2A Game of the Week No. 4 ranked Tribe carries dream season to Dierks for crucial rematch in second round playoff showdown
It’s the rematch showdown that everyone’s talking about in the Class 2A state football playoffs between the No. 4 ranked Poyen Indians (9-1 overall) facing the Dierks Outlaws (9-1 overall) this Friday for week 12 of Arkansas high school football.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Ayers Field ‘’The Hollar’’ in Dierks.
The Tribe continues to create successful noise on the gridiron this season— making 2020 their best football year of all time under the direction of head coach Vick Barrett.
Last week, the Indians took care of business on their home field in total domination defeating Cedar Ridge 42-8 in the opening round of the postseason. Barrett felt his troops were pumped, focused and ready for combat in their impressive victory to advance to the second round.
“I’m proud of our kids. They stayed focused and came out ready to play from the start to the end,” Barrett said. “We’ve got a little motivation and want to just keep adding to it,” he said. “Dierks is good, tough and we must play disciplined football—and take care of business.”
Well it’s definitely time for another huge match-up as the rolling Tribe—arguably proven as one of the best teams in the state for Class 2A, is facing a Dierks team looking for redemption from October 2 at Malvern National Bank Stadium, Indian Field.
The Tribe and the Outlaws faced off as two unbeaten squads to display a mega showdown. Poyen prevailed 21-12, which posted a loss for Dierks. But since then, it has been the Outlaws only loss this season and Barrett knows his fighting Tribe will be battling a tougher and stronger Outlaw squad that marked this game as
its “Payback bout” for vengeance.
“We know what to expect and just got to be ready and play our best football of the season,” Barrett said.
For similarities between these two competitive teams, Poyen and Dierks are both unbeaten on their home field this season. The Tribe has been unstoppable this season on Indian Field. Barrett believes in the fight that his Tribe presents each time they step onto the gridiron and knows they’ll be taking the same approach to face Dierks on the road.
“Dierks has tradition and they take pride playing at home,” Barrett said. He added, it is important that Poyen must have a productive start early in order to finish
strong. Dierks will have the home field advantage and Barrett doesn’t want the Tribe to have to build momentum if they’re facing adversity early.
The Tribe has handled tough game situations well this season every game from this point will present a challenging task to overcome. The postseason only has one goal in mind—to win the state championship. Barrett feels the Indians are in their championship mentality and they’re ready to face the music to challenge Dierks in their quest to the 2A state title.
“We plan to play them [Dierks] full speed and just play ball. It’s win or go home and it should be a good football game,” Barrett said.
The Tribe has been led by their core of playmakers— senior quarterback Jaxson Carter, Brandon Sanchez, Blake Rhodes, Colton Lowe all taking charge in Poyen’s offensive execution. Last week for Poyen’s first round performance, Carter passed and rushed for a couple of touchdowns. On the ground, Rhodes soared for two touchdowns for 135 yards rushing—while Sanchez and Jayden Zureline each scored rushing touchdowns to showcase their explosiveness for the running attack. Nate Simmons stepped up receiving for a 51 yard touchdown reception to account for seven end zone trips made against Cedar Ridge. Although the Indians produced effectively offensively, Poyen’s defense has been the key. It was a 42-0 advantage at the break, which the Tribe’s defensive force shut down Cedar Ridge’s execution on offense. Throughout the season, the Tribe’s defense has been solid and impressive— which has been the ex-factor to their dream season for 2020.
Barrett appreciates the Poyen football coaching staff and brother—Keith Barrett, defensive coordinator for taking charge of the defense.
Poyen will need its defense to be stout this Friday as they were in the first meeting against Dierks. Barrett mentioned the Tribe is ready to battle and pleased to have Nathan Orr back from injury.
Poyen feels ecstatic for action on the gridiron in Dierks and aims to keep the dream season alive to fight another day to highlight “Friday Night Lights” in postseason competition against the Outlaws.
HOOTEN’S.COM GAME OF THE WEEK NOTES
No. 4 Poyen at No. 6 Dierks
This is a rematch of a week 4 non-conference clash won by host Poyen 21-12. In a statistically even game, Poyen limited Dierks (minus then-injured FB Andrew Kirby) to 198 rushing yards and forced three turnovers. Poyen also committed three turnovers, but junior RB Blake Rhodes and senior QB Jaxson Carter combined for 247 rushing yards. Carter ran for all three TDs but did not complete a pass against Dierks. This season, Carter has passed for 1,184 yards and 18 TDs with four INTs. Senior WR Brandon Sanchez averages 30 yards per reception but has caught just one pass in each of the past three outings while drawing double or triple coverage. Carter and Rhodes have carried fourth-ranked Poyen with their legs. Rhodes ran for 135 yards and two TDs last week in a 42-8 win over Cedar Ridge. He has rushed for 926 yards and eight TDs this season. While Kirby has returned as Dierks’ 230-pound fullback, sophomore halfback Konnor Shelton has gotten most of the work, including 27 totes for 139 yards and TD in Dierks’ last true test, a 24-18 win over Mineral Springs. Poyen junior LB Tony Nannemann leads the Indians in tackles, while Dierks senior LB Austin Hanson paces the sixthranked Outlaws in stops. A week ago, Dierks held Mountainburg to 85 yards and intercepted three passes in a 50-0 beatdown.