Hope clawing its way to top
HOPE, Ark.—The Hope Bobcats are back in the saddle.
With their 26-20 triumph over Hot Springs, the Bobcats won their first football game since 2015.
“It felt awesome,”
Hope head coach
Phillip Turner said. “I was happy and excited for the kids because I know what they’ve been through the past two years. I was doing my best to try to find touchdowns for them.
“My seniors haven’t won a game since the ninth grade. I was trying to do it for them and the other kids in our program. It felt awesome. The kids practiced hard all week. I told them after the game, ‘If you prepare well, you’ll play well.’”
The Bobcats have stumbled this season, with losses to Nashville, Ashdown, Prescott and De Queen, before topping the Trojans.
Sophomore quarterback Hunter Hellums leads the Hope offense completing 47 of 105 passes for 669 yards and six touchdowns.
“A majority of our kids have bought into the system,” Turner said. “You’ll always have a few that want to fight it, but that will come around. The kids know I’m always going to put the Lord first in everything we do. The kids are buying into it.
“We have Thursday morning devotionals, and we’ll have 35-40 kids show up every Thursday morning. They see that I care about them and not just football. I think I’m harder on them about academics more than football. When the kids know you care about them, they’ll do anything you ask them to do.”
Senior tailback Jaloni Davis leads Hope offensively with seven carries for 63 yards and a score. He’s also snagged 13 receptions for 140 yards.
“I really believe we can build on that win going forward,” Turner said. “The kids have come out to practice focused and with a different intensity. They saw that when they take care of business, good things happen. I stress to them every day that if we prepare, we can be in any ballgame.
“The kids have tasted success, and I don’t think they want to lose it. We have a difficult opponent on Friday in McClellan. I think our kids are going to come out and give their all.”
Senior Nikorian Muldrew leads the Bobcats receiving corps with 15 catches for 209 yards and five touchdowns. He finished with six grabs for 164 yards and three touchdowns against Hot Springs.
Senior safety Jaydon Riley leads the Hope defense with 24 total tackles. Riley ended last week’s game against the Trojans with 12 tackles—two for a loss—and three pass breakups.
“Nikorian and Jaydon played really well last week,” Turner said. “Those two guys really stood out Friday night and they deserve their praise.”
The Bobcats travel Friday to Little Rock to take on McClellan. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.