LITTLE ROCK — Badgers’ Howell on mend
Jakahari Howell, Arkadelphia’s standout junior quarterback, was cleared Tuesday to remove his walking boot and begin conditioning work, Badgers Coach J.R. Eldridge said.
Howell hasn’t played for Arkadelphia, 9-1 and ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, since fracturing the fibula in his right leg during the first quarter of a 7-0 loss Oct. 5 at Central Arkansas Christian.
Eldridge said Howell will be re-evaluated Tuesday to determine if will be able to return to practice next week, should the Badgers advance to the second round of the playoffs. Arkadelphia hosts Mena in a first-round game Friday night.
“He’s not going to play until he’s absolutely ready to play,” Eldridge said.
Eldridge said in October that Howell was expected to miss 4-6 weeks because of the injury.
Howell had led Arkadelphia to its best start since 1987 by rushing 88 times for 732 yards and 10 touchdowns through the first five games in a hurryup, no-huddle scheme.
In Howell’s absence, Eldridge said Arkadelphia has leaned heavily on junior Kris Oliver - who began the season at tailback - in the Wildcat formation. Oliver has rushed for approximately 1,500 yards this season and directed to the Badgers to four consecutive victories and a share of their first conference championship since 1995.
Oliver had run 74 times for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns through the first five games.
“I knew what kind of athlete, what kind of player, he was,” Eldridge said.
“But what has really been impressive to the coaching staff is what kind of leader he has become.”
Arkadelphia is seeking its first state championship since 1987, when it finished 14-0 and ranked No. 1 overall. CONWAY Thunder rolls
Conway Coach Clint Ashcraft referred to sophomore placekicker Matt Cummins as “Thunderfoot” in the preseason.
Good choice.
Cummins, a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette preseason Super Sophomore team, kicked a 52-yard field goal in last week’s 41-0 victory over Little Rock Catholic at JohnMcConnell Stadium in Conway.
The kick, which gave the Wampus Cats a 20-0 second quarter lead, is believed to be a school record and possibly the longest by a sophomore in state history.
“It’s gotten to the point now that when you get to down to the 30-yard line, 35-yard line, you’ve got a chance,” Ashcraft said.
Ashcraft said Cummins’ 52-yard kick was low and barely cleared the crossbar, but he added that it was worth the risk because a missed attempt would have given Catholic possession at its 20 under National Federation rules.
Conway decided to attempt the field goal on“fourth-and-8 or 9,” Ashcraft said.
“His kickoff hit the back of the end zone after the field goal,” Ashcraft said.
“He was so amped up.”
Ashcraft said he believes Cummins, through maturity and increased leg strength, could possibly kick a 60-yard field goal as a senior.
Andrew Miller kicked a state-record 57-yard field goal as a senior at Hackett in 1998.
Cummins, 5-11, 164 pounds, has made 41 of 42 extra-point attempts and 5 of 6 field-goal attempts this fall.
Ashcraft said Cummins’ only missed extra-point attempt hit the upright.
“He’s done well for a sophomore,” Ashcraft said.
“He’s going to be a good one.” PULASKI ACADEMY
Wallace sets record
Pulaski Academy senior wide receiver L.J. Wallace set a school record for career touchdown receptions in last week’s 50-7 victory over Jacksonville.
Wallace’s 4-yard touchdown reception from Lawson Vassar in the second quarter was the 49th of the receiver’s career.
Wallace previously shared the record with Blake Miller, who had 48 touchdown receptions in 2000-2002.
Wallace finished with 10 receptions for 90 yards and 1 touchdown in his pursuit of becoming the state’s all-time leading receiver in yardage and touchdowns. He has 229 career receptions for 3,702 yards and 49 touchdowns.
Crosby Tuck set a state career record for yardage (4,381) in 2004-2007 at Shiloh Christian.
Zann Jones, who played at Shiloh in 2007-2010, holds the state record for career touchdown receptions (57).
Pulaski Academy (8-2) hosts Vilonia in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs Friday night.
Wallace has orally committed to Central Arkansas.
EL DORADO Jackson honored
El Dorado junior defensive lineman Bijhon Jackson will attend the U.S.
Army National Combine on Jan. 3-5 in San Antonio, Wildcats Coach Scott Reed said.
The combine, which includes testing in the 40-yard dash, shuttle and vertical jump, is held in conjunction with the U.S.
Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 5 at the Alamodome.
The All-American Bowl features 90 of the country’s top seniors.
Jackson has 24 unassisted tackles (10 for loss), 8 assisted tackles, 3 sacks, 5 quarterbackhurries, 5 knocked down passes and 1 caused fumble this season.
The Wildcats are seeking their fourth consecutive Class 6A state championship.
Reed said Jackson was also invited to the combine following his sophomore season but couldn’t attend because of a toe injury.
Jackson, 6-1, 320 pounds, was a member of the Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team after making 47 tackles, including 33 unassisted, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 caused fumbles.
Jackson has been offered scholarships by Arkansas, Arkansas State and Ole Miss.
Sports, Pages 32 on 11/08/2012