Jr. Rabbits hold on to beat Beebe 8-6

Lonoke's Michael Hodges head to the end zone for a two-point conversion
in the Junior Rabbits' 8-6 win over Beebe
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — The Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits broke a scoreless tie in the fourth quarter then held out Beebe for a potential game-tying two-point conversion to beat the Junior Badgers 8-6 in the season opener Thursday night at James B. Abraham Stadium.

Lonoke recovered a Beebe fumble at the 50-yard line with 4:08 left in the game. From there, Lonoke's Michael Hodges carried the ball 10 straight times as he scored on a 1-yard run with 39.8 seconds left. He also scored the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0.

Beebe seemed to be dead in the water, facing third down with 8 seconds left. The Junior Badgers lined up in punt formation but it lead to a fake with Bailey Dillon racing 73 yards for a touchdown with no time remaining. Lonoke then stopped Beebe on the two-point conversion, giving the Junior Jackrabbits the win.

"We've tried to instill in these kids … to play a four-quarter ball game," second-year Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery said. "They showed a lot of heart. We knew it was going to be a tough game with Beebe. It always is because they are very physical. Our kids responded."

Lowery gave credit to the offensive line for the game-winning drive.

"They put the team on their back, and pounded it in, getting the touchdown and the two points, which proved to be the difference," Lowery said. 

Hodges rushed for 77 yards on 18  carries.

Lonoke will travel to Little Rock to play Little Rock Christian next week. 

"It was a real sloppy game," Lowery said of the season opener. "We've got a lot of mistakes we can correct. A lot of good things can come from watching the film. We will be ready to go for next week."

Lonoke's Myke Williams [5] tackles Beebe's Isaac Curry.
(Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Lonoke vs. Star City in season opener

The Lonoke Junior Jackrabbits make a tackle against Maumelle last week. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

For the fifth consecutive season, the Lonoke Jackrabbits and Star City Bulldogs will kick off the football season. Friday's game is at James B. Abraham Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Star City has won the previous three meetings; Lonoke won the first matchup in 2010 in the Hootens Kickoff Classic at Golden Lion Stadium in Pine Bluff. 

Lonoke is coming off its best season since finishing as state runner-up in 2009. The Jackrabbits lost to Maumelle in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Star City advanced to the third round, losing to Pine Bluff Dollarway. 

Lonoke is ranked fourth in Class 4A by Hooten's Arkansas Football; Star City is ranked sixth but the Bulldogs are favored by seven in the season opener.

Junior High Action

Lonoke will host Beebe in the season opener Thursday at James B. Abraham Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Bison vs. England in season opener

Carlisle's Jacob Cagle carries the ball during the Bison's scrimmage with Dumas last week at Fred C. Hardke Field. (Photo by Scott Ward, www.koesports.com)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Carlisle Bison will face a familiar foe Friday night when they open the 2014 football season.

Carlisle will play former conference member England in the "Battle of the Beasts," sponsored by the Bank of England and the Carlisle Banking Center at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

A year ago, the Bison beat England 30-12 in the regular-season finale. The Lions jumped out to a 12-0 lead before Carlisle rallied for the win.

Carlisle's season ended with a 38-28 loss to eventual state champion Junction City in the Class 2A state title game. England lost to Hector 56-14 in the second round of the state playoffs.

The Bison are ranked 13th in Class 2A by Hooten's Arkansas Football; England is ranked 16th. Carlisle is favored by 13 points in the Lonoke County matchup. 

Junior High Action

The Carlisle Junior Bison will play at McCrory in the regular-season opener Thursday night. Game time is 7 p.m.

Carlisle Preview: Bison coach — goal is still to win state title

The 2014 Carlisle Bison Football Team

By Mark Buffalo

Editor

LonokeCountySports@gmail.com

Even though Carlisle has its third coach in three seasons, the team's goal remains the same — to win a state championship.

Defensive coordinator Jack Keith was hired as head coach in June, replacing Brandon Barbaree, who eventually became an administrator and assistant coach at Lonoke. Two years ago, Scott Waymire resigned to become coach at Class 4A Trumann after a seven-year run as Bison head coach. 

"Our main goal is always going to be to win a state championship," Keith said. "If you are not shooting to be the best, you can't ever get to be the best."

Keith said Hazen, Des Arc and McCrory will be tough in the 2A-6 conference this season.

"With us in the mix, I'd say that's the Top 4," he said. "We don't want to just get into the playoffs. We want to win the conference and make a run at it."

The Bison will continue to run the Double Wing formation — something they've ran since Waymire came to Carlisle in 2006. 

Senior Chase Brazeal returns at quarterback. He took over for Austin Reed in Week 9 a year ago after Reed suffered a torn ACL in a knee late in the regular season. 

"He has a good handle on the offense," Keith said. "We've been able to add a few wrinkles with him."

Seniors Jacob Cagle and Clinton Hampton are the wingbacks. "They've been running real hard," Keith said. 

Senior Thomas McCallie returns as the starting fullback. 

"He has a real good understanding of the offense," Keith said. "He does a good job of blocking and runs hard."

Senior Dylan Brazeal will anchor the offensive line at tackle, Keith said. 

Senior Keyshawn Allen will also play tackle. 

"We will need him to step up and be a presence on the line," Keith said. 

Senior Miles Cunningham returns at center. "He's going to give you everything he's got," Keith said. 

Junior Clay Parker is set to start at tight end. "He's a tough kid," the coach said. "He's smart and a hard worker."

Guards include senior Colton Isbell, who missed the end of the season because of a concussion.

"We're just not getting him back to full speed," Keith said. 

Two sophomores, Zack Means and Brian Henderson, have been working at guard as well.

Senior Nick Schafer will play receiver. 

