Sep 6 .– at Corning Sept . 13 – at Marshall Sept . 27 – Corning Oct . 4- at Augusta Oct . 11 – Guy-Perkins Oct . 25 – Midland Nov . 1 – Cedar Ridge Nov . 8 - Southside BB
The Rector Cougars are reigning state champions of eight man high school football in Arkansas . Coach David Hendrix gears up for another exciting season , but he will have to try to repeat with the loss of a multitude of talented players including all-state most valuable player Drew Henderson , all-state performer Carter Hill and all-state performer Ashton Scott . Henderson served as the Rector ’ s quarterback . Replacing Henderson at QB1 will be Chance Lopez . Lopez was a primary passing target for Henderson last year as he caught a trio of touchdown passes . At running back will be Grayson Bryant . Bryant has spent a good amount of time working on strength and conditioning over the summer . He hopes to have a strong season rushing the football . Brayden Thompson will also look to get plenty of touches at tailback as well . Senior Parker Sanders will see time at the tight end position . The offensive line will be anchored by senior Dalton Lamar . Lamar has started for the last three seasons and will serve as one of the team leaders for the Cougars . He will also lead the way on the defensive line as well . Lamar is short , stocky and built like a brick wall . Rector faces some uncertainty on defense and will look for some inexperienced guys to learn quickly and adapt . The Cougars destroyed almost every team that they played last season . They ran for over 3500 yards on the ground and Coach Hendrix will continue to rely upon the ground game to control the clock . “ Every year our goal is to make the playoffs . If we can make it there then anything can happen ,” stated Coach Hendrix . Look for the Cougars to be down but far from out of things as they will still be good and have a chance to make a run in the playoffs .
Aug . 30 – at Harrisburg Sept . 6 – at P Wheatley Sept . 13 – Piggott Sept . 27 – at McCrory Oct . 4 – ICC Oct . 11 – at EPC Oct . 18 – Marianna Lee Oct . 25 – at Des Arc Nov . 1 – Marked tree Nov . 8- at Earle
Van Paschal takes over in Cherry Valley as the new head coach of the Cross County Thunderbirds . Coach Paschal takes over a tradition rich program after leading Heber Springs to a 6-5 record a year ago . The T-birds finished last season 5-5 in a tough 2A- 2 conference . The league doesn ’ t get any easier in 2024 , and Coach Paschal knows that , but says his team will take it one game at a time . Cross County will be in the flexbone offensively and will need to rely on a strong quarterback and fullback . Senior Kale Searcy will return at quarterback while fellow senior Daniel Jordan works at full back . Classmate James Yates should get touches at running back , and Eli Searcy will line up at receiver . Up front , senior James McClain will anchor the offensive line at center . Jayden Huckabee , Kohen Stephens , Parker Duncan , and Caleb Hendrix will join McClain as the key to offense . Defensively , the Thunderbirds will have multiple looks around returning linebacker Gunner Land . Also returning will be Danny Beale and Rod Williams on the defensive line , and Sawyer Powell at linebacker . Coach Paschal is thankful for the opportunity to lead the Cross County program . “ I appreciate the opportunity ,” he said . “ We are excited for the opportunity to be a T-Bird and to come in and establish a great program and bring a state championship to Cross County ." With one of the state ’ s winningest coaches at the helm , look for the Cross County Thunderbirds to battle at the top of one of the state ’ s toughest 2A conferences and earn a playoff berth .