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

Published

9 hours 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.”

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Rep Your City Bash Coming to Mattocks Park September 5

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How to Watch El Dorado Wildcat Football Live on South Arkansas Now

Featured

Rep Your City Bash Coming to Mattocks Park September 5

Published

8 hours ago

September 1, 2026

Jax Sanford

EL DORADO, Ark. — El Dorado City Councilman and mayoral candidate Andre Rucks will host a community event, the “Rep Your City Bash,” on Saturday, September 5, at Mattocks Park.

The event is scheduled to run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will bring together local residents, community organizations, food vendors and musical performers for an afternoon focused on community, fellowship and giving back.

Among those expected to attend is Fred Love, a Democratic candidate for Governor of Arkansas.

Two Houston, Texas-based nonprofits, God Chasers and Angels Serving with a Purpose, will be on hand to distribute a variety of items to members of the community at no cost.

Giveaway items are expected to include furniture, groceries, clothing for men, women, children and infants, accessories, toys, cleaning products and toiletries. The organizations will also provide free food during the event.

Additional refreshments will include cotton candy and snowcones, giving families plenty of options to enjoy throughout the afternoon.

Local food vendors Candley’s Cooking and Mr. D’s Kitchen of El Dorado will also provide food for attendees.

The musical lineup will feature performances from Benito, SOTS, Erica Muse and Church Boys, providing live entertainment throughout the event.

Organizers say the Rep Your City Bash is intended to bring people together while providing tangible resources to members of the El Dorado community.

The event will take place at Mattocks Park on Saturday, September 5, from noon until 8 p.m. Community members are invited to attend and take part in the activities, food, entertainment and giveaways.

Featured

How to Watch El Dorado Wildcat Football Live on South Arkansas Now

Published

4 days ago

August 28, 2026

Jax Sanford

Football Friday is here, and South Arkansas Now is bringing you live coverage of El Dorado Wildcat Football as the Wildcats travel to take on the Magnolia Panthers in Magnolia, AR.

Fans who can’t make it to the stadium can watch the game live in three different ways:

South Arkansas Now: Watch directly at https://southarkansasnow.com/san-live-stream/southarkansasnow.com
Facebook: Follow the South Arkansas Now Facebook page for the live broadcast. https://www.facebook.com/southarkansasnow
YouTube: Watch the game live on the South Arkansas Now YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/@southarkansasnow?si=-aQ3zFuoRpEFGLcc

Your Broadcast Team

Leading the call from the booth will be Jax Sanford, the voice of the Wildcats, handling play-by-play for South Arkansas Now’s live broadcast.

Joining Sanford in the booth will be Blake Cunningham, who will make his debut as the broadcast’s Color Commentator. Cunningham will bring additional insight and analysis throughout the game as the Wildcats battle the Panthers. Cunningham is a 2017 Wildcat graduate. A dual-sport athlete in high school, Cunningham was a star Wide-Receiver for the Wildcat Football team and middle infielder for the baseball team.

Behind the scenes, South Arkansas Now President and CEO Sandy Sanford will be producing tonight’s livestream.

The production team also includes Angie Parker, Mark Cook, Brittney Haynes, Elizabeth Haynes, and Peyton Tolbert, who will be working the cameras throughout the night to bring fans all the action from the field.

The Jason Hardy State Farm Pregame Show begins at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

Whether you’re at the stadium or watching from home, South Arkansas Now has you covered for all the action as the El Dorado Wildcats take on the Magnolia Panthers.

Pregame: 6:30 p.m. | Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Featured

TUSK: The Classic Tribute to Fleetwood Mac performs at First Financial Music Hall on August 29th!

Published

5 days ago

August 27, 2026

Jax Sanford

El Dorado, AR (Aug 27, 2026) – The Murphy Arts District is excited to welcome TUSK: The Classic Tribute to Fleetwood Mac to the First Financial Music Hall on Saturday, August 29th. Doors open at 6:30pm with the concert starting at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at eldomad.com and at the MAD box office at 101 East Locust Street. Ticket prices range from $20- $65 plus additional service fees. Tickets can also be purchased at the door day of show.

Playing the hits and deep cuts spanning the career of Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame group Fleetwood Mac, Tusk has been crisscrossing the country since 2008 as The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Five pro musicians turned into masters of their trade through decades of individual music study, live performance, creative risk and devotion to the art. TUSK features note-perfect renditions of both the solo and full band songs, with each member specializing in one of the core lineups of Fleetwood Mac (Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood). They possess an electric stage presence that can only come from well over a decade touring together. Truly the best at what they do, TUSK is unmatched in their tribute to one of the greatest bands of all time.

The MAD box office is open Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5:00pm and is located at 101 East Locust Street in El Dorado. Tickets may be purchased by web, on location, or by phone at 870-444-3007. Please visit eldomad.com for additional information.

Featured

Arkansas National Guard Recognizes Smackover Educators with Lunch Ahead of New School Year

Published

3 weeks ago

August 13, 2026

Jax Sanford

SMACKOVER, Ark. – Teachers and staff at Smackover High School received a special lunchtime visit Wednesday, Aug. 12, as the Arkansas Army National Guard stopped by to show its appreciation for the educators preparing for another school year.

SGT. Payten R. Tompkins, with the Arkansas Army National Guard Recruiting Office, brought Chick-fil-A sandwiches for the faculty and staff and briefly introduced himself to the group.

Tompkins has served with the National Guard’s recruiting office in Magnolia but recently transitioned into the recruiter role covering the El Dorado-Camden area. As he begins serving the area, Tompkins said he hopes his role will extend beyond simply recruiting young people to join the Guard.

Instead, he emphasized his desire to empower young men and women to serve their communities in whatever capacity they choose.

Tompkins also wanted to use the visit as an opportunity to recognize the teachers and staff for the work they do each day.

He expressed his appreciation for educators and noted that the work of teaching is often underappreciated despite the tremendous impact teachers have on their students and communities.

The visit came as the Smackover School District prepares to begin another school year. Smackover High School Principal Cody Cranford praised his faculty and staff for the work they have put in to prepare for the upcoming year.

With teachers and staff working behind the scenes to get classrooms, programs and students ready for another year, Wednesday’s lunch served as a small gesture of appreciation for their efforts.

As the new school year approaches, Smackover School District is looking forward to another successful year, supported by a faculty and staff committed to serving its students and community.