Airedales host rival Goblins
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
The Harrison Goblins have been coming to Alma to play football games since the 1940s.
And, although the Airedales lead the all-time series (28-19-2), Alma hasn’t beaten the Goblins on their home turf since 2017.
The two-storied 5A-West programs rekindle their rivalry for the 50th time Friday in the 5A-West opener. And, along with starting junior quarterbacks (who have similar passing marks), both teams begin league play with 1-2 records.
Alma leads the all-time series 28-19-2.
“I told these guys yesterday, we are a young and inexperienced team, but at this point we’re no longer that team,” Alma coach Rusty Busy said. “That’s not an excuse right now; we’ve got to go make some plays. It’s (the first conference game) important, but it’s more important because it’s at home. You have to win at home and go steal some on the road to get to the playoffs.”
The Goblins opened the season by beating rival Branson, Mo., 34-27 before dropping their final two nonconference games to Mountain Home (28-14) and Searcy (19-7). Harrison fell behind 28-0 against the Bombers and managed just one touchdown against 3-0 Searcy.
Harrison’s three opponents have a cumulative record of 9-1 (Branson is 3-1).
Alma’s first three foes, Van Buren, Siloam Springs, and Hot Springs, are a combined 6-3.
“I think Harrisoin is a similar school to us in the conference,” Bush said. “They play a similar brand of football. It’s always exciting to start conference.”
Junior quarterback Chase Parker has passed for 424 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Airedales. Receivers Sam Schlegel and Dylan Jackson have similar numbers, with Schlegel catching 11 passes for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Jackson has nine receptions for 179 yards and two scores; both Jackson and Schlegel missed the second half of Alma’s game with Hot Springs.
Schlegel is three receptions shy of reaching 100 for his career. He ranks fourth all-time with 1,548 career receiving yards. He will also carry the ball at times. In fact, Schlegel has 21 rushing attempts for 113 yards (5.7) and three touchdowns.
Sophomore Dallas Perkins leads the way with 215 rushing yards.
Harrison quarterback Gavin Jones has passed for 435 yards and four touchdowns, with 191 of those yards coming against Mountain Home. The Goblins have three backs they like to use, including 220-pound Eli McNutt. Isaiah Hale and Killian Eddings will get their share of looks as well.
“They’re violent and they run the ball well,” Alma defensive coordinator Zach Jones said. “They’re better than they were last year.”
“I think we just have to execute on offense and our defense has to play the run really well and not give up any deep balls over the top,” Schlegel said. “Our safeties have to play deep, and we have to tackle well.”
Schlegel said the team learned a lot in nonconference play.
“Obviously, Hot Springs is on a different level,” he said. “They (Hot Springs) tackle like it’s nobody's business. Other than that, I thought we learned a lot in the first three games.
Harrison is allowing 24.6 points per game, but held unbeaten Searcy to just three scores.
“They’re going to load the box; they’re going to have seven in the box every play,” Alma offensive coordinator Payton Morris said. “They’re going to give us some shots.”