Stories from Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Marked Tree Indians started their 2011 football season off strong, topping the visiting Piggott Mohawks 32-19 in a battle between the tribes. Marked Tree's Bryant Anderson struck first, scoring in the opening frame on a 26-yard run with 7:54 left. The PAT made it 7-0 in favor of the hosts. The advantage would remain as the first quarter concluded. A costly Indian fumble gave the ball to Piggott for what would be a scoring drive. Cody Mantz worked the ground game, capping the Mohawk drive with a nine yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 6:34 remaining before intermission. Marked Tree took advantage of a questionable decision by Piggott which resulted in a turnover on downs at the Indian 30. Darius Ivy gave the Indians the lead, breaking out a 20-yard carry for the go-ahead touchdown with just 19 seconds left in the second quarter. With the PAT, the hosts moved ahead 14-7. The Indians moved further ahead in the third as quarterback Jagger McCrary connected with Ivy on a jaw-dropping 71-yard touchdown pass with 5:23 left in the frame. The PAT was batted down, to leave Piggott trailing 20-7. After a Mohawk punt, Marked Tree continued to move the ball on the ground, winding out the remainder of the third and the early portion of the fourth with a drive. McCrary capped off the drive with a six-yard keeper for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but Marked Tree led 26-7. Piggott moved with a sense of urgency, travelling 80 yards on 10 plays to add six points on a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Logan Murray to Richard Shaw. The Indian defense swatted away the PAT, maintaining a 26-13 advantage with 5:16 left in the contest. Piggott attempted an onside kick, but the ball bounced into Ivy's hands. The speedster broke loose for a 71-yard return, torching would-be tacklers on his way to the painted area for another touchdown. Marked Tree was in front 32-13 with 5:02 left to play. Piggott scored again on a 19-yard pass from Logan Murray to Austin Murray with 3:00 remaining, closing out the scoring for the evening. The Indians managed a first down on the final possession before taking a knee to close out the contest. Marked Tree had the distinct advantage on offense, outgaining Piggott 278-195 in total yards. The Indians gained 232 yards on the ground with Ivy getting 83 of those yards on 10 carries. Marked Tree will travel to Cross County for conference action beginning at 7 p.m. Friday night.

EPC would get four touchdowns from A.J. Turner as they opened their season with a 57-6 victory over Palestine-Wheatley. Jammar Sturdivant opened the scoring for the Warriors with a 10-yard run with 14 minutes left in the first quarter. Turner followed up with a score from eight yards out on a run with Darius Barnes adding the two-point conversion with 10 minutes left in the first quarter. Barnes would run 38 yards for a touchdown and then pass to Trevor McDaniel for the two-point try making the score 22-0 with 3:42 left in the opening frame. Turner would add a 12-yard run and Blake Carter added the point after kick to make it 29-0 after one quarter of play. Turner added a 57-yard interception return along with a 48-yard touchdown catch from Austin Price in the second quarter. Sturdivant would score again on a 38-yard run while Caleb Harston would run in for a score from two yards out. Carter would kick two more PATs while Tristan McDaniel would add a two-point conversion to make the score 57-0 at the half. With most of the starters out of the game, Palestine-Wheatley would score with 3:19 left in the game to set the final tally. Turner also added 15 tackles, a sack and force a fumble to go along with his four touchdowns. EPC will host McCrory in a big 2A-3 conference game Friday.

