Perfect Panthers Siloam’s undefeated record deserves statewide respect
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/Sports/25779/
The Panthers are 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Conference 5 A-West, but yet just barely cracking the Top 10 rankings, according to hootens. com.
How can Greenwood (2-3 ) on the season be ranked ahead of Siloam Springs at No. 6, when they lost to 4 A Shiloh Christian (37-20 ) and No. 3 Harrison (51-48 )?
Siloam Springs is one of four 5 A teams in the Top 10 that has a perfect 5-0 record, joining the likes of conference rival Harrison, Blytheville and Batesville, who the Panthers defeated, 40-15, in the first round of the 2007 playoffs.
“ People are really underestimating us, ” Panther senior linebacker Corey Jenison said. “ Going into the season, not many people thought we were going to be any good. ”
Six weeks into the season, Jenison and the Panthers are starting to prove those critics wrong.
The Panthers aren’t just good, they are great.
Offensively, junior quarterback Bryan Adair leads a balanced attack that has produced 164 points for an average of 33 points per game.
The Panthers have scored more than 30 points on three different occasions and 20 or more in their other two games.
Defensively, the Panthers have allowed 52 points, including one shutout and one game in which Gentry only scored seven points.
Spearheaded by a fierce group of interior linemen, including seniors Matt Reed and Deric England, the Panthers are holding opponents to 10. 4 points per game.
Not bad numbers for a team that gave up 281 points in 2007 for an average of 23. 4 per contest.
“ It’s exciting to be undefeated, ” Jenison said. “ We’re starting to show people what we can do. ”
Of course, the Panthers realize there’s always room for improvement.
“ We can’t settle on past successes, ” Jenison said. “ We have to continue to work hard and play every down if we want to win a conference championship. ”
Going into Friday’s conference battle with No. 25 Morrilton, the Panthers return to the friendly confines of Glenn W. Black Stadium to face a Devil Dogs team that is searching for an identity.
Morrilton is currently 1-4 overall and 0-2 in conference, but continues to show signs of improvement each week.
After dropping back-to-back nonconference games to Russellville (20-6 ) and Little Rock Christian (13-7 ), the Devil Dogs thumped Ozark (49-28 ).
In two previous 5 A-West games, the Devil Dogs lost to Greenwood (27-13 ) and Alma (17-14 ).
Going back to last season, the Devil Dogs have only won two games in 15 tries and are currently riding a ninegame losing streak in 5 A-West action.
Alma running back Joey Hurst chalked up 149 yards on 33 carries with the go-ahead touchdown to lead the Airedales past Morrilton.
The Devil Dogs were plagued by three offensive penalties for 25 yards in the second half, thus shifting the momentum in favor of Alma.
According to Alma head coach Todd