First-time defenders step up as Airedales roll past Siloam

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

Alma scored four first-half touchdowns and held Siloam Springs to just one second-half touchdown while the Panthers 28-14 last week. 

The offense did its part, especially in the first half. 

But the defense came up with 10 tackle-for-loss plays, including a career-best for junior linebacker Timothy Plourde. What made it tougher for the Airedales was that Siloam Springs presented multiple looks on offense, including an old-school wing-t formation. 

“Our defensive coaching staff, all week long, we were well prepared for it,” Alma coach Rusty Bush said. “To go into a week, where it’s not something you normally work on, was impressive. Plus, we were limited with some personnel on defense and some kids came in and played well.”

The Airedales (1-1) travel to Hot Springs this week. 

Plourded led the charge with seven tackles, including five TFLs and two sacks. 

“Tim did a good job, and that’s what it’s going to take for us to win ballgames,” Bush said. “When you get some different offensive formations, you have to have guys step up. Caleb Parker was banged up a little bit and Tim stepped up. Izzy (Israel Towns-Robinson) and Eli Risley were banged up a little bit … it’s next man up, and I think we answered the call.” 

“This defense is amazing; I love this defense,” Plourde said. “I don’t know how we stopped them, but we did.”

Senior Brayden Polecat reaches high for an interception during Friday’s win over Siloam Springs. 

Plourde’s younger brother, Izaac also had seven stops, while veterans Ashton Chanhnouvong had six, and Jackson Mitchell, Landon Morris, and Tristan Nutt had four apiece. 

Mitchell, Morris, Nutt, Noah Ingle, and Demetrius Humphrey each had a TFL. 

Alma defensive coordinator Zach Jones’ squad held the Panthers to just 252 total yards, including just 92 on the ground. The Panthers got two big pass plays, including a 59-yard touchdown pass and a 30-yard completion that appeared to hit the ground but was called a reception. 

Alma opened the scoring with senior Jacob Dollard bursting through from 8 yards out. Sophomore Daniel Rodriguez booted the first of his four PAT kicks. 

Towns-Robinson put the Airedales ahead for good with a three-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7. 

Quarterback Michael Taylor hit durable Brayden Polecat with a 12-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to make it 21-7. Taylor threw for 142 yards and added eight yards rushing. 

“We came out ready to play today,” Taylor said. “The guys did well at practice this week. We stayed focused and did everything we planned on doing.” 

Polecat had a nice game with three receptions for 42 yards. He also had two interceptions. 

“It was a great win by the whole team,” Polecat said. “Everybody played hard and battled. On my two picks, I just came and got it.”

Alma finished with 309 yards total offense, though they were guilty of seven penalties for 71 yards. 

The Airedales also won the turnover battle 3-1.