PEA RIDGE — The Pea Ridge fifth-grade 'Hawks started off their season Saturday, Sept. 12, against Prairie Grove, with a large crowd on hand. The young 'Hawks did not disappoint, however after allowing zero points during last season, they did give up 6 points to a very good Tigers team. As coach of the team, I expected great disappointment from the players, but I believe it was more of a relief and the players now know that every victory will be hard to get.
The game started off much like last season withthe Tigers going three plays and out minus 10 yards. The first two plays had Britton Caudill making solo tackles for losses. Even though the defense allowed a score, they only gave up 51 yards to the Tigers.
Late in the first half after gaining minus 10 yards on the ground the Tigers went to the air, only to find the 'Hawks' Cole Wright, for the interception. Wright returned the ball 45 yards for the touchdown, however a blocking in the back penalty against the 'Hawks brought the play back. The Tigers were picked off again by Jaylee Kelley who had a nice 40-yard return to end thegame, Kelley also had a pass breakup and nice tackle in the open field.
The first possession for the Tigers in the second half was the longest of these young 'Hawks lives, penalities and missed assignments helped the Tigers score.
Duncan Truesdell, defensive captain, made sure that the two-point conversion was not as successful, stopping the Tiger running back on the 1 yard line.
Leading the way with tackles was Truesdell with 6, Wyatt Weber with 5, Caudill, Wright and Chandler Tidwell each had 4, Zaine Holley, Westin Church, Austin Anderson, SethTrammell and Michael Schleisman each had 3, with other good performances by Miranda Morgan, Manny Wishon, Jason Frater, Hunter Shackelford, Hunter Gaston, Joseph Beard, Joseph Ortiz, Shane Tedford, Jonathan Pinto, Spencer Marler, George Tyree, Hunter Thomas and Clayton Brown on the defensive end.
The offense started out slow but got rolling later with a spark from tail-back Torres and quarterback Wright. Wright threw six passes completing five for 31 yards and a two-point conversion to Tidwell. The 'Hawks' offense gained 235 yards behind great blocking from Brandon Johnson, Kamden Boyd, Beau German, Aron Tuszynski, Tanner Flippo, Dalton Harwell, Logan Johnson, Tidwell, Church, Brice Prince and Michael Schleisman. Torres led the way rushing with 116 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns.
Schelisman added 50 yards on seven carries and one touchdown and Caudill had 20 yards on four carries.
The 'Hawks travel to Lincoln next week for another tough contest, the victories will not come easy this year but this team will be working hard to earn what they get.
Sports, Pages 10 on 09/16/2009