HUDDLE Panthers pumped for playoff rematch against ranked Gurdon at Kenneth W. Hammons Stadium
The defending 5-2A Conference Champion Magnet Cove Panthers (3-3 overall, 0-1 conf.) rolls into week 7 of Arkansas High School football facing their biggest task and challenge this season—facing ranked Gurdon Go-Devils (4-1 overall), Friday for conference play at Kenneth W. Hammons Stadium.
Kickoff is set at 7 p.m. The Panthers have had to battle with adversity all season long. Last week, the Panthers fell short to Mt. Ida 37-36 in their conference opener which ended their seven-game conf. winning streak—from going 7-0 last year in league play.
Magnet Cove Panthers football head coach Caleb Carmikle knows his team’s opponent Friday will present their biggest challenge thus far into the 2020 football season.
Last year, a strong, athletic Gurdon Go-Devil team topped the Panthers in the Class 2A state football playoffs which shortened their quest for a trip to play at War Memorial.
Carmikle mentioned the Panthers have had a hurtful feeling ever since last year. The team has awaited this game for almost a year and despite how things have occurred this season, the Panthers will bring another hard nose fight to highly ranked Gurdon.
“We put last week’s game behind us and the guys showed up Monday ready for practice. We are excited to be playing one of the best teams in the state and kids have responded well in practice,” Carmikle said.
“We’ve had a great outlook on Gurdon and we know how good they are as a team. They’re one of the front runners to win state.”
The Go-Devils are currently rolling on a four-game winning streak since losing their season-opener to rivals’ Prescott during week 1. Gurdon is fully loaded this season by returning all major pieces from last season.
Carmikle is aware how tough Gurdon has made the 5-2A Conference tougher to reclaim a consecutive league title. All season, the Panthers have received every opponent’s best 1-2 punch because they’re the reigning league champs. He aims for the Panthers to continue to compete with confidence, aggression and most importantly, physicality against Gurdon.
“We know what is coming from Gurdon. They’re physical, play well up front and athletic,” Carmikle said.
He added, “Gurdon has been our motivation this year and we’re looking forward to playing them.”
Carmikle mentioned, the Panthers must match their intensity, limit the Go-Devils big plays defensively and force turnovers to disrupt their offensive execution.
While the Panthers have battled this season through injuries, Carmikle knows the underclassmen have to continue to step up and play big at all critical moments. Once again, the Panthers will be without key role players and starters Jacob Hawthorne and Davis Dickinson for another consecutive week. Sophomore quarterback Jacob Clausen also will be out Friday. Clausen suffered an injury last week against Mt. Ida, but Carmikle mentioned Evin Ashcraft is expected to return Friday.
The Panthers have had sparks provided from their underclassmen this season. Their contribution has helped the Panthers remain at .500.
Senior star running back Landon Stone is ready to take charge Friday. Despite not being 100 percent health wise, Stone continues to spark the Panther’s offense in the ground attack racking up more than 300 yards rushing with multiple touchdowns against Mt. Ida. Stone still proves he is still one of the top running backs in the state for Class 2A. He has had to step in at quarterback the last two previous weeks, but Carmikle is pleased by his effort to lead the Panthers.
Brett Williams along with Julius “The Juice” McClellan will help command the ground attack as well as the true-freshman Luke Harper to help spark Magnet Cove’s offense Friday. The trio also impact the defense as well for the Panthers.
Gurdon will provide another historic brawl like last year with plenty of experience returning from last season. Gurdon head coach Kyle Jackson comes from a historically productive football background under father and legendary coach Eddie Jackson. He leads by a similar winning philosophy and path his dad created at Prescott, which Cummins Stadium has named its field, “Eddie Jackson Field.”
The Panthers know the Go-Devils are a historically successful football program with more than 13 conference titles and over 20 playoff appearances.
Carmilke looks forward to this matchup and has excitement to be one of many teams still able to play due to COVID-19.
“We’re excited to still be playing football and we look forward to the challenge to play the No. 2 team in the state of Arkansas Friday,” Carmikle said.
Gurdon is ranked as one of the top three teams in the state for Class 2A in multiple Arkansas High School football polls.