End Of Playoff Streak

FARMINGTON — Mike Adams has had an amazing run at Farmington, leading the Cardinals to the state playoffs each season except his first after taking over the football program.

Adams came to Farmington in December of 2002 and every year except for 2003 the Cardinals have been among state playoff teams until this season their first in the 5A West. A 27-20 home loss to Vilonia on Friday eliminated the Cardinals (4-4, 1-4 5A West) from playoff contention.

Along the way Adams has compiled an impressive 79-51-2 record at Farmington but this year, his 36th season of coaching high school football, has brought challenges of trying to operate a primarily passing offense against larger schools among the 5A West. An injury-depleted roster hasn’t helped and while Farmington has been close in the last two weeks they still came up short one touchdown against Morrilton (35-28) a week ago and again on Friday.

Adams has praised the play of seniors this year while noting not all of them came out for football.

“We’ve lost about four of them, they decided not to continue with our program,” Adams said while going on to say the ones who are competing have given a good effort.

The Cardinals have had to juggle the lineup among the trenches on both sides of the ball and the differential in depth between Farmington and their opponents has shown.

On Friday, the Cardinals had difficulty running the ball against Vilonia. Justice Hobbs (12 carries, 22 yards, 1 touchdown) and Josh Blew (4 carries, 13 yards) have played hurt yet rushed the ball when called upon.

Quarterback Brice Waggle and his receivers have done well in the face of opponents expecting Farmington to throw the ball constantly with a hampered running game. Waggle completed 15 of 26 passes for 224 yards and a pair of touchdowns with 1 interception on Friday. Senior Michael Ingram, who has made big plays all year, caught one of those passes and took it to the house for a 60-yard score.

Farmington’s other touchdowns came from a Hobbs run and Waggle’s completion to Evan O’Dell. Ingram finished with 7 receptions for 125 yards and O’Dell had 6 for 61.

Farmington had two fumbles on the night and couldn’t overtake Vilonia, losing their final game at home, 27-20.

The Cardinals will finish out the 2014 season on the road, traveling to Maumelle this Friday and visiting Harrison next week.

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Farmington quarterback Brice Waggle passed for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns while completing 15 of 26 attempts against Vilonia in Farmington’s 27-20 loss on Friday.