ASHDOWN, Ark.—Defending 4A state champion Nashville will have to take the more difficult route in this year’s state tournament, scheduled to begin Friday at Valley View and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Ashdown and De Queen earned first-round byes in the state tournament with impressive wins during Monday’s Region 4-4A semifinals at Ashdown City Park. The host Panthers beat Central Arkansas Christian, 3-1, while De Queen outlasted the Scrappers, 10-8.

The Panthers and Leopards duel at 6:30 p.m. today for a top seed at state, with Nashville and CAC clashing to ...