Sports

South Arkansas shines in GAC awards

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2024

Staff Reports

RUSSELLVILLE – On Thursday, the Great American Conference announced the 2024 all-conference teams, year-end superlative awards and academic honor roll . The coaches voted Southern Arkansas quarterback Judd Barton the Offensive Player of the Year, Ouachita Baptist safety Josiah Johnson the Defensive Player of the Year and Tiger offensive lineman Isaiah Simpson the Freshman of the Year. Ouachita’s Todd Knight won Coach of the Year.

Additionally, a total of 15 student-athletes also received the Elite Scholar Athlete award, presented by Conway Regional Health System, in Ouachita Baptist’s Riley Harms, Melvin Kumwenda and Eli Livingston; Henderson State’s Daymon Burns and Ryan Vollmer, Southern Arkansas’ Bennett Castleberry and Cole Williams, Southern Nazarene’s Kendall Robertson and Brock Singleton, Arkansas Tech’s Damien Jordan, Arkansas-Monticello’s Ndubuisi Nwankwo, Northwestern Oklahoma State’s Beck Moss, Oklahoma Baptist’s Vinson Miller, Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Asa Robertson and Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Isaac Foster. All 15 have maintained perfect 4.00 grade-point averages.

In his first year as the Mulerider starting quarterback, Barton threw for 2,350 yards and 16 touchdowns. He ran for 577 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 2,927 yards of total offense and 30 touchdowns responsible for led the conference. Johnson intercepted two passes, forced a fumble, blocked a kick and recorded 3.0 tackles-for-loss. Simpson stepped into the left guard position and helped the Tigers rank third in rushing offense and second in fewest sacks allowed. Knight claimed his seventh Coach of the Year accolade after leading the Tigers to a 10-1 record and their sixth NCAA Division II playoff appearance.

Harding led the GAC with 10 First-Team All-GAC selections. Fullback Blake Delacruz, running back Braden Jay and right tackle Jake Dugger represented the offense. Delacruz ran for 605 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns. Jay led the GAC with 900 rushing yards, 1,284 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns. He averaged 17.4 yards per touch and scored a touchdown once every 4.35 touches. Dugger anchored an offensive line that averaged more than 421 rush yards per game, 85 yards per game more than any Division I or Division II school.

The Bisons’ top-ranked defense placed six on the First Team. They lead the nation in total defense, scoring defense, first downs allowed and defensive pass efficiency. Clark Griffin led the team in tackles, Gage Price paced in sacks and tackles-for-loss and Ty Dugger intercepted four passes and returned two for touchdowns. Cayden Pierce ranked second on the team in stops, Dre Hall registered 4.5 sacks, cornerback Jeremiah Jordan anchored a defensive backfield that led the nation in passing yards allowed and Kendale Allen averaged 24.5 yards per kick return.

In addition to Johnson, five Tigers earned First Team honors. Connor Flannigan made the First Team at both wide receiver and return specialist. He caught 37 passes for 413 yards and two touchdowns. His 19.1 yards per punt return average ranks fifth in Division II. Left tackle Dylan Horton placed on the team alongside linebacker Jax Miller, defensive tackle Rovell Carter and punter Tom Weston. Miller’s 88 tackles rank fourth in the GAC. He added 8.5 tackles for loss. Carter’s 12.0 tackles for loss placed fourth in the league while his 5.5 sacks ranked fifth. Weston led the GAC and ranked 12th nationally in punting average.

Led by Barton, five from the potent Mulerider offense garnered First-Team honors. Running backs Kadyn Roach and Jariq Scales made the First Team as well as center Thomas Bowman and left guard Colton Grier. Jariq Scales ranked second to Jay in all-purpose yards with 1,258 yards and 12 total touchdowns. Roach added 951 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns. The offense ranked seventh in the country and fifth in scoring. On the defensive side, defensive end Dawson Scott and cornerback Melvin Smith, Jr. made the First Team. Scott’s 10.5 sacks led the GAC and ranked fourth in the country. Smith, Jr. ranked second with five interceptions.

Four from Henderson State – left tackle Brandon Bishop, tight end Cayden Davis, wide receiver Timieone Jackson and linebacker Gary Lewis – earned First-Team accolades. Davis caught 22 passes for 430 yards and six touchdowns. His 19.6 yards per catch and six receiving touchdowns pace the GAC. Jackson’s 55 receptions lead the conference while his 466 yards rank fifth. Lewis amassed 13.5 tackles for loss in just eight games.

