SPRINGDALE — Even a team like Shiloh Christian has things to work on.
Against Gravette, it was to force turnovers.
Consider it mission accomplished by the defense. The Class 4A No. 1-ranked Saints forced six turnovers and turned their much-anticipated matchup
with the Lions on Friday into
another runway victory (48-
9) in the 1-4A Conference.
“The defense played great,” defensive lineman SamuelHarvill said. “In a basic word, the coaches told us to be physical.”
That was evident on the first play Gravette had on offense when Harvill, a 6-foot-1, 262-pound junior, plowed over Gravette center T.J. Chevallier and caused a fumble thatthe Lions recovered.
“Their center had a hard time snapping the ball and our defensive line was breathing down their offensive line all game,” Harvill said. “We took over their offensive line and they had no holes to run in.”
Gravette finished with negative 15 yards rushing on 23 carries. But in the first half, where the game was decided, the Saints held Gravette to a negative 52 yards.
Harvill missed Shiloh Christian’s previous game against Gentry with a knee injury and was glad to be back on the field against Gravette. He said he played at about 95 percent.
“Missing that game really lit a fire under me,” Harvill said.
Floyd said he was impressed by the play of Harvill coming off the injury. “He played well,” Floyd said. “He messes up a lot of center snaps.”
As good as Harvill played, it was another junior who made perhaps the biggest play of the night. Colt Thomas returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-0. He also had a 55-yard interception return for a score called back by a penalty.
“That was big,” Harvill said. “When it was 21-0, we just rolled.”◊◊ ◊
Harvill got a scholarship offer from Kansas State last week and visited the Manhattan, Kan., campus on Saturday for the Wildcats’ game with Colorado. Shiloh Christian quarterback Kiehl Frazier attended the game with Harvill.
Harvill also has offers from Nevada-Las Vegas and Southern Methodist. Arkansas, Auburn, Oregon, Oregon State, LSU and Alabama have shown interest, Harvill said.
◊◊ ◊
The ball on the ground has become a regular occurrence for the Gravette offense the past three games. The Lions came into the Shiloh Christian game having fumbled a combined 14 times (losing three) the previous two games. Add eight more fumbles to the ledger after the Shiloh Christian game, with three lost.
“It’s frustrating,” Gravette coach Bill Harrelson said. “In the past three weeks we’ve had a run of bad snaps and fumbles.”
Against Shiloh Christian, Gravette started T.J. Chevallier at center after Jeremy McGarrah had a rough outing against Farmington’s J.J. Clay.
◊◊ ◊
After not playing for two games in a row, Colton Davis saw time at quarterback against Shiloh Christian. He passed for 192 yards and the Lions’ only touchdown. He and starter Colt Moorman had been splitting duties before Moorman got the exclusive call against Huntsville and Farmington.
“He did a good job in a tough situation,” Harrelson said of Davis.
◊◊ ◊
Floyd expected the Gravette defense to put up a fight early, so he wasn’t surprised when the Saints punted after just five plays on their first possession.
“Give Gravette credit. They bring a lot of pressure on defense and they got that three-and-out,” Floyd said. “Kiehl (Frazier) did a good job of getting rid of the ball quick.”
After that first series, Shiloh Christian figured the Gravette defenseout and scored on two of its next three possessions. One drive was five plays long, the other covered 80 yards in four plays.
◊◊ ◊
Gravette jumps back into 1-4A play with a road game at Berryville this Friday.
Berryville lost 41-7 at Gentry in its last game.
“Monday will be a new day,” Harrelson said.
Sports, Pages 6 on 10/26/2009