LITTLE ROCK — Billy Elmore said he knew what he was getting into when he became Stuttgart’s coach in 2011.

Second place, at least on the Grand Prairie, isn’t good enough.

“People in Stuttgart expect you to win, and they expect you to win big,” Elmore said. “We do, obviously, have our goals like everybody else. We want to start off with a winning season, but at the end of the day, we want to win state championships. We don’t hang runner-up banners.”

Stuttgart (12-1) can add to its state championship haul with a victory over Ozark (12-2) in the Class 4A final at 6:30 p.m. today at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Stuttgart, top-ranked in Class 4A, has reached the state championship game for the first time in a decade, but the Ricebirds have a rich history, claiming Arkansas Activities Association-recognized state championships in 1949, 1952, 1970, 1975, 1982 and 2002.

Ozark is seeking its first state championship after last reaching the state final in 1992.

Both teams are loaded with experience.

The Hillbillies have 26 seniors, including many three year starters.

“We kind of thought we had a chance this year because we’ve got a big senior class,” Hillbillies Coach Jeremie Burns said.

Ozark’s headliners include senior quarterback Jonathan McKenzie and senior wide receiver/free safety Toby Richard.

McKenzie has completed 92 of 201 passes for 1,674 yards and 15 touchdowns this fall. He has thrown for approximately 6,000 yards in his career, Burns said.

McKenzie also leads the team in rushing - 125 carries for 1,241 yards and 20 touchdowns - followed by senior running back Bubba Elder, who has carried 161 times for 1,036 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Richard has caught 29 passes for 736 yards and nine touchdowns, and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Defensively, he has 33 unassisted tackles and four interceptions.

Ozark’s seniors went 7-5 as sophomores and 9-2 last fall.

“This group has always had a lot of success,” Burns said. “They’re pretty tight-knit.”

One of Ozark’s victories in 2010 came against Stuttgart (28-7) in a first-round playoff game.

“Physically, I think, our kids will tell you they physically dominated us,” Elmore said. “We’ve got to see how far we’ve come along, like in the weight room and our off season programs, and see if we’ve made up some ground.”

Stuttgart has dominated defensively in three playoff victories, limiting Dardanelle, Warren and previously undefeated Prairie Grove to a combined 386 total yards. Senior linebacker Waymon Johnson, 6-3, 230 pounds, has a team high 59 tackles, including 42 unassisted.

The offensive focal point is senior quarterback Dontrell Brown, who has 1,191 yards rushing and 1,519 yards passing.

Stuttgart began the season with a 49-22 victory over Central Arkansas Christian at War Memorial.

“We’ve had a great season, even if things don’t turn out well [today],” Elmore said. “Asfar as one that puts you in the history books in Stuttgart, it doesn’t do that.”

CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Ozark (12-2) HEAD COACH Jeremie Burns, second season, 21-4 ASSISTANTS Rick Gage, running backs/defensive backs; Cliff McAnally, defensive coordinator, linebackers; Hunter Perrin, offensive line; Brett Stone, linebackers; Jason Wilbanks, receivers, defensive backs MASCOT Hillbillies CONFERENCE 1-4A RECORD 12-2, 5-2 1-4A, third RANKING No. 2 in Class 4A ENROLLMENT 383 (based on 2012-2014 classification cycle; 21st among 48 Class 4A schools) PLAYERS TO WATCH QB/P Jonathan McKenzie, 5-11, 175, Sr.; RB/LB Bubba Elder, 6-0, 175, Sr.; WR/FS Toby Richard, 6-0, 175, Sr.

OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE FORMATION Spread/4-3 LEADING RUSHER Jonathan McKenzie, 165 carries, 1,241 yards and 20 touchdowns LEADING PASSER Jonathan McKenzie, 92 of 201, 1,674 yards, 15 TDs LEADING RECEIVER Toby Richard, 29 receptions, 736 yards, 9 TDs LEADING TACKLER Brandon Brokeshoulder, 100 unassisted, 49 assisted

Stuttgart (12-1) HEAD COACH Billy Elmore, second season, 21-4 ASSISTANTS Kevin McCarn, offensive coordinator; Kevin Youngblood, defensive coordinator; Casey Moreland, defensive line; Dusty Meek, offensive line MASCOT Ricebirds CONFERENCE 2-4A RECORD 12-1, 6-1 2-4A, first-place tie RANKING No. 1 in Class 4A ENROLLMENT 458 (based on 2012-2014 classification cycle; sixth among 48 Class 4A schools) PLAYERS TO WATCH QB Dontrell Brown, 5-11, 200, Sr.; FB/TE/LB Waymon Johnson, 6-3, 230, Sr.; WR/CB Drelon Ice, 5-8, 168, Jr.

OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE FORMATION Spread, I/4-3 LEADING RUSHER Dontrell Brown, 167 carries, 1,191 yards, 17 touchdowns LEADING PASSER Dontrell Brown, 88 of 153, 1,519 yards, 16 touchdowns LEADING RECEIVER Drelon Ice, 28 receptions, 497 yards, 5 touchdowns LEADING TACKLER Waymon Johnson, 42 unassisted, 34 assisted

Sports, Pages 27 on 12/08/2012