Arkansas Tech wide receiver Joryian Chase and East Central kicker Brandon Perez filled out the First Team. Chase ranked second in the conference in receptions. His 515 receiving yards rank third. Perez made all 29 of his kicks – 10-for-10 on field goals, with a long of 54, and 19-for-19 on extra points.

The GAC Academic Honor Roll featured a total of 198 student-athletes to have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50, or higher, combined with at least one year of one-year of full-time college residency.

Sports

Camden Fairview Hires New Football Coach

Published

2 weeks ago

February 18, 2026

Grant Merrill

CAMDEN — The Camden Fairview School Board approved the hiring of Jamie Carter as the next Camden Fairview Cardinal head football coach and assistant athletic director during its regular board meeting Monday night.

Carter comes to Camden Fairview from Marion, where he most recently served as associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator. He previously spent four years as head football coach and assistant athletic director at Osceola, compiling an 18–5 conference record. Carter brings 17 years of coaching experience, including two seasons as Marion’s defensive coordinator.

“I am truly honored and grateful to be named the Head Football Coach at Camden Fairview High School,” Carter said. “This is more than just a position; it’s an opportunity to serve young men, build meaningful relationships, and represent a proud community the right way.”

Carter emphasized his commitment to discipline, accountability, trust, and respect, saying those principles will serve as the foundation of the program. He added that values instilled in him by his parents—hard work, character, integrity, and treating others with respect—are the same standards he expects from his players.

The coaching search began January 9, when former head coach Nick Vaughn announced his resignation to accept the head coaching position at Maumelle. The interview committee included Assistant Athletic Director Johnny Jackson, Assistant Superintendent Andre Toney, Assistant Superintendent Cara Bowie, Human Resources Director Fred Lilly II, and Cardinal football booster club president Jamie Semple. Interviews were conducted last week before Superintendent Mrs. Armstrong met with Carter and presented her recommendation to the school board.

“Our community has always shown strong support for our students and for Cardinal athletics,” Armstrong said. “I’m confident that Coach Carter is the right leader to continue building on our proud tradition of Cardinal Football, developing our student-athletes, and moving our program forward with integrity and purpose.”

Carter is scheduled to meet with Cardinal football players on Monday, February 23, and the district will host a community meet-and-greet on Thursday, March 19. Additional details are expected to be released in the coming days.

Sports

West Side Christian Warriors and Lady Warriors Dominate at HCAA Quarter Finals in Ft. Smith

Published

3 weeks ago

February 17, 2026

Jax Sanford

The West Side Warriors of El Dorado hosted the Regional Heartland Christian Activities Association (HCAA) Regional Basketball Tournament for boys and girls teams over Valentine’s Day weekend, where they came out on top of the tournament in dominant fashion. West Side Warriors and Lady Warriors won their games and advanced to the HCAA Quarter Finals hosted in Fort Smith, AR. It was there where they, again, showed their dominance and advanced to the Semi-Finals to be played in Oklahoma City, OK on February 20, 2026 @ The Firelake Arena. The winner of that matchup will play in the Championship, also hosted in OKC on February 21, 2026.

West Side Lady Warriors won 43-5 over the Southwest Christian Lady Lions in the Quarter Finals in Fort Smith during their 2 pm matchup. They showed a dominant effort on the boards, defense, and efficient scoring opportunities.

West Side Warriors Boys won 62-49 over the Lakewood Christian Lions in their 3:30 pm Quarter Finals matchup in Fort Smith. The Warriors showed hustle, grit, and determination to come out of this tournament the victors.

West Side Jr. High Warriors finished 2nd in the 2A HCAA State Tournament after falling to Garrett Memorial out of Hope, AR.

Sports

El Dorado Cheer Wins National Championship

Published

1 month ago

February 1, 2026

Grant Merrill

ORLANDO, FL – El Dorado High School’s cheerleading team claimed a national championship on Sunday, winning the Division II title at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, part of the National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC), in Orlando, Florida. The Wildcats competed against top Division II programs from across the country at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, emerging as national champions on cheerleading’s biggest high school stage.

The NHSCC is the premier national competition for high school cheer teams in the United States and is organized by Varsity Spirit and the Universal Cheerleaders Association. Each year, it brings together elite programs from across the nation to compete for national titles in multiple divisions, with teams judged on execution, difficulty, synchronization, crowd leadership, and overall performance.

