Nashville Scrappers aim to get back on track
Assistant Sports Editor
NASHVILLE, Ark.—Nashville has been 2-1 under head coach Billy Dawson before. Dawson has led the Scrappers to a 67-5 record and three state titles in his first stint with the team.
Dawson’s first year in charge of the team—2005—Nashville started 2-1 but went on to win three consecutive 4A championships. The Scrappers (2-1) welcome unbeaten Arkadelphia (3-0) to Scrapper Stadium tonight in the 7-4A opener.
Nashville is coming off a 3028 loss to 5A power Watson Chapel.
“Playing Watson Chapel is a good thing for us,” said Dawson, who returned to the sidelines this fall. “We didn’t have the outcome we wanted, but we need to play against tough competition to get us ready for conference.”
Nashville struggled protecting the ball in its loss, turning the ball over five times.
“You can’t turn the ball over like that against good teams,” Dawson said. “Watson Chapel is a good team; they’re athletic and physical. Arkadelphia is athletic and can be physical. Their skill players are very talented, they’re playing well and confident in what they’re doing.”
Scrapper quarterback Joel Hendry has completed 67 of 106 attempts for 1,010 yards and 12 touchdowns. Running back Jakaree Gaines has 24 carries for 173 yards, and TeSean Green had 17 for 109 and three scores.
Five different receivers have hauled in a TD pass from Hendry, including Donyell King with 22 receptions for 357 yards and five scores. Green has 14 grabs for 167 and three touchdowns, LaVonte Thomas 14 for 201 and a pair of TDs. Gaines and Kyler Lawrence have 8 for 140 and 5 for 115, respectively, with a TD catch each.
Tyler Parker leads the team with 19 total tackles, including 13 solo stops, and seven teammates are in double-figure tackles. Jacolby Crow and Treveon Muldrow tack on 18 tackles apiece.
“We got some questions answered Friday night (against Watson Chapel), and the kids seemed to handle it well,” Dawson said. “We saw some things we have to clean up, and I am interested in seeing how we respond this week. Arkadelphia will make some noise in our league, but our goals haven’t changed.” Tonight’s schedule Arkadelphia (3-0) at Nashville (2-1) Hope (1-2) at De Queen (1-2) Pulaski Robinson (2-1) at Ashdown (1-2) Drew Central (0-2) at Prescott (2-1) Horatio (3-0) at Two Rivers (2-1) Fordyce (3-0) at Genoa Central (2-1) Smackover (3-0) at Fouke (1-2) Spring Hill (0-3) at Foreman (2-1) Dierks (3-0) at Gurdon (3-0) Lafayette County (0-3) at Murfreesboro (2-1) White Hall (2-0) at Magnolia (0-3)