Week 5 high school football capsules
CONWAY CHRISTIAN AT QUITMAN
7 p.m.; Quitman High School
Conway Christian: 2-2
Quitman:1-3
Significance: Conway Christian is 2-1 in 5-2A Conference, and a win over Quitman would practically wrap up a postseason playoff berth since five teams from the conference will be in the playoff bracket. CCS has already defeated Little Rock Lutheran and Cutter Morning Star and Hector has forfeited the season. One more victory puts the Eagles solidly in the top five.
What to look for: CCS has a speed advantage and needs to establish its running game with Adam Ragland and Bates Isom.
Notable: Quitman, which lost to the Eagles 57-34 last season, has a new coach this year in Fritz Heidernreich, who runs a spread offense and a blitzing defense.
Quotable: “From looking at them on film, they are an improved team,” CCS coach Chuck Speer said. “We have to shut down their passing game. I think we can run the ball on them, but we have to be patient. They’ve played some of the upper-echelon teams on the schedule in Mountain Pine and Bigelow. It’s a rivalry game because of the proximity of the two schools.”
GREENBRIER AT CAC
7:30 p.m.; Mustang Mountain
Greenbrier: 3-1, 1-0
Central Arkansas Christian: 2-2, 0-1
Game notes: Greenbrier is coming off a 42-24 victory over Siloam Springs, and the Mustangs are reeling from a loss to Alma. The Panthers have struggled on Mustang Mountain in the past, but coach Randy Tribble is hoping his Panthers can respond to the challenge.
Greenbrier’s Matt Cain and Chase Lear played last week, after going into the game listed as probable. Both players are at full speed this Friday night, and both are expected to contribute. Greenbrier’s Hunter Winston rushed for 304 yards and four touchdowns a week ago, and Alma’s rushing attack gashed the Mustangs defense. So look for Central Arkansas Christian coach Tommy Shoemaker to stop the Panthers on the ground first. However, Greenbrier has shown the ability to run or throw the ball, and that may spell doom for an underachieving CAC defense.
Quotable: “We’re trying to get better each week,” Tribble said. “We’re excited about having the chance to go 2-0. That’s what we’re shooting for. I know that CAC has two good running backs and they like to get them the ball. They also have a quarterback who is good running the football. Defensively, they have a lot of speed, and they’re always bringing pressure.”
VILONIA AT SILOAM SPRINGS
7:30 p.m.; Glenn Black Stadium
Vilonia: 3-1, 1-0
Siloam Springs: 3-1, 0-1
Game notes: Vilonia coach Jim Stanley’s bunch hasn’t had the sweetest of times at Glenn Black Stadium in Siloam Springs.
The Eagles are hoping to change some misfortune on Friday in their second 5A-West Conference game. Vilonia defeated Harrison at Phillip Weaver Stadium last week. However, Siloam Springs didn’t have the same results in Faulkner County last Friday night.
The Eagles’ James Sax rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Vilonia also came up with four turnovers in its victory. For the first time in recent years, the Eagles are off to a fast start, especially in 5A-West play.
Vilonia has a 3-1 overall record and the Eagles are 1-0 in the conference.
This will be the first of two straight road games to the western part of the state for Vilonia. The Eagles will travel to Alma next week.
Siloam Springs edged Vilonia in their last meeting. The Panthers took a 22-17 win in Week 5 of the 2008 season at Phillip Weaver Stadium.
BRINKLEY AT MAYFLOWER
7 p.m.; Patrick Stadium
Brinkley: 2-2, 1-0
Mayflower: 1-3, 1-0
Game notes: This is the homecoming game for Mayflower, and there has been plenty of distractions this week. The Eagles picked up a much-needed win in their 2-3A Conference opener against Riverview. The Raiders were picked to finish second or third in the conference in preseason magazines, and Mayflower handed them a 37-26 loss.
The Eagles are looking to win their second game of the year in as many weeks. Brinkley is one of the six conference teams that Mayflower invoked the sportsmanship rule on last season. After starting the season with two losses, the Tigers have picked up two consecutive victories over Palenstine-Wheatley and Rose Bud.
Quotable: “We know that Brinkley runs a boring style of offense because they’re just gonna line up and run the ball,” Mayflower coach Jed Davis said. “Jordan Dycus really has taken leadership at the quarterback position. Chris Hale has been a pleasant surprise catching the football. It seems like when we need a big play, then he’s usually the one to make it. Our defense is playing much better and our linebackers are really starting to figure it out.”
