Through all the changes of the past few years relative to Pea Ridge athletics, the one near constant has almost always been is that we were going to play Green Forest in football. But for a short span of two years, the 'Hawks and Tigers have teed it up for quite a long time.
When the 'Hawks moved up from the 3A-1 football district for the 2008 season, they signed Elkins, West Fork and Greenland as non-conference foes. Elkins actually got the better of the 'Hawks in the early going as members of the same district, winning six of seven games. When the Blackhawks moved up to 4A, Elkins retained their domination of the series, winning the first three non-conference games between the schools. However, as Pea Ridge won the next five games in a row with Pea Ridge student enrollment on the rise, the Elks said "see ya" and that was that.
After a couple of years playing West Fork in non-conference battles, the 'Hawks got Greenland to replace the Tigers in their non-con line-up. The Pirates won the first contest 35-6 but then lost four of the next five to the 'Hawks. The Pirates decided in 2014 that it was time to shove off in search of greener football fields. Paris subsequently got onto the 'Hawks' schedule but lost the first two games by a total of 88-8 and soon they were off the schedule.
Green Forest, who had played the 'Hawks for many, many years before the 'Hawks moved out of the conference in 2008, got back onto the Pea Ridge schedule in 2010. Since 2000, the Tigers and 'Hawks have played to a 6-6 won-loss record. The Tigers actually won five of the first six meetings but Pea Ridge flipped the table in winning five of the last six battles. This year's game will break that tie.
The Tigers are led by second year coach Bobby Bishop who went 3-7 in his first year at the helm. Just like Booneville last week, Green Forest's quarterback senior Corey Bryant is a little on the short side at 5'6". The quick footed Bryant was successful the past two years, gaining all-conference recognition in each season. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry as a junior. The top running backs in the Tiger backfield are a bit smaller than were the Booneville ball carriers a week ago. Paulo Bernal (5'6", 140 lbs.), Jose Hernandez (5'6", 170 lbs.) and Rhett Powell (5'8", 160 lbs.).
The Tigers' offensive and defensive lines will average almost 200 pounds per man and are about 5'10" in height. Their strength seems to be its line and the leadership of Bryant in the signal caller's role. Half of their starters are back from last year, a year when the 'Hawks hung a 49-17 loss on the Pirates on their home field.
While last year's game was a big victory for the 'Hawks, Green Forest dominated Pea Ridge handily the year before. Having said that, expect a spirited battle between the two long time opponents. The Tigers do have a much smaller roster with 37 players suited up this week, compared to the Hawks' 78 athletes. Depth does matter, especially in a sport like football.
It's a game the 'Hawks should win.
Speaking of small
I've seen some small football players in my many years covering football games, but none as small as a player at Utah's Highland High School. Zach Schreiter is only 4'3", tipping the scales at 115 pounds. He attends the same high school that all-pro lineman Haliti Ngata once did. Ngata is a mite bigger at 6'4", 345 pounds.
Schreiter isn't a ploy or novelty. The young athlete simply wanted to play and he is on the team by his own merits. He will carry the ball at some point this season and is also looking to play some defense.
You can log onto the MaxPreps website and read his story.
Speaking of flags
Way back in 1976, outfielder Rick Monday was patrolling the outfield for the Chicago Cubs when they had a day game at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium. Two fans jumped the fence and ran out into the field, stopping to unfold an American flag which they commenced to soaking with lighter fluid.
When Monday realized what they were up to, he dashed right by them and snatched the flag way from the erstwhile arsonists to bring it to safety. The scoreboard that day commemorated Monday for the "play of the game," and Monday's actions were applauded around the nation.
Fast forward to 2016 and the flag is back in the sports news when the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem, choosing instead to condemn the nation for its perceived mistreatment of blacks and minorities. He mentioned the great oppression black people suffer in the United States, this coming from a black man making $116 million dollars playing a game.
He, like perhaps a lot of people, has no clue to what the flag stands for. As it states in the Pledge of Allegiance, it stands for the republic. Who is the republic? We are. It stands for all the citizens of this land.
The flag doesn't stand for the government, it doesn't stand for a minority of people who hate others for ridiculous reasons, and it doesn't stand for evil. There are evil people in this country doing evil things, but none of them are doing the blackhearted things they do in homage to the American flag.
A lot of American schools no longer have the Pledge of Allegiance on their daily schedule and a lot of schools in California don't even fly Old Glory. It seems the red, white and blue can't be unfurled on the west coast because school officials there fear that it might offend somebody.
Like any fair minded American, I would never force anyone to recite the Pledge or make anyone fly the national flag. Under the U.S. Constitution, people are allowed to have their own beliefs and the freedom of speech is one of the greatest freedoms the world has ever seen. People are allowed, under the law, to say stupid things.
However, as has oft been quoted this election season, people may not have their own facts. The true facts are that the overwhelming population of the United States is not racist, nor oppressive to minorities. Whenever another nation has a disaster, Americans are the first people to donate, start collections, and otherwise provide needed assistance to those less fortunate no matter the skin color. Most Americans are good people.
One of the wonderful things about Pea Ridge is that the schools here still recite the Pledge, and the people here have a reverence and appreciation for the flag. I think the same can be said for most of the communities across our fair state. Arkansans have always been patriotic.
Maybe it is not coincidence that Rick Monday came from Batesville.
4A-1 squads mostly on the road in second week
Only two 4A-1 teams are at home this week, the reverse of week No. 1.
Pea Ridge will be at home for the second time and will be only team left not having played on the road. Of course that will change next week when the 'Hawks take on the Cards in Farmington.
Perhaps the biggest game on the slate will be the Shiloh/Little Rock Christian tussle. LRC gave 4A power Warren a run for the money last week, losing by a single touchdown, 55-48. The Warriors from the Capitol city fell behind 42-28 at the half, and actually cut the gap after intermission. If Warren is as good as I think they are, Shiloh may have their unbeaten record against LRC broken (2-0).
Gravette will be going down to Booneville in a game that might cast a glimpse on how we might fare against the Lions in a few weeks. Booneville is slightly in this match.
Gentry will likely lengthen their unbeaten mark against Decatur since 2000 to 4-0 on the road. Decatur barely had enough students go out for the sport to even have a team this year, always a bad sign. Lincoln is 0-2 against Keys, Oklahoma and with only 21 on their roster, they will a hard time winning any games this year.
Huntsville will face old conference foe Farmington at home. The Eagles have been beaten by the Cards 12 of the last 15 games.
Prairie Grove and Berryville will be up against first time opponents. Prairie Grove plays Vian, Oklahoma with Berryville taking on Clinton.
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Editor's note: John McGee is an award-winning columnist and sports writer. Mr. McGee can be contacted through The Times at [email protected].
Sports on 09/07/2016