Area Football Previews: Ashdown at Arkadelphia

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.-This time, the winner takes all and advances to the 4A semifinals.

Ashdown (9-3) travels up Interstate 30 to take on Arkadelphia (11-1) for the second time this season, with state championship aspirations on both sides.

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Carol Rolf/Contributing Photographer

Hot Springs artist Richard Stephens won the Silver Award in the Mid-Southern Watercolorists 44th annual juried exhibition, which is on display at the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock. He won the award and $1,200 for this painting, Brunch at the Crescent Hotel.

"We're going to try to go up and play better than we did four weeks ago," Ashdown head football ball coach Matt Richardson. "Hopefully, we won't turn the ball over."

Ashdown suffered it's first loss to Arkadelphia earlier this season, but overall own the series, 9-1-0.

The Panthers are starting a freshman quarterback in Braylon Bishop, who is undefeated under center for Ashdown.

"He's playing really well for us and we're all proud of him," Richardson said.

The Panthers are known throughout the state for their team speed, but the Badgers, also have a collective of speedsters to match Ashdown's athleticism.

Badger junior Zion Hatley has rushed for 1,459 yards on 175 carries in ten games.

Not to be outdone, Panther senior Tre Green has rushed for 1,241 yards on 154 totes.

"We've been there is the big thing," Richardson said. "Four weeks ago, we were there. It's one of those things where we've been on that field for 48 minutes and we've been in that locker room. There's no surprises and not a hostile environment that we aren't prepared for.

We're not getting off the bus asking where the locker rooms are? We tackled and blocked these kids a month ago, so that's a big advantage. We know who we're playing against."

Arkadelphia defeated Ashdown, 44-26, in the earlier contest.

Although the Ashdown may have different pieces in place, the Panthers are not budging from their expectations and goals.

"Special teams are going to be big in this game," Richardson said. "It's a chess match between teams and field position. We want to make sure we position ourselves well with great punts and great punt returns. We want to give them to drive the field and we want short field. It's a major factor, so we need to try to win that battle."

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