SMALL SCHOOLS PREP FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Shiloh Christian’s Seung Jae Lee kicks off against McGehee on Nov. 19 in the second round of the Class 4A State Playoffs in Champions Stadium in Springdale.
Shiloh Christian’s Seung Jae Lee kicks off against McGehee on Nov. 19 in the second round of the Class 4A State Playoffs in Champions Stadium in Springdale.

Shiloh Kicker Adds New Dimension

— SPRINGDALE — Game after game this season, sophomore Seung Jae Lee stood on the Shiloh Christian sideline in a game jersey and jeans.

As a foreign exchange student, he was unable to participate in games because of a rule that allows exchange students to only participate in one year of athletics. Jae Lee had applied for U.S. residency and was waiting on it to be granted.

By attaining his residency, he could remain in the U.S. permanently.

Finally in mid-November, he was cleared.

And his impact on the Saints football team was immediate. Jae Lee’s first game came against McGehee two weeks ago in a second-round game in the Class 4A State Playoffs. His kickoff to open the game sailed through the end zone for a touchback and the home side of Champions Stadium erupted.

“I don’t even understand it fully myself,” Saints coach Josh Floyd said about the ordeal involving Jae Lee’s residency. “He’s been in school here since the eighth grade. The way the rule reads, you sit a year, then you play a year and that’s all you get.”

Now that Jae Lee, who is Korean, has been granted his residency, he will be eligible to play the next two seasons for the Saints (12-1), who host Pulaski Robinson on Friday in the Class 4A state semifinals. The downside to this is that he’s unable to see his family.

“He’s not even been able to go home in a long time,” Floyd said. “This is pretty much his permanent residence.”

Jae Lee’s booming kickoffs add another dimension to the Saints’ special teams play, forcing most teams to start possessions at the 20-yard line, thus lengthening the field.

Although freshman J.T. Hale will continue to handle the place-kicking duties on extra-points and field goals, Floyd did say that if the Saints were faced with a longer field goal attempt, that Jae Lee could be called upon.

Floyd will miss Friday’s game after drawing back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in last week’s game against Nashville. Floyd was ejected from the game and will be suspended for this week’s game. Floyd said the Shiloh administration appealed the suspension, but the appeal was denied by the Arkansas Activities Association.

- Chip Souza

Tigers Gearing Up For Semifinals

WEST FORK — West Fork coach Rodney Selph said Tuesday he was pleased with the way his team has focused this week on its semifinal game against Rivercrest.

The Tigers, who defeated No. 2 Glen Rose 27-7 last week, have won 10 straight games to reach the Class 3A state semifinals for the first time since 2006.

Selph said his players entered last week’s game with the goal of proving that they’re much better than what other teams may think.

“They knew we were big-time underdogs going into Glen Rose, so they wanted to show that they’re capable of playing with anybody in the state,” Selph said. “There’s no doubt that Rivercrest is going to be a tough team. They’re undefeated and ranked No. 1 for a reason, so we’ve got to stay focused.”

This season, Rivercrest (13-0) has been a force on offense, especially with quarterback Demoine Brown. Brown has completed 34 passes for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Colts also have four running backs that have rushed for more than 500 yards, including Brown, who’s had 1,102 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Earl Byrd has also totaled 509 yards and 12 touchdowns.

“The difference between Glen Rose and Rivercrest is that Rivercrest has about five or six more guys that are big-time playmakers,” Selph said. “They’re so talented on both sides of the ball. We have to run the ball and do what we do best if want to have a chance to win.”

— Nathan Allen

Upcoming Events