LITTLE ROCK — Following postseason victories over 2-4A opponents the past two weeks, Highland will try to take another step toward its first state championship since 1981 when it hosts 1-4A power Ozark in a semifinal playoff game Friday night in Hardy.
Highland (13-0) beat Pine Bluff Dollarway in a second-round game and Heber Springs in last week’s quarterfinals.
Ozark (11-2) is one of two 1-4A teams left in the playoffs. Conference champion Prairie Grove is at Stuttgart in the other semifinal.
“That’s kind of the scary thought,” Highland Coach Spencer Hill said. “They’re the one conference that’s got two people left in it. They play good defense everywhere over there.”
The game pits two of the most experienced teams in Class 4A.
Highland has 18 seniors, led by quarterback Sterling Stowers, a three-year starter who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and thrown for more than 1,000 yards this season. Senior running back Jordan Brewer, another three-year starter, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards.
Ozark has 26 seniors, including 11 who start on defense.
“We’re pretty similar in what we do offensively and defensively,” Ozark Coach Jeremie Burns said. “It’s going to come down to who executes and what happens on special teams.”
Senior quarterback Jonathan McKenzie has rushed 144 times for 1,568 yards and 18 touchdowns and has completed 85 of 190 passes for 1,568 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. McKenzie is a three-year starter.
Senior wide receiver/ free safety Toby Richard has caught 24 passes for 659 yards and 8 touchdowns to go with 31 tackles and 4 interceptions on defense. Richard is also a three-year starter.
Senior linebacker Brandon Brokeshoulder has 95 tackles, 2 caused fumbles and 1 recovered fumble.
“You can definitely see their experience on the field,” Hill said. “They don’t make mistakes. Boy, they’re just solid everywhere.”
At a glance
OZARK VS. HIGHLAND
WHAT Class 4A semifinals WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Rebel Memorial Field, Hardy RECORDS Ozark 11-2; Highland 13-0 RANKINGS Highland is No. 2 in Class 4A; Ozark is No. 4 in Class 4A SEEDS Ozark is No. 3 from the 1-4A; Highland is No. 1 from the 3-4A
Sports, Pages 25 on 11/29/2012