Sports

Muleriders Topple Bison In Season Opener

Published

1 year ago

September 5, 2025

Grant Merrill

(PHOTO: Cailynn Hinshaw)

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (1-0) toppled the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison (0-1) in dominant fashion by a final score of 49-14 in Magnolia, Arkansas as they opened the season on their home turf. The defense forced four turnovers in the dominant win.

The Muleriders received the opening kickoff and drove down the field but an early fumble on a would-be touchdown run by Hezekiah Harris at the one-yard line ended the drive for the Muleriders and gave the Bison the ball in the shadow of their own endzone. Despite the sudden change, the Muleriders defense stood tall forcing a punt as the offense got the ball back with 10:20 to go in the first quarter.

The Muleriders opened their next possession at their own 39-yard line as Hezekiah Harris came back out at quarterback. The offense then took the long trip down the field scoring in 11-plays as the drive was capped off by a 19-yard rushing touchdown from Katrevion Thomas to put the Muleriders up 7-0.

Oklahoma Baptist then led a 10-play drive that was ended quickly as Kendrick Juniel intercepted a pass from Bison quarterback Chad Mascoe as the Muleriders took over at their own 24-yard line.

Adam Parker came out at quarterback for the ensuing Muleriders drive and continued the momentum as he capped off the drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Cole Cory as the Muleriders took a 14-0 lead with 10:35 to go in the second quarter.

The Bison’s next drive then stalled out yet again after a three-yard run to open their next possession was followed by the Mulerider defense collecting their second turnover of the night as Kendrick Juniel forced and recovered his own sack fumble then returning it to the Oklahoma Baptist three-yard line. The Muleriders then quickly struck again as Arkez Gomez punched it in from one yard out giving SAU a 21-0 lead.

After a couple of back-and-forth drives were exchanged, the Muleriders got the ball back with 1:07 left on the clock and did not disappoint. After driving down to the Bison 43-yard line the Muleriders took a timeout with seven seconds left. Hezekiah Harris then heaved the ball to the endzone as time expired in the first half as Jacob Trussell came down with it in the endzone to put the Blue and Gold up 28-0 going into half time.

The Bison then put their first points of the game on the board with 12:20 to go in the third quarter, 28-7 SAU. After a stalled drive for the Mulerider offense, the defense picked up their third turnover of the game as Bryson Boulden came down with yet another interception. Adam Parker and the offense then took full advantage of the opportunity as he completed a pass to Jace Taylor in the endzone to put the Blue and Gold up 35-7.

The Bison then cut into the Muleriders lead again as they tried to battle back scoring to open the fourth quarter but, SAU still led 35-14. Hezekiah Harris then extended the lead for the Muleriders as he connected with Cooper Sanders from 25-yards out, 42-14. After trading back and forth drives with no points the Bison drove down to the SAU nine-yard line. The defense then stood tall yet again coming up with another turnover as Tutt McGlothan intercepted a pass from Chad Mascoe at the one-yard line and returned it 99-yards for the pick six. The 99-yard interception return is only the second longest interception returned for a touchdown in Mulerider Football history, only behind Melvin Smith Jr’s 100-yard pick six against Southwestern Oklahoma State in 2023.

The pick six capped off the scoring for the rest of the game as neither team was able to push anything across for the remainder of the contest.

Top Performers
Xavier “Tutt” McGlothan: Four tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, one interception for a touchdown (99-yards)
Kendrick Juniel: Seven total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, 0.5 TFL
Zay Woods: Nine total tackles
Bryson Boulden: one interception
Hezekiah Harris: 10-for-14, 129 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, seven rushes for 48 yards
Adam Parker: 13-for-15, 105 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, four rushes for 23-yards.
Torey Lambert: 11 rushes, 72-yards
Arkez Gomez: Four rushes, 71-yards, touchdown
Jacob Trussell: three receptions, 59 receiving yards, one touchdown

Next Up:
The Muleriders will return to action next week, Saturday, September 13th as they travel to Bethany, Oklahoma to face off against the Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene. Kick-off is set for 2:00 PM CT.

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Featured

“5th & Goal” Returns Tonight, Bringing Local Coaches and Football Fans Together

Published

5 days ago

September 1, 2026

Jax Sanford

South Arkansas Now will once again bring local high school football coaches and fans together tonight with the return of “5th & Goal,” the weekly coaches show highlighting football across South Arkansas.

