Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
3A powerhouses taking turf test
The dirt-to-turf angle will be tested in Friday night’s Class 3A semifinal playoff game between Glen Rose (111) and Smackover (12-1).
The game was originally scheduled for Glen Rose’s Beaver Stadium, but has been moved to nearby Benton Harmony Grove because of poor field conditions.
Glen Rose, which has a natural grass playing surface, also played its quarterfinal playoff game against Green Forest at Harmony Grove. Sykes Stadium & Jimmy “Red” Parker Field, home of Class 3A Harmony Grove, has artificial turf.
“If anything, our kids will be excited because they’ve played in ankle- deep mud since August,” Smackover Coach Brian Strickland said, referring to the surface switch.
Playing on artificial turf for the first time this fall figures to enhance Smackover’s speed advantage, too.
“This will be the best collection of athletes we’ve seen since Week 1 against Malvern,” Glen Rose Coach Mark Kehner said. “Athletically, they’re better at just about every position than any kid we’ve got. They’ve got so much speed.”
The Buckaroos, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, are led by senior utility back Kevante Lowery, 6-3, 215 pounds, who has been offered a scholarship by Louisiana Tech. He has 7 receptions for 149 yards and 1 touchdown this fall.
Senior tailback Fabian Sims has rushed 120 times for 1,147 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior defensive lineman Ty Mullens, the only other senior who plays, has 153 tackles, including 22 for loss and 9 sacks.
Junior safety Elmo Hempstead has 8 interceptions, 2 recovered fumbles and 4 defensive touchdowns.
“Get them in space and good things happen,” Strickland said.
Glen Rose, No. 2 in Class 3A, has won 11 consecutive games since a 35- 27 season-opening loss at Class 4A Malvern.
The Beavers rely on a stout running game, led by junior tailback Carlos Burton.
Burton, 5-11, 185, was a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team after rushing 189 times for 1,965 yards and 24 touchdowns. There has been no slowdown this fall.
Held out against Malvern because of a hamstring problem, Burton has rushed for at least 100 yards the past 11 games. He has run for 2,022 yards and 32 touchdowns. Kehner’s son, senior fullback Austin Kehner, has rushed for 567 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“Burton and Kehner, wow!” Strickland said. “They’re good.”
Senior quarterback Clay Holicer has rushed for 338 yards, including 90 in a 42-7 quarterfinal victory over Green Forest. The Beavers average 259.1 rushing yards per game.
“Our offensive linemen, those guys are fighting their a**** off to do it,” Mark Kehner said. “They’re doing a good job.”
Glen Rose won the Class 3A state championship in 2007 and was state runner-up last fall.