Conway showcases changes in first Senior Bowl

While many questions still remain about the Conway football team, one thing's for certain change has come.

That's so much the case that new Wampus Cat coach Clint Ashcraft didn't know what to expect going into Thursday's Wampus Cat Senior Bowl at John McConnell Stadium. However, those feelings were soon eased.

"We lined up right. We did things right," Ashcraft said. "That's what I was the most nervous about. I hoped we didn't just come out here and look like we hadn't been coached or knew what we were doing."

They did enough to score a combined 49 points, as the White team defeated the Blue team 28-21 in a scrimmage that was run like a regular game for the most part. A new-look spread offense helped spark that scoring, but the larger emphasis on passing in the new system still showed the transition is a process.

"I thought the kids for the most part played well," Ashcraft said. "We had too many drops.It was the first time under the lights and with a hard rush. Hopefully, we can get those things corrected."

The White team scored on its first three offensive possessions and once on defense during that stretch to a 28-7 lead early in the second quarter. However, Patrick Mann, one of six quarterbacks used on the night, hit Luke Manos on what resulted in a 52-yard catch-and-run to cut the lead in half. A successful PAT by Ben Riner made the score 28-14 with 7:19 left in the first half.

The Blue defense later followed suit with a big play of its own, as an interception by Kaylon Felder brought the White's ensuing possession to a halt. However, the Blue offense stalled, going three-and-out.

The two-touchdown difference remained at halftime, but the Blue closed the gap some on its second possession of the second half. After throwing for 33 yards on the drive, Xavier Acklin who led all players with 77 rushing yards scampered down the left sideline untouched for a 43-yard touchdown. Another Riner PAT cut the lead to seven with 4:23 left in the third.

That, though, would be as close as the Blue would get.

Still, Ashcraft said he liked what he saw overall.

"This being our first one (Senior Bowl), I thought it came out pretty good," the CHS coach said. "We had a good crowd."

The Blue team finished the game with 13 drives, compared with the White's 11. However, rushing touchdowns by Chase Calcagni on the first possession and another by Jermarkus Harmon on the second helped the White take a 14-7 lead. Aaron Latta recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards for another score, and Rusty Predmore added the third of his four PATs to give the White team a 21-7 lead at the 10:25 mark in the second.

There could have potentially been more points, but offensive miscues made that more difficult.

"The biggest disappointment was we had some drops that were good passes," Ashcraft said. "I think the protection was good. We've just got to work on catching and throwing."

Ashcraft said the spring allowed the Cats to install about half of the new system. As is the case for most any spring scrimmage, there are still things that lend themselves to needing improvement.

"We've been able to come along pretty well," Ashcraft said. "We didn't want to put a lot on the younger guys, but I thought the older guys did a good job of what we've been able to work on.

"We're not going to do more than we're mentally ready to do."

Running back Desmond Cox, who started most of the games last season, went down early in the game with a knee injury. Ashcraft said his status was uncertain as of presstime.

But all in all, Ashcraft liked how spring drills concluded.

"We were able to do a lot of good things," he said. "I hope it's a sign of good things to come."

Conway will take part in a four-team camp June 8-9. Beebe, Little Rock Christian and Central Arkansas Christian are all scheduled to participate.