Daily-led Airedales shift attention to Blackhawks
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Alma quarterback Jackson Daily enjoyed his time in the limelight last week. Running for six touchdowns and throwing for another tends to put the spotlight on you.
But by Tuesday, the light a little dimmer, Daily and his teammates had shifted their focus to Friday’s 5A-West battle with Pea Ridge.
The Airedales hit the road in search of their fifth straight win and third straight road victory.
“There were a lot of distractions, especially (after) winning a big game against Farmington,” Daily said. “But we’re really focused on Pea Ridge this week and getting back on track and focus on our main goal, which is winning a conference championship.”
The Airedales haven’t won five straight games since 2016. The team won its last and 28th overall league title in 2013.
Daily ran for 320 yards and scored six touchdowns in Alma’s 56-35 win over Farmington. Senior Carlos Gonzalez (427 yards rushing) is averaging 8.04 yards per carry, and sophomore Samuel Schlegel has a team-high 28 receptions for 511 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Basketball
Alma basketball coaches Chanlee Bottoms and Dominic Lincoln have announced their 2023-24 basketball schedules.
The Lady Airedales have an early November Benefit game with Northside before opening with road dates at Hot Springs Lakeside (Nov. 14) and Sylvan Hills (Nov. 17). Bottoms and Co. open their home slate on Nov. 20 against Clarksville.
The Charles B. Dyer Classic is slated for Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Alma will also host Southside on Dec. 12 and travel to County Line on Dec. 15. The Lady Airedales, who compete at the Sheridan Tournament on Dec. 27-29, open 5A-West play on Jan. 5 at Harrison.
Lincoln’s Airedales open the season with a home-and-home slate with Rogers Heritage. They travel to Shiloh Christian on Nov. 14 and Sylvan Hills on Nov. 17.
The team will host Clarksville on Nov. 20 and Southside on Nov. 28. The Airedales will compete in the Charles B. Dyer Classic on Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
The Airedales open 5A-West play on Jan. 5 at Harrison and return home for their first home game with Siloam Springs on Jan. 9.
Volleyball
Alma volleyball coach Kim Weaver is pleased to announce that Jon Core will again head up Alma Select’s junior volleyball program this season.
“Being able to attract top-level coaches to Alma is something I am so proud of and thankful for,” Weaver said. “Our kids deserve the best, and we will always be committed to making sure that happens. Jon's experience is so valuable, but it is the way he connects with our athletes and his unique way of teaching that sets him apart. Last year we had 62 of our athletes playing club volleyball - either in Ozark, Fort Smith, or Alma. Having Alpha Select in Alma allows our multi-sport athletes an opportunity to balance both. Dustin Hughes has done an excellent job maximizing opportunities for Alma athletes to play more — whether that is basketball or volleyball or any other sport our kids are involved in.”
Football
It’s been a big junior season for Alma cornerback Ashton Chanhnouvong. The Airedales’ standout is among the team leaders in tackles, and he and fellow defenders Kaydin Minushull, Cash Farris, and Landon Morris have scored defensive touchdowns over the last three games.
“All I have left is the rest of my junior year and my senior year, and then it’s going to be over,” Chanhnouvong said. “I’m trying to cherish every moment I get because if I don’t I know I’m going to look back and regret it.”
Chanhnouvong has 23 tackles over his last two games, which helped him match linebacker Trey Bowen for the team lead. Cash Farris (26), Michael Taylor (23), and Landon Morris (23) are among the leaders as well.
Softball
The Alma Lady Airedales’ softball team is still four-plus months out from playing its first game under the direction of first-year coach Dustiin Bakenhus.
But that doesn’t mean they aren’t getting ready.
Assistant softball coach Hailey Ostrander said there are 10 girls (four freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors, and senior Jada Wallis participating in the off-season. Bakenhus is currently helping with the volleyball program.
“The progress I have seen in these girls in the off-season from the throwing program has been amazing,” Ostrander said. “Not only has it made their arms stronger, but it has also made their throws more accurate.”
This Week In Airedale History
They called him the ‘freight train!’ On Oct. 9, 1970, Marvn Daily scored two third-quarter touchdowns to help lead Alma to a 20-13 win over the Paris Eagles. Daily racked up 1,306 yards rushing and scored 22 touchdowns — both believed to be school records — for the 1970 squad.