Jackrabbits practice Thursday morning

Add captionLonoke's Chandler Elmore [13] and Dylan Goforth make a stop during Jackrabbits practice Thursday morning. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Jackrabbits open practice at War Memorial Stadium

Lonoke assistant coach Bret Watson talks to Dylan Goforth during spring practice in late May. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LITTLE ROCK — War Memorial Stadium is the ultimate destination for every high school football team in Arkansas. The Lonoke Jackrabbits got a chance to "start" the 2014 season there Monday.

Lonoke opened fall practice at the venerable old lady Monday as football practice started around the state.

"We had a parent rent out War Memorial Stadium for us so we practiced there from 9 until 12," Lonoke coach Doug Bost said. "We fed the kids hamburgers and they got to tour the stadium and press box. 

"I felt really good about practice. The kids were moving around and had a lot of energy. I was really pleased with the first day."

Bost said the coaching staff told the players that War Memorial Stadium is where any team wants to end its season, playing for a state championship.

"It's a great goal to have in mind," he said. "Some of those kids have probably never been there or definitely not been on the playing surface. It added a little something to practice. I was really pleased."

The Jackrabbits had 40 players for the beginning of fall drills.

However, Monday was not the first day Bost and his staff have been with the players. Lonoke participated in several team camps and 7-on-7 events. 

"We had a real busy summer with all that, lifting weights and running," Bost said. "The kids have a great understanding of the offense and defense. This time of year, you want to get those backup kids ready to play. And you start working your special teams because we really didn't do that during the summer. We put in kickoff and kickoff return today. 

"You've got plenty of time to slow it down and get everybody on the same page."

The Jackrabbits will scrimmage at Maumelle on Monday, Aug. 25. They open the season Friday, Sept. 5, at home against the Star City Bulldogs. 

Bison open fall camp Monday

Bison quarterback Chase Brazeal runs a play during spring practice. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

CARLISLE — On Monday, the Carlisle Bison opened fall practice with 27 players according to first-year coach Jack Keith. 

"I think we worked real well," Keith said Monday night. "We're just trying to polish what we already know and make sure we've got that down 100 percent before we start adding to it, putting my spin on things."

Keith was hired to replace Brandon Barbaree, who left Carlisle to become principal at Pangburn Middle School after one season as head coach. Keith said the Bison will continue to base their offense out of the double wing, which was introduced by former Bison coach Scott Waymire in 2006.

"I want to make sure we can do our base stuff before we try to add to much to it," Keith said. 

The Bison participated in team camps and 7-on-7 passing nights during the summer. Keith said those events helped his team get ready for the start of fall practice. 

"We had a good idea of where we were before we came in to today," he said. "We didn't come in to it blind. We had a couple of teams camps and had one of them filmed. We were able to look back at that film and get a good idea of what we were doing right and what we were doing wrong and having an idea of what we are needing to fix before we got out there.

"We weren't jumping in there blind. It helped a tremendous amount, having all the stuff this summer."

The Bison will host a benefit scrimmage jamboree Aug. 26 at Fred C. Hardke Field. Teams participating include Dumas, Rison and Stuttgart. Junior high will start at 5:30 p.m.; senior high will start at 7 p.m.

Carlisle opens the season Friday, Sept. 5, at home against England. The 2A-6 conference opener is Sept. 19 at Augusta. 

SharkRockets have seven swimmers win races at Lakewood

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Lonoke SharkRockets had seven swimmers win races during Saturday's meet at Lakewood. 

Scoring wins were Makenzie Bennett, Tristan Bennett, Baileigh Dulaney, Tanner Edwards, Jimmy Evans, Kanon Williams and Evan Wilson. 

Makenzie Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, second, 33.94; breaststroke, first, 48.96; butterfly, first, 39.07; IM, first, 1:27.64.

Tristan Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, first, 35.32; breaststroke, second, 46.36; butterfly, second, 42.28; IM, second, 1:28.76.

Tanner Canamore, boys 15-18: freestyle, third, 32.74; backstroke, third, 44.97; butterfly, second, 36.83.

Rylie Carter, girls 11-12: butterfly, second, 1:42.19.

Baileigh Dulaney, girls 15-18: freestyle, third, 39.71; backstroke third, 49.29; IM, first, 1:49.00.

Tanner Edwards, boys 15-18: butterfly, first, 36.68; IM, second, 1:28.85.

Jimmy Evans, boys 15-18: freestyle, second, 31.91; backstroke, first, 39.38; IM, first, 1:26.75.

Kelyn Fagan, boys 9-10: freestyle, second, 48.31; butterfly, third, 1:05.26.

Colby Hartley, girls 15-18: freestyle, second, 39.67; breaststroke, second, 53.49.

Casey Long, boys 15-18: backstroke, second, 47.94; IM, third, 1:41.25. 

Spencer McGhee, boys 7-8: backstroke, third, 26.27; breaststroke, third, 32.18; IM, third, 2:37.38.