The Trumann Wildkittens opened their season this past Thursday as the Manila Junior Lions came to town for a visit. Manila would get the ball first only to see the ball fumbled away to Trumann on the second play from scrimmage. Trumann would take possession and drive to the Lions 22-yard-line before turning the ball over on downs. The Wildkittens defense would hold and Manila would turn the ball back over on downs. Trumann would then mount its first scoring drive as Willie Moore capped things off with an eight yard touchdown run. He would also add the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0 with 2:01 left in the first quarter. The second quarter would be a defensive struggle with neither team putting points on the board. Justin Liles had a big sack on one series on third down to help stop one Manila drive. The teams would go to halftime with Trumann up 8-0. The third quarter would be a lot like the second as both teams' defense would come up big series after series. Grayson Dye would fumble the ball away deep in the Wildkittens' own territory with 3:03 left in the third. A few plays later, a personal foul on Trumann would set Manila up at the Wildkittens' 12-yard-line. Manila's quarterback would sneak the ball in from the two-yard-line to give his team their first points. Trumann's defense would stiffen and stop the two-point try, leaving the score 8-6 with 2:03 left in third quarter. Justin Liles would score from four yards and Dye would add the two-point conversion to put Trumann up 16-6 with 6:02 left in the game. Trumann's defense would again stop Manila's offense on downs and get the ball back. Cain White would score from one yard out and Dye would add another two-point conversion with 1:44 left in the game to set the score of 24-6. "Manila closed off our outside game, so we adjusted and started running the ball more inside as our counter play started to work," coach Wallis said after the game. When asked about the turnovers his team had Wallis added, "If you would have told me we would have four turnovers and still win the game I would not have believed it." The Wildkittens will travel to Nettleton this Thursday.

McCrory hosted the EPC Junior Warriors in junior high football action last Thursday night. Aaron Scales, Malik Monk and Dez Barnes had good nights for EPC, but the home squad would prevail, 34-22. Scales threw for 193 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Monk hauled in two of those touchdowns on 87 and 47 yard receptions. Quinton Young grabbed the other touchdown catch from 16 yards out. Barnes added 42 yards rushing to the cause. Scales also notched 10 tackles on defense. EPC will host Walnut Ridge this Thursday night.

