Nashville Coach Mike Volarvich understood the history of the Scrappers' program when he was hired in January but didn't know what to expect from this year's team.
"I knew we had a couple of talented guys," said Volarvich, who was Henderson State's offensive coordinator last season. "I didn't know if we were a 5-5 team or a 15-0 team. With it being my first year, I didn't know if you needed two good players or 22 good players. It was a new experience.
Class 4A semifinals
PEA RIDGE AT NASHVILLE
WHEN 7 p.m. today
WHERE Scrapper Stadium, Nashville
RECORDS Pea Ridge 11-2, Nashville 13-0
RANKINGS Pea Ridge No. 4 in Class 4A, Nashville No. 1 in Class 4A
COACHES Pea Ridge: Tony Travis; Nashville: Mike Volarvich
"It took a little bit to find our identity."
Through 13 weeks, Nashville, which has won four state championships, found its identity and is in the Class 4A semifinals for the first time since 2007.
The Scrappers (13-0) are the only undefeated team left in Class 4A, after Dardanelle lost last Friday to Arkadelphia. Nashville hosts Pea Ridge in the 4A semifinals tonight with the winner playing in the Class 4A state championship game next Saturday against Arkadelphia or Prairie Grove.
Nashville eliminated last year's Class 4A state champion Warren 42-37 last week behind senior quarterback Leonard Snell's two touchdowns.
"It's one step closer," Volarvich said. "It was huge for us."
Snell leads the Scrappers in passing and rushing. He's thrown for 1,643 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 1,585 yards and 20 touchdowns.
"He can hurt people with his feet and with his passing," Volarvich said. "We go where he goes."
Nashville's backfield, with Snell, junior Darius Hopkins (1,367 yards, 25 touchdowns) and sophomore Trent Harris (891 yards, 12 touchdowns), has been one of the main reasons why the Scrappers are in the final four of Class 4A.
"It's one of the top backfields in the state, at any level," Volarvich said.
Part of Nashville's 2015 success has been Volarvich's wish to not overwork his team. Volarvich didn't want to commit his players to team camps and 7-on-7 football during the summer, so he dialed back the Scrappers schedule.
"It's good for them to have a summer," Volarvich said. "If you play 15 weeks, I want them to be fresh.
"Of the 22 starters that started Week 1 against Hope, they're all playing in Week 14 [tonight]."
Pea Ridge (11-2) has pulled off two of the biggest victories of the Class 4A postseason so far, knocking off Pulaski Robinson in the second round and winning at Central Arkansas Christian 3-0 in overtime last Friday in the quarterfinals. The Blackhawks are led by junior running back Zaine Holley, who has rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 25 touchdowns.
"They've had a couple of big wins," Volarvich said. "They're very talented. We have to play really good."
Nashville's last semifinal appearance came in 2007 when it last won a state championship. The Scrappers won three consecutive Class 4A titles under former coach Billy Dawson in 2005-2007.
A trip back to Little Rock next Saturday would be a big accomplishment for Nashville, Volarvich said.
"These are the kids who grew up watching those teams in 2005, 2006 and 2007," Volarvich said. "It's huge for the community. People pride themselves on it. It's a great experience for everyone."
Sports on 12/04/2015