Cardinals back in action

Farmington will not receive a break when the Cardinals return to field tonight for the first time in three weeks.

Farmington (2-1) will make a nearly three-hour trip today to face Vilonia (31) in a 5A-West Conference game. Vilonia has played four games, including backto-back wins over Russellville and Clarksville. Farmington hasn’t played since beating Springdale 14-7 on Sept. 11.

The Cardinals then had a week off before last week’s home game with Harrison was canceled because of covid-19 concerns. Farmington has been cleared to play, although the Cardinals will not be at full strength because of precautionary measures.

“We couldn’t practice last week and it showed,” Farmington coach Mike Adams said. “We were rusty. We’re excited for the chance to play again but this is a whole new challenge. We’re just trying to piece things together.”

Vilonia crushed Farmington 49-21 last year behind running back Draven Smith, who ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns on only 12 carries. Smith is now at Henderson State but the Eagles return several top players from a team that was picked second behind Harrison in a preseason poll of the league coaches.

Vilonia has a veteran offensive line to protect quarterback Austin Myers, who completed 21 of 25 passes for 228 yards and one touchdown in a 35-28 victory in overtime against Clarksville last week. The Eagles maintain a strong running game with junior Seth Kirk, who ran for 160 yards and five touchdowns past week.

“(Myers) is 6-foot-4 and he can really throw it,” Adams said. “They’re a fast-paced team with four seniors on the offensive line and a bunch of skilled players who are hard to tackle.”

Farmington is led by running back Caden Elsik and receiver Devonte Donovan, who has 16 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns in three games.

Adams