Conference crown earns West Fork week to rest
Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2008
WEST FORK - If there is one thing West Fork coach Rodney Selph likes about this week, it’s that his team gets some much-needed rest.
For one, starting tailback Taylor Genz can finally heal a high-ankle injury he suffered a few weeks ago. The Tigers also get extra time to prep for their opponent - either Prairie Grove or Heber Springs - in the second round of the Class 4 A playoffs Nov. 21.
But don’t fault him and his players if they remain a little antsy as they attempt to enjoy a first-round bye in the playoffs.
West Fork (9-1, 7-0 4-4 A ) finished undefeated in the 4-4 A with its most lopsided win of the season, a 49-13 mercy-rule victory over Subiaco Academy on Friday.
Selph said part of him wished the team could play this week because of how the Tigers had been playing in recent weeks. But healing is needed for players like Genz and Stormy Bayliss (shoulder ).
And it doesn’t hurt that West Fork’s 12 seniors get a few days to reflect after stretching their record at the school to 23-10-1 - the best winning percentage for a senior class in school history.
What propelled dozen was a semifinals appearance in the state playoffs two years ago and an 11-3 record. Still, quarterback Daniel Holiday, a threeyear starter, couldn’t help but think his undefeated conference record this season and five-touchdown performance Friday has been the best stretch of his career.
“ My sophomore year I knew the game, but this year I know it so much better, ” Holiday said. “ I know what’s going on and I pay attention to everything in practice. I know what they’re going to do right when I see one guy move [on defense ]. ”
Holiday’s numbers haven’t been too impressive this season, but his consistency in completions has been. The senior has completed 62 percent of his passes and thrown for 1, 179 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’s also been getting plenty of help from his defense, which allowed 19 points a game in the regular season.
Most recently, West Fork’s offense scored three of its six touchdowns after its defense forced turnovers Friday against Subiaco Academy. They also held the Trojans to minus-43 yards rushing.
“ We were able to do a great job of taking advantage of their mistakes, ” Selph said. “ That’s what you hope you can do in that situation. ”
Holiday completed 11 of 17 passes for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had two rushing scores and a 39-yard touchdown on an interception return while playing outside linebacker. All of it led to the Tigers’first undefeated conference record in 40 years.
“ It feels amazing, ” Holiday said. “ Coach Selph came out here and said, ‘ We have to finish. If you beat [Subiaco Academy ], nobody can doubt you about being No. 1. Nobody beat you. They can’t prove that you’re not good enough. ‘”
For now, the Tigers are plenty good enough as they wait for the second round of the playoffs.
“ We might come out rusty on the first drive, but then we’ll just start going, ” Holiday said of the future. “ We’ll come out big. ”
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