The show goes live at 6 p.m. tonight from Mystic Creek Grill and will feature coaches from Parkers Chapel, El Dorado, Junction City, and Smackover as they look back at last week’s games and preview the matchups ahead.

For 13 years, local football fans were without the weekly program that had become a familiar part of the South Arkansas football season. Now, “5th & Goal” has returned, with Jax Sanford picking up the torch from his father, B.A. Sandy Sanford, who created and hosted the original program for more than a dozen years.

The response since the show’s return has been overwhelmingly positive, with feedback from coaches, fans, school administrators and sponsors reinforcing the decision to bring the program back.

Each week, Jax Sanford will sit down with area coaches to discuss the previous Friday night’s action, key moments from their games, what their teams are working on during the week, and what fans can expect when they take the field next.

Tonight’s show will offer an opportunity for fans to hear directly from coaches representing four area programs as they prepare for another week of high school football.

“5th & Goal” will be streamed live every Tuesday at 6 p.m. during the football season, live from Mystic Creek Grill.

Fans can tune in tonight at 6 p.m. through South Arkansas Now’s online platforms for the latest edition of “5th & Goal” and hear from the coaches who are leading local teams through another exciting football season.

Kickoff may be Friday night, but football talk starts Tuesday on “5th & Goal.”

Sports

El Dorado Cross Country Opens Season With Three Team Titles in Perryville

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Jax Sanford

The El Dorado High School cross country team opened its 2026 season with an impressive showing Wednesday at the Perryville Mustang Invitational, competing against 16 other programs from across the state.

The Wildcats went toe-to-toe with several strong programs, including fellow conference opponents Sheridan and Hot Springs, as well as Conway, DeQueen, Searcy and Conway St. Joseph.

El Dorado brought home three team trophies, with both junior high squads claiming championships and the senior boys finishing as the overall runner-up.

The senior boys placed second with 76 points, finishing behind Conway’s 28 points. DeQueen followed in third with 104 points, while Searcy finished fourth with 120. Maumelle and Conway St. Joseph tied with 134 points, and Sheridan finished with 164.

The senior girls finished fourth overall, trailing Conway, DeQueen and Searcy.

Coach John Koonce said the team’s performance was a strong way to begin the season, with Wildcats runners competing against some of the state’s established cross country programs.

El Dorado’s medalists included Jackson Smith, Oscar Garcia, Abby Mitchell, Julianna Ayres, Cali Ayres, Milani James, Priscilla Martinez, Matthew Morgan and Caleb Ayres.

The nine medalists, pictured from left to right, are Priscilla Martinez, Milani James, Abby Mitchell, Oscar Garcia, Matthew Morgan, Caleb Ayres, Cali Ayres, Julianna Ayres and Jackson Smith.

With both junior high teams earning championships and the senior boys narrowly missing the top spot, the Wildcats opened the season with plenty of momentum as they continue toward the heart of the 2026 cross country season.

Complete individual times and placements are being handled by McDonald Timing and will be updated on the Arkansas MileSplit meet page as results become available.

Sports

Lady Cats Claim Team Victory at Mystic Creek; Wildcats Boys Finish Fourth

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Jax Sanford

EL DORADO, Ark. — The El Dorado Lady Cats continued their strong start to the golf season Wednesday at Mystic Creek Golf Course, earning a team victory while placing all four golfers in the top four individually.

El Dorado posted a team score of 286 to win the girls competition, finishing ahead of Nashville at 355. Sylvan Hills did not qualify a team score.

Lucy Whitten led the way for the Lady Cats, earning medalist honors with an 83. El Dorado dominated the top of the leaderboard, with all four of its golfers finishing among the top four.

Emma Cheatham finished as the runner-up with a 98, followed by Carolina Sneed with a 105 and Avelyn Chen with a 106.

On the boys side, the El Dorado Wildcats finished fourth with a team score of 366.

Tate Meadows paced the Wildcats with a sixth-place finish, carding an 84. Brett Nash followed with a 91, while Tanner Smart shot a 92 and Zane Walker finished with a 94. Mason Moore carded a 97, followed by Ford Wilson with a 98.

Bryant captured the boys team title with a score of 333, followed by Sylvan Hills at 337 and Nashville at 350.