Arkansas State University's Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro, announces its 2011-12 season of eight remarkable performances. All seating is reserved, and tickets may be purchased at the ASU Central Box Office in the Convocation Center, 217 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro, or by calling (870) 972-2781 or toll-free at (888) 278-3267. Tickets are also available online from the ASU Central Box Office (http://www2.astate.edu/tickets/) and from Fowler Center (www.yourfowlercenter.com). The Fowler Center Series begins its 2011-12 season of eight performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, with Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don't Fail Me Now! Rhythmic Circus has quickly risen from an underground percussive-dance phenomenon to an innovative live performance company known for transforming their tap shoes into instruments of rhythm. The Minneapolis Star Tribune put it well when they called the dance troupe "Flat out amazing!" Infusing their unpredictable blend of hard-hitting tap, high-spirited humor, and finger-snapping tunes, Rhythmic Circus satisfies their "rhythmic appetite" on everything from sand to folding chairs, and in one number even utilizes the technology of electric drum triggers to change the sound of their taps. This unforgettable show is guaranteed to leave audiences of all ages amazed with its unique "you have to see it to believe it" quality. Other performances planned this season include Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Project, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9; Susan Werner, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13; and Home For The Holidays - the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, with Stilian Kirov, conductor, featuring the Memphis Symphony Chorus, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. Stormy Weather: The Lena Horne Project, is James Gavin's Stormy Weather, starring Mary Wilson of the Supremes and featuring award-winning blues singer Paula West. A "living, breathing, biography" combining story, song and visual images drawn from Gavin's wealth of material and hundreds of interviews - several with Horne herself - gives audiences the defining portrait of an American icon live on stage. Audiences will reminisce through Ill Wind, Stormy Weather, Why Was I Born? A Lady Must Live, It's all Right with Me, Honeysuckle Rose and many other songs made popular by the Beautiful Lena Horne. Susan Werner is part of the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series. Werner composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with sassy wit and classic Midwestern charm. Throughout her expansive career, boundless versatility has emerged as a hallmark of Werner's talent, and that versatility has proven to be a quintessential ingredient of her engrossing musical persona. Joined by Trina Hamlin, a major talent in her own right, this concert warrants its inclusion in the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series. Home For The Holidays - Memphis Symphony Orchestra with conductor Stilian Kirov, features the Memphis Symphony Chorus. This performance is also part of the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series. The Memphis Symphony Orchestra puts a musical yuletide log on the fire and keeps audiences warm with carols and songs that will allow reflection on holiday cheer and good will to all as that most wonderful time of the year is celebrated. The Fowler Center Series continues with Billy Dean at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. This performance is also part of the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series. With 12 albums and 11 top 10 hits to his credit, Dean's musical artistry transcends genre and rakes in awards, including the Academy of Country Music's New Male Vocalist of The Year and Song of the Year ("Somewhere in My Broken Heart"), a Grammy for a country tribute, "Amazing Grace," and Country Music Television's Rising Star Award. His enduring success led to another honor: the BMI Million Air Plays Award. A gifted songwriter and fabulous guitarist, Dean is also an accomplished actor, appearing in television's Blue Valley Songbird, A Face to Kill For, Lois & Clark, One Life to Live, Diagnosis Murder, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show and many others. After decades of churning out hits, Dean - with his gratifying guitar and his distinctive voice - gives every audience an unforgettable performance. The Blanks, aka Ted's Band from the hit television show "Scrubs," will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. News flash: A cappella is hip! Seriously. Leading this pack of cool is a quartet of friends, the Blanks, who appear on the worldwide syndicated television show Scrubs as "Ted's Band." In a case of life imitating art, the group was written into the script as a quartet of friends who like to sing a cappella music. Group member Sam Lloyd played the recurring role of character "Ted Buckland" on all nine seasons of "Scrubs" on NBC and later ABC. "Scrubs" now airs on Comedy Central, TV Land, WGN, and a host of other local/regional channels in the U.S. The show is on several times a day everywhere in the U.S., giving the Blanks a constant television presence. Hot Club of Detroit visits Fowler Center at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012. The gypsy jazz sound made famous by Django Reinhardt has never been more passionate, fresh, or hot than with Hot Club of Detroit, who are joined by the equally sizzling vocal stylings of Cyrille AimÈe. Unlike the instrumentation of the original Paris-based quintet, composed of Reinhardt, violinist Stephane Grappelli, two rhythm guitarists, and a bassist, the current Hot Club of Detroit is made up of guitarist Perri, accordionist Julien Labro, soprano and tenor saxophonist Carl Cafagna, rhythm guitarist Paul Brady and bassist Andrew Kratzat. The fibrous accordion tones of Labro, a native of Marseilles, France, links the Detroit quintet to the French musette style from which gypsy jazz partially sprung, while Cafagna's robust saxophone work introduces bop and post-bop elements to gypsy jazz. The Fowler Center Series closes its 2011-12 season with phenomenal bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012. This performance rounds out the Riceland Distinguished Performance Series for 2011-12. Jonesboro audiences will remember Dailey & Vincent's stunning performance at this year's Johnny Cash Music Festival. With a combined 10 IBMA Awards in 2008 and 2009, including Entertainer of the Year for two years running and Album of the Year in 2008, the New York Times calls Dailey & Vincent "...the most celebrated new bluegrass act of the last few years." Their inaugural Rounder Records release: Brothers from Different Mothers," debuted at #1 on Billboard's Bluegrass Album chart and even cracked the top 50 on Billboard's Country chart at #44. Headed by Jamie Dailey (formerly of Doyle Lawson's Quicksilver) and Darrin Vincent (formerly of Ricky Skaggs' Kentucky Thunder), the band's true strength lies in the uncanny harmony of their vocal trios and quartets. Combine that with Dailey & Vincent's impeccable arrangements and flawless performance and what audiences get is bluegrass gold. Season tickets are available now at Fowler Center, where culture comes alive. Persons may call (870) 972-2781 or call toll-free at (888) 278-3267. Tickets are also available online from the ASU Central Box Office (http://www2.astate.edu/tickets/) and from Fowler Center (www.yourfowlercenter.com).

