LITTLE ROCK — Bald Knob senior quarterback Cordell Crisp finished his career as the third-leading passer in Arkansas high school history, completing 769 of 1,310 for 10,961 yards and 116 touchdowns in 34 games.

Only Stefan Loucks of Pulaski Academy (13,701 yards in 2003-2006) and Rhett Lashlee of Shiloh Christian (13,201 in 1999-2001) have thrown for more yards.

Crisp is just the seventh quarterback in state history to reach 10,000 career passing yards, following Loucks, Lashlee, Zach T. Davis of Harrisburg (10,505), Spencer Keith of Pulaski Academy (10,370) and Brandon Allen of Fayetteville (10,057).

In his final game, Crisp completed 34 of 50 passes for 369 yards and 6 touchdowns Thursday night at Perryville.

Crisp, 6-2, 187 pounds, set a career high for yardage (634) on Sept. 14 at Augusta and had a career-high 8 touchdown passes as a sophomore against Harrisburg.

Crisp was a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team after throwing for 3,863 yards and 47 touchdowns.

He threw for 3,790 yards last fall and 3,280 yards this season. He had 28 yards as a freshman.

Bulldogs Coach Paul Johnston said Crisp has yet to be offered a college scholarship but is drawing interest from Arkansas Tech and Central Arkansas.

Crisp has a 3.85 grade-point average and scored 30 on the ACT, Johnston said.

STAR CITY Towers still listed as critical

Star City senior linebacker Zack Towers, who left Thursday’s game against Crossett with a head injury, remained in critical condition early Tuesday night at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

Bulldogs Coach Blair Brown said Tuesday afternoon that he has been advised by school administration not to make specific comments about Towers’ condition but could speak in generalities.

“I can say we’re getting positive reports, from the family, every day since Friday,” Brown said.

Ty Towers, a sophomore quarterback at Ouachita Baptist, wrote on his Twitter page late Tuesday morning that his younger brother continued to make “small improvements as he moves his limbs more frequently and is somewhat responding to commands.”

Zack Towers underwent brain surgery Thursday night at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff before being transferred Sunday.

Star City hosts Heber Springs in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs Friday night.

Brown said Star City players, along with the four other 8-4A playoff teams - Warren, Hamburg, Monticello and Crossett - will wear helmet stickers with Towers’ jersey number (16) Friday night.

Star City (8-2, 5-2 8-4A) returned to the practice field for the first time since Towers’ injury Monday.

“The kids responded real well yesterday,” Brown said Tuesday. “We had a solid practice and are preparing today for another one.” MINERAL SPRINGS Williams reaches mark

Mineral Springs senior tailback Rashad Williams surpassed 5,000 career rushing yards in last week’s 54-0 victory at Spring Hill.

Williams carried 7 times for 139 yards and 1 touchdown to increase his career yardage total to 5,064. He has 63 rushing touchdowns.

Williams, 5-7, 180, has rushed for at least 100 yards in 23 games. He ran for 177 yards as a freshman and was a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team after carrying 208 times for 2,301 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Williams ran for 1,827 yards as a junior and has 759 this fall in only five full games because of an ankle injury and weather.

Mineral Springs hosts England in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs Friday night.

CAMDEN HARMONY GROVE James wins award

Camden Harmony Grove senior wide receiver/outside linebacker Brett James has been named one of two Arkansas winners of the Wendy’s High School Heisman, an annual award based on athletics, academics and community leadership.

James, 5-7, 145 pounds, helped the Class 3A Hornets finish the regular season 6-3-1 and advance to the playoffs.He has caught 38 passes for 620 yards and 8 touchdowns and scored 3 defensive touchdowns this season, Harmony Grove Coach Tony Chambers said.

James also ranks co-No. 1 in his class, Chambers said.

“What he lacks in size, he makes up for with his smarts,” Chambers said. “He plays above his head.”

Kelsey Marvin of Mulberry was the state’s female winner.

Created in 1994 by Wendy’s and the Heisman Memorial Trust, the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award recognizes outstanding high school seniors nationwide who excel in athletics, academics and in the community, according to a news release.

Students can nominate themselves for the award online, in addition to being recommended by principals, teachers, guidance counselors and coaches. The most exceptional students are then selected to advance during extensive judging processes conducted at both state and national levels.

Marvin and James will compete against winners from other regions across the country for a chance to be named one of 12 national finalists. The winner will be announced Dec. 7.

Sports, Pages 30 on 11/07/2012