Saints keep on rolling

Shiloh Christian stunned Nashville last Friday in the Class 4A playoffs but also continues to shock their coach.

The Saints (12-1) notched their 12th consecutive victory with their 40-21 win over the Scrappers, and coach Jeff Conaway can only marvel at his team’s progress.

“I’m shocked at where we’ve come from week zero to now,” Conaway said. “I’m just astonished how this team has developed. You know we had 17 points called back, and we gave them seven snapping the ball over the quarterback’s head.

“Nashville’s a great team and a great program. It was a great win, a monumental win for our program.”

The Saints have rolled since a season-opening loss to Class 5A Texarkana, which was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by state finalist Little Rock Christian, thanks to the combination of a high-octane offense and a stingy defense.

Conaway said the coaching staff, players and even parents have all contributed to the development and success of this year’s team.

“We’ve all been in harmony, pulling in the same direction,” Conaway said.

Up next for Shiloh Christian is defending Class 4A state champion Arkadelphia (8-5), which started the season 0-5 but has righted the ship with eight straight wins.

Conaway said there were several reasons for the Badgers’ slow start. “They graduated five offensive linemen and their starting quarterback was hurt,” Conaway said. “Then they played Sylvan Hills, Benton and Wynne in the nonconference, so it was kind of a worst case scenario. Those were bigger schools.

“But when everybody got healthy and their offensive line got comfortable, they have rolled.”

But Conaway has confidence in his team the way it’s playing now, too. “Our players, I see them every day, and they are confident right now,” Conaway said. “They give us a chance to win. If we play clean, focused football, I don’t know a team we can’t beat. It’s two really good football teams playing in a semifinal game, and it should be a lot of fun.”