Friends for the Survival of Harrisburg American Legion Post 14 are invited to a donation spaghetti lunch from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Past Times Bar and Grill on Main Street. Tickets are $7 and go towards the rebuilding of the Post 14 American Legion building, which was destroyed in a recent fire. All other donations will be accepted and appreciated.

The Poinsett County History and Heirs Committee will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Eaton Building in Harrisburg. The group will discuss the new history book, how to write histories, where to send for military records and medals, and plans for the museum. There also will be forms for obtaining military records and medals and writing family histories. All county and out-of-county residents are invited to include input and ideas for the museum.

The annual East Poinsett County school district public meeting will be Monday, Sept. 12, at the Lepanto High School Library. The board meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the public meeting at 7.

The Holy Trinity Church of God, 119 Poplar in Trumann, will have a bake sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, with all proceeds going to the church. For more information, persons may contact Bro. David Adams at 870-838-4303 or Jerry Price 870-530-4991.

Poinsett County Lake Park will host a Basic Dutch Oven Cooking Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 17. This class is for those looking for a fun and easy way to cook while out camping. Persons can join the staff of Lake Poinsett State Park on Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and gain hands-on experience preparing a meal from start to finish in a Dutch oven. Using a Dutch oven is much easier than it seems. The lake staff will also teach campers how to care for the oven, the history behind Dutch ovens, and give recipes and temperature charts to take home. Each participant will receive a Dutch Oven Starter Kit. The cost is $45 per individual and $5 per additional guest. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, persons may call the park at (870) 578-2064. Lake Poinsett State Park is one of the 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The 135-acre park offers camping, a boat launch ramp, a standard pavilion, picnic sites, restrooms and bathhouse on 640-acre Lake Poinsett. Along with the visitor center and gift shop, the park offers two nature trails and year-round interpretive programs. For more information about the workshop up or any other park events, persons mayh contact the park at (870) 578-2064.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Arkansas Living magazine are sponsoring a photo contest for cooperative members. Twelve winning submissions will be featured in the 2012 Arkansas Living calendar. Each of the 12 cooperative members who submit winning photographs will win a $100 Visa gift card and inclusion of their photograph in the 2012 Arkansas Living calendar. "We are looking for images that represent and depict life in our great state," said Doug White, vice president of systems services for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. "We want photos that tell the story of living in Arkansas from the cameras of Arkansans." Entry deadline is Saturday, Oct. 15, and the contest is limited to members of an Arkansas electric cooperative. All photos submitted must be in color and taken in Arkansas. Entries are limited to two photos per person. For complete contest rules and entry information, visit www.ecark.org/photocontest. The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas comprise 17 electric distribution cooperatives -- Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. (AECI), a Little Rock-based cooperative that provides various services to the distribution cooperatives; and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC), a generation and transmission cooperative. The distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 500,000 members, or customers, in Arkansas and surrounding states. For additional information, persons may contact Rob Roedel, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, (501) 570-2296 or rroedel@aeci.com.

"We have several reasons for initiating this campaign," said Tad Rogers, pastor of First Baptist Church in Trumann. "We wish to develop deeper relationships with God and one another. We seek to become more mature followers of Christ while hoping to minister to those who may be skeptics or non-believers. Finally, we hope to assist other congregations in training leaders to introduce The Story to their church families." Although the Bible is the best-selling book in history, research by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008) found that only 16 percent of Americans read the Bible each day. First Baptist Church is hoping to reverse this trend. Rogers believes The Story, a Zondervan best-seller, will enhance Bible Study by assisting participants in understanding how their personal stories intersect with the story of God. Consisting of 31 chapters of carefully-selected scriptures sequenced in chronological order, The Story presents the word of God in an engaging format, reading like a novel. The Story Church Campaign consists of 31 weeks of curriculum for children, teen and adult Sunday school and community groups. Worship will also correspond to the weekly readings. First Baptist Church invites persons to experience The Story, which will begin Sept. 18. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. followed by worship at 11. Community groups are from 5 to 6 p.m. in the evening. A nursery will be available for all sessions. For more information, persons may visit www.fbctrumann.org or call the church office at 870-483-6459.

