VAN BUREN -- The Casey Dick coaching era at Van Buren got off to a rousing start when the Pointers opened the season with a 48-33 victory at Alma.
The win marked the first for Van Buren over Alma since 2010.
So, what about a follow-up?
Not even a downpour right before kickoff could diminish the anticipation for Van Buren's home-opener against Fort Smith Northside, which was already 2-0 Friday after impressive wins over Greenwood and Rogers Heritage.
The "Battle of Rogers Avenue" between Northside vs. Fort Smith Southside captures most of the attention each year in this area, but the distance Northside and Van Buren High School is just over eight miles by way of Midland Blvd. The difference between the school's success in football, however, is immense.
Northside is a traditional power that appears on the upswing again after winning only four games in 2017. Van Buren has struggled mightily in Arkansas' largest classification since winning its only state championship in 1996. Van Buren won the title that year by beating Northside 28-7 in the championship game at War Memorial Stadium.
No one is predicting a championship run soon for the Pointers but there is hope for success with Dick, the former Arkansas quarterback who is the fifth head coach in the last 12 years at Van Buren.
"He's brought youth, he's brought vigor, and he's instill pride in these kids," said Richard Jimenez, a substitute teacher at Van Buren and a longtime Pointers fan. "The win at Alma was a make-or-break type game. Because when they can't beat Alma, they seem to deflate."
Northside scored 29 consecutive points and defeated Van Buren 46-21 to leave the Pointers 1-1 after two games. The Grizzlies are a standout team, especially with Derrick Wise running and throwing to top receivers like Jackson King. Northside's defense also appears much-improved.
Friday was the first time Van Buren fans got to see their new coach at Blakemore Field. Dick was active along the sidelines and he and quarterback Christian Morrow jumped and bumped in the air after Morrow scored the first touchdown for Van Buren. Dick, who were all black with the words "Dawgs" across his shirt, also showed his no nonsense side when pushed a Van Buren player away who was talking too much with a Northside defender.
His message is clear: Football can be fun, but success won't come without discipline.
Northside has next week off before opening 7A-Central Conference play at Bryant. It's a big game, for sure.
There'll be plenty more opportunities for Van Buren, which will host Siloam Springs next week before beginning 7A-West Conference play at Rogers on Sept. 21. That's a game Van Buren will likely have to win if the Pointers hope to make the playoffs this season.
Either way, there is a sense at Blakemore Field there are finally better days ahead for the Pointers.
"Right now, we're seeing a huge response with more kids coming out," said Drew Cone, who led Van Buren to a 6-3 record in 1994 before continuing his football career at Southern Arkansas University. "The kids feed off that energy from the coaches and it has to start from the bottom up. We're seeing some good things already. We just have to continue it."
Sports on 09/08/2018