Booneville aims to slow powerful Dollarway

Pine Bluff Dollarway and Booneville, the only two unbeaten teams in Class 4A, will meet for a chance to stay that way in a semifinal playoff game Friday night in Pine Bluff.

The game was originally scheduled for Dollarway’s Cardinal Stadium, but moved to Arkansas-Pine Bluff ’s Golden Lion Stadium because of field conditions. Both venues have natural grass playing surfaces.

The game matches two highly ranked 13-0 teams. Dollarway is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, and Booneville is ranked No. 3.

Booneville Coach Scott Hyatt graduated from White Hall in 1983, so he said he is familiar with Dollarway’s rich history, particularly during a stretch in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Cardinals won 51 consecutive games — the second-longest winning streak in Arkansas high school history — and five state championships.

Hyatt said the 2013 Cardinals mirror teams from the glory days because of their size and speed.

“I haven’t seen anybody else that reminds me of Dollarway in Class 4A in Arkansas this year,” Hyatt said.

The Cardinals have gaudy numbers on both sides of the ball.

Senior quarterback Joshua Liddell, who has orally committed to Arkansas State, has rushed 100 times for 1,202 yards and 21 touchdowns this fall. Liddell has only thrown 58 times, but he’s completed 44 for 1,257 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Junior halfback Keyshawn Williams has carried 123 times for 1,284 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Dollarway can overpower defenses from the Wishbone or outf-inesse them in the Spread. Senior wide receiver Kabion Ento averages 32.6 yards per reception (21 for 684 yards) and has 10 touchdown receptions. Hyatt said Ento’s 6-3 frame creates mismatches on fade routes.

“They’re big up and front and have great skill players,” Hyatt said. “Defensively, you just flip it around.”

The Cardinals average 521.9 total yards per game and allow just 163.5.

Like Dollarway, Booneville has rarely been tested this fall. Booneville, which has outscored opponents a combined 411-36 in the first half, features a punishing ground attack and run-stuffing defense.

“I hear great things about them,” Dollarway Coach Cortez Lee said.

The Bearcats average 338.1 rushing yards per game and are allowing just 88.2. Booneville has attempted eight passes in its past eight games.

“They’ve got a good scheme,” Lee said. “They run a lot of dive plays and toss sweeps. It’s hard to stop.”

Booneville beat Lincoln 35- 0 in the quarterfinals, limiting the Wolves to 124 total yards. Booneville had 452 total yards, all rushing.

Booneville, which drops to Class 3A in the 2014-2016 cycle, is trying to reach its first state final since 2001. The Bearcats won state championships in 1986 and 2000.

Dollarway is seeking its first state championship since 1993. The Cardinals were beaten in the finals in 2004, 2007 and 2008.

“You’ve got two teams with a lot of tradition,” Lee said. “It should be a good game.”