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Wildcats looking to build their own playoff tradition
Last updated Thursday, November 27, 2008 5:56 PM CST in Prep Sports
By Matt Jones
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SPRINGDALE -- Three years, two state finals.
That's the goal for the Springdale Har-Ber Wildcats, who will advance to their second consecutive state championship game tonight with a win at Fort Smith Southside.
"We didn't expect much that first year," Har-Ber senior quarterback Zach Faust said. "But now we expect state championships."
The Wildcats (10-2) fell in the Class 7A finals last season against Fayetteville and returned just four starters this year. But Har-Ber has reloaded and is knocking on Little Rock's door again -- playing as well as anyone in the state.
"I'm not surprised," Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. "If I was surprised it would mean I didn't have faith in my players and I trust my kids wholeheartedly. I know they're going to play hard and they want to compete and do well.
"When you're at this level in the 7A, you should be able to graduate kids yearly and play more kids the next year, and keep it going. That's our goal and this senior class has stepped up this year. Hopefully the senior classes after that will do the same."
In just their third year of existence, Har-Ber's rise as a perennial contender has been astonishing, Southside coach Jeff Williams said. But the road back to War Memorial Stadium goes through a program that knows a little about the playoffs itself.
Southside (9-2) is looking to advance to its 10th state championship game since 1983 and the Rebels have won seven state championships over that time.
"We are uniquely different," Wood said. "Fort Smith Southside has done a great job of establishing itself over the years. They play great football and have a great fan support...being a win away from 10 state championships speaks volumes about their coaches, players and support they've had over the years.
"For us, hopefully some day down the road we can get to that level."
Williams said once you get to that level, there is no going back.
"Getting to the state finals is the expectation," Williams said. "That's what the bar has been set. Our kids understand that and want to leave some type of legacy. We want to get back to the state finals."
Southside seniors were on the Rebels' last team that went to the state championship, and beat Rogers in 2006. Having players with experience winning in the playoffs is something both teams can draw from, Williams said.
"There's really no difference in this game than the first time we played Har-Ber," Williams said. "You still play hard. But I think the experience factor of being in situations where the game or the season is on the line, and you have to make plays...that is a key when you have that type of experience."
Southside beat Har-Ber 27-22 on Oct. 24 in Southside Stadium. The Rebels are 6-0 at home this season.
"It's one of the core fundamentals of having a top-notch program -- not an average program, but one of the top," Wood said. "The teams that win at home year-in and year-out are the ones that position themselves for the playoffs. You play for these moments, to have the big games at home.
"They'll have the crowd and their crowd is very good. We have to play our best ball and hope some things go wrong for that home team."
Both teams are members of the 7A-West, assuring the conference at least one team in the state championship game for the eighth time in 10 years, and fourth year in a row.
"There are some great coaches in this league and that have been in this league over the years," Wood said. "We put a premium on winning, and I think you can see that when you look at the facilities at every school.
Today's Ticket
Springdale Har-Ber at Fort Smith Southside
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Har-Ber is 10-2 overall; Southside is 9-2.
RANKINGS: Har-Ber is No. 3 in Class 7A by Hooten's Arkansas Football. Southside is No. 1.
HOOTEN'S LINE: Southside by 3
RADIO: KYMG-AM 1590
Springdale Har-Ber Wildcats
Offense Defense
Pos. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos. Name Yr. Ht Wt.
QB Zach Faust Sr. 5-10 189 DE Jeremy Pinalto Sr. 6-2 200
RB Derek Brinker Sr. 6-0 207 NG Eric Pearce Jr. 6-2 242
FB Ryan Freeman Sr. 5-8 179 DE Stephen Needham Sr. 5-11 201
WR Brad Taylor Sr. 6-5 200 LB Austin Otwell Sr. 5-10 162
WR Kaleb Vaughn Jr. 6-0 168 LB Jacob Bundrick Jr. 6-0 199
WR Josh McKinney Jr. 6-1 189 LB Daniel Andreadis Sr. 5-10 174
LT Sam Henley Sr. 6-3 237 OLB Berkley Cox Sr. 5-9 177
LG Eli May Sr. 6-1 265 CB Zach Smith Sr. 5-9 142
C Kent Woodard Sr. 6-1 237 CB Russ Reynerson Jr. 5-7 145
RG Daniel Garcia So. 6-0 245 SS Chandler Collyar Sr. 5-8 172
RT Brandon Thayer Sr. 6-3 244 FS Houston Pruitt Jr. 5-11 170
Fort Smith Southside Rebels
Offense Defense
Pos. Name Yr. Ht. Wt. Pos. Name Yr. Ht Wt.
QB Trent Welbern Sr. 6-2 185 DE David Norris Sr. 6-5 220
RB Daniel McGee Sr. 6-0 210 NG Michael Wayfer Jr. 5-11 325
FB Aaron Hutson Sr. 5-11 220 DE Sammy Schieff Jr. 6-0 205
WR Quai Anderson Jr. 5-10 160 LB Chris Marsh Sr. 5-11 200
WR Spencer Tooley Sr. 6-1 155 LB Richard Kirksey Sr. 5-11 210
TE Alex Nolen Jr. 6-3 240 OLB Evan Meyers Sr. 6-1 190
LT Chris Dolan Jr. 6-2 265 OLB Daniel Berry Jr. 5-10 185
LG Caleb Pevehouse Jr. 6-1 225 CB Tony Thompson Sr. 6-1 160
C Daniel Gadeke Sr. 5-11 295 CB Jerry Reynolds Jr. 5-8 145
RG Taber Hunt Sr. 6-0 225 SS Taylor Hudson Sr. 5-11 165
RT Dalton Person Sr. 6-0 250 FS Chase Henderson Sr. 6-4 190
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