"He's got good hands and can give us some mismatches at times," Keith said.

Keith said sophomore Zack Caviness will also play receiver.

The Bison run the 4-4-3 on defense this season. 

"We try to do things we know how to do well," Keith said. "You can over-think yourself sometimes."

Dylan Brazeal and Allen will be the starting defensive tackles. Cunningham and sophomore Mason Carter will rotate at that position, Keith said. 

"A lot of kids are going to have to play both ways," Keith said. "Our backups have to be just as good as our ones. We have to have a revolving door to get some guys a breather when we can."

McCallie, Isbell and senior Bradley Elder will see time at defensive end. 

"Our defensive line is probably going to be our strength on defense," Keith said. "We're essentially replacing all four linebackers."

Schafer and Hampton will play outside linebacker. Backing them up will be sophomores Devon Kendrick and Tyler Sanders. 

"I feel confident with all four of them being on the field at any time," Keith said. 

Inside linebackers will be Parker and Means. 

Senior Cole Sheets and Chase Brazeal will play cornerbacks. Cagle and junior Brynden Weems will play safety. 

The Bison open the season Friday night at home against England in the "Battle of the Beasts" at Fred C. Hardke Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Clinton Hampton

Clay Parker

Thomas McCallie

Chase Brazeal

Jacob Cagle

Dylan Brazeal

Miles Cunningham

Keyshawn Allen

Nick Schafer

Lonoke Preview: Coach hopes non-conference schedule will prepare team for 4A-2 play

The 2014 Lonoke Jackrabbits football team. 

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

The Lonoke Jackrabbits are coming off their best season since 2009 as they went 9-3, advancing to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Lonoke lost several key players from that squad, including Arkansas State receiver Blake Mack and Hendrix defensive back Kody Smith. 

However, a tough non-conference schedule could help the Jackrabbits get ready for the grind of the 4A-2 conference play. Lonoke opens the season Friday against Star City. Other non-conference games are Sept. 12 at Beebe and Sept. 19 at Little Rock McClellan. The 4A-2 conference opener is Sept. 26 against Heber Springs.

"We feel good about our non-conference schedule getting us ready for conference," said Lonoke coach Doug Bost, who is entering his sixth season as head coach. He is the longest-tenured Lonoke coach since Ronnie Carter's second stint, which ended in 1995. 

"That's what you play for — to try to be conference champion," Bost said. "We know West Helena is moving in and they are very solid and we know that Newport returns a lot of starters. Those are the Top 2 dogs in the conference."

Junior Savonte Rountree replaces Smith as the Jackrabbits quarterback. 

Receivers include juniors Justin Meadows and Juwaun Bryant and sophomore Logan Dozier. 

Junior all-conference running back Josh Coleman returns this season. He rushed for 1,423 yards and 18 touchdowns on 189 carries in 2013. 

Senior Chandler Elmore will play fullback this season. 

Bost said the offensive line has been rotating some during camp. They include senior Preston Jacks, junior Ethan Ellis, junior Kane Williams, junior Lucas McKenzie, senior Chance Bronson, sophomore Zack Murray, senior Jacob Vandiver and senior Dylan Goforth. 

"We've got a combination there," Bost said. "We're just going to see what the best combination is."

Goforth was an all-state performer a year ago at defensive end. 

"We're looking for a good year out of him," Bost said. 

Vandiver, senior Deven Mosely and McKenzie will play on the defensive line.

Linebackers include Elmore, junior Ethan Holland, Coleman and junior Lance Dugger. 

Defensive backs include senior Caleb Bailey, senior Braylon Bryant, Meadows and senior Trey Bevis. 

Several players are set to play on both sides of the ball this season. 

"We're trying to get the best players out there and you've got to the backups ready for the two-way players," Bost said. "When they do need a break, you can put them [backups] in and feel comfortable."

Chance Bronson

Trey Bevis

Dylan Goforth

Chandler Elmore

Savonte Rountree

Caleb Bailey

Josh Coleman

Justin Meadows

Coach encouraged by Jr. Rabbits performance in scrimmage

Lonoke quarterback Kade Stuart steps up in the pocket before scrambling against Maumelle on Tuesday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — Even though the scoreboard showed Maumelle with 14 points and Lonoke with none, Junior Jackrabbits coach Darrick Lowery wasn't discouraged by what he saw in the benefit scrimmage game Tuesday night at James B. Abraham Stadium. 

"We knew Mamelle would be pretty physical and pretty athletic and they were," Lowery said. "We just wanted to see if we could execute correctly, how we would handle the heat and how we would handle the real game situations. 

"For the most part, our guys did pretty well."

Lowery said his team got tired near the end of the scrimmage. 

"We've got to learn to keep our focus as we get tired," he said. "For the most part, I'm pretty pleased with the exception of the scoreboard."

Lonoke opens the season Thursday, Sept. 4, against Beebe at James B. Abraham Stadium at 7 p.m.

"We've got a lot of stuff to correct," Lowery said. "It gives our guys something to shoot for before next week. We've got a tough opponent with Beebe as always."

Daniel Seigrist makes an interception in the end zone for the Junior Jackrabbits. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Lonoke's Michael Hodges is clotheslined by a Maumelle player. A penalty was called on the play. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

Lonoke Jackrabbits City Wide Pep Rally is Friday

The Lonoke Jackrabbits City Wide Pep Rally will be held Friday, Aug 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Lonoke City Park.
The Lonoke High School cheerleaders, band, football, volleyball and golf teams will be introduced. 
Pork chop sandwiches, chips, cookies, and drink will be provided to them at no charge. Others can buy a meal also. The new t-shirt designs will be available for order. 
Lonoke Jackrabbits Booster Club membership forms will be available also.