Ferguson proves his toughness

Brent Ferguson has suffered the same painful knee injury three times this season, but the Blackhawk senior offensive tackle refuses to let that get him off the field.

That was good news for Pea Ridge's potent rushing attack as the Blackhawks (9-2) prepared for a Class 4A second-round playoff game at home against Pulaski Robinson Friday night at Blackhawk Stadium.

As Pea Ridge was preparing for its second 4A-1 Conference game against Lincoln, Ferguson went down with a knee injury. The pain in his right knee was intense despite the fact there was no contact on the play.

"It was pretty painful, and I thought it was my ACL," the 6'6", 250-pound Ferguson said. "I thought, 'My season is over.'"

But after being looked at on the field by athletic trainer Jaime Mann and the Blackhawks coaches, Ferguson made his way to the fieldhouse. Along the way, Ferguson, who is a two-year starter, figured it was a different type of knee injury.

"It was just my knee cap dislocating," he said. "Once I got it straightened out, I figured I would be all right. I didn't even go to the doctor."

Blackhawk head coach Tony Travis feared the worst.

"I was thinking, 'How in the world are we going to replace a kid like that?'" Travis said.

But it didn't come to that.

Ferguson sat out the Lincoln game but returned the next week for the Gravette game, and once again his right knee cap dislocated. Ferguson returned again, and the same injury happened as the Blackhawks ended the regular season with a victory against Shiloh Christian.

"I went back in the Gravette game," Ferguson said. "It happened late in the game against Shiloh, and I did not go back in."

Travis said Ferguson has never once complained about the injury.

"Tough, tough kid that is a very good offensive lineman," Travis said. "What he has gone through this year proves his toughness. He has battled that injury for most of the year, but each week he is ready to go. I have never had that injury, but I know it is painful."

Travis said Ferguson probably needs a couple of months off to fully recover.

"He said, 'It doesn't matter, I want to play because it is my senior year,'" Travis said. "It is going to take a lot to keep him off the field."

Ferguson played almost every down on offense as the Blackhawks opened the playoffs with a 42-6 win against Trumann last week. Ferguson hoped his luck would hold out Friday against Pulaski Robinson.

"I have learned to live with it," Ferguson said. "I just really want to be out on the field. I grew up in Pea Ridge watching Blackhawk football, and this is all I have known. It is sweet to have another home playoff game."

With running back Zaine Holley rushing for close to 1,700 yards this season, Pea Ridge is averaging almost 275 yards rushing a game and 125 yards an outing through the air. Ferguson said the offensive line takes pride in leading the way for the Blackhawks offense.

"Our offensive line, we are a big group of brothers," Ferguson said. "A lot of times teams stack the box on us. We just have to stick together and play Blackhawk football."

And what is Blackhawk football?

"It's physical, hard-nosed football," Ferguson said.

He should know since he fits that description perfectly.