Patience big plus in Alma’s first out-right playoff berth since ’19
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
The Alma Airedales won’t know until late next Friday who they’ll be playing in the first round of the state football playoffs.
But they do know one thing - they’re back in postseason play.
Alma punched its playoff ticket last week by trouncing Prairie Grove, 49-12.
“That’s the standard around here,” head coach Rusty Bush said. “It’s been the expectations, and that’s our big goal — to compete for a conference championship each and every year and obviously go to the playoffs.
“That’s what they’ve been doing here for a long time.”
This season, Alma senior Jackson Daily picked up where last season’s starter Joe Trusty left off and hasn’t skipped a beat.
A number of first-year starters have contributed, offensive coordinator Chris Smith said.
“You’re talking about a great group of kids,” Smith said. “(Zach) Millsap, Eric Johnson, and some guys like Richard Taylor, Kayden Lamp, Donald Mulligan… I think that just shows you, kids, that are in the program, if they can stay with it, they’re going to have success at some point. It may not be early, but if they can stay in and buy time, they’re going to have success.
“I think that’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had this year.”
During the COVID pandemic of 2020, Alma earned a playoff berth, despite finishing 2-8 overall. Bush started four different quarterbacks that season.
“Really, for the first time since I’ve been here, this is the first (playoff game),” Bush said. “We went during COVID, but I don’t really count that one. These kids earned this one. We still have a lot of football, and hopefully, we’ll be playing for some bigger and better things as we keep moving up.”
Basketball
Alma boys basketball coach Dominic Lincoln is ready to start the season. So are his players.
The Airedales open the 2023-24 campaign on Nov. 14 against Shiloh Christian. The team’s first home game is Nov. 20 against Clarksville.
“I think we did a pretty good job last year of making those guys get battle-tested; I think we got better from it,” Lincoln said. “This year, we’re doing the same, but a little bit of balance. We’ve still got games at Northside, our first game, Sylvan Hills, Shiloh Christian, and we’re going back to play County Line.”
In addition to the Charles B. Dyer Classic, Alma will compete in tournaments in Tahlequah, Okla., Sheridan, and Bryant. The Airedales will also face Fort Smith Southside.
The Airedales will field a strong roster that will eventually include current football players Camden Curd, Israel Towns-Robinson, and Matthew Rogers. Carmani Smith, Eddie Tate, Tyree McGill, Christ Salazar, Hutson Boggs, and Easton Boggs, among others, have looked sharp, Lincoln said.
“Practice is going really well,” Lincoln said. “The guys come to work every day and work hard, and they’ve gotten better. We’re really excited about this year. A lot of people are expecting big things from us this year. I told the guys the expectations are high this year, and that’s where we want to be at.”
Alma 28, Dardanelle 12
Alma freshman Izaac Plourde amassed over 200 yards of all-purpose yards and a touchdown during Alma’s 28-12 win over Dardanelle Thursday night.
Two-way star Boaz Benson caught two touchdown passes in the team’s victory from quarterback Chase Parker.
Tristan Nutt scooped up a fumble and added another touchdown for the Airedales.
Defensively, Jeremiah Whitaker knocked down two passes. Benson, Parker, Colton Nutt, Andrew Bush, and Dylan Jackson played well.
Alma (6-3) concludes the regular season next week at Greenwood.
Airedales 32, Dardanelle 18
Jaden Peters ran for one touchdown and passed for another during the Alma Airedales’ 32-18 win over Dardanelle in eighth-grade football.
Quinton Broadway led the charge with 100 yards rushing and a touchdown. Peters, who carried the ball seven times for 57 yards, also finished 8-of-9 through the air for 96 yards.
Mason Mahar caught seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Chris French had eight tackles for the Airedales (3-4-1). Trenton Simon had four tackles and a pass breakup. Aiden Davis added two tackles, a PBU, and an interception.
Cross Country
Alma’s Nevaeh Kangas clinched her ticket to the state cross country meet by placing 10th overall at the 5A-West cross country meet Thursday.
Kangas finished with a time of 22:37.94.
Teammates Elena Frantzen (30:15.62) and Aleeze Williams (31:48.90) finished 62nd and 65th, respectively, for the Lady Airedales.
Caleb Boen was 55th overall (21:01.99) for the boys. Marcelino Rodriguez (22:50.47) placed 80th and Lucas Wald (23:24.97) was 84th.
This Week In Airedale History
Tim Plourde ran for 78 yards and a touchdown, Chad Nerenberg collected eight tackles, and Danny Vines recorded an interception to pace Alma to a 19-7 win over the Bentonville Tigers. Nerenberg finished his career (1990-92) with a team-record 305 tackles
Alex Burris (368), Adam Daily (331), and Curtis Loyd (321) later joined the 300-tackle club.