So far, so good for one of Arkansas Tech's most coveted signees in recent memory.
True freshman safety Michael Perry of Pottsville was named Great American Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in a 34-14 conference victory over Southern (Okla.) Nazarene on Saturday night at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville.
It was the first collegiate touchdown for the elusive Perry, a two-sport star at Pottsville, about 6 miles east of Russellville.
Perry was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Apaches and tournament MVP at point guard in the school's 54-50 victory over Pine Bluff Dollarway in the 2013 Class 4A state championship basketball game.
Perry, 5-10, 165, had a scholarship offer to play football at Central Arkansas, but decided to stay home and play football and basketball at Arkansas Tech.
"I watched Michael a good bit last year," Wonder Boys Coach Raymond Monica said. "To tell you the truth, at one point, I was real worried if we would even have a chance to recruit him. I thought schools at a little higher level would come after him."
But Perry committed to NCAA Division II Arkansas Tech in early December and signed in February.
"The big thing for him is he wanted to play football and basketball and work on his nursing degree," Monica said. "And he wanted to be close to his family."
Perry has helped the Wonder Boys to a 2-1 start with 6 unassisted tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and an interception as a backup. He also returned a first-half punt 17 yards to set up the go-ahead score against Southern Nazarene.
"We always thought he had a chance to do some special things," Monica said. "When the ball's in his hands on a return, you always feel like you've got a chance for a big return."
OUACHITA BAPTIST
Like old times
Ouachita Baptist tailback Steven Kehner, a senior from Glen Rose, was named GAC co-Offensive Player of the Week after setting career highs for rushing attempts (38), rushing yards (160) and rushing touchdowns (4) in Saturday's 41-20 victory over East Central Oklahoma at Cliff Harris Stadium in Arkadelphia.
Kehner was coming off a career-high 106 rushing yards in a 28-7 season-opening home victory over Southern (Okla.) Nazarene on Sept. 13.
His only other 100-yard rushing game came last fall against Arkansas Tech (105).
But 100-yard games were the routine for Kehner at Glen Rose, where he amassed 6,383 rushing yards -- fifth-highest career total in Arkansas high school history -- in 2007-2010.
Kehner rushed for more than 100 yards 33 times for the Beavers.
Kehner, 5-8, 195 pounds, spent the past two seasons behind Chris Rycraw, among the GAC's most prolific rushers before completing his eligibility in 2013.
"Steven Kehner, there's no drop off there," Tigers Coach Todd Knight said. "He's really a solid back."
Kehner ranks fourth in NCAA Division II in scoring per game (18.0) and 14th in rushing yards per game (133.0).
Kehner was a second-team All-GAC utility back as a junior after rushing 131 times for 614 yards and 8 touchdowns and returning 13 kickoffs for 312 yards and 1 touchdown.
Kehner surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards against Southern Nazarene.
"With Chris Rycraw being here the last couple of years, he's probably been overlooked," Knight said. "Steven Kehner is a good player. He'll have a great year."
Kehner was the Little Rock Touchdown Club's Class 3A Player of the Year and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas as a senior in 2010 after rushing 213 times for 2,488 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Kehner's father, Mark, coaches Glen Rose and played running back at Ouachita.
Ouachita (2-0, 2-0 GAC) is at Southeastern Oklahoma on Saturday night.
Extra points
Arkansas-Monticello (0-3, 0-3 GAC) has lost its three games by a combined 13 points. ... Arkansas Tech will attempt to give the GAC its second victory over an FCS opponent when it travels to McNeese State on Saturday night in Lake Charles, La. The Cowboys (1-1) are ranked No. 4 nationally in the FCS Coaches Poll. McNeese's loss was 31-24 at Nebraska on Sept. 6. "We've just got to play our best football," said Wonder Boys Coach Raymond Monica, who grew up about 40 miles northwest of New Orleans. "It will be something our guys will remember for a long time." Henderson State won at Nicholls State (27-10) on Sept. 13 for the GAC's first victory over an FCS opponent. The GAC began playing in 2011. ... Ouachita Baptist safety Zack Mitchell, a senior from Vilonia, is tied for first in NCAA Division II in interceptions per game (2.0). Mitchell was GAC Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting three passes in Saturday's 41-20 home victory over East Central (Okla.).
Sports on 09/26/2014