WOODLAND JUNIOR HIGH : Cowboys look to take care of business against last-place Rogers High
Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008
Ramay Junior High’s Casey Perry returns the ball through the Rogers High defense during the first quarter of play Oct. 9 at Harmon Field. Woodland Junior High running back Farico Baymon fends off a Heritage Junior High defender near the goal line during the second quarter of play Oct. 2 at Harmon Field. ANDY SHUPE Northwest Arkansas Times
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is not look ahead.
If Woodland wants a shot at a Northwest Arkansas Conference title, peeking ahead could ruin the ending. The Cowboys face Rogers High today but it’s next Thursday’s opponent they will be trying desperately to ignore when the ball is snapped tonight.
The Cowboys currently rest in third place, boasting a 5-1 overall record and 3-1 mark in league play. But a match on the road at Springdale Central (6-0, 4-0 ) looms. Central and Bentonville Gold each sit in first place with no conference losses. If Woodland wants to return to the title hunt, today’s tilt is a must-win.
“ There are three teams that have a legitimate shot at a conference title and we’re one of them, ” Woodland coach Bobby Crockett said. “ Obviously with us having one loss, we’ve got to have a few things happen and some outside help. But we’ve got to take of our own business first. A conference championship is our goal and we still have an opportunity to accomplish that. ”
Rogers High (0-6, 0-4 ) has experienced its share of hardship. The Mounties are fresh off a 34-7 loss at Ramay last week. The winless Junior Mounties share the conference basement with crosstown cohort Rogers Heritage.
“ Right now, we’re focusing on what Rogers does and how we can stop it, ” Crockett said. “ We’re not looking ahead. They’ve got some big, talented kids and a linebacker that’s going to give us some problems if we let him run free. ”
Woodland found some offense and its defense stayed stalwart in a 21-0 shutout of Siloam Springs last Thursday.
“ We just want to get better each week in practice, ” Crockett said. “ I’d like to hope we’re peaking at the right time. Our offense continues to get better and our defense continues to carry us. We scored 21 points against a good Siloam football team and that was with some missed opportunities on bad playcalls by me. ”
Woodland quarterback Austin Allen, an eighth grader, tossed two interceptions but exhibited flashes of promise with several key completions to help perpetuate drives.
“ Austin’s done a tremendous job, ” Crockett said. “ He threw a couple of picks but those were bad playcalls. One was a breakdown in pass protection and he rushed it. But I think he’s done a great job of giving our offense a boost. He’s giving our receivers a chance to catch the football and doing a fine job of running the offense. ”
Farico Baymon again carried the Cowboy offense last week with 128 yards rushing on 13 carries, including a 21-yard touchdown run. Crockett said his backfield tandem of Baymon and Michael Mahler has taken the pressure off the passing game with strong execution on the ground.
“ Farico continues to run the ball well, ” Crockett said. “ And when Michael comes in there, we don’t have that much of a drop-off. We’ve got two great running backs. ”
Woodland will again depend on its pugnacious defense to set the tone today. The Cowboys ’ defense is allowing a meager 5. 3 points per contest, second in the conference only to Central (4. 5 ppg ). Crockett praised the play of Sam linebacker Ben Dubois, who has been a force over the middle swarming to the pigskin.
“ Our defense continues to play great each week, ” Crockett said. “ You can’t win a championship without a great defense. We’ve got guys like Ben Dubois, who made a sacrifice for the team. He was a fullback-type player last year and expressed his desire to play linebacker before the season and what a job he’s done there. Guys like Ben have helped give this defense a lift. ”
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