Sylvan Hills’ Cooper Harris earned boys medalist honors after shooting a 74.

El Dorado JV Competes in Nine-Hole Match

El Dorado’s junior varsity teams also competed Wednesday, taking part in a nine-hole match against Parkers Chapel and Junction City.

The El Dorado JV boys finished second with a team score of 212, behind Parkers Chapel’s 193. Junction City finished with a 242.

JD Carelock earned individual medalist honors with a 45, while El Dorado’s Levi Grieff finished as the runner-up with a 48.

The remaining El Dorado golfers finished with Cooper Wilson at 52, Zachery Tissue at 53, Jackson Lee at 55, Canyon Wilson at 57, Carson Mills at 59 and Liam Beebe at 64.

The strong showing from the Lady Cats, including four golfers occupying the top four spots, highlighted another successful day on the course for El Dorado’s golf program.

News

FALL SPORTS REGISTRATIONS GOING ON NOW

Published

2 weeks ago

August 24, 2026

Sandy Sanford

EL DORADO, AR – The Boys & Girls Club of Union County is gearing up for another season of youth athletics, with registration now open for its 2026 Flag Football League and Girls Volleyball Season. Both programs are designed to give local children an opportunity to participate in organized sports while developing teamwork, sportsmanship and other skills that extend beyond the playing field.

Flag Football Registration Open

The Boys & Girls Club’s 2026 Youth Flag Football League will feature three co-ed age divisions:

Kindergarten through 2nd grade
3rd and 4th grade
5th and 6th grade

The registration fee is $80 per player, and registration closes September 19, 2026. The regular season is scheduled to run from October 12 through November 19, with playoff dates to be announced. The league offers young athletes the opportunity to get on the gridiron in a non-contact environment while building skills and learning the fundamentals of football.

Girls Volleyball Season

Registration is also underway for the Boys & Girls Club’s 2026 Girls Volleyball Season. Volleyball will be offered in three age groups:

Kindergarten through 2nd grade
3rd and 4th grade
5th and 6th grade

The registration fee is $80, with registration also closing September 19, 2026. The regular volleyball season is scheduled for October 12 through November 19, with playoff information to be announced at a later date. The program gives girls an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of volleyball while developing teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship in a competitive but youth-focused environment.

How to Register

Parents and guardians can register their children using the QR codes included on the Boys & Girls Club promotional materials. For additional information about either program, contact Club Athletic Director Dominique Turner at (870) 863-8753, ext. 106. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County – Arkansas is an equal opportunity provider.

Sports

El Dorado Girls Golf Wins Relyance Bank Classic; Boys Finish Fifth

Published

3 weeks ago

August 13, 2026

Jax Sanford

El Dorado Girls Golf Wins Relyance Bank Classic; Boys Finish Fifth

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The El Dorado High School girls golf team continued its strong start to the 2026 season Thursday, winning the Relyance Bank Classic at Pine Bluff Country Club.

The tournament provided an early-season look at the 5A South, with every team from the conference competing.

El Dorado finished atop the girls leaderboard with a team score of 271, a 19-stroke difference from second-place Benton, which finished with a 290. Lake Hamilton placed third at 309, followed by Lakeside at 312 and Sheridan at 316.

Senior Lucy Whitten led the way for the Lady Wildcats, earning individual medalist honors after shooting an 83.

El Dorado also had two golfers finish tied for fifth individually. Senior Avelyn Chen and sophomore Carolina Sneed each carded a 94.

The victory continues what has been an impressive early stretch for the El Dorado girls team and provides an encouraging early measuring stick against the rest of the 5A South.

The El Dorado boys team also competed Thursday, finishing fifth with a team score of 353.

Senior Tate Meadows paced the Wildcats, shooting an 80 to finish seventh individually.

Benton claimed the boys team title with a 310, followed by Lakeside at 323. Lake Hamilton finished third at 348, while Sheridan placed fourth at 351 and El Dorado finished fifth at 353. White Hall rounded out the field with a 357.

With the Relyance Bank Classic bringing the entire 5A South together early in the season, both El Dorado teams got an opportunity to see where they stand within the conference. The Lady Wildcats emerged as the top team Thursday, while the boys will look to build on their fifth-place finish as the season continues.