El Dorado advanced through preliminary rounds earlier in the weekend before taking the floor Sunday in the championship finals. The Wildcats delivered a clean, confident routine featuring strong stunting, tumbling, sharp motions, and high energy, separating themselves from a highly competitive Division II field to secure the championship.

The national title reflects months of preparation, discipline, and teamwork by the athletes and coaching staff. It also places El Dorado High School among the nation’s elite cheer programs for the 2025–26 season.

The competition was streamed nationally on Varsity TV, allowing family members, classmates, and supporters back home to watch the Wildcats’ championship performance in real time. With the Division II NHSCC title, El Dorado High School adds a significant national accomplishment to its athletic tradition and brings home a championship that will be celebrated throughout the school and community.

Sports

Hogs Roll Past Vanderbilt In Statement Win

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

FAYETTEVILLE — No. 20 Arkansas delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Tuesday night, dominating No. 15/14 Vanderbilt 93-68 at Bud Walton Arena.

Six Razorbacks scored in double figures as Arkansas (now 4-0 in ranked matchups this season) used balanced offense, high-efficiency passing, and stifling defense to cruise past the Commodores in their eighth all-time meeting as ranked opponents.

Trevon Brazile recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 10 points, a season-high 14 rebounds, and added five assists, four steals, and two blocks. Darius Acuff Jr. led the scoring with 17 points and five assists — all in the second half — while Meleek Thomas added 13 points and five assists. Malique Ewin and Karter Knox each scored 16, and D.J. Wagner contributed 11 off the bench in a strong bounce-back performance.

Head coach John Calipari moved Wagner to the bench to “get him going,” and the sophomore responded with efficient play — three assists, no turnovers, and confident scoring.

Arkansas led 46-35 at the half after racing out to a 13-2 start and holding a 20-point advantage midway through the opening frame. The Hogs never looked back. They shot 54.5% from the field in the first half and out-rebounded Vandy 23-13, then torched the Commodores for 61.3% shooting in the second half while forcing cold shooting on the other end.

Vanderbilt (previously 10th nationally in scoring and 24th in field goal percentage) was held to just 68 points on 37.9% shooting. Tyler Nickel was the only Commodore in double figures with 17 — all in the first half.

Arkansas totaled 25 assists to just seven turnovers and threw down 13 dunks, including four by Ewin and three from Nick Pringle.

With the win, Arkansas improves to 32-15 all-time against Vanderbilt and 17-5 in Fayetteville. The 25-point victory marked the fourth-largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in program history.

The Razorbacks return to action Saturday night when they host LSU at Bud Walton Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

Sports

Muleriders Set For In-State Road Trip

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

Grant Merrill

MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Southern Arkansas men’s basketball (7-9, 4-6 GAC) hits the road for a pair of key in-state matchups this week, visiting Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before facing Henderson State on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

Thursday marks the 118th meeting between SAU and UAM, with the Muleriders holding a 73-44 series lead. They’ll then square off with Henderson State for the 120th time, with the Reddies leading 64-55 all-time.

SAU looks to bounce back after a tough 69-64 home loss to Northwestern Oklahoma State. Greg Moore Jr. led the way with 22 points, his best since early December. Junior Williams added 12, and Jair Horton finished just shy of a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. Despite the loss, the Muleriders shot a strong 46.2% from the field and 47.1% from three.

Moore continues to shine at the line, ranking second in the GAC with a 91.1% free throw percentage. As a team, SAU leads the conference in three-point shooting at 34.4%.

Thursday’s opponent, UAM (7-9, 3-7 GAC), enters on a two-game skid and sits just below SAU in the standings. Ashton Price leads the Boll Weevils with 14.6 points per game, while Isaac Jackson adds 13.7. UAM averages 66.1 points per game and shoots 45.4% from the floor.

Saturday’s opponent, Henderson State (8-8, 5-5 GAC), also comes in after back-to-back losses, including a triple-overtime battle with nationally ranked SNU. The Reddies average 76.6 points per game and are led by Zaveion Okoh (15.8 ppg) and Xavier Owens (12.9 ppg).

Both games will be streamed live on YouTube through UAM and HSU’s athletic channels, with radio coverage on KVMZ 99.1 FM. The matchups mark the start of a four-game road stretch for the Muleriders.