Walnut Ridge building reputation

— Walnut Ridge may be 230 miles from Junction City, but Dragons Coach David Carpenter said his players know exactly what they are getting Friday in the semifinals of the Class 2A playoffs.

Walnut Ridge (10-2) has beaten 8-2A heavyweights Rison (62-40) and Strong (32-16) en route to its first semifinal playoff appearance since 1971.

Junction City (12-1) is the two-time defending 8-2A champion.

“Walnut Ridge has our attention, especially by how much they won those games by,” Carpenter said. “That’s got our eyes wide open.”

While Walnut Ridge is bidding to play in its first state championship game in 41 years, Junction City is in the semifinals for the 10th time since 2001. The Dragons, No. 1 in Class 2A, captured state championships in 2003, 2008 and 2009.

“We know this is David vs. Goliath,” Walnut Ridge Coach Larry Treadway said. “We heard that before going to Rison, too. It isn’t our first rodeo.”

Walnut Ridge, No. 3 in Class 2A, recorded one of its biggest victories in school history when it opened the playoffs with a victory over Rison, which has won eight state championships recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association.

“Going to Rison and winning against them was big for us,” Treadway said. “It’s an intimidating place. Rison hasn’t changed in 50 years.”

The Bobcats finished with more than 700 total yards in that game, led by senior fullback Tyler Clement, who rushed 15 times for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Senior running back Eric Wilcoxson added 170 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 9 carries. Senior quarterback Zack Crisler ran 15 times for 107 yards.

Carpenter said the Bobcats’ Spread offense is tricky because it’s heavy on misdirection plays.

“There’s a lot of motion in there, man,” Carpenter said. “They try to get you confused because there’s folks going in every direction.”

A week after beating Rison, Walnut Ridge toppled defending Class 2A champion Strong after trailing 16-0 in the first half.

“Our kids just keep plugging,” Treadway said. “We’ll play hard.”

Now comes an even bigger 8-2A test in Junction City, which has won 12 consecutive games and advanced with a 34-6 victory last week at previously unbeaten Salem.

Salem beat Walnut Ridge 44-6 in a 3-2A game Oct. 19.

“Our kids know how good Junction City is,” Treadway said.

The Dragons have amassed more than 5,000 yards this fall and have seven shutouts.

Senior quarterback Shaquille Hunter has rushed 72 times for 616 yards and 9 touchdowns and completed 73 of 150 passes for 1,328 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Sophomore halfback Jaqwis Dancy has rushed 125 times for 1,411 yards and 14 touchdowns.

“We’re playing pretty good right now,” Carpenter said. “We’ve got to keep it up for another week.”

At a glance WALNUT RIDGE

VS. JUNCTION CITY

WHAT Class 2A semifinals WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Paul Muse Field, Junction City RECORDS Walnut Ridge 10-2; Junction City 12-1 RANKINGS Walnut Ridge is No. 3 in Class 2A; Junction City is No. 1 in Class 2A SEEDS Walnut Ridge is No. 3 from the 3-2A; Junction City is No. 1 from the 8-2A

Sports, Pages 24 on 11/28/2012

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