Football coaches – especially when their squad has more wins than an upcoming opponent – are fond of suggesting that comparative records be disregarded.
That type of talk is often used as a motivational tool.
White Hall coach Mike Vaughn is preparing his Bulldogs for their 5A Southeast Conference opener here Friday night against Sylvan Hills and recommends that his charges "forget about" the Bears' 0-3 start. Vaughn claims the winless Bruins have much in common with the 2-1 Dogs.
Without a doubt, Vaughn's words are aimed at keeping his squad mentally and emotionally prepared. But his message is also accurate. Sylvan Hills has plenty of potential and is probably among Arkansas' best winless teams at this point.
"Some forecasters picked Sylvan Hills right behind Monticello in the league race this year," said Vaughn, whose Bulldogs rallied past Sheridan 33-14 here last week. "People see Sylvan Hills' record and a lot may tend to write them off, but that could be a bad mistake.
"A lot of teams might be winless if they had a similar schedule."
Coach Jim Withrow's Bruins were surprised by a revamped, visiting Malvern bunch in their season debut. Sylvan Hills bested 4A Malvern a year ago and was expected to win again, but the Bears may have been caught looking ahead a bit. The Leopards romped by 31-7.
The White Hall tilt will be the Bears' third straight road game, and the tour has thus far been grueling.
Two weeks ago, the Bruins fell to Cabot 35-7. Last week, Sylvan Hills was popped 42-12 by North Little Rock. Cabot is ranked second the state by The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. North Little Rock is ninth. Both are members of the 7A division, the state's largest.
White Hall is sixth in Class 5A.
"I think you can look at us and see what can happen when you play against a quality, bigger classification team," said Vaughn. "Watson Chapel (No. 1 in 6A and seventh overall) just flat whipped us a couple of weeks ago.
"But if your team has a winning attitude, you can take the bad from a loss like that and turn it around into something good. We did, and I know Sylvan Hills has a winning attitude, too. They've got great tradition.
"Malvern is a better team than a lot of folks expected, and for the past two weeks, Sylvan Hills has been picked on by two of the biggest and baddest programs in the state.
"We're more Sylvan Hills' size, and I can promise you that they'll be ready to shed some frustrations and turn the tide when they come calling on us. They'll eat our lunch and leave the dirty dishes behind if we don't respect them like we should.
"I'm not afraid to say that they're the kind of team that scares the coaching staff. Our players need to be wary.
"If you don't give a team like Sylvan Hills the respect they're due, more often than not you'll wind up regretting it."
Like White Hall, Sylvan Hills is a veteran club with some questionable depth. The Bears have 15 starters back from last year's 5-6 edition.
"In recent years, it seems like they get better as the season progresses," Vaughn said of the Bears. "Two years ago, they lost their first four games. Last year, they lost three of their first four. But they fought back and made the playoffs both years.
"They always play a tough schedule, and it says a lot for their program when you see that sort of consistent improvement. Obviously, they're dedicated."
Against North Little Rock, the Bears yielded a safety on their first possession. By halftime, Sylvan Hills was down 21-0 and the Charging Wildcats were able to cruise through the final two quarters. Nevertheless, considering the difference in the squads' numbers, the Bears were competitive.
North Little Rock had to scrap for its offensive yardage and points, relying primarily on a steady ground game that eventually wore down the Bears.
"Remember Watson Cha-pel?" Vaughn said. "I think we understand that a bigger, faster and deeper offense can take a toll on you."
Although the score might not have indicated the fact, Sylvan Hills had an enhanced showing compared to its loss at Cabot. The Panthers toyed with the Bears as five Cabot runners averaged at least four yards a carry.
The offensive line is still suspect, but Sylvan Hills is loaded in the skill positions.
Senior quarterback Jordan Spears has good size at 6'4" and 190 pounds. Operating from a veer formation, Spears last year passed for nearly 1,000 yards.
"That worries me," admits Vaughn. "Our pass defense is getting better, but it's not yet where it needs to be."
Among a group of talented running backs and receivers are seniors Korey Arnold, Juliean Broner, Taylor Clark. Michael Lock, Ahmad Scott and Marquise Smith. "They're battle-tested and smart," estimates Vaughn.
Broner headlines a linebacking corps that Vaughn figures may be among the league's best. Last year, Broner registered 72 tackles, including 16 for losses and three sacks. He also forced and recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick. "He's got a reputation as being as one of the hardest hitters in the conference," said Vaughn.
Seniors Devonte Britt and Michael Robinson complement Broner.
Vaughn isn't concealing his pride in the Dogs' comeback against Sheridan.
"I'm not happy with the way we started, but I'm delighted by the way everything turned out," he said. "We got after it in the second half.
