Scrappers rebound from loss
A season-opening loss to one of Texas’ best teams didn’t deter Nashville.
The Scrappers, who were blown out by Pleasant Grove from Texarkana, Texas, 55-14 on Aug. 28 at Scrapper Stadium, have rebounded by routing Hope 42-20 on Sept. 4 and De Queen 48-6 on Sept. 11 before taking last week off.
Scrappers Coach Mike Volarvich was pleased with how his team responded from the loss to Pleasant Grove, the 2019 Texas Class 4A Division II state champion.
“It’s a different animal when you play PG [Pleasant Grove],” Volarvich said. “But I was very happy with our two wins. We played two good football games.”
Nashville is preparing to enter 4A-7 Conference play Friday by hosting 3-0 Arkadelphia.
With J.R. Eldridge going to North Little Rock after nine seasons, Arkadelphia now is led by former Searcy assistant Trey Schucker. The Badgers have been led by quarterback Braeden Thomas and running back Jaishon Davis, both juniors.
“Coach Eldridge did a good job of building the program back up,” Volarvich said. “Now, Coach Schucker takes over, and he has them 3-0 at this point. We will have our hands full.”
Senior quarterback Ty Gordon has passed for 410 yards with 5 touchdowns and an interception to lead Nashville. Running back Keyshawn Stewart, also a senior, has 199 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“Ty has been very accurate,” Volarvich said. “Keyshawn is a staple in our backfield.”
Since arriving at Nashville in 2015, Volarvich is 4-1 against Arkadelphia, including a 22-21 victory last season at Arkadelphia that led to a three-way tie for the 4A-7 Conference championship with the Scrappers, Badgers and Joe T. Robinson.
“They’ve been close games,” Volarvich said. “Every year except one has been competitive [2016, when Nashville won 71-40]. We’ve been fortunate to be 4-1 against Arkadelphia.”