There was a time -- in the mid 1980s -- when the Forrest City Mustangs held the upper hand against Jonesboro.
From 1982 through 1985, the Mustangs recorded four straight victories over the Hurricane. Since that time, the Ws have been scarce -- with the Mustangs winning only six times in the past 17 games.
The way Forrest City has played during their first three games, tonight could provide another victory.
The Mustangs are 2-1 overall coming into tonight's game as is Jonesboro.
The Mustangs are fourth in scoring among the eight conference teams and are second in points allowed.
That is a key stat, considering Jonesboro is ranked first in offense coming in. The Hurricane have scored 103 points in three games which averages to 34 points per game. The Mustang defense has allowed just 32 total points in three games -- with Wynne grabbing 26 points of that total in the opening game.
Jonesboro has a returning proven quarterback while the Mustangs are still trying to settle on a starter. In three games, the Mustangs have used four different quarterbacks. It appears that Ben Horton may have locked down that position with his performance against Osceola last Friday.
* Vital Stats
Jonesboro 2-1 (0-0 AAAAA-East)
Forrest City 2-1 (0-0 AAAAA-East)
Since 1975 Jonesboro leads the overall series 15-to-13
Jonesboro has won four of the last five meetings including last year's 35-0 victory. In those five games, Jonesboro has outscored Forrest City 146-to-55 with two shutouts
Forrest City Coach Donnie Willis is 15-28 as head coach of he Mustangs with one state playoff appearance. Jonesboro Coach Jim DeVazier is 23-21-1 with the Hurricane.
Keys for a Forrest City victory: A solid performance by the offense which is loaded with big-play threats and the play of junior QB Ben Horton.
Keys for a Jonesboro victory: Jonesboro has to throw the ball well against Forrest City's secondary and will have to find a way to counter the Mustangs' size advantage.
It is the final regular season matchup between the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots and Rector. P-W is slated to move back into the 6AA next season as part of the state-wide reclassification schedule.
The Patriots turned the football over seven times against Cross County last Friday and that cost P-W a 12-6 loss and the team's first 3-0 start since 1997.
That was last week. Friday starts a new season for the Patriots against the 0-3 Wildcats.
* Vital Stats
Palestine-Wheatley Patriots 2-1 (1-1 3AA)
Rector Wildcats 0-3 (0-2 3AA))
The Patriots have too much firepower, especially with the emergence of a passing game this season. The undersized Wildcats have neither the size nor the depth to withstand the P-W running game.
A year ago, the Patriots slapped Rector 41-14.
This time around the Patriots are being picked by at least 30 points and it could be much more. All P-W has to do is hold on to the football.
Keys for a Palestine-Wheatley victory: No turnovers
Keys for a Rector victory: There aren't many except hopes for any kind of upset.
If there is a bigger 3AA Conference game on tap tonight than Hughes at Cross County, it would be hard to find.
Both the Blue Devils and the Thunderbirds are 2-0 in the league and both are banking on postseason tickets to the AA playoffs.
The Thunderbirds are coming a big upset win over Palestine-Wheatley last Friday while Hughes is coming a huge 58-0 win over Rector.
A year ago, it the Blue Devils taking a 35-0 win. This year, it will probably be closer but it should still be a Hughes win.
* Vital Stats
Hughes Blue Devils 2-1 (2-0 3AA)
Cross County Thunderbirds 2-1 (2-0 3AA)
It looks like the Blue Devils are picking up where they left off last season on the offensive side of the football.
Cross County is coming off a very solid 5-5 year in 2002 and have the tools to make it a long night for Hughes behind the running of Rolandis Hill, who is averaging close to 130 yards per game.
Keys for a Hughes victory: A solid performance on both sides of the football and execution. The defense has to respect Hill but not forget Cross County's other offensive weapons.
Keys for a Cross County victory: Obviously, a big night for Hill and keeping the game close. Any kind of early Hughes lead could spell the end for the T-Birds.
The annual Forrest City Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament and Barbeque will be held Monday, Sept. 29, at the Forrest City Country Club.
The golf tournament will be a four-person scramble and teams will tee off at 1 p.m., following an 11:30 a.m. lunch at the club.
Entry fees are $50 per person with an added $15 per person fee for cart rental. Registration continues for the event.
"We have about 17 teams signed up," said coordinator King Casbeer. "That's a good turnout but we won't turn anyone away."
For more information or to register for the tournament, call Casbeer at 633-2833 or Billy Martin at 633-2262.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Forrest City Coach Rich Trail handed the ball to tailback Michael Holland and the freshman responded by scoring three first half touchdowns.
The Junior Mustang defense did the rest, holding West Memphis West scoreless in the second half to take a 20-8 win in a key junior high AAAAA-East game at Sam Smith Stadium.
