Ark. Baptist opening at War Memorial

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

When Arkansas Baptist College started its football program eight years ago, the Buffaloes played their three home games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The Buffaloes are making their return to Little Rock's largest stadium for their season-opener this season, but Coach Richard Wilson said his team can "produce some thunder this year."

The junior college will get a jump on the state's other college teams when the Buffaloes play Georgia Sports Prep Academy in the Back 2 School Classic on Saturday, Aug. 23. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

"We'll be the first team in Arkansas to play," Arkansas Baptist College Athletic Director Charles Ripley said Monday at a news conference promoting the event. "It's hard to get a lot of recognition when the Razorbacks or when the high schools are playing, but this will be our game and our night."

The Buffaloes' season-opener will feature school activities the entire day, including youth football games beginning at noon.

Arkansas Baptist will be playing in the Texas-based Southwest Junior College Conference this year and Wilson said he is hoping the Buffaloes can improve on their 3-8 record of 2013.

"The one thing I've tried to do since I've been at Baptist is be realistic," said Wilson, a former Razorback who has coached at Missouri, The Citadel, Clemson, Oklahoma State and others. "Our mission is a little bit different there. Our mission is to give these kids a second opportunity. When I took this job, I made a statement that this is a developmental program. I still believe that. But I do believe we've developed to the point to where we've got a chance to make a little bit of thunder this year."

Ripley also announced that the Buffaloes' home games this season will be broadcast on the radio (KASR-FM, 92.7) and HD Internet TV on CSN-TV, www.csnsports.com, Channel 2 in Little Rock.

-- Tim Cooper

Sports on 08/12/2014