Hogs running wild in 5A
TEXARKANA, Ark. — Arkansas High’s football program have positioned itself for a good chance to finish their season in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium.
The Razorbacks are atop Conference 5A-South with a 2-0 record and a 4-0 overall record.
Like many schools around the country, AHS has faced adversity, such as losing a scheduled conference game to Magnolia due to COVID-19.
”Well, the year has been odd to say the least and there’s been a lot of flexibility needed,” Arkansas High head coach Barry Norton said. “We’ve had to have the ability to adjust. Our kids and coaching staff have handled it really well.
“It’s been extremely hard. We lost the Paris, Texas High and Mount Pleasant games. We picked up Warren and lost a Pine Bluff (Dollarway) game. It’s been up and down.”
Torie Blair leads the Hogs rushing attack with 59 carries for 308 yards and four touchdowns, while teammate Tavree Green leads AHS receiving with four receptions for 88 yards with two scores.
“There for several weeks, you were holding your breath hoping your game doesn’t get canceled,” Norton said. “Pine Bluff canceled on a Thursday. The kids have been really resilient about how they’ve handled everything and they’ve really done a good job. I’m proud of the way they’ve handled it.
“It has caused us to really look how we’re practicing and doing some things, because of so much uncertainty. You practice for 8 or 9 weeks before you play a ball game but the kids have adapted well. We’re not where we want to be because of it.”
Braylon Bishop has completed 21 of 47 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing 50 times for 265 yards with four scores.
“Being 4-0 is great because our kids have found different ways to win in ballgames,” Norton said. “It’s been kicking game, offense and defense. We’ve been playing really good complementary football this season. We have to continue to get better.
“I’m hoping we can take another jump in a week or so. We want to play more consistently, because once you get to the playoffs, you want to be playing well.”
Defensively, on average AHS is only giving up 211.3 yards per game. As it breaks down through four games, the Hogs have given up an average of 104.0 yard rushing per game and 107.3 yards passing per game.
Offensively, the Razorbacks are averaging 266.5 yards of total offense per game.
“It’s unbelievable some of the injuries we’ve had,” Norton said. “We’ve had some of our wideouts with hand injuries or some of them could only play defense. That’s football. Everybody is going to go through those things.
“I am proud of the kids that have had to play both ways sometimes. I’m proud of the job their doing and their ability to remained focused through it all. I think it’s taught our kids how to adjust to things. It’s really been neat to watch, but in a normal year, some of the kids would be more reluctant to make some of the changes they’ve had to make. It speaks volumes of our kids and we’re just trying to be the best we can be. Everyone is doing that pretty unselfishly.”
The Hogs host Hot Springs tonight at Razorback Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Southwest Arkansas Football Schedule
Arkadelphia at Ashdown Nashville at Harmony Grove Prescott at Bismarck Horatio at Genoa Central Fouke at Jessieville Lafayette County at Foreman Murfreesboro at Dierks Hope at Camden Fairview De Queen at HS Lakeside All kickoffs at 7 p.m.