Nice start to ’21
Going into conference play unblemished has been a rare occurrence for Lonoke over the past 21 years, but that’s exactly the position the Jackrabbits find themselves in.
“This is the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve started off 3-0,” said Lonoke Coach Harry Wright, who’s in his third season with the program after spending the previous four years as an assistant at Bentonville West. “From what I’ve been told, it’s probably the first time in about 15 years that we’ve been 3-0. We’re playing well right now, and things have been good all around.”
The Jackrabbits have started a season 3-0 only one other time since 2001 and that was in 2010 when they ran off victories in their first four games before finishing 6-4 and missing the playoffs. So far this year, Wright’s team has played like one that’s destined for the postseason.
Lonoke is riding a wave of confidence after disposing of Class 3A contender Newport 29-20 a week ago. Quarterback Bradon Allen had a hand in all four of the Jackrabbits touchdowns as they beat their long-time foes for just the second time in their last eight meetings.
“Some of our skill guys have been playing really well,” Wright explained. “Bradon has been good all season by running the ball and throwing the ball. Landon Jones, a receiver for us, has really come on. Spencer Pepper, who’s kind of our utility guy that plays a little bit of everywhere, has been playing really well, too.
“So those three, and a couple of our linemen in Chauncey Johnson, and Ayden Rowden on the D-line has done a good job. It’s been a mix, and they’ve really turned it on.”
According to Wright, the hot start has also increased Lonoke’s confidence going into its 4A-2 opener against Heber Springs (1-1). The Panthers have lost to the Jackrabbits for the past two seasons, but Wright isn’t taking anything for granted.
“They’re just really multiple offensively,” he said of Heber Springs. “Coach [Todd] Wood does a good job with those guys. He was at [Pulaski Academy] back in the day, and they try to do some similar things that PA does offensively. They’ll onside kick it and go for it on fourth down. So those are things that we have to be ready for.”