"The main thing that I want people to know is how much fun I've had being the coach at Pea Ridge," Tony Travis said.
Travis accepted the head coach position at Heritage High School, Rogers. Head football coach and athletic director at Pea Ridge, he said his last day at Pea Ridge will be the last day of school in March before spring break.
Blackhawk football
2009 — 2/8
2010 — 1/9
2011 — 4/6
2012 — 10/2
2013 — 3/7
2014 — 10/1
2015 — 11/3
More than 60 applications for the head football coach and 24 for the athletic director have been received, Rick Neal, school superintendent, said. Friday, Feb. 19, will be the last day for applications to be submitted.
Head coach for the Blackhawks for the past seven seasons, Travis has many memories, which he said would be a collection of the big games the Blackhawks have played in, beginning with the homecoming 2012 game when the 'Hawks beat Ozark in the old stadium. "We beat them 14-7 over there."
Travis said it was fun for him personally because Ozark was his old stomping ground and made state runner up that year.
"The kids were more interested in beating Shiloh," he said.
"The win over Monticello and the playoffs, that was incredible. I think our kids were so excited about making the playoffs," Travis said. "Fast forward to the big victory at Prairie Grove in 2014, then the victory over Shiloh to cap the 10-0 season to the championship. We tied the school record for wins 10-0."
"And last year, we had another big win over Shiloh," Travis said. "We set up a couple of huge playoffs and set school records with 11 wins. Those are things that stand out as the big moments."
Travis said former players still stop by to visit or to watch a practice.
"It's always neat to me to see those former players. I think they take pride in our program. It was a good memory for them."
Many changes, especially to the physical facilities, have been made during the past seven years including the construction of the the indoor facility in 2012 and the new football stadium in 2013.
"The indoor facility has impacted our program more than anything," Travis said. "The stadium has been more a sense of pride in community and team.
"I think the indoor facility has been an impact on developing athletes. In our weight room, we've got a lot more room and even have room to add. The kids take a lot of pride in it."
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Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series that will conclude next week, in the Feb. 24 edition of The TIMES.
General News on 02/17/2016