Tough Loss A Disappointing Ending For Red’Dogs

By Nathan Allen

Posted: November 15, 2009 at 5:55 a.m.

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RUSSELLVILLE — Springdale High offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz had a tough time describing how frustrating Friday’s loss to Russellville actually was.

He wasn’t the only one with the problem, either.

For the Bulldogs, the 27-26 loss in the first round of the Class 7A state playoffs was about as tough as it gets. Then again, considering the kind of season Springdale’s had, it wasn’t anything new.

Russellville, the No. 3 seed from the 7A-Central Conference, scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1 minute, 23 seconds left on a six-play, 64-yard drive and held on for the victory. The Cyclones (8-2-1) will play at No. 2 Springdale Har-Ber (9-1) next week in the second round.

“Our kids played their butts off; it wasn’t anything they did wrong,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s tough because it’s the type of season they’ve had. These kids keep rallying and keep coming back, and they didn’t deserve to lose that way.

“They were a great football team (Friday), they played their butt off and they gave it their absolute best shot. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”

In the fourth quarter, the Red’Dogs (4-7) had the ball three times and never found a way to convert on necessary downs. Springdale never advanced the ball past its 45, which turned out to be one of the biggest differences in the game.

One of the bright spots for the Red’Dogs was senior defensive back Chris Clinard, who had two interceptions and a fumble recovery, easily one of his best games of the season.

“Chris is a kid that’s going to have games like that. He’s such a warrior,” Springdale interim coach Dennis DeBusk said. “It’s tough that he has to end his career here with an ending like this, but he definitely had a great game.”

Junior quarterback Joseph Calcagni was efficient in the first half, completing 14 passes for 139 yards. He also finished with a team-high 67 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

In the second half, however, Calcagni completed only three passes and had a late interception, securing the victory for Russellville.

This season, Calcagni completed 180 passes for 2,324 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Calcagni’s biggest target on Friday was senior Justin Bocchino, who caught nine passes for 110 yards.

Regardless, nothing Springdale did could outmatch Russellville quarterback Barrett Hughes, who passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner.

“It’s been a crazy year,” said Springdale coach Kevin Johnson, who’s been out all season on a leave of absence to treat his ongoing battle with lung and colon cancer. “I couldn’t be more proud of our kids, the way they’ve battled and handled themselves all year long. This is a tough way to end our season, but I think we’ve definitely got a bright future.”

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