It was the first time in at least 10 years for a Forrest City junior high football team to put down West.
West owns a string of victories over Forrest City junior high teams, dating back to 1994.
The victory also keeps the Junior Mustangs unbeaten in conference play at 2-0 and 2-1-1 overall. West slips to 1-1 in the league.
It makes next week's conference game against Jonesboro Annie Camp even bigger. Annie Camp is 4-0 overall and 1-0 after defeating West Memphis East Thursday night.
"I can't say enough about the offensive line," Trail said. "They created holes all night long for our running backs."
Trail singled out offensive linemen Terry Hughes, Justin Harris, Blake Davis, Marcus Britt, Daniel Russell, Terrance Wright and Rylan Nimocks.
Holland got things rolling early in the first quarter when he scored on a 52-yard run. The two-point try failed leaving Forrest City in front 6-0.
West answered and took the lead when Terrian Stackhouse, younger brother of former West Memphis running back and NY Giant Charles Stackhouse, scored from four-yards out. The two-point pass play put West in front 8-6.
The rest of the first half belonged to Holland who returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards and Antonio Robinson added the two-point play for a 14-8 Mustang lead.
Holland added a short touchdown run with 30 seconds left in the first half as the Junior Mustangs pushed their lead to 20-8.
The key to the win may have been the Forrest City defensive effort in the second half when West controlled the football for five minutes and 27 seconds and didn't score.
"Our defense bent at times, but they didn't break," Trail said as West repeatedly ran through the middle of the defense. "The defense played hard the entire game. They never quit." Trail singled out John Washington, Terrell Lee, Britt, Donnie Willis Jr. and Wilson Parker, who also took the majority of the snaps at quarterback on defense.
Lee ended the lengthy West possession with a bruising tackle of Stackhouse with 5:33 to play in the fourth quarter.
Trail also credited Nimocks, whose 45-yard punt with 3:45 left in the game, helped seal the Forrest City win.
"That was a big time punt," Trail said. "And it came at a time when we needed something to happen."
After the punt, West fumbled the football and the Junior Mustangs took over with just over two minutes to play and ran out the clock to preserve the win.
*The Annie Camp Whirlwinds remained undefeated with a 35-6 rout of West Memphis East Thursday night at Cooksey-Johns Field.
The Whirlwinds led 21-0 at the half.
Annie Camp (4-0, 1-0) finished with 268 yards of offense while East compiled just 142.
*MacArthur Junior High gave up an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the game, but soon rallied from the 7-0 deficit to win 19-7 Thursday.
The Cyclones (2-2, 1-1 AAAAA-East) had 272 total yards and held Mountain Home to 57 rushing yards.
*Marked Tree's John Ed Turpin rushed for 120 yards on seven carries and scored a touchdown to help lead the Indians to a 38-6 win over
conference foe Cross County to improve to 4-0 on the season.
Cross County's Ricky Jones put the Thunderbirds (2-2) on the board with a 1-yard run with 7:20 left to play.
*Walnut Ridge's Ryan Weir scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the Bobcats pull away from host Palestine-Wheatley 24-14 Thursday.
Walnut Ridge (3-1) led 12-8 at halftime.
Logan Morse helped pad his stats for Walnut Ridge with two first-half scores of more than 30 yards.
Palestine answered with a 64-yard touchdown pass, from quarterback Taylor Clark to Ricky Thorn. Thorn scored P-W's second touchdown, a 35-yard run.
The Junior Patriots fumbled twice early in the game.
"Those turnovers certainly didn't help us," P-W Coach Terry Clardy said.
Raphael Williams led the Junior Patriots defensively, recording nine tacklesd, three of those solo take downs. Blake Simmons had seven tackles and one interception.
The Patriots were within four points, 18-14 with three minutes to play but an on-sides kick attempt failed and Walnut Ridge went in for the final touchdown.
The Junior Patriots will play at Hughes next Thursday in another key 3AA Conference game.
The rodeo will ride once again in St. Francis County beginning tonight at the Wiley T. Jones Fairgrounds.
The International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) of Oklahoma will be at the fairgrounds tonight and Saturday,
The events each night will begin at 8 p.m., but gates will open at 6 p.m.
Among those expected to compete will be Bubba Rhea of Forrest City and his wife, Sherry Lynn. Sherry Lynn is a barrel racer and Bubba is a four-time qualifier for the International Finals Rodeo.
Two-time IPRA bull riding world champion Blaine Whipp may also make an appearance. Whipp won IPRA world titles in 2000 and 2001. The clown act this year will feature Wild Bill from Tennessee.
There will be seven events featured -- Bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing and bull riding.