SPRINGDALE — Normally the hurry-up, no-huddle offense is more pass than run. But for Shiloh Christian on Friday night, the running game took center stage.
The Saints (12-1) chewed up huge chunks of yardage en route to a 48-10 win against Nashville in a third-round Class 4A playoff victory. It was the program’s 33rd consecutive home playoff win and advanced the Saints into the semifinals at home next week against Pulaski Robinson.
Shiloh offensive coordinator Rod Washington said the emphasis on the running game was simply a case of taking advantage of what Nashville’s defense gave them.
“Last year they gave us a lot of with their outside linebackers, so we wanted to run the football to try and control those guys a little,” Washington said.
The Saints pounded 323 yards on 43 carries, led by quarterback Kiehl Frazier’s 183 yards and 145 from running back Garrett Harper. Frazier and Harper combined for five rushing touchdowns and Frazier moved over the 1,000 yard mark in rushing for the season, joining Harper in that category. They are the first two Shiloh players to top the 1,000-yard rushing mark since 1997.
By comparison, the Saints passed for just 177 yards on 9 of 13 passing.
Washington said the Saints huge offensive line dominated in the trenches and allowed the team to rip off big running plays.
“We feel like we’re pretty strong up front,” Washington said. “We just wanted to make use of our personnel.”
Shiloh coach Josh Floyd was ejected from Friday night’s game in the fourth quarter with the Saints leading 34-10 after drawing back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct flags. The Saints were penalized 17 times in the game for 152 yards, including three unsportsmanlike penalties.
Arkansas Activities Association rules state that any coach or player who is ejected from a game is also ineligible to participate in the next game, meaning Floyd could be suspended from next week’s semifinal home game against Pulaski Robinson.
Floyd said Friday night after the game that the Shiloh administration was planning to appeal his suspension. Floyd would not comment on what drew the two penalties.
Washington said the Saints would move forward regardless of Floyd’s status for next week.
“We are who we are and we’re going to do what we do,” Washington said. “We definitely hope we have Coach Floyd, but if not, we’re just going to keep doing what we do.”
West Fork Cruises Into Semifinals
West Fork football coach Rodney Selph doesn’t know how to explain his team’s current 10-game winning streak, but he certainly hopes it doesn’t end anytime soon.
West Fork (11-2) shocked the state on Friday night by dominating undefeated Glen Rose 27-7 to earn its first trip to the state semifinals since 2006.
The semifinal appearance will be West Fork’s second in school history and the first time to host a semifinal game at home, Selph said.
“It’s just an unreal feeling,” said Selph, whose team will host Rivercrest next week. “Our kids are resilient and we made some huge plays against Glen Rose. We had three scoring plays that went for more than 50 yards, so our kids were focused and ready to go.”
Perhaps the most impressive feat against Glen Rose was holding standing running back Steven Kehner to a season-low 44 rushing yards, something Selph said was huge for his team to have a chance to win the game.
“We knew that we’d be able to score touchdowns, but we weren’t sure if we could stop their players,” Selph said. “They’re so balanced and have so many options, but our defense stepped up and made the biggest plays I’ve ever seen. I really can’t even describe it.”
Selph said for his team to continue it’s current streak, it’s going to have to continue making big plays on both sides of the ball.
“Once you get to this part of the playoffs, everyone is going to be tough,” Selph said. “We’re going to keep playing hard, and the best part is we’ll be at home.”
— Nathan Allen