Alma offense clicks early

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

A few plays don’t define a season. 

But Alma’s biggest win in Tuesday’s scrimmage with Fort Smith Southside is something first-year coach Jeremie Burns can control. 

“One thing I was really proud of is how well conditioned we were, especially with the 105-degree heat we’ve had the last month,” Burns said following Alma’s 42-17 two-half win over the Mavericks.

Alma opens for keeps a week from Friday against longtime rival Van Buren. The Pointers managed only a field goal in a 17-3 two-half loss to Farmington Tuesday night. 

For the Airedales, quarterback Jay Lemeiux got it going early and often, completing 12 of 17 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns. His primary target didn’t disappoint, either, with Dylan Jackson snagging eight passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns. 

“I thought overall we came out and played pretty good,” Burns said. “We were a little off early, and that’s to be expected in a scrimmage game, but we made some adjustments and got to rotate a bunch of guys we want to look at.”

Jackson’s first TD snag put the Airedales ahead, 7-0, with Lemieux booting the first of six extra point tries. He was 6-of-7 in point-after kicks. 

Fort Smith Southside scored on its first two series, including a short field following Lemieux’s interception. 

But the Alma quarterback responded with a 70-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Jackson, tying the game at 14. Junior running back Dallas Perkins scored the first of his two TDs to give Alma the lead for good. 

In addition to Jackson, junior Quinton Broadway caught a touchdown pass. 

“We came out and had a nice first drive,” Jackson said. “Jay had an amazing first drive. Throughout the game, we had our ups and downs, but Dallas had a great game, scoring two touchdowns, and Jay did a great job of throwing the ball. We got the ball to the people that we needed to. We still have some work to do.”