Alma, Shiloh will play for 5A-West title game Friday
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
No game, no reps …
But no injuries, either.
Alma coach Rusty Bush didn’t expect to be home early on Friday night. Neither did any of his players.
But when Dardanelle abruptly canceled the game because of injuries and sickness, the Airedales immediately turned their focus toward the Shiloh Christian Saints.
Alma, which was scheduled to host Senior Night against Dardanelle, will instead do so Friday.
“This late in the year you don’t normally have a bye week,” Bush said. “You have to take into consideration that we got some rest, we got nobody hurt, and we’re just not going to dwell on (not playing Dardanelle).
“Our kids are ready to play for a conference championship and the No. 1 seed.”
A win Friday gives Alma the No. 1 overall seed in the 5A-West. A loss would send them to Little Rock in the first round of the playoffs to play Parkview.
The Airedales (7-2, 5-1) host the Saints (7-2, 5-1) Friday for all the marbles.
“We’re extremely healthy for this time of year, and that’s a plus,” Bush said. “We’re going to try to beat Shiloh Christian.”
Alma and Shiloh have met just three times dating back to 2012.
The Saints defeated the Airedales, 56-14, last season while scoring 50 or more points in 10 of their 14 games on the way to losing to Parkview, 31-21, in the state title game.
Alma defeated Shiloh Christian, 37-14, in 2013 and lost to the Saints (16-14) in 2012.
The Airedales have lost only once since the season opener against Van Buren, a late 39-35 loss to Harrison.
“It feels really good to be in this position,” Bush said. “We want to be in this position every single year. We’re going to put together a good game plan and let these kids go out and play. I’m excited for them, and I’m excited for the community to come in here … I know this place is going to be electric on Friday night.”