The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is part of a national movement to raise awareness and take action to fight hunger in America. September is Hunger Action Month. Throughout the month, Feeding America's nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, including the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas, is working to engage citizens to take action through the "30 Ways in 30 Days" campaign.Individuals are asked to pledge their "way" to make a difference, and take part in the fight against hunger in America. Arkansas now has the highest incidence of hunger in the nation. The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas serves more than 5,100 different individuals each week by providing emergency food assistance in 12 counties in Northeast Arkansas. Throughout September, everyone is encouraged to get involved with the Food Bank to help fight hunger. One in six Arkansans struggles with hunger. That's why Feeding America and the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas are asking everyone to take action during Hunger Action Month. Persons are invited to join millions of other Americans in giving food donations, monetary donations and time to feed the hungry in the community. According to Christie Jordan, executive director for the Food Bank, the smallest gift can make a big difference to those in need in Northeast Arkansas. "If each of us contributes in ways that are manageable for us as individuals or our families, the results are amazing!" said Jordan. "Literally thousands of individuals contribute money, food, and volunteer hours each year to help the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas carry out its mission. We couldn't do this work without their help." The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is asking co-workers, corporations, community groups, and individuals to participate in Hunger Action Month in many easy ways. Participants can commit to volunteer, organize a food drive, or make monetary or food donations to the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. Community participants can visit www.foodbankofnea.org to learn more about the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. For additional information, persons may call (870) 932-3663 (FOOD) or e-mail vpillow@foodbankofnea.org. The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas works to eliminate hunger by distributing food to people in need through a network of non-profit agencies and programs.

Those wishing to donate items to the flea market, benefitting the Marked Tree Delta Area Museum and the Marked Tree Library, being held during the Cotton Picking Jubilee on Sept. 24 may take them to the common area Meeting Room during library or museum hours. "Please see that items are clean and in good repair, with clothing placed on hangers," a spokesman said. Flea market sponsors ask that donations be pre-priced. For further information, persons may call a member of Friends of the Library or the Marked Tree Historical Society at 870-593-2141, 870-358-2121, 870-4097, or 358-2620.

The Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center at Piggott will host the eighth annual "Native American Day" from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, on the grounds of the museum, located at 1071 Heritage Park Drive. There will be no house tours for the day. There is no admission charge. There will be free hot dogs and sodas, games and crafts for the kids, souvenirs from the museum store for under $5 and authorities on the subject of Native Americans. R.W. "Dub" Lyerly from Ash Flat will be available to answer questions and identify artifacts which guests are invited to take to the event. Lyerly, an amateur archeologist, has worked on archeological digs and spent many years learning the history of the early inhabitants of northeast Arkansas. Knappers will demonstrate knapping, the process Native Americans used to produce arrowheads or points. These men are very knowledgeable in the history of Native Americans and will be available along with Lyerly to answer any questions. The museum also is pleased to have scouts from "The Order of the Arrow" again this year. This group of scouts, from Cape Girardeau, Mo., will perform authentic Native American dance. The dances are performed in full Native American regalia. This group performs and competes nationally. Those interested are invited to take lawn chairs and sit back to enjoy the performance. This year the scouts will set up an Indian village, complete with tepees, displays and demonstrations of Native American crafts. Art instructor Jerri Tate and art students from Piggott High School will be on hand to assist younger guests in making pinch pots, a primitive form of clay pottery. Piggott volunteers give their time with a common goal: to educate the public and create an interest in the history and culture of Native Americans. Those who have questions about Native American Day may call the Matilda and Karl Pfeiffer Museum and Study Center at (870) 598-3228.