"As a team, I think we wound up playing our best football thus far. We shook off our disappointment from the week before and got things done like we should have."
White Hall found itself in early holes of 7-0 and 14-7 before tallying four unanswered touchdowns to secure the win. "We showed we can come from behind," said Vaughn. "We showed a winning character, and that's worth a mint."
The Dogs dominated with their ground game. Running back Larry Walls, who took most of the snaps in place of injured quarterback Matt Taylor, upped his season totals to 785 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite being double-covered much of the game, Walls ran at a 10-yards per carry clip, picking up 230 yards on 23 carries. He scored TDs on runs of nine and 12 yards.
Walls' chief backfield mate, A.J. Richardson, collected 220 yards on just 17 carries – an average gain of 12.9 yards per touch. He notched TDs on runs of 13, 22 and 65 yards.
"Mojo (Richardson) got his mojo working, didn't he?" said Vaughn. "He and Larry work well together, and I can't say enough good about either of them."
With Walls leading cheers for him, Richardson was presented a ceremonial game ball in the Dogs' postgame dressing room.
Vaughn laughingly sugg-ested that several game balls might be fitting.
"Our offensive line really took charge in the second half," he said. "As old and slow as I am, I believe I might have been able to pick up a first down or two with some of the holes they were opening.
"(Aaron) Sprinkle, (Joseph) Gorman, T-Bone (Tyler Richmond), Kasey (Partridge), (Kholten) Roper, (Rick) Carr, Shelby (Lackie) and (Jacob) Holland were getting it done, and it seemed like the better they did, the more the defense got fired up. The defense made some great stops down the stretch.
"That's the kind of stuff coaches love. It's fun to see the guys get better and better by feeding off each other's successes.
"That's what you work for in this game."
White Hall garnered 523 total yards to Sheridan's 231.
Leading White Hall’s defensive charge were Tyler Robinson and Tim Cook with 15 and 11 stops, respectively. Ray Lewis, Spencer Lybrand, Quinton Walls and Dion Young combined for 27 tackles.
"We needed a game like this to close out our non-conference schedule and get ready for Sylvan Hills and league play," said Vaughn. "I stress that we've got to be ready wherever we're playing, but I'll tell you that I'm glad we're going to be at home again.
"It helps us when our fans get loud and not only let us know that they're behind us, but also help to make sure that whoever we're playing remembers that they're in enemy territory."
Football coaches – especially when their squad has more wins than an upcoming opponent – are fond of suggesting that comparative records be disregarded.
That type of talk is often used as a motivational tool.
White Hall coach Mike Vaughn is preparing his Bulldogs for their 5A Southeast Conference opener here Friday night against Sylvan Hills and recommends that his charges "forget about" the Bears' 0-3 start. Vaughn claims the winless Bruins have much in common with the 2-1 Dogs.
Without a doubt, Vaughn's words are aimed at keeping his squad mentally and emotionally prepared. But his message is also accurate. Sylvan Hills has plenty of potential and is probably among Arkansas' best winless teams at this point.
"Some forecasters picked Sylvan Hills right behind Monticello in the league race this year," said Vaughn, whose Bulldogs rallied past Sheridan 33-14 here last week. "People see Sylvan Hills' record and a lot may tend to write them off, but that could be a bad mistake.
"A lot of teams might be winless if they had a similar schedule."
Coach Jim Withrow's Bruins were surprised by a revamped, visiting Malvern bunch in their season debut. Sylvan Hills bested 4A Malvern a year ago and was expected to win again, but the Bears may have been caught looking ahead a bit. The Leopards romped by 31-7.
The White Hall tilt will be the Bears' third straight road game, and the tour has thus far been grueling.
Two weeks ago, the Bruins fell to Cabot 35-7. Last week, Sylvan Hills was popped 42-12 by North Little Rock. Cabot is ranked second the state by The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. North Little Rock is ninth. Both are members of the 7A division, the state's largest.
White Hall is sixth in Class 5A.
"I think you can look at us and see what can happen when you play against a quality, bigger classification team," said Vaughn. "Watson Chapel (No. 1 in 6A and seventh overall) just flat whipped us a couple of weeks ago.
"But if your team has a winning attitude, you can take the bad from a loss like that and turn it around into something good. We did, and I know Sylvan Hills has a winning attitude, too. They've got great tradition.
"Malvern is a better team than a lot of folks expected, and for the past two weeks, Sylvan Hills has been picked on by two of the biggest and baddest programs in the state.
"We're more Sylvan Hills' size, and I can promise you that they'll be ready to shed some frustrations and turn the tide when they come calling on us. They'll eat our lunch and leave the dirty dishes behind if we don't respect them like we should.
"I'm not afraid to say that they're the kind of team that scares the coaching staff. Our players need to be wary.
