Fort Smith Southside versus Springdale like old times, almost

SPRINGDALE -- There's few places I'd rather be on a football Friday night than strolling the sidelines inside the white fence at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.

Fort Smith Southside was here Friday to renew its rivalry with Springdale High, which hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2005. That was the year Springdale went 14-0 with star players like Damian Williams and Mitch Mustain and Gus Malzahn as coach.

A lot has changed since then. Southside is now a member of the 7A-Central Conference and its teams are known as the Mavericks instead of the Rebels.

Bleachers that likely would've been full in those days were mostly empty on Friday. That was because of the weather on the coldest night of the year with the wind blowing in from the north. But the Southside spirit squad braved the weather as did the Southside band, which managed to play despite cold fingers on cold instruments.

"It's so cold," said a Southside sophomore who only identified herself by her first name, Bethany. "But I keep playing. I can't feel anything anyway."

Sure, it was cold, but isn't that the way it's supposed to be in the playoffs when teams are often challenged by the elements?

Springdale defensive coordinator Brett Hobbs, a man who looks like he's spent some cold nights in the deer woods, stayed active on the sidelines, encouraging his guys to bow up. The cold weather affected the quality of play on the field, especially in the second quarter when the teams took turns fumbling the ball and throwing interceptions. But play improved in the second half and Southside took a 35-28 lead on a 20-yard run by senior quarterback Taye Gatewood. After Springdale failed on a fourth-down pass, Gatewood secured the victory for Southside when he picked up a first down and ran out the clock.

"It was difficult but we had to come through and not worry about the cold," Gatewood said. "I know our record (6-5) is not the best, but I think people have to take us serious now."

After shaking hands with Springdale players and coaches, the Southside players raced to the visitors' side to show their appreciation to their fellow students and fans who made the trip from Fort Smith.

"Mav-Nation, they travel everywhere," Gatewood said. "I love these guys."

Friday was a disappointing end for Springdale, which had battled injuries all season and lost starting quarterback Grant Allen to a broken leg in Week 8. But the playoffs are a matter of survival and Southside can forget previous losses, including another loss to Fort Smith Northside to end 7A-Central Conference play.

So, the season is over for Springdale and the end could be near for Southside, which faces defending state champion North Little Rock in a second-round game next week. But Friday was a good night at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium, where two former league rivals went at it intently just like the old days.

"It felt good being up here because we've kind of lost touch a bit with our conferences," Southside coach Jeff Williams said. "It was good to play a team like Springdale that's been a rival for Southside for a long time. It was a fun game for the kids and players."

Sports on 11/10/2018

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