Har-Ber Hopes To Repeat History

WILDCATS GOING FOR THIRD STRAIGHT POSTSEASON WIN AGAINST PANTHERS

By Nathan Allen

Posted: November 27, 2009 at 4:11 a.m.

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SPRINGDALE — For the past two years, Springdale Har-Ber has faced Cabot in the Class 7A state playoffs, and both times, the Wildcats won.

Har-Ber will go for its third-straight playoff victory over the Panthers in tonight’s semifinal game, where both teams will compete for the chance to play for the state championship Dec. 5 in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium.

Cabot, the No. 1 seed from the 7A-Central Conference, went 9-1 during the regular season with its traditional Dead-T offense, a scheme that worked well for the Panthers this season.

“It’s an offense that gave us a lot of success this year, we’ve got the players that run it well,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham Jr., whose team is in the semifinals for the first time since 2002. “We’re certainly not going to change anything now.”

Har-Ber, which beat Russellville 30-7 last week in the quarterfinals, has continued to rely on its defense this season to help it win. Through 11 games, the Wildcats have given up only 507 rushing yards, an average of only 46.1 per game.

Har-Ber’s offense, which has had its struggles this season, was productive last week behind junior running back Gordon Welch, who ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns. This season, Welch — he only played 10 games because of a shoulder strain — has rushed for 1,054 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Har-Ber also benefited with the return of senior receiver Josh McKinney, who missed six games during the regular season with a collarbone injury. Last week, McKinney caught six passes for 81 yards.

“It’s nice to say our offense is finally where it should’ve been all year,” Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. “We’re doing some things well right now in running and throwing the football. We need to keep that up if we want to have any chance to beat Cabot.”

Malham, who guided the Panthers to state titles in 1983 and 2000, said quarterback Seth Bloomberg, fullbacks Michael James and Spencer Neumann have been effective all season, something he expects more of against Har-Ber tonight.

“This is going to be a challenge for us, and it’s a challenge we’re ready for,” Malham said. “We’re hoping we can get the ball and control possession and not give up any big plays. If we do that, not have any turnovers, then I think we’ll have a decent chance to win the game.”

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