"If you don't give a team like Sylvan Hills the respect they're due, more often than not you'll wind up regretting it."
Like White Hall, Sylvan Hills is a veteran club with some questionable depth. The Bears have 15 starters back from last year's 5-6 edition.
"In recent years, it seems like they get better as the season progresses," Vaughn said of the Bears. "Two years ago, they lost their first four games. Last year, they lost three of their first four. But they fought back and made the playoffs both years.
"They always play a tough schedule, and it says a lot for their program when you see that sort of consistent improvement. Obviously, they're dedicated."
Against North Little Rock, the Bears yielded a safety on their first possession. By halftime, Sylvan Hills was down 21-0 and the Charging Wildcats were able to cruise through the final two quarters. Nevertheless, considering the difference in the squads' numbers, the Bears were competitive.
North Little Rock had to scrap for its offensive yardage and points, relying primarily on a steady ground game that eventually wore down the Bears.
"Remember Watson Cha-pel?" Vaughn said. "I think we understand that a bigger, faster and deeper offense can take a toll on you."
Although the score might not have indicated the fact, Sylvan Hills had an enhanced showing compared to its loss at Cabot. The Panthers toyed with the Bears as five Cabot runners averaged at least four yards a carry.
The offensive line is still suspect, but Sylvan Hills is loaded in the skill positions.
Senior quarterback Jordan Spears has good size at 6'4" and 190 pounds. Operating from a veer formation, Spears last year passed for nearly 1,000 yards.
"That worries me," admits Vaughn. "Our pass defense is getting better, but it's not yet where it needs to be."
Among a group of talented running backs and receivers are seniors Korey Arnold, Juliean Broner, Taylor Clark. Michael Lock, Ahmad Scott and Marquise Smith. "They're battle-tested and smart," estimates Vaughn.
Broner headlines a linebacking corps that Vaughn figures may be among the league's best. Last year, Broner registered 72 tackles, including 16 for losses and three sacks. He also forced and recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick. "He's got a reputation as being as one of the hardest hitters in the conference," said Vaughn.
Seniors Devonte Britt and Michael Robinson complement Broner.
Vaughn isn't concealing his pride in the Dogs' comeback against Sheridan.
"I'm not happy with the way we started, but I'm delighted by the way everything turned out," he said. "We got after it in the second half.
"As a team, I think we wound up playing our best football thus far. We shook off our disappointment from the week before and got things done like we should have."
White Hall found itself in early holes of 7-0 and 14-7 before tallying four unanswered touchdowns to secure the win. "We showed we can come from behind," said Vaughn. "We showed a winning character, and that's worth a mint."
The Dogs dominated with their ground game. Running back Larry Walls, who took most of the snaps in place of injured quarterback Matt Taylor, upped his season totals to 785 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite being double-covered much of the game, Walls ran at a 10-yards per carry clip, picking up 230 yards on 23 carries. He scored TDs on runs of nine and 12 yards.
Walls' chief backfield mate, A.J. Richardson, collected 220 yards on just 17 carries – an average gain of 12.9 yards per touch. He notched TDs on runs of 13, 22 and 65 yards.
"Mojo (Richardson) got his mojo working, didn't he?" said Vaughn. "He and Larry work well together, and I can't say enough good about either of them."
With Walls leading cheers for him, Richardson was presented a ceremonial game ball in the Dogs' postgame dressing room.
Vaughn laughingly sugg-ested that several game balls might be fitting.
"Our offensive line really took charge in the second half," he said. "As old and slow as I am, I believe I might have been able to pick up a first down or two with some of the holes they were opening.
"(Aaron) Sprinkle, (Joseph) Gorman, T-Bone (Tyler Richmond), Kasey (Partridge), (Kholten) Roper, (Rick) Carr, Shelby (Lackie) and (Jacob) Holland were getting it done, and it seemed like the better they did, the more the defense got fired up. The defense made some great stops down the stretch.
"That's the kind of stuff coaches love. It's fun to see the guys get better and better by feeding off each other's successes.
"That's what you work for in this game."
White Hall garnered 523 total yards to Sheridan's 231.
Leading White Hall’s defensive charge were Tyler Robinson and Tim Cook with 15 and 11 stops, respectively. Ray Lewis, Spencer Lybrand, Quinton Walls and Dion Young combined for 27 tackles.
"We needed a game like this to close out our non-conference schedule and get ready for Sylvan Hills and league play," said Vaughn. "I stress that we've got to be ready wherever we're playing, but I'll tell you that I'm glad we're going to be at home again.
"It helps us when our fans get loud and not only let us know that they're behind us, but also help to make sure that whoever we're playing remembers that they're in enemy territory."
