By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The Forrest City Mustang football team is winding down spring drills.
The 2004 team has two more days in full pads and the coaching staff is taking the spring workouts "one day at a time."
"We are just concentrating on the fundamentals of the game," Head Coach Donnie Willis said, "Because we have so many young kids this year."
The Mustangs graduated more than 20 seniors and that means there will be a lot of holes to fill come summer drills in August.
Willis has not yet made the decision to hold a Blue-White scrimmage as the team has done in past spring practice sessions.
"Probably, we will, but we have to get the kids through the final semester testing period and with only a few days of school remaining, we are just trying to be as productive as we can be."
Willis said the Mustangs won't be as big this season but should be "a whole lot quicker."
The Mustangs are scheduled to open the 2004 football on Sept. 3, when they host Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Poplar Bluff became the new opening season opponent when Wynne opted not to renew its contract with Forrest City.
The opener against Poplar Bluff is followed by a road trip to West Helena, which is replacing Marianna this season and the Mustangs close out the nonconference schedule by hosting Osceola.
The AAAAA-East Conference has a new look this season, but one that is very familiar to Forrest City and the rest of the league.
Blytheville drops down to Class AAAA and out of the East conference, making way for Sylvan Hills to return to the league.
Sylvan Hills dropped down to Class AAAA two years ago and was replaced in the conference by Searcy.
Willis said approximately 80 athletes have been involved in the spring football drills.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
It's been a week since any of the Forrest City youth baseball or softball teams have been on the field.
Forrest City Recreation Director Kenneth Taylor is hoping to get back on track tonight.
The crews were busy this morning at the Sports Complex mowing, cleaning and trying to dry the fields enough to play tonight.
Monday's rain out was the second of the season for most of the leagues and the third straight playing date lost.
The league lost last Thursday's schedule to rain and took Friday off due to high school graduation ceremonies.
The adult men and women's softball leagues have yet to play.
While no definite make up plans have been put into place, the rain outs so far will most likely be made up at the end of the season.
The possibility to schedule some doubleheaders between now and then, exists as well.
All total, the program has 36 games to make up as of today and four suspended games to complete.
The only leagues which have not suffered any rain outs are T-Ball, Bambino 9-10 and the girls' 10-under softball.
Wynne will host the annual Flat As A Pancake 5K on Saturday, June 12, in conjunction with Farmfest.
The 5K is a run-walk event, organized by the Cross County Ramblers and includes a pancake breakfast following the completion of the race.
A "Kiddie Fun Run' for children ages 12-under will also be held, but will be limited to 50 entries. The Fun Run entry fee is $5.
Participants in the 5K will receive a t-shirt and breakfast. Cost is $15 prior to race day and $20 on the day of the race.
The Flat As A Pancake 5K course will take runners on a flat course through downtown Wynne and through a neighboring suburb.
Trophies will be awarded to first, second and third-place finishers for Overall Male and Female as well as Masters Male and Female, which will include runners age 40 and older.
Applications are available at Handy Mini Storage, 1306 S. Falls in Wynne or at the Cross County Chamber of Commerce, 500 North Falls.
For more information, call 870-238-5528.
The first 2004 Searcy Skate and Bike Competition will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Searcy
Skate Park. An open practice session will begin at 11 a.m.
There is a $10 registration fee for the event and during the competition, all participants will be required to wear a helmet. Elbow and knee pads are optional, but encouraged. All entrants will be required to sign a form that they have acknowledged and will abide by park rules.
The event will include competitions for skateboarding, rollerblading and bicycling. Entrants will be divided according to ability level in one of three categories: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Cash and gift certificates are among the prizes to be awarded.
Competitors will be judged by a panel who will award scores in four criteria: consistency, variety, difficulty of tricks and style.
Also, White County SafeKids will be on hand to administer free bicycle and helmet safety checks. Searcy Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator Alan Holloway encourages families to attend the event and to bring their children's bicycles for a safety check.