John and Tommy discuss Chad Morris involving former Arkansas players, news around the SEC, plus interview former Hog QB Tyler Wilson.
NLR, Bryant top first high school media poll
Defending 7A champion North Little Rock is the media’s pick in the first poll of the 2018 Arkansas high school football season, which gets underway this week across the state.
With 32 media members participating, the Charging Wildcats picked up 26 first-place votes from the media.
Bryant was second with four first-place votes, followed by Bentonville (one first-place vote), Bentonville West and Fayetteville round out the Top 5.
The next five is topped by a tie between two Class 6A schools, Greenwood and Pine Bluff, followed by Class 5A Pulaski Academy, then Conway and Cabot round out the Top 10.
In Class 6A, Pine Bluff got one more first-place vote (16) than Greenwood as the Zebras edged out the Bulldogs for the top spot.
Following them were West Memphis, Benton and El Dorado.
Pulaski Academy, who has won four straight state championships, is at the top of Class 5A, getting all but two of the first-place votes.
The Bruins are followed by Little Rock Christian, Texarkana, Morrilton and Little Rock McClellan.
Warren, last year’s runner-up in Class 4A, is on top in the first media poll. The Lumberjacks, led by Razorback commitment Treylon Burks, garnered 23 of the first-place votes.
Joe T. Robinson was second, followed by defending state champion Arkadelphia, Stuttgart and Pea Ridge.
Booneville was voted atop Class 3A ahead of Clinton, McGehee, Prescott and Charleston.
In Class 2A, Foreman is at the top followed by Junction City, Mount Ida, Conway Christian and Hazen.
The poll will be voted on weekly by a panel of media members from print, internet, television and radio across the state.
Bud Light Countdown: 13 days until Hogs kick off the season
13 days ? pic.twitter.com/7hdBzcFQbG
— Tye Richardson (@TyeSportsRadio) August 19, 2018
Bring back College Gameday.
Razorbacks fight to draw with ninth-ranked West Virginia
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — A highly physical match between Arkansas and No. 9 West Virginia went into overtime late Sunday morning, but neither team could find the scoring touch in the extra 20 minutes as both teams fought to a 1-1 draw at Jeffrey Field.
Junior Stefani Doyle provided the lone goal for the Razorbacks in the 16th minute, her first of the season and 12th of her career. Meanwhile, the Arkansas defense had another strong match led by sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Harris, who racked up a career-high nine saves.
Arkansas’ result with West Virginia on Sunday marked its fourth win or tie against a top-10 opponent in its last seven opportunities going back to the 2016 season.
With the tie, the Razorbacks will head into the second week of the season undefeated for the sixth time in the last seven years.
From Head Coach Colby Hale
“What a great game. West Virginia is a very talented and well-coached team. We were up for it and had a bunch of chances to win it. Overall, I’m pleased with many parts of where we are. It was a good weekend. We’ll go and watch the video and see where the areas we need to continue to improve are. What a great effort by the players.”
How It Went Down
16th minute – Junior Stefani Doyle’s goal broke the scoreless match open early in the first half, giving the Hogs the early advantage. With West Virginia trying to go on a counter attack, sophomore Abbi Neece came up with a loose ball to turn the tides. Neece was able to find Doyle streaking down the middle of the box, who, then, followed with a nice move to beat the keeper and finish with a left-footed shot.
Doyle is coming off a five goal, 16-point sophomore season and has tallied points in two of her last three matches going back to last year. As for Neece, the Texas native was making her first start of the season and now has three assists in her career.
61st minute – West Virginia did even up the match after being awarded a penalty kick midway through the second half. Bianca St. Georges was called to take the shot and Harris was unable to come up with the tough save.
87th minute – West Virginia forward Sh’Nia Gordon was given a red card with four minutes left in the second half forcing the Mountaineers to continue with only 10 players for the remainder of the match.
90th minute – Harris came back in a big way to finish regulation as she came off her line to make the low dive on a St. Georges shot attempt from 15 yards out. The crucial save sent the match into overtime where neither team was able to break the tie.
108th minute – After only earning one shot attempt in the first overtime period, Arkansas had just 10 more minutes to try and find the winner. Junior Madison Louk nearly had the golden goal on another counter attack, but her shot attempt from the left side was blocked by West Virginia.
Other Key Notes
• In its last seven matches against top-10 opponents going back to 2016, Arkansas has won or tied four times. Sunday’s match was its second-straight result over a top-10 team.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Harris turned away a career-high nine shots in 96 minutes Sunday. Her previous high of four saves came against James Madison on Sept. 1, 2017.
• Senior Carly Hoke and sophomore Haley VanFossen played all 110 minutes of Sunday’s match. For Hoke, it’s the third time in her career she’s played 110 minutes, while it’s the second time for VanFossen.
• Sunday’s meeting was the first between Arkansas and West Virginia.
Up Next
Arkansas will return to Razorback Field for its next match as it will open the home portion of its schedule against Nebraska-Omaha on Friday, Aug. 24 with first kick set for 7 p.m.
Cornelius talks about offense in scrimmage Saturday
Arkansas wide receiver Jared Cornelius talked with the media after Saturday’s scrimmage and pointed out what he felt was a 99-yard pass play for the offense at one point.
Nance on how offense performed in scrimmage
Razorbacks wide receiver Jonathan Nance talked with the media about how the offense looked in the scrimmage Saturday inside Razorback Stadium.
Richardson on defense’s performance in scrimmage
Hogs defensive lineman Gabe Richardson talked with the media after Saturday’s scrimmage about how Sosa Agim is adapting and Randy Ramsey being back along with others.
Curl on how defense played in scrimmage
Arkansas cornerback Kamren Curl talked about the defense’s performance in Saturday’s scrimmage, but he didn’t see any 99-yard pass completion.
Morris pleased with second scrimmage to end camp
Arkansas coach Chad Morris met with the media after the second scrimmage of the fall Saturday as they prepare to break camp Saturday night to get ready for the first game.
Craddock on offense’s performance in scrimmage
Offensive coordinator Joe Craddock didn’t have a lot of definitive comments after the scrimmage inside Razorback Stadium because he was in the press box making calls.
Chavis not happy with tackling in scrimmage
Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis met with the media after Saturday’s scrimmage inside Razorback Stadium and wasn’t happy with their tackling during the 140-play workout.