Kenzlee Minton, girls 7-8: backstroke, third, 31.21.

Kanon Williams, boys 6-under: IM, first, 41.80; backstroke, first, 40.60.

Evan Wilson, boys 15-18: freestyle, third, 31.00; backstroke, first, 40.03; butterfly, third, 34.19; IM, second, 1:20.28.

Other swimmers participating include: Hailey Fugatt, Lauren Hill, Luke Hill, Ruth Potter, Cassidy Roland and Joseph Webster.

Casey Long

Colby Hartley

Evan Wilson

Kenzlee Minton
(Photos by Tara Bennett)

Bison Booster Club meeting is Thursday

The Carlisle Bison Booster Club will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. in the  elementary school cafeteria. 

"We need all who can attend as we have to elect officers, plan and schedule this year's Booster Bash and activities and collect dues," said club president Bill Warren. 

Nick Watson to play baseball for Ark. Baptist Buffaloes

Nick Watson, a Lonoke Jackrabbits baseball player, recently committed to play at Arkansas Baptist next season. (Photo by Darren Johnson)

By Mark Buffalo
Staff Writer
lonokecountysports@gmail.com

Lonoke baseball player Nick Watson is taking his game to the collegiate level.
Watson committed to play at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock last week. Arkansas Baptist is a junior college coached by Shawn Regan.
"I chose Arkansas Baptist because it was a good way to further my baseball career and to see how I stand to college athletes and to further my education while I was there," Watson said. "My second option was to walk on at Henderson State."
Watson said he always wanted to play college baseball.
"Since I was a kid, I watched baseball, college and pro, and pictured myself there," he said. "That was my number one goal was to become a true college athlete."
Lonoke Jackrabbits coach Darrick Lowery said he is happy for the opportunity that Watson is receiving.
"We are extremely proud of Nick and his opportunity to play baseball at the next level and to continue his education," Lowery said. "He was a vital part of this year's baseball team and he will be dearly missed."
Watson, who pitched, played outfield and first base for the Jackrabbits, said he doesn't know what position he will play for the Buffaloes.
"Coach Regan wants me to workout where I want and he will pick after a period," Watson said.
"I want to do all I can."
"We are excited to have Nick," Regan said. "He is a strong addition to our guys that we have coming back on the pitching staff."
Watson is joining former LHS teammate Lane Moore.
"Nick won't just give us depth in the bullpen but he is going to compete for a spot in our lineup. When I was recruiting Nick, I told him that we liked what he brought to us. He asked what specifically that was, why we were going after him and I responded 'simply that we recruit baseball players.'"
Regan said he tries not to limit what players can do.
"If we see a that kid can hit, he will," Regan said. "If he can pitch, he will. If he can defend, he will. Nick told us that he was our guy. At Arkansas Baptist College, we like hard-working, hard-nosed, strong-willed, tough young men that will work hard toward a common goal. That is what we have in Nick Watson."
Watson is also thankful for the support he's had in high school.

"Thank you to Lonoke and everybody else I know for the support on and off the field," he said. "I am blessed to further my career of the game I love."

Six swimmers win races for SharkRockets

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Lonoke SharkRockets had six swimmers win races during Saturday's meet at the Cabot Veterans Park Community Center on Saturday. 

Race winners included Emily Armstrong, Tristan Bennett, Jimmy Evans, Kelyn Fagan, Casey Long and Evan Wilson.

Wilson won all four races in which he competed in the boys 15-18 age division. He won the freestyle with a time of 27.66 seconds; the backstroke with a time of 30.06 seconds; the butterfly with a time of 30.81 seconds and the individual medley with a time of 1 minute, 12.99 seconds.

Emily Armstrong, girls 13-14: freestyle, second, 30.87; backstroke, second, 35.28; breaststroke, first, 38.21; butterfly, first, 34.66.

Tristan Bennett, girls 15-18: freestyle, first, 31.97; butterfly, second, 37.25; IM, third, 1:20.14.

Tanner Edwdards, boys 15-18: backstroke, second, 36.43; butterfly, second, 33.95; IM, second, 1:18.44.

Jimmy Evans, boys 15-18: breaststroke, first, 41.94.

Kelyn Fagan, boys 9-10: backstroke, first, 51.25.

Hailey Fuggatt, girls 11-12: breaststroke, second, 59.78.

Casey Long, boys 15-18: freestyle, second, 33.56; IM, first, 1:31.72.

Kenzlee Minton, girls 7-8: freestyle, third, 26.85.

Ruth Potter, girls 9-10: IM, second, 2:41.10.

Cassidy Roland, girls 13-14: butterfly, third, 48.31.

Also swimming in Saturday's meet were Joseph Webster, Rylie Carter, Lauren Hill and Luke Hill. 

 Kelyn Fagan

 Lauren Hill

 Tanner Edwards

Tristan Bennett

(Photos by Tara Bennett)