Paschal unfazed by milestone
Wynne Coach Van Paschal received a game ball from his Yellowjackets on Friday after earning his 200th coaching victory in a 56-42 triumph at Little Rock Christian in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
Paschal has been a head coach since 1991. He spent 11 seasons at his alma mater Brinkley (1991-2001), leading the Tigers to conference championships in 1995 and 1999. Then, he spent one season at Sheridan in 2002 before heading to De Queen in 2003-2004. Paschal was hired by Monticello in 2005 and led the Billies to the Class 5A state championship in 2009. He left Monticello after the 2009 season to head to Barton, where he spent seven seasons (20102016) and led the Bears to a Class 3A state championship game appearance in 2011.
Wynne hired Paschal, 55, earlier this year to replace Chris Hill, who guided the Yellowjackets to two Class 5A state championship game appearances in 2014 and 2016. Hill is now at Harding University as an assistant coach under Paul Simmons.
Paschal wasn’t focused on his 200th victory, though.
“I’ll be honest with you, man, I’ve been so focused on Wynne when I first got here in March,” Paschal said. “I haven’t thought about it. Our radio guy asked me about it when I got here. I told him, ‘Call the AAA [Arkansas Activities Association]. They’ll tell you, man.’
“It’s special being able to advance in the playoffs.”
Senior running back Ta’von Hicks rushed for 179 yards and 3 touchdowns on 30 carries. Senior Kris Miller had 184 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries.
Wynne (10-1), the No. 3 seed from the 5A-East Conference, hosts the 5A-West’s No. 4 seed Morrilton on Friday in the Class 5A quarterfinals. The winner will face Little Rock McClellan or Alma in the semifinals.