By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
And the West Helena Cougars still couldn't find the scoring touch against Forrest City as the Mustangs bowed up on defense Tuesday.
A year ago, Forrest City went to West Helena and pitched a preseason 7-0 shut out against the Cougars.
Tuesday night, the Cougars visited Sam Smith Stadium and it was more of the same, this time a 13-0 shut out by the Mustangs on a very hot and humid evening.
Both Forrest City scores came in the second half after a defensive-played first half by both teams.
The Mustangs worked both Terrance Ware and Tae Chism at quarterback during the game and used a revolving door full of running backs.
The scrimmage was played using 20 minute quarters and all punts were delivered without a rushing effort by the special teams.
Demarcus Sinclair and Dominique Sinclair ran the ball well, splitting time in the backfield for the Mustangs.
Forrest City, picked fifth in the preseason conference standings, are coming off their third straight 4-6 season, but have the largest senior class since the early 1990s.
"There''s a lot of talent in the senior group," Forrest City Coach Donnie Willis said recently. "We just have to get it onto the playing field."
While the Mustangs have the largest senior class in recent seasons, the team's overall numbers are down with less than 60 dressed players out.
Senior lineman Stephen Henry continues to play well on both sides of the football in preseason and led the defensive unit most of the scrimmage.
Forrest City played their projected starters most of the scrimmage before going to the reserves late in the final quarter.
The Mustangs will open the year on Sept. 5, when they host Wynne.
Wynne will host Searcy Friday night at Yellowjacket Stadium for a preseason scrimmage game.
Searcy plays in the AAAAA-East Conference along with the Mustangs who will make the regular season trip to Searcy on Oct. 3.
*Meanwhile, the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots came away with a split in a three-team preseason jamboree played at at Clarendon.
The Patriots shut out Mountain View 16-0 and lost to Clarendon 14-8 on a late second half score after leading 8-7 in the third quarter.
"Overall, everything went as planned," said P-W Coach Terry Farmer. "It was good to see some real action and we needed to play because I felt like we needed a headcheck, if you know what I mean."
Farmer said his Patriots played well, especially along the line, which at times a year ago, wasn't the case.
"The line looked solid and I thought our linebackers played well," Farmer added.
Fred Leak went the distance for the Patriots at quarterback and is projected to be the starter for the season, although Farmer has as many as three quarterbacks to call on.
"Rashun Barnes went in for one series," Farmer said. "But he is still plagued by cramps, which he tried to battle through last year."
The Patriots, who have just six seniors on roster this season, have been picked to finish second in the 3AA Conference this season, are scheduled to open the season on Sept. 5, at Des Arc.
*The Hughes Blue Devils traveled to Trumann Tuesday to play a preseason scrimmage game, but as of press time, no details were available.
The Blue Devils, 10-3 a year ago, will open the season on sept. 5, by hosting Barton.
Hughes reached the quarterfinals of the Class AA state playoffs a year ago and led the state in scoring for much of the season.
Head Coach James Wright returns for his sixth season with the Blue Devils.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
OSCEOLA -- The Forrest City Junior Mustangs didn't lose Tuesday night in a four-team, preseason junior high jamboree played at Osceola.
But they didn't exactly win each matchup either.
The Junior Mustangs defeated Earle 14-0 and then played Osceola and Blytheville to a scoreless tie.
The Junior Mustangs played each of the other schools one quarter each.
"We played well and moved the football," said Forrest City Coach Rich Trail. "Even against Osceola and Blytheville, we were moving the ball, but when you're playing eight-minute quarters and both teams are running the football, the time goes by fast."
Forrest City did not attempt a single pass in any of the three quarters.
"We kept the ball on the ground and ran four or five base plays," Trail said.
The Junior Mustangs got within scoring range against Blytheville, but a fumble -- the team's only turnover of the night -- stopped their momentum. Trail also praised the defensive effort and said as a whole "The defense played great."
"I was glad that we only had the one turnover and we forced several and we had just a few minor penalties," Trail said. "For the first time out, that is something to talk about and it is satisfying."
"Our main two goals going into the jamboree was to look decent and to keep everyone healthy," Trail said. "We accomplished both those goals."
It was two years ago, when Trail was coaching the Blue Mustangs, that he lost two starters in a preseason scrimmage game.
"I didn't want a repeat of that," Trail added.
John Washington and Antonio Robinson scored touchdowns for Forrest City while Michael Holland provided the one two-point conversion.
Returning quarterback Stephon Weaver split time with Nico Walker and Trail said that may be an option for the team during regular season.
"I'm not sure yet how our quarterback system will play out," Trail said. "We have the option to do some different things, so we will continue to look at those."
Trail said the coaching staff took only ninth graders to the jamboree, even though the eighth-grade Mustangs will open the year on Tuesday, Sept. 2, when they host Brinkley.
The Junior Mustangs will open the year on Sept. 4, at Marianna.
Forrest City returned to the one-team format in each sport this year after fielding two teams for the last three seasons.
The Forrest City Mustang golf team will open the 2003 season today when they visit West Memphis.
The Arkansas Activities Association voted to move high school golf to the fall beginning this year.
Another change has John Burgess replacing long-time long-time golf coach Tommy Wheetley this season.
The Mustangs return four from last year's team -- Sawyer Ramsey, Brian Hacker, John Scott Carroll and Doug Drake.
Newcomers include Derrick McCollum, Steven Holmes and Cody Flowers on the boys' team and Katie Ramsey and Mary Dudley Hodges on the girls' side.
Burgess said he is still tryng to iron out the season schedule, after having several last-minute changes.
West Memphis will come to Forrest City next week.