SPRINGDALE — Shiloh Christian and Gravette are the only undefeated teams in the 1-4A Conference, and they square off Friday night at Lions Stadium in Gravette.
This should be the marquee matchup of the season in the 1-4A.
It just doesn’t feel that way.
Shiloh Christian’s dominance this season has taken some luster off Friday’s showdown for 1-4A supremacy.
It’s understandable. The Saints (6-1, 4-0 1-4A) have won three state titles in the past four years and were included in the USA Today national Top 25 rankings going into this season. Gravette (7-0, 4-0) finished second to the Saints in conference play last year, but it hasn’t come close to matching Shiloh Christian in terms of statewide dominance.
The Lions are still a viable threat to make a playoff run, although there is no question they enter Friday night’s game as a big underdog.
“Shiloh has set a standard in our conference that nobody has been able to live up to,” Gravette Coach Bill Harrelson said. “Our kids get their shot this weekend.We have a tremendous amount of respect for them, but we’re not going to come out scared.”
What the Saints have done so far this year has been downright scary.
Shiloh Christian, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, has scored touchdowns on both of its first two offensive snaps each of the past three weeks.
Senior quarterback Kiehl Frazier has completed 71 of 112 passes for 1,324 yards and 19 touchdowns with just 2 interceptions. Throw in the 6-3, 215-pound Frazier’s 515 yards and 9 touchdowns rushing and it’s easy to see why top-notch NCAA Division I colleges have been hot on his trail.
“What he’s done to make himself a better football player is amazing,” Harrelson said of Frazier, who has orally committed to Auburn. “He’s a dual threat, no doubt, running and passing, and he has receivers who can go up andcatch it.”
Foremost among those receivers is senior Zann Jones, who leads the Saints with 35 catches for 750 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Senior running back Garrett Harper (48 carries for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns, 17 catches for 294 yards and 1 touchdown) followed an outstanding sophomore season with an injury-marred junior campaign, but he hasn’t missed a beat this year.
“Garrett has had a really big year for us,” Shiloh Christian Coach Josh Floyd said. “The key for him is just staying healthy, and he’s been able to do that so far.”
Kansas commitmentTravis Bodenstein anchors the offensive line at left tackle, and tackle Samuel Harvill (Kansas State) powers the Saints’ defense.
Gravette is led by junior running back Darrick Strzelecki, who has turned in an impressive season of his own with 1,003 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.
“He’s one of those guys you’ve got to get bottled up,” Floyd said. “If he gets in the open field, he’s tough to bring down.”
Gravette uses a diverse Spread offense, like the Saints, but the Lions rotate two quarterbacks just as they did last year. Starter Clayton Alexander helps Strzelecki in the running game, while backup Colton Davis is more of a pocket passer.
The Lions also have a stout defense led by nose guard Kahlief Steele, end Cody Bullock and cornerback Trey Tyner, all of whom are seniors.
“Coach Harrelson gets a lot out of his kids,” Floyd said. “They always play great defense. Two years ago it was 21-14 at halftime, and we ended up pulling away at the end.
“We expect the same thing this time.”Shiloh Christian at Gravette WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Lions Stadium, Gravette RECORDS Shiloh Christian 6-1, 4-0 1-4A Gravette 7-0, 4-0
Sports, Pages 22 on 10/21/2010