Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
Fordyce at Rison (Aug. 28)
There aren’t too many small-school games to open up the season that are as traditional as Fordyce-Rison. With the game being at Rison, game time is 8 p.m. Unfortunately with covid-19 guidelines, the crowd at Wildcat Field will be smaller than usual. But the action on the field will be great, with the defending Class 2A state champions in the Redbugs and a Wildcats team coming off a 3A-6 Conference championship.
Prescott at Gurdon (Sept. 4)
This is a good nonconference matchup, and there isn’t too much travel involved either. Prescott will make the short trip up Interstate 30 to Gurdon to face a Go-Devils team that’s the Democrat-Gazette’s preseason No. 2 team in Class 2A. The Curley Wolves have experience and are used to big games. As with Fordyce-Rison, it’s too bad that the crowd will not be as large for Prescott-Gurdon, two fan bases that have reason to be excited about their teams.
Newport at Harding Academy (Oct. 30)
The 3A-2 Conference should come down to this matchup in late October in Searcy. Newport moves to the 3A-2 this season, but has history with Harding Academy. The Wildcats defeated the Greyhounds in the Class 3A second round on their way to winning the Class 3A state title. Whoever wins this one could put themselves in position to reach War Memorial Stadium in December.
Hoxie at Osceola (Oct. 30)
Hoxie-Osceola is being played later in the season after being the first 3A-3 Conference matchup for both teams the past two seasons. The Mustangs will appreciate the fact that they don’t have to face the reigning league champion Seminoles early. It’s one of two key conference matchups in Class 3A on the last Friday of October. The winner between the Mustangs and Seminoles could be the 3A-3’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Prescott at Glen Rose (Nov. 6)
Prescott’s two biggest games are on the road. The 3A-5 Conference finale in Hot Spring County likely will determine the league champion and No. 1 seed in the Class 3A playoffs. The Curley Wolves and Beavers have had great matchups over the years, and this year’s shouldn’t be any different. Consider this a nice test for the playoffs, with both teams having aspirations of going deep into the playoffs.