Wildcats, Beavers put winning streaks on line

Glen Rose running back Carlos Burton (23) turns the corner as Austin Kehner (22) blocks during a game at Fountain Lake in October. Burton, a sophomore, rushed for 1,847 yards and 23 touchdowns on 171 carries this season.
Glen Rose running back Carlos Burton (23) turns the corner as Austin Kehner (22) blocks during a game at Fountain Lake in October. Burton, a sophomore, rushed for 1,847 yards and 23 touchdowns on 171 carries this season.

— Only one more school has a chance to join Greenwood (Class 6A) and Camden Fairview (Class 5A) as an unbeaten state champion this fall.

That’s Harding Academy (13-0), which meets Glen Rose (13-1) for the Class 3A state title at noon today at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The Wildcats, No. 2 in Class 3A, are seeking their fifth state championship recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association and first since 2002.

It will be Harding Academy’s second appearance in the state championship game in three seasons. It was beaten 14-10 by Rivercrest in the Class 3A final in 2010.

“We just have high expectations,” Harding Academy Coach Roddy Mote said. “Did I expect to be where I’m at? I don’t know. We don’t pay much attention to that until we get into the playoffs and have an opportunity to have a deep run. If you can get into the playoffs, anything can happen. But this is where we want to be.”

Glen Rose is trying to complete a wire-to-wire trip as the state’s top-ranked team in Class 3A, riding a 13-game winning streak since a 31-28 season-opening loss to Class 4A Malvern.

The Beavers cruised throughout most of the regular season, but have been pushed to the brink the past two weeks.

Glen Rose won 31-28 at Charleston in the quarterfinals and beat Prescott 17-14 in last week’s semifinals on a 22-yard field goal by junior Dakota Harris with 3:06 left in the game.

Glen Rose Coach Mark Kehner said the challenge against Prescott was containing its array of fast skill players. He said Harding Academy mirrors Charleston because it throws and catches at an elite level.

Senior quarterback Will Francis, among the most prolific passers in Harding Academy history, has completed 258 of 346 passes for 3,724 yards and 38 touchdowns this season.

“He can pick you apart,” Kehner said.

Francis leads a Spread attack that averages 381 total yards and 41.9 points per game. The Wildcats average 281.4 yards passing.

“They just do everything right,” Kehner said. “We’ve got to limit our mistakes because at the end of the day, they’re going to limit theirs. Got to execute and take care of the football.”

Glen Rose is more balanced offensively. The Beavers average 431.6 yards per game - 247.1 rushing and 184.5 passing.

Senior quarterback Collin Hunter, a three-year starter, has completed 127 of 212 passes for 2,413 yards and23 touchdowns. Sophomore tailback Carlos Burton has emerged as one of the state’s leading rushers, with 171 carries for 1,847 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Glen Rose will have a size advantage, especially with its offensive front. The line is anchored by senior tackles Max Farr, 6-3, 285 pounds, and Skyler Hix, 6-2, 285.

“Their size is unbelievable,” Mote said. “They’ve got quality kids at the skill positions, too. They’re just a solid football team.”

Glen Rose is seeking its second state championship recognized by the AAA.

Kehner was defensive coordinator on Glen Rose’s 2007 team that took a 35-34 overtime victory over Shiloh Christian in the Class 3A final.

CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Harding Academy (13-0) HEAD COACH Roddy Mote, fifth season, 58-7 ASSISTANTS Gail Mote, co-defensive coordinator, offensive line, defensive line; Jon Newby, co-defensive coordinator, wide receivers, defensive backs; Jerry Laird, running backs, defensive line; Mike Keese, offensive line, outside linebackers MASCOT Wildcats CONFERENCE 2-3A RECORD 13-0, 7-0 2-3A, first RANKING No. 2 in Class 3A ENROLLMENT 149 (based on 2012-2014 classification cycle; 48th among 48 Class 3A football-playing schools) PLAYERS TO WATCH QB/P Will Francis, 6-4, 204, Sr.; WR Hunter Gentry, 6-0, 162, Sr.; RB/LB/PK Trey Davis, 6-0, 190, Jr.

OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE FORMATION Spread/3-4 LEADING RUSHER Trevor Smith, 109 carries, 558 yards, 9 touchdowns LEADING PASSER Will Francis, 258 of 346, 3,724 yards, 38 touchdowns LEADING RECEIVER Hunter Gentry, 63 receptions, 1,104 yards, 10 touchdowns LEADING TACKLER Trey Davis, 91

Glen Rose (13-1) HEAD COACH Mark Kehner, fifth season, 49-14 ASSISTANTS Darrell Ellis, offensive coordinator; Bryan Weatherford, defensive coordinator; Chase Meyers, offensive line, linebackers MASCOT Beavers CONFERENCE 5-3A RECORD 13-1, 7-0 5-3A, first RANKING No. 1 in Class 3A ENROLLMENT 248 (based on 2012-2014 classification cycle; 20th among 48 Class 3A football-playing schools) PLAYERS TO WATCH QB/S Collin Hunter, 6-1, 180, Sr.; WR/LB Kyle Petersen, 5-9, 160, Jr.; TB Carlos Burton, 5-11, 170, So.

OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE FORMATION Spread/4-2 LEADING RUSHER Carlos Burton, 171 carries, 1,847 yards, 24 touchdowns LEADING PASSER Collin Hunter, 127 of 212, 2,413 yards, 23 touchdowns LEADING RECEIVER Kyle Petersen, 38 receptions, 619 yards, 3 touchdowns LEADING TACKLER Kyle Petersen, 90

Sports, Pages 27 on 12/08/2012

Upcoming Events