Cobras, Senators seek early conference spark
FOUNTAIN LAKE — Matching its win total from last season with back-to-back road triumphs, Fountain Lake (2-1) is stating its case as a playoff contender under first-year coach J.D. Plumlee.
Opening conference play against visiting Joe T. Robinson Friday night on Allen Tillery Field at Beckham Memorial Field, the Cobras will need their best performance yet.
Ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by Hootens Arkansas Football, Robinson averages 48 points per game and has outscored its opponents
144-28 in a 3-0 start. “Coach (Todd) Eskola and his staff, they do a great job of getting those athletes in space and letting them be athletes,” Plumlee said. “We’ve got some athletes and we’ve got some pieces to match up with them. It’s going to be a challenge and we know that, but we’re excited to get the opportunity to face them in this conference opener and re-evaluate where we’re at.”
The Senators cruised to a 64-0 romp of Baptist Prep last week while Fountain Lake rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to win 29-28 at Smackover.
Following a safety by the Cobra defense, Stephen Turner connected with Parion Johnson for a 34yard touchdown on fourth down and 16 with 1:08 remaining in the game.
“We just kept fighting, kept making plays and knew that anything could happen late in the game,” said Plumlee. “It just gave us some confidence to keep playing until the final whistle and see what happens.”
Still working his way back from an ankle injury, junior running back Andrew Roberson had a breakout game against the Buckaroos with 169 yards on 35 carries. Facing a prolific Robinson offense, Plumlee knows having a bell cow in the backfield can provide a weapon for the offense while also keeping his defense off the field.
“He’s probably about 80 percent right now, but having him back definitely helps our passing game and our play-action game,” Plumlee said. “We’re still in that phase where we’re learning and teaching each snap, but I’m excited that we’re progressing like we are.”
As a three-star recruit, Robinson wide receiver Nathan Page will garner much of the attention tonight but the Cobras boast a lethal weapon of their own on the outside. Johnson has proven a consistent target for Turner all season, hauling in 14 passes for a team-high 429 yards and eight touchdowns.
“He’s one of our dudes, and we’re going to throw it to him and let him go make plays,” said Plumlee. “He’s got some confidence right now. Our playmakers are going to have to make plays for us to be any good, and he’s doing that right now. I’m excited to see his hard work displayed on Friday night.”
Robinson quarterback Greyson Tackett has completed 20 of 32 pass attempts for 309 yards with five touchdowns and has a full stable of weapons in the backfield. Six Senators have scored at least one touchdown on the ground while the team averages more than
nine yards per carry.
“We’re going to have to be sound defensively and understand that they want to get to the outside and run,” Plumlee said. “We have to do a good job of containing the edge and let our athletes play, too. We’ve been working on tackling in space, getting them down and making them snap it again.”
As a former Malvern assistant, Plumlee needs no introduction to the rigors of Class 4A-7. Five teams from 4A-7 are ranked in the top 10 by Hootens while all eight fall inside the top 25.
With a chance to make an early statement Friday night, the Cobras aren’t taking this opportunity lightly.
“I think anybody in the 4A-7 that comes away at 1-0 in conference has done something,” said Plumlee. “It would be huge for us to get to 1-0 in conference. It would be exciting for the school district, the community and our team for us to beat one of the best teams in 4A at home.”