Football arrives, finally
Friday Night Lights: Maumelle, North Little Rock, CAC all in action Friday night; Season previews of the Hornets, 'Cats and Mustangs plus headlines and sports
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Meetings: The Maumelle City Council will meet next Tuesday night at City Hall. The meeting is delayed one-day due to the Labor Day holiday.
Events: Monday is Labor Day! Enjoy the fruit of your labors with some football and maybe some grilled meats, if you are so inclined. Tonight, Arkansas and UAPB play at War Memorial, so plan accordingly. It is on ESPNU, if you don’t want to melt in the heat.
Tickets for sale: Tickets are now for sale for this fall’s Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock. To buy tickets, click here. Daily tickets start at $30. Packages will eventually be available as well but not yet.
Football arrives, finally
Are you ready for some football?
Well, ready or not, football is back as another season arrives.
Tonight gets things started as UAPB and Arkansas will play at 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPNU and the radio broadcast will be available locally as well as on SiriusXM at channels 138 and 190.
This is the second time Arkansas and UAPB have faced each other, and the Hogs are the overwhelming favorite to win.
That won’t be said that many times this season, so savor it while you can Arkansas fans. As for the Hogs, Sam Pittman returns for his fifth season and has a 23-25 record overall. There’s not a day that goes by where there isn’t an email from some Bet something website touting which coach is most likely to be fired first. It should again come as no surprise that Pittman usually tops the list.
The vibes, such as they are, seem to be that Pittman is in his last season, but just doesn’t know it yet.
If that’s the case, Pittman will be missed. A surprisingly high level of truth-telling. There’s lots of coaches out there, who would lie to your face and Pittman doesn’t seem that way. The other is he’s happy to take the heat. Lots of other coaches are happy to throw players under the bus and Pittman hasn’t done that and he’s also settled in and taken some tough questions.
Last season, at Jerry World, he extended the post-game press conference to let the assembled media ask what they wanted. And that was after an exceedingly tough loss, which is how things have typically gone in the Arkansas-Texas A&M series.
That shows some traits that aren’t typical in coaches.
Anyway, that’s just Day 1 of a big Labor Day weekend.
Friday night, you’ve got high school football kicking off for Week 0 games and the astoundingly huge Salt Bowl, the annual rivalry game between Bryant and Benton, will be at War Memorial Stadium. It won’t be a sellout but it will be the biggest crowd to watch a high school game in Arkansas this season as more than 30,000 people are expected to attend.
Then, on Saturday, there’s a high slate of national games and locally, UCA travels to Arkansas State for a night game in Jonesboro. While there’s nothing wrong with the game being there. It seems like a real missed opportunity to have a football weekend at War Memorial with the Bears and Red Wolves in Little Rock.
It would have been a tremendous three-game slate. Two out of three ain’t bad but, still, it would have been a much better showcase and given UCA-ASU a statewide platform that now won’t be available.
Sunday, more football. Monday, the holiday, more football.
Good time to have a comfortable couch with a remote in one hand and something to drink in the other.
Click here for where every game will be broadcast.
SEC schedule
SATURDAY
Clemson vs. Georgia at Atlanta, 11 a.m. • ABC
Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt, 11 a.m. • ESPN
Chattanooga (8-5) at Tennessee, 11:45 a.m. • SEC Network
Miami at Florida, 2:30 p.m.• ABC
Colorado State at Texas, 2:30 p.m. • ESPN
Old Dominion at South Carolina, 3:15 p.m. • SEC Network
Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State, 5 p.m. • SEC+ / ESPN+
Western Kentucky at Alabama, 6 p.m. • ESPN
Furman at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. • SEC+ / ESPN+
Notre Dame at Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m. • ABC
Alabama A&M at Auburn, 6:30 p.m. • SEC+ / ESPN+
Southern Miss at Kentucky, 6:45 p.m. • SEC Network
SUNDAY
LSU vs. Southern Cal at Las Vegas, 6:30 p.m. • ABC
Friday night lights: Maumelle, North Little Rock, CAC all in action
Maumelle, North Little Rock and Central Arkansas Christian are all in action this Friday night as the North of the River schools kickoff their respective football seasons.
Maumelle is at home and will face county rival Sylvan Hills in what has become a mostly one-sided affair as the Hornets have won the last four matchups.
The Hornets start the year at No. 7 in the Class 5A poll from hootens.com and they’re expected to win again this Friday night as hootens.com has them favored.
North Little Rock will also be having a home game as the ‘Cats host Rogers in a 7A-Central vs. 7A-West matchup.
Hootens.com has North Little Rock ranked No. 10 in its Class 7A poll, while Rogers is No. 9. It could be a good one but hootens.com has the Mounties favored to win.
The JD Plumlee era at CAC begins on the road as the Mustangs travel to DeWitt for the Week 0 game. DeWitt is ranked No. 7 in the hootens.com poll of Class 4A, while CAC isn’t ranked.
Maumelle schedule
Friday: ... vs. Sylvan Hills
Friday, Sept. 6 ... vs. Parkview
Friday, Sept. 13 ... at Vilonia
Friday, Sept. 20 … Bye week
Friday, Sept. 27 ... at Beebe
Friday, Oct. 4 ...at Pine Bluff
Thursday, Oct 10 … ... vs. Watson Chapel
Friday, Oct. 18 ... at Jacksonville
Friday, Oct. 25 …. ... vs. White Hall
Friday, Nov. 1 ... at Searcy
Thursday, Nov. 7 … ... vs. Robinson
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
For the online roster, click here.
