MAVS HOPE TO SHED OFFENSIVE DOLDRUMS

Mavericks coach Jeff Williams knew the type of schedule his team would be facing when it signed on as the team’s coach a decade-and-a-half ago. There weren’t many off days in the old 7A-West. And there sure aren’t any freebies to be had in the 7A-Central. The Mavericks (1-4, 0-2) are in need of a conference victory heading into today’s 7 p.m. clash with North Little Rock. But first, the Mavs need to sustain a drive or two. “It’s good to be back home; we’ve been on the road quite a bit,” Williams said. “They’ve (NLR) had a few injuries, and we’re a little banged up, too. Everybody has bumps and busies this time of the year.” The Mavericks’ offense had shown signs of late of late. The team was within a touchdown of Conway later in their league opener. Southside, had in fact, managed at least two touchdowns in each of their first four games. But against Cabot, the Mavericks turned the ball over four times and, every time they started to the ball they were flagged with a penalty. The team’s 12-0 loss marked the first time the Mavericks have been shut out since 2017 (Greenwood), and the first time they’ve been blanked in league play since Oct. 23, 2015 (Har-Ber). “You hold somebody to 12 points, in this league, you expect to win,” Williams said. “I thought our defense played really well. Really, they’ve played well all season.” Quarterback Parker Wehunt threw for 86 yards and completed just 10 of 20 passes while throwing two interceptions. “We just didn’t take care of the football, and penalties hurt us, too,” Williams said. ”(But) we have to continue to play hard; we have to take some shots, too.” NLR quarterbacks Kareame Cotton and Damon Bell split time under center last week. Bell was 8-for-12 for 69 yards before being knocked out. Cotton was 4-for-7 for 35 yards. The Charging Wildcats have played a difficult schedule, but the team has still passed for just one touchdown this season. Three different backs, Fredrick O’Donald, Aaron Sims and Brandon Thomas, have rushed for 200-plus yards, each. O’Donald, who missed last week’s game with Conway, leads the team with three touchdowns. Brandon Thomas, who missed the first three games, is averaging 9.4 yards per carry. He ran for 130 yards in the team’s 35-21 win over Little Rock Central two weeks ago. “They’re going to run the football,” Williams said. ”(But) it’s hard to simulate that (speed) in practice.”

MAVS HOPE TO SHED OFFENSIVE DOLDRUMS

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 10/11/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Fort Smith Southside High School Athletics