JONES NOT SHOCKED to see Dawson in final.
When the Russellville football coaching position opened after the 2014 season, Greenwood’s Rick Jones hoped that the Cyclones wouldn’t hire his friend Billy Dawson.
But Dawson, a three-time state championship coach at Nashville in 2005-2007, was hired by Russellville from Nashville in December 2014 to replace Jeff Holt and now has the Cyclones in their first state championship game.
Today, Jones’ Bulldogs (120) will meet Dawson’s Cyclones (11-1) in the Class 6A state championship game at War Memorial Stadium.
“Something like this was going to happen, whether it be sooner or later, because I think Billy is the best coach in the state of Arkansas,” said Jones, who has won six state championships at Greenwood since arriving in 2004. “He has a great combination of being a motivator and an organizer. He’s a great X and O guy. He has a great background.
“But I’m happy for him. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a good friend of mine. It’s going to be a battle.”
Russellville won two games in 2014 and five games in 2015, Dawson’s first season. In 2016, Russellville has notched a school-record 11 victories, losing only to Greenwood on Oct. 14.
Dawson wasn’t sure if Russellville was a state championship contender going into this season, but had confidence after his team’s 2015 finish.
“I knew we were going to have a good senior class, with kids who played a lot last year,” Dawson said. “We won four out of our last six last year, so I knew there was something to them. We had an outstanding offseason. Mentally and physically, we’re so much farther ahead.”
Russellville has been led by senior quarterback Cale Fulsom (2,582 yards, 24 touchdowns) and senior wide receiver Caleb Stokes (950 yards, 10 touchdowns). The Cyclones have averaged 351.8 yards per game this season, leaving Jones impressed.
“They’re a quality football team,” Jones said. “There are no weaknesses.”
Playing in War Memorial Stadium is special, said Dawson, who hasn’t coached in a state championship game since 2007, but has told his team this week to cherish the opportunity of playing in the biggest game in Class 6A.
“You get to run down that tunnel. It’s something you’ll never forget,” Dawson said. “It’s something they can take with them for the rest of their lives. These guys won 11 games for the first time in school history. It’s the first time to be here. These guys have set some marks in Russellville. We would like this to be the standard, not a oncein-100-years deal.”
Greenwood led 21-3 at halftime in the teams’ first meeting Oct. 14 at Smith-Robinson Stadium in Greenwood, but needed two onside kicks in the second half to survive, 2724. It was as close a game as the Bulldogs have played this season, Jones said.
“You go to a neutral site, it’s a pick’ em or even, I guess,” Jones said. “It ought to be a great game. He has some really good football players. He’s done a real creative job of getting guys involved. He’s a master at it.”
Even in a loss, Dawson learned a lot about his team and had a feeling that the Cyclones could meet the Bulldogs again.
“We know they’re very good,” Dawson said. “Rick has done a great job. In Week 7, we didn’t know how good we were or how we would hold up. I think personnel-wise we know them a little better.”
Dawson understands the historical significance of Russellville finally playing in a state championship game.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal,” Dawson said. “Russellville hasn’t done this in 107 years of football. We don’t take the opportunity for granted. Enjoy the opportunity and take advantage of it.”