COWBOYS : Woodland hopes to avoid letdown at Springdale
Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2008
ANDY SHUPE Northwest Arkansas Times Woodland Junior High running back Farico Baymon (21 ) is tackled by Ramay Junior High defenders Caymen Moore (2 ) and Isaiah Arnette (54 ) during the first half of play Sept. 4 at Harmon Field.
Woodland defeated cross-town rival Ramay last week in the season opener for the fifth consecutive season. Now the Cowboys will try not to mimic their last visit to Springdale George today.
Woodland did not fare well in its last trip to George in 2006. The Cowboys were shut down on offense and wasted a solid defensive performance in a 3-0 loss. Woodland, though, pounced on George at Harmon Field last season, 28-7.
The Cowboys are riding the swagger of another sturdy defensive effort mustered last week in a 7-0 shutout of Ramay. The Cowboys held Ramay without a first down until the second half.
Woodland coach Bobby Crockett lauded the intensity and effort of his defensive line, consisting of Bobby Stinson, Tyler Tipton and Tim Cavell.
“ I have to give our defense credit, they played well, ” Crockett said. “ Our defensive line did an outstanding job getting off blocks and flying to the football. Those three really stepped up and did all the things we coached them to do. I think our defense really played well and never gave Ramay opportunities to get going on offense. We did what talked about doing and were able to contain Ramay’s speed. ”
Woodland now shifts its focus to George, which is reeling off a 27-0 loss to Springdale Central in its season opener last week.
“ I know George will be prepared, ” Crockett said. “... One thing I noticed about George is that they’re big and physical and fly to the football on defense. I think they’re still looking for their offensive identity and I know it will come. ”
Woodland will also look to generate more offense after it sputtered against the Indians. The Cowboys didn’t net a first down until midway through the second quarter and didn’t reach the scoreboard until late in the third quarter with assistance from a Ramay miscue.
An Indian punt returner touched a punt as the Cowboys prepared to down it. Woodland capitalized on the Ramay mistake and quarterback Tyler Tuck connected with Kampbell Walker for the only score of the contest.
“ We were real lucky to get a turnover there late because I thought the game really should have ended 0-0, ” Crockett said. “ Were fortunate and happy to get the win. ”
While Tuck was able to help push the Cowboys to victory, Crockett said last week’s offensive misfires didn’t change his quarterback evaluation process. Crockett is still appraising the talents of Tuck and Matt McEver at the position. McEver started the first half last week and Tuck ran the offense in the second half. But Crockett said nothing has changed and he will still keep a rotation similar to last week.
“ Unfortunately last week when Matt McEver was in, the offense was sputtering and the play-calling wasn’t very good, ” Crockett said. “ When Tyler came in things just clicked and that’s why we went with him in the second half. But I don’t see our quarterback situation being much different than it has been.
“ I don’t have any idea what the rotation will look like against George. Both guys are still practicing with the first team and we haven’t changed a thing with our quarterbacks. They’re both good quarterbacks and do a good job of checking us in and out of plays. They’re both going to play until one absolutely stands out. ”
The Cowboys will depend on their running game while the passing game continues to progress. Tailback Ferico Baymon netted 100 yards on the ground, 80 of which were accumulated in the second half.
“ I though Ferico really gave good effort, ” Crockett said. “ Our offensive line did a good job of giving him some holes to hit. We broke the line of scrimmage a couple of times and Ferico capitalized. ”
Following today’s road trip, the Cowboys return home to Harmon Field for three straight bouts with Bentonville Gold, Springdale Southwest and Rogers Heritage.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
