Bucks face tough challenge on road
In winning their season opener last week against Harmony Grove, Smackover relied heavily on its defense.
If the Bucks are to get to 2-0, they will likely need another stout performance from their defense, as Smackover travels to Harding Academy for a non-conference clash between two of 3A's most successful schools over the years.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Searcy on Friday.
Against the Hornets, the Bucks (1-0) surrendered just 153 yards of total offense, including just 38 yards in the second half and one yard in the fourth quarter.
“I thought they did a real good job,” said Smackove r coach Mike Baysinger. “We flew to the football and took a lot better angles than we did in our first scrimmage. I thought we tackled a lot better. We gang tackled. We didn’t have just one guy on the tackle, we had several guys on the tackle. I think one thing we did that really helped us out was not giving up big plays.” Howev e r, the Wildcats (1-0) have a solid defense of their own.
Last week, the Wildcats shutdown Highland, a 4A school, in a 12-9 win, permitting just 116 yards.
“I think their defensive line does a good job of getting off the ball low and hard,” Baysinger said. “They’re just in the right spots and make good tackles and things like that. They just do a good job of being where they’re supposed to be.”
A year ago, the Bucks were reeling heading into their matchup with the Wildcats after a lackluster performance in their loss to Harmony Grove.
But the Bucks dominated from start to finish, jumping out to a 27-0 lead en route to a 41-21 victory.
Smackover rolled up 517 yards of total offense, including 417 on the ground.
The defense smothered the Wildcats, allowing just 188 yards of total offense while intercepting two passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Against Highland, quarterbacks Peydon Harlow and Davis Morgan combined to go 11-of-28 for 172 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.
Harlow adds a running dimension with 28 yards and a touchdown on seven carries last week, and Baysinger said the Bucks have prepared for both quarterbacks.
“That’s not a big issue,” Baysinger said. “We prepped for both quarterbacks, so I think we just have to be prepared to see both of them back there. One of the quarterbacks tends to be more of a runner than the other one. He can still throw the ball pretty well, but we know there’s a bigger chance for him to run the ball also.”
Smackover heads into Friday's contest with a few extra days of rest having played their season opener last Tuesday, and Baysinger said he has been focused on improving his team
“The biggest thing we talked about this week was just working on us and getting us better,” Baysinger said. “If we continue to get better every week, I think we’re going to be fine.”
In their win over the Hornets, quarterback Roshard Boone went 12-of25 passing for 109 yards with two interceptions, but Baysinger thought Boone's play in the second half was crucial to the Bucks making their comeback.
“I think the biggest issue we have right now is just we have a young quarterback that hasn’t played quarterback in a long time,” Baysinger said. “I think he got a little bit more comfortable in the second half. I think we had a better understanding of what they were doing defensively to us. We made some adaptations to what we were doing in the first half, and we were able to go put some points on the board. We had the chance to execute some long balls early. Right now, we’re just not executing some of our big plays.”
Baysinger added that the win has given the team some confidence.
“I think what it did was it gave them a belief in what we’re doing and trying to do and how we’re working,” Baysinger said. “Anytime you work hard and you see results, you just feel a lot better about it.”
Boone completed passes to seven different receivers against Harmony Grove, and the Bucks also got a big night on the ground from Corbin Lee, who rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Dexter Crockett also had a solid game, finishing with 67 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
“I think there’s still a lot of work to do,” Baysinger said. “I think the offense is going to take a little time to jell. The biggest thing is execution, and that’s just going to take a little time. We’re real young on that side, so it’s just going to take us a little time, and I think once we put it all together and build some confidence, I think we’re going to be good down the road. I just think it’s going to take us a little bit of time to jell.”
If the Bucks are to come away with a big road win, containing the Wildcats' defensive line will be critical.
“I think we’ve got to be able to block the front,” Baysinger said. “I think we’ve got to pass protect a little bit better, and connect on passes. I think we need to do a better job of executing on offense, and our defense needs to play with the same intensity that they played with last week. We need to control their deep-ball game and put a little bit of pressure on the quarterback and make him feel a bit uncomfortable in the pocket and not give him a whole lot of time to see back there and relax.”