SPRINGDALE — It’s been a pretty smooth ride for the Magazine Rattlers over the past year.
Magazine (8-0, 6-0 4-2A) is undefeated and ranked No. 4 in Class 2A heading into Friday night’s game against Mountainburg (6-2, 5-2) at Diamondback Stadium, andthe Rattlers are coming off shutouts of Hartford and Johnson County Westside the past two weeks.
This follows last season’s 11-3campaign that ended with a run to the semifinals of the state playoffs.
But as formidable as the Rattlers have been, they are susceptible to injuries just like any other team.
Last week’s 41-0 victory over Johnson County Westside put Magazine in position to clinch the 4-2A Conference title Friday with a victory over Mountainburg, but it cost the Rattlers dearly as three defensive starters went downwith injuries.
Magazine finished the game without nose g uard Darrell Day and outside linebackers Quenton Roberson and Jonathan Travis. Day(ankle) is out indefinitely, Travis (concussion) is doubtful for this week andRoberson will likely be limited if he plays at all Friday.
“It was a M.A.S.H. unit,” Magazine Coach Josh Jones said. “I’m not sure we had an injury all year until that point, except for maybe a few bumps and bruises. We came out of it just all to pieces.”
Fortunately for Magazine, middle linebacker Josh Dority is still healthy. Dority is just 5-6, 150 pounds, but he is one of the most dominant defensive players in the conference. After setting a school recordwith 146 tackles last year, Dority has 84 this year - including 14 last week - and 5 sacks.
“He’s just so fast,” Jones said. “He’s got a motor that doesn’t stop.”
The Rattlers are in better shape on the other side of the ball with twin brothers Ryan and Cory Chambers directing the offense.
Ryan Chambers, the quarterback, has thrown for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns this year and he has a teamleading 676 yards and 7 touchdowns rushing after gaining 122 yards on 10 carries last week. Cory Chambers, who floats between runningback and receiver, has 23 carries for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns to go with 18 catches for 418 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Mountainburg has had to deal with a significant injury of its own.
Top rusher Zach Ross is still out after injuring his right leg three weeks ago, which has forced Mountainburg to rely more heavily upon sophomore quarterback Nathan Jones. Jones passed for a touchdown and ran for another in last week’s 35-0 victory over Western Yell County.
Josh Jones said Mountainburg is perfectly capable of getting by with what they have.
“Those suckers play hard every game, so it doesn’t matter,” Jones said. “They’re a very talented team with thatbig old offensive line. They’re pretty good-sized.”
The Dragons went to Magazine and crushed the Rattlers 39-6 en route to a 10-3 season the last time the teams met three years ago, but it’s clearly a different scenario this time.
Magazine has enjoyed a football revival under Jones after winning just two games that season, while Mountainburg is striving to maintain its success after moving down from Class 3A this year.
“Any time you’ve got athletes like they’ve got, you’re going to revive something,” said Mountainburg Coach Tom Harrell, whose Dragons have locked up either a No. 3 or No. 4 playoff seed. “I have a lot of respect for Coach Jones and their program.
“Three years ago, I had talent and he didn’t. He’s done a great job.”Mountainburg vs. Magazine WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Diamondback Stadium, Magazine RECORDS Mountainburg 6-2, 5-2 4-2A;
Magazine 8-0, 6-0 RANKINGS Magazine is No. 4 in Class 2A;
Mountainburg is unranked.
Sports, Pages 20 on 10/27/2010