 29.
When most people think about football season it’s usually the same thoughts. Crisp autumn evenings decked out in your towns team colors while watching your favorite boys of fall. But there are two other aspects that often times get overlooked. The cheerleaders, who spend the entire game keeping fans pumped up while encouraging crowd involved cheers and the band, who keeps the energy up with our favorite teams fight song and provides the halftime entertainment.
The cheer, band, and football coaches at Waldron decided to do something that would bring all three of these aspects of the upcoming season together, by letting them gain a better understanding of just how important everybody really was. On August 9, an “Appreciation Practice” was held on the Bulldog football field involving all Sr High football, cheer, and band student-athletes.
Each department was given 30 minutes to give everybody involved a taste of what it was like to walk in each other’s shoes. Cheer was first up to bat by getting everybody started with stretches. The football players and band members were then put through a high energy itinerary involving builds, jumps, a “popcorn” exercise, and a cheer routine.
Next up was band where each member partnered with a cheerleader or football player to give them a quick coarse on how to properly hold an instrument and the correct way to march. Then that knowledge was put to the test. The cheerleaders and football players were placed into formation and proceded to deliver a marching band routine.
Lastly, it was footballs turn. The football players put the cheerleaders and band members through a grueling and intense warm-up which involved exercises like high knee, dipsy doos, lunges, and the crab walk. The students were then placed into groups and taught how to use the tackle wheel. To top things off, band and cheer then got to experience the joys of the tire drag drill.
As an onlooker to the “Appreciation Practice” one thing was evident. If I hadn’t known already that there were three different departments being represented on the field, I would have never known. The students were laughing and interacting and having a great time as a whole. There was no labels, no judgments, and no added pressure to act a certain way. If the goal was to bring each individual athlete together to form one united Friday night super Bulldog team. Then mission accomplished.
Mansfield Police Chief Wayne Robb has made the announcement that the department will begin a warrant sweep throughout the city.
The district clerk submitted five pages to Robb with individual’s names and information. The sweep will affect those with outstanding warrants who live within either Scott or Sebastian County, with a Mansfield address.
Currently, there are over $87,000 in outstanding fines. Robb said this will be an opportunity for those with outstanding warrants to turn themselves in. However, failing to do so will result in an arrest as the warrant sweep gets under way.
After falling short of the District Tournament last season, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs Volleyball team could be what some may consider a 2019 underdog. They come into this season playing a rough schedule and are undersized in the height category. But that’s from those on the outside looking in. What those on the outside don’t see is that the Lady Bulldogs are oozing with two intangibles so important that they cannot be measured……Intelligence and a fierce determination to succeed.
Leading the Waldron Sr and Jr Lady Bulldogs on the court this season will be seventh year Head Coach, Toby Hollin. Coach Hollin started volleyball with about as much knowledge of the game as anyone else. “When I started, I had never had the opportunity to coach volleyball before. This was such a great learning experience. After becoming much more familiar with the sport, I have truly come to love it,” Hollin said. Not only has Coach Hollin grown to love the sport but she’s also growing a program that has the capability to dominate the volleyball hardwoods. She has developed her squad into the definition of what student-athletes should be. They pride themselves in being ferocious competitors on the court, upstanding citizens off of the court, and leaders in the classroom.
Coach Hollin adds, “We had a good season last year but fell short in the district tournament. Our goal for every season is to do better than the last. We have worked extremely hard on being a better defensive team. While our main team goal is to win, of course, we will be breaking down game moments to improve on an individual level more so than we have in the past. We are continuing to head in a positive direction with not only some of the best athletes but the best all-around kids and students.”
The Lady Bulldogs have their work cut out for them in the 3A West this season. Conference foes like Booneville, Charleston, Elkins, Lincoln, Mansfield, Paris, and West Fork are no pushovers, but neither are the Bulldogs. They may be small, but dynamite comes in small packages.
It’s almost time to pack the stands in support of the Lady Bulldogs. Waldron will head to Lavaca on August 20th for a Sr High Benefit Game to warm things up and then on August 26th at 4:00 p.m. the Lady Bulldogs will open up their home court to Arkadelphia. “We hope to have a much bigger student section and fan base this year. We would love to see everyone come out and support the Lady Bulldogs. They make me proud to be a Bulldog and they will the town too!”