Ernest Cooper was arrested Aug. 31 as an escapee from the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Officers began following up on information that an escapee from the state of Mississippi was hiding in Trumann. Several officers began speaking with close acquaintances of Cooper in the Trumann area. These conversations led to the search of a residence where it was learned that a family member had warned Cooper of the upcoming arrival of police. Those family members were later interviewed about their involvement in the warning. While the family members where being interviewed, Cooper called the police and arranged for his surrender. Cooper then surrendered to the Paragould Police Department and was transported to the Greene County Jail pending extradition. On Sept. 2, Trumann police received consent to search the residence of Donnie Moody and Carla Drown on 908 Mulberry Street. Officers discovered several items commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine, a discarded suspected "one pot" meth lab, paraphenalia used to ingest methamphetamine and suspected marijuana. Officers also found that in the room with the illegal items was a television connected to an outside video surveillance camera, which was pointed at the front door. District Judge Ron Hunter set both court dates on Oct. 31. Moody's bond is set at $100,000 and Drown's at $50,000.

Harrisburg opened their season with a 28-14 win over rival Cross County. Quarterback Marcus Smith would shine during the process. The junior signal caller completed nine of 13 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown pass while adding 119 yards rushing with three touchdown runs. The Thunderbirds would open the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Houston to Clifton Eades with 8:20 left in the first quarter. Cross County was in front 7-0 at the end of one. Smith scored his first touchdown on a one yard run and then passed to Hunter McGill for the two-point conversion. The score was 8-6 as the teams went into halftime. Smith scored again from one yard out with 7:36 left in the third before Dylan Hudson struck from a yard out and then added the two-point try to tie the game at 14-14. Landon Meilke hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Smith for the Hornets next score. Smith added the two-point run for a 22-14 lead with 2:20 left in the third quarter. Jordan Harper recovered a Cross County fumble on the Thunderbirds' 16-yard-line to set up Smith's final touchdown of the night. Smith would score on two-yard run to set the final score at 28-14. Michael Meredith also had a good night as he caught five passes for 134 yards. Dylan Hudson of Cross County rushed for 264 yards on 19 carries to lead his team. Harrisburg will have an open date this Friday.

Trumann traveled to Wilson Friday night for a match up with the Rivercrest Colts. The Wildcats could never get on the track and the Colts' speed would cause trouble as the home team would shut out the Wildcats, 35-0. Both teams would come out and show first game jitters as they traded possessions throughout the opening quarter and end the frame with a 0-0 score. The Colts would take advantage of a big punt return by Ty Baber to set up their first scoring drive. Rivercrest's quarterback, Robert Cooney, would keep the ball for 37 yards for the first score of the game with 10:44 left before the half. The first of five successful point after kicks by Corbin Smith made the score 7-0. The Colts' Cooney would score again from two yards out and with the point after the score would stand at 14-0 with 4:48 left in second quarter. The Colts would do a pooch kickoff and recover the ball, setting up their third score of the quarter. The Colts' Clayton Carlton would punch the ball in from the one with the touchdown being set up with a long pass completion to the one yard line. The point after would make the score 21-0. After another pooch kick, this time with the Wildcats up guy fumbling, the Colts would march for their fourth score of the quarter. Chris Parked would score from five yards away with 1:10 left until halftime. The point after would set the halftime score at 28-0. Allen Walker set the final score as he scored on a five yard run with 36 seconds left in the third quarter. The point after would make the score 35-0. The Colts would rest their starters for most of the second half. Trumann just could not get their offense started in the second half. After the game Coach Greg White offered these words, "In the 18 years I've been here, this is as flat as I've ever seen us. It's my job as the coach to have them ready but were just flat, flat, flat." Cameron Wright led the way offensively for Trumann with 48 yards on five carries. Trumann will travel to Nettleton for a big rivalry game Friday.