Curd’s return sparks Alma to blowout win over Tigers
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
It took the Alma Airedales almost two quarters to find a way to slow down Prairie Grove’s running game Friday night.
But it sure didn't take long to stop the passing game.
Camden Curd returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown and the Airedales turned three interceptions into 21 points en route to a 49-12 victory in 5A-West play.
Alma led by just nine (21-12) prior to Curd’s late second-quarter touchdown return.
“Their defense, they (Prairie Grove) were running all over us and it felt good when they finally started throwing the ball some,” Curd said. “The pick (touchdown) wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t have other people out there blocking for me. We also got two other picks; Cash (Farris) got a pick and Landon (Morris) got a pick. It’s great seeing our secondary out there making plays.”
Curd’s overall play has garnered the attention of his teammates, too.
“That dude’s a dog,” senior running back Carlos Gonzalez said. “He watched the VB game (first game of the season) and stepped in from the stands and he’s been producing. I’m just really proud of him.”
Gonzalez hasn’t done bad himself. The senior back ran for 109 yards and scored twice in the Airedales’ victory. He and fellow back Israel Towns-Robinson combined for 152 yards on just 19 carries (8.0 yards per carry)
“Me and Izzy (Israel Towns-Robinson, we’ve been busting our tails off,” Gonzalez said. “I’m just so happy for our team; I love them so much.”
The Airedales (6-2, 4-1) host Dardanelle Friday.
Stogsdill’s big game
Drake Stogsdill had five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s game - his first TD since the second week of the season.
The Alma receiver, who caught 34 passes in 2022 while battling some late injuries, entered last week’s game with 11 receptions for 112 yards. He also doubled that in Friday’s victory.
“It felt good,” he said. “Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to get in there (end zone), but I put all the speed I had to get in there. When I got in there it felt good; it’s been a long time coming. It meant a lot to me.”
Alma quarterback Jackson Daily opened the game with a 21-yard TD pass to Samuel Schlegel. Stogsdill’s 26-yard touchdown reception put the Airedales up for good.
Polecat’s back
Junior receiver Brayden Polecat had gone five games without a reception prior to Friday's win over Prairie Grove.
The speedy receiver caught two passes, including a 24-yard TD pass from Jackson Daily with seven seconds left in the first half. It was his first TD since Aug. 24.
“I was running my post (route) and JD threw it up and I went up and grabbed it,” Polecat said. “It was a big play. (But) everybody did good. It was a big moment for JD, too. Our receivers went out tonight and balled out.”
Daily’s big night
Alma quarterback Jackson Daily threw for a career-high three touchdowns in the team’s 48-12 win over Prairie Grove, completing 10-of-13 passes for 155 yards.
Over the last two weeks, Daily has completed 21-of-29 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns.
The big quarterback also ran for his 20th touchdown on the season in Friday’s game. Through eight weeks, he’s passed for 1,150 yards and ran for another 805.