AHS focused for Christian
Arkansas High’s quest for a state championship gets a little tougher.
The Razorbacks, who coasted to a first-round victory last week against Nettleton, arguably face their strongest challenge yet this season when they go up against Little Rock Christian Academy today, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us and one we are looking
forward to,” Arkansas High coach Barry Norton said. “Little Rock Christian has an outstanding team with a dynamic offense. They score a lot of points, have a lot of great players and a great scheme.
“We have to go out and match them point for point and in effort. Our execution needs to be really good and we will have to control the tempo of the game. If we stick to our game and own the three phases of the game like we have been, we will have a really good shot at winning the game.”
Both teams enter tonight’s playoff game with a 10-1 record, but Arkansas High is coming in on an eight-game win streak. The Warriors have won six straight, with their lone loss coming to powerhouse Pulaski Academy.
The Hogs are scoring 36.1 points per game while their defense has allowed just 178 all season—a 16.2 average. Little Rock Christian, however, has scored over 500 points (47.9 per game) so far, but has allowed 253. Most of AHS’ points have come in the first half.
Arkansas High, which is averaging over 200 yards rushing a game, is led by Cameron Collier. The senior running back has rushed for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns on 116 carries.
Wide receiver and return specialist DeJordan Mask leads all receivers with 22 catches for 475 yards and eight touchdowns for the Razorbacks, while also wreaking havoc on defense and special teams. Mask also leads the team in interceptions with three.
Also on defense for the Hogs is Tre Cleveland, who has recorded 142 tackles—second most in the area. A.C. Williams is also in the triple-digit club with 100 tackles and Demetrias Charles adds another 61.
The Razorbacks’ defense has been known to create turnovers and turn those into points this season, which is something they take pride on.
“We practice creating turnovers all the time,” Norton said. “We have created a lot of turnovers throughout the year and have created ourselves a lot of points by doing so. We feel like those are stolen possessions.”
“It works both ways, though. On our side, we can’t turn the ball over and give them extra possessions— they’re too good to give them extra opportunities. We have to make them earn everything they get.”
Little Rock Christian’s Justice Hill, who recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Arkansas, has proven to be a thorn in most opponent’s side. The dualthreat quarterback has passed for 2,102 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 72 percent of his passes. He has also rushed for 755 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“Justice is a real dynamic player at quarterback,” Norton said. “He can throw the ball and run it. Little Rock Christian does a great job with their scheme at spreading you out and putting defenses in different spots, which creates space for their guys. They also have a great running back and receiver. You get wrapped up in trying to defend those two, and then Justice gets loose.”
Last week against Greenbrier, the QB accounted for 458 yards and seven scores in their 63-26 victory.
“If we don’t tackle well, it’ll be a long night for us,” Norton said. “As long as we do what we have all season and execute the way we have, we will have a good chance at coming out with a win.
“It’ll take a great effort on our part.”
The winner of tonight’s game will play either Morrilton or Blytheville. If both Arkansas High and Morrilton wins, the Hogs will host another game next week at Razorback Stadium.