Arkansas High Closing in on Conference Championship
The Arkansas High Razorback football team in closing in on the 5A South Conference Championship after defeating their closest rival Little Rock McClellan last Friday night.
The Razorback are in control of their own destiny as far as winning the conference is concerned. That would give the team a #1 seed in the upcoming football playoffs and would mean more chances for home games.
Razorback Head Football Coach Barry Norton described the game as really physical, saying, "I have always believed that if you play great defense you will always have a chance to win. Our kids did a great jog of fighting through adverse conditions and found a way to win. I am really proud for this football team and excited tos ee them accomplsh some of our team goals.
Norton pointed out that the defensive unit only really gave up one core. The other score for the Lions was the result of a freak play where the Razorbacks partially blocked a punt but Little Rock recaptured the ball and almost ran it in for a score.
Offensively, Cameron Collier had a big night with a hand in all three of the Razorbacks scores.. Norton was pleased, "Cameron did a really good job but he will be the first to tell you that is was a total team effort. The offensive line did a great job of creating running lanes and the wide receivers did a good job of blocking down field to spring some runs."
Place Kicker Patrick Cook hit all his extra points. Cooks is pretty automatic when it comes to that and field goal attempts, something that does not go unnoticed by Coach Norton, "Having a kicker that can score when the ball gets to the 25 yard line gives you a comfort as a coach. Patrick has done a good job for us handling the kicking duties.'
It's homecoming week this Friday as Hot Springs comes to town. I asked the coach about the distraction of homecoming week. Norton says, :" We tell them that the reason there is a homecoming is because there is a game. They look forward to the people coming back to see them play. We will talk to them about the traditions and history of Razorback Football and what it means to so many people."
Norton says the goals for the team are the same each week. He wants the team to continue to improve and be the best "We" that we can be. He always wants the team to be better this week than they were the previous week.
There will be all the Homecoming activities including the crowning of the AHS Homecoming Queen and the court. Also before the game the school will be honoring three former Razorback Head Coaches for their contributions and successes. They are Swede Lee, Johnny Toombs, and Bill Keopple. Of course Lee led the Razorbacks to three State Championships, Keopple's crew won back to back State Championships, and Toombs had some great teams and took them to the Championship game.
Norton says," It's going to be a fun night for all. We want ALL Razorback fans to c ome to the game EARLY, wear RED, and yell LOUD!!"