Stories from Thursday, November 10, 2011

Trumann is going GREEN!

Jonesboro -- Trumann's Lady Wildcats opened their basketball season with a 42-36 win over Ridgefield Christian in senior high basketball action. Jazmine Nixon led Trumann (1-0) with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Trumann won the junior girl's game 16-10.

Harrisburg -- Harrisburg hosted the Bald Knob Bulldogs in a 3A-3 conference game this past Friday. Both teams had already secured playoff spots, this would decide who was the fourth and fifth seeds. The Bulldogs wasted no time in showing they wanted the fourth seed. Cordell Crisp of Bald Knob helped his team build a 57-32 lead at halftime by throwing five of his seven touchdown passes in the first half. Marcus Smith of Harrisburg connected with Jordan Harper for four touchdown passes in the first half as well. The scoring strikes were from 42, 47, 12 and eight yards. Smith also had a three-yard touchdown run in the half. Harrisburg (5-4, 3-4) got three more rushing touchdowns from Smith in the second half. His scores were from two, 43 and one-yard. Smith's final score got the Hornets to within 71-52. Bald Knob (4-6, 4-3) scored the last 16 points of the game to set the final score. Smith had a great night as he passed for 262 yards and four touchdown passes. He also added 211 yards rushing with four touchdown runs. Harper was on the receiving end of all four touchdown passes while tallying up 252 yards receiving. Harrisburg will travel to Fountain Lake for the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs this Friday.

Bay - The Bay Yellowjackets celebrated their Homecoming night this past Friday before their game with the Weiner Cardinals. Bay (7-0) wasted little time jumping to the lead on their way to a 67-49 victory. The Yellowjackets, led by Damion Holt's 13 points, ended the first period on top 22-5. They extended that lead to 41-22 at halftime. Bay would build that score to 62-35 after three quarters of play. Gunner Freeman and Tyson Oliver both added 11 points for Bay. Zach Johnson chipped in 10. Weiner's Taylor Ozbun led his team in scoring with 13. Bay won the junior boys game 47-30.

Trumann -- The Trumann Wildcats hosted the Highland Rebels this past Thursday in a 4A-3 conference football game. Trumann honored their seniors before the ball game. Highland put a damper on the night's activities as they beat the Wildcats 50-8. Highland (8-1, 5-1) jumped out to an early 19-0 lead before Trumann (2-7, 1-5) could get on the board. A.J. Winningham scored on a four-yard and Quentin Buchanan added the two-point conversion to make the score 19-8. The rest of game would be all Highland. Josh Evans was a bright spot for Trumann as the junior fullback rushed for 157 yards. Buchanan chipped in 78 yards rushing. Coach Greg White offered these words after the game, "It's been a tough year. When you have up to eight guys out at a time, that's 16 spots you lose with those guys playing both offense and defense." "We had kids who have not played much have to step in and play. We've patched together a team for the last few weeks, but I'm proud of the kids," White added.

Drake Evans, 12, of Trumann killed this nice eight-point buck while hunting with his dad James Evans outside Mammoth Springs this past Saturday morning during the annual youth deer hunt.

Palestine -- Marked Tree traveled to Palestine-Wheatley to close out its football season. Senior Thadious Moore gave the fans a game to be remembered for. Moore rushed for 315 yards and three touchdowns in a game that was cut short due a player injury. Marked Tree was up 56-20 when the injury occurred. The Patriots jumped out to an early 8-0. Marked Tree's Darius Ivy, who chipped in 88 yards and two touchdowns rushing, scored on a nine-yard run. Moored added the two-point to tie the game. Palestine-Wheatley took a 14-8 lead before Jagger McCrary found Ivy for a one-yard touchdown pass. Bryant Anderson ran in the two-point conversion for a 16-14 Indians lead. Blake Stone tackled a Patriot runner in the end zone for a safety to give Marked Tree (4-6) an 18-14 lead. The Patriots again took the lead before Moore gave Marked Tree the lead for good with a nine-yard touchdown run. McCrary added the two-point conversion for a 26-20 lead. Moore added a 61-yard touchdown run with 1:04 left before half. This score was setup by the Indians recovering an onside kick. Ivy set the halftime score at 34-20 with the two-point conversion. Ivy scored on a 26-yard run before Moore broke loose for a 57-yard score. Ivy added the two-point try after this score to give the Indians a 48-20 lead. Taylor Wages and Moore scored the final points of the season as Wages returned an interception 62-yards and Moored added the two-point try to set the final score.