Confidence has been a big reason why Searcy has started 2-0.
The Class 6A Lions are 2-0 for the first time since 2011 after victories over Greene County Tech and Batesville, a Class 5A semifinalist last season.
“We know we’re a good team instead of thinking we’re a good team,” said Mark Kelley, who is in his first year as Searcy’s coach.
Andrew Neaville also has been a big part of the Lions’ charge.
The senior quarterback completed 15 of 26 passes for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns in the 28-20 victory over Batesville last Friday. Neaville threw touchdown passes to Luke Dixon for 28 and 59 yards and had another scoring pass to Wallace Robinson Jr. for 12 yards.
Neaville, 6-2, 190 pounds, is in his second year as the starter. He has completed 27 of 47 passes for 423 yards and 6 touchdowns and hasn’t thrown an interception.
Neaville made his first start against Cabot two years ago and has played since then.
“He’s consistently been here day in and day out,” Kelley said. “He’s not turning the ball over.”
Dixon has rushed for 276 yards and 3 touchdowns on 34 carries to lead Searcy’s running backs. Robinson has caught 16 passes for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Searcy has 23 seniors, including 12 who start.
“We’ve matured,” said Kelley, who was Searcy’s offensive coordinator last season when the Lions were 4-7 under Jeromy Poole. “We have a great senior group. They’ve come into their own as far as leadership goes.”
Kelley has been trying to guard against a letdown this week against Morrilton, which is also 2-0. Searcy opens its 7A/6A-East Conference schedule Sept. 25 at Little Rock Central.
“We talk about being hungry for the next opponent,” Kelley said. “We want to still be hungry after something good happens.”
RUSSELLVILLE
QB perseveres
Junior quarterback Cale Fulsom came through for the Cyclones despite a knee injury he suffered two days before playing Rogers Heritage.
Fulsom injured his left knee in a drill during practice last Wednesday but still led to Cyclones to a 17-0 victory in their home opener last Friday.
Fulsom completed 16 of 20 passes for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns as Russellville (1-1) earned its first victory under Coach Billy Dawson.
“He played like a warrior,” Dawson said.
Dawson said Fulsom won’t be 100 percent for today’s nonconference game at Class 4A Pottsville. If Fulsom doesn’t start, Dawson said sophomore Ryan Talley or junior Michael Mullen could play in his place.
Dawson said he was pleased with his team’s execution in Friday’s victory and hopes it continues as it goes into 7A/6A-Central Conference play next Friday.
“The kids have responded really well, but there are so many things we have to get better at,” Dawson said. “They’ll continue to compete.”
EXTRA POINTS
Mountain Home ended a 31-game losing streak last Friday with a 20-14 victory at Valley View. The Bombers had not won a game since 2012 at Harrison. It marked David Joyce’s first victory at Mountain Home. Joyce, a Van Buren native, was hired in 2014 from Colorado Springs Doherty (Colo.) High School. … Benton’s defense held Jacksonville to minus-53 rushing yards on 26 carries in a 42-0 rout last Friday at Jan Crow Stadium in Jacksonville. The Panthers were led by linebacker Brayden Harris, who had 10 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Benton scored all 42 points in the first half as quarterback Nate Beck threw two touchdown passes. … The 1990 Pine Bluff Dollarway football team will be honored at halftime of tonight’s game against Camden Fairview in Pine Bluff. Dollarway, which was coached by Lee Hardman, won three consecutive Class AAA state championships from 1988-1990, going 40-2 during that stretch.