Dragon success

When Stephen Jones took over at Junction City, he realized it wasn’t going to be a total rebuilding situation like some programs can be, especially with the play of Hishmma Taylor and Shuvascaye Frazier.

Taylor is one of the state’s top running backs through the first four weeks, while Frazier has thrown for 361 yards and six touchdowns.

Steven Jones’ first season coaching the Junction City Dragons has been successful so far with the play of Hishmma Taylor and Shuvascaye Frazier.

Taylor is one of the state’s top running backs through the first four weeks, with 911 yards and 11 touchdowns on 96 carries. The senior is averaging 227.8 yards per game and 9.5 yards per carry.

Frazier, a senior quarterback, has rushed for 517 yards and 7 touchdowns on 65 carries (8.0 ypc) and completed 22 of 45 passes for 361 yards with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

“They’re two explosive guys who can go the distance,” Jones said. “When you have two backs, give them the ball and get out of the way.”

In a 64-38 victory over McGehee on Friday, Taylor recorded his third 200-yard game of the season, rushing for 262 yards and 4 touchdowns on 24 carries for Junction City (4-0, 1-0 6-3A Conference). Frazier passed for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Owls.

When Jones took over at Junction City, he realized it wasn’t going to be a total rebuilding situation. Especially when the Dragons have been one of the state’s top programs since 2000.

David Carpenter, who guided the Dragons to all six Class 2A titles (2003, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014), retired in December after a 29-year career as a head coach at three schools.

Jones, who was hired in January, played for Carpenter at Junction City in 20032005 and was the offensive coordinator at Searcy the past two seasons. But when Carpenter stepped down last year, Jones, who was a head coach at DeWitt in 2012-2014, jumped at the opportunity to lead his alma mater.

LITTLE ROCK PARKVIEW Cleaning things up

Little Rock Parkview has been one of the state’s most surprising teams in the first four weeks of the season.

The Patriots are 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the 5A-Central Conference after routing Mills 67-26 on Sept. 21.

However, Parkview Coach Brad Bolding, in his first season at the school, knows there’s more work ahead if the Patriots want to contend in Class 5A.

CABOT Panthers on the loose

Little Rock Catholic had no answer for Cabot last Friday.

The Panthers rushed for 356 yards in a 42-20 victory over the Rockets at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Junior Brad Morales, in place of the injured Adam Flores, rushed for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries. He scored on runs of 4 and 68 yards.

Jones