Toney Hawkins was in elementary school in 2005, the last time Morrilton played for a state championship in football.
He still felt like a part of that team, though, because his uncle, Ed Duncan Jr., a standout running back for the Devil Dogs in the mid-1990s, was an assistant coach.
Hawkins was in the stands that day at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, and he said he cried after Greenwood held off Morrilton 35-32 to win the Class AAAA state championship.
“Ever since I was in the first grade, I was at the field house with him for summer workouts,” Hawkins said, referring to Duncan. “It felt like I was playing that game.”
Hawkins will return to War Memorial on Saturday,but this time as a player. He will be the starting quarterback when Morrilton (11-2) meets Batesville (11-2) in the Class 5A state championship game.
Hawkins, 6-1, 180 pounds, has Morrilton within one victory of its first state championship since 1973, befuddling defenses all year with his legs and arm.
He has rushed 186 times for 1,169 yards and 19 touchdowns and completed 163 of 275 passes for 2,238 yards and 25 touchdowns.
“He’s a difference-maker,” Batesville Coach Dave King said.
Hawkins has been a major building block in the Devil Dogs’ resurgence the past several years under Coach Cody McNabb, who was previously defensive coordinator at Russellville before moving to Morrilton in 2010.
Morrilton finished 3-7 in 2010, 6-5 in 2011 and 8-3 last fall. Hawkins started at wide receiver as a sophomore before moving to quarterback last fall.
“We knew he would have his hands on the ball a lot by the time he was a senior, whether it be quarterback, receiver, running back,” McNabb said.
McNabb said versatility is what makes Hawkins hard to defend. He threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-21 victory over Prairie Grove on Sept. 13, but ran for 142 yards and five touchdowns in a 57-50 victory at previously unbeaten Pulaski Academy in a quarterfinal playoff game Nov. 22.
Hawkins has 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash, and it shows in his stat line. He has had at least one run of 10 or more yards in all but one game, highlighted by bursts of 70 yards against 5A-West champion Alma on Oct. 4 and 69 yards against Harrison in a Week 9 game on Nov. 1.
“He’s got good, calm quarterback demeanor, and he can make plays in so many different ways,” McNabb said. “If you get us covered, he can tuck it and run it. He’s a big factor in our run game. When we drop back and throw it, he delivers the football well and where it needs to do.”
McNabb said Hawkins’ development as a passer has been the biggest surprise. He’s only thrown seven interceptions this fall.
“I really think he has exceeded my expectations there,” McNabb said. “I’m talking about from three years ago. But that’s a credit to him and how much he’s worked to improve that part of his game.”
McNabb said Hawkins is being heavily recruited by all of the state’s NCAA Division II schools, including Arkansas Tech. McNabb said Hawkins will probably play wide receiver or be a skill-type athlete in college, but he added he wouldn’t be surprised if Hawkins receives a shot at quarterback.
McNabb played linebacker at Arkansas Tech before graduating in 1999. Duncan was a star at Arkansas Tech when McNabb was an assistant there.
Now, Duncan, who just completed his first season as Class 2A Brinkley’s head coach, will be in the stands to watch his nephew play in the state championship game.
“He’ll be here,” Hawkins said.
Toney Hawkins file
POSITION Quarterback SCHOOL Morrilton CLASS Senior HEIGHT/WEIGHT 6-1, 180 pounds NOTEWORTHY Nephew of former Morrilton running back and assistant coach Ed Duncan, who is now the coach at Class 2A Brinkley. ... Started at wide receiver as a sophomore before moving to quarterback as a junior. ... Has rushed 186 times for 1,169 yards and 19 touchdowns and completed 163 of 275 passes for 2,238 yards and 25 touchdowns. ... Being heavily recruited by all the state’s NCAA Division II schools.
This week’s games
FRIDAY
CLASS 7A FINAL War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock Bentonville vs. Cabot CLASS 4A SEMIFINALS Valley View at Warren Booneville at PB Dollarway CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS Earle at Charleston Smackover vs. Glen Rose (at Benton HG) CLASS 2A SEMIFINALS Bearden at Des Arc Carlisle vs. Junction City (at Memorial Stadium, El Dorado) NOTE All Friday games kick off at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock
CLASS 5A FINAL Morrilton vs. Batesville, noon CLASS 6A FINAL Pine Bluff vs. El Dorado, 6:30 p.m.
Sports, Pages 19 on 12/04/2013