North Little Rock schedule
Friday … ... vs. Rogers
Friday, Sept. 6 … Bye
Friday, Sept. 13 ... at Benton
Friday, Sept. 20 ... at Catholic (War Memorial Stadium)
Friday, Sept. 27 ... vs. Pulaski Academy
Friday, Oct. 4 ... at Conway
Friday, Oct. 11 ... vs. Little Rock Southwest
Friday, Oct. 18 ... at Little Rock Christian Academy
Friday, Oct. 25 ...at Little Rock Central
Friday, Nov. 1 ... vs. Bryant
Friday, Nov. 8 ... vs. Cabot
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
For the online North Little Rock roster, click here.
CAC schedule
Friday ... at DeWitt
Friday, Sept. 6 ... at Stuttgart
Friday, Sept. 13 ... vs. Harding Academy
Friday, Sept. 20 … Bye
Friday, Sept. 27 ... vs. Heber Springs
Friday, Oct. 4 ... vs. Riverview
Friday, Oct. 11 ... at Hall
Friday, Oct. 18 ... at Lonoke
Friday, Oct. 25 ... at Bald Knob
Friday, Nov. 1 ... vs. Mills
Friday, Nov. 8 ... at Forrest City
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless noted
High school football previews
Maupin ready for big season
The pieces are there for Maumnelle to have a big season, said third-year head coach Brian Maupin.
Last year, the Hornets went 7-4 and lost in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to Valley View last season.
Back for Maumelle is quarterback Andrew Bjork, who passed for 2,037 yards and 20 touchdowns. Bjork, now a junior, lost top targets Alan Timmons and Elijah Newell but Jacob Henry, a standout last season at Central Arkansas Christian, will help out at running back as well as wide receiver. Henry is also a junior and he and Bjork could make quite the pair for the next two seasons.
Henry was among the players Maupin said to keep an eye on this season and the others are running backs Marshaun Wiley, Bubba Johnson and Nathan Thomas. Wide receivers Jackson Hampton, Josiah Warrior Benson, Hayden Sublette, who plays tight end, Jordan Harris and Derrick Palmer.
Sophomore quarterback Levi Warrior will be a reliable backup for Bjork, Maupin said.
Maumelle’s base offense will be a spread 11.
Henry was also a standout defender for the Mustangs last season and Maupin expects some big hits this season for Henry at safety,
Other defenders to watch include defensive linemen Bryan Beets, Landon Canady, Konner Forte, Kayden Sherman and Jordan Harris at defensive end. Linebackers Jonathan Williams and Jaiden Gabriel will be key while important players in the secondary are Keytrone Green, Antonio McFadden, Kaiden Brooks,and Tari Ransom.
The base defense will be a 4-2-5.
Besides the returners and newcomers, the other big change for this season is the realigned 5A-Central. With the departure of Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy to 7A, the league is wide open
“It is a great positive being back in an 8 team conference we are able to schedule three non conference games and a bye again,” Maupin said.
The schedule is challenging and it won’t take long to see where the Hornets stand as Friday night’s opener is at home against Class 6A Sylvan Hills, a long-running rivalry game then another home the following Friday night against defending Class 5A state champ Little Rock Parkview.
“We are very excited about this team,” Maupin said. “Our Goal is to be the Godliest Team in the state! These young men take that very seriously and want to live that out daily!
Brian Maupin, at a glance, 10-11 at Maumelle, third season and former college player at Harding
5A-Central
Beebe
Jacksonville
Maumelle
Pine Bluff
Robinson
Searcy
Watson Chapel
White Hall
Maumelle roster
2 ... Jonathan Frost ... WR ... Sr.
4 ... Andrew Bjork ... QB ... LB ... Jr.
11 ... Jordan Harris ... WR ... Jr.
12 ... Kaiden Brooks ... Jr.
13 ... Levi Warrior ... QB ... So.
15 ... Cooper Forrest ... WR ... Jr.
17 ... Tucker Gurney ... WR ... Sr.
18 ... Isak Wood ... WR ... Jr.
19 ... Shawn Walker ... WR ... Sr.
20 ... Jonathan Williams ... Jr.
22 ... Tucker Alden ... WR ... Jr.
23 ... Christian Jackson ... WR ... So.
27 ... Samuel Samura ... WR ... Sr.
31 ... Branden Johnson ... Jr.
32 ... Joseph Mason ... RB ... Sr.
34 ... Braden Evans ... TE ... Jr.
35 ... Hayden Sublette ... TE ... So.
45 ... Bj Beets ... QB ... Sr.
53 ... Konner Forte ... OL ... Sr.
55 ... Kayden Sherman ... OL ... Sr.
60 ... Adrian Price II ... OL ... Sr.
63 ... Xavier Maldonado ... OL ... Sr.
66 ... Reece Wade ... OL ... Jr.
70 ... Jonathan Hamilton ... OL ... Jr.
74 ... Elias Garcia ... OL ... Sr.
76 ... Jahlon Harris ... OL ... Jr.
78 ... tCaleb Yott ... OL ... Jr.
Jackson Hampton ... Jr.
Jacob Henry ... Jr.
Nathaniel Thomas Jr ... Sr.
Tari Ransom,Jr ... Jr.
Mohammed Qtouf ... Jr.
Devin Morgan ... Jr.
Marshawn Wiley
Derrick Palmer
Anthony Kennedy
Ryan Beals
Bryson Stewart ... So.
Zaylen Pruitt
Jaylen Thomas
Kaylon Blasio ... Sr.
For the online roster, click here.
‘Cats on the prowl
Clint Reed’s first season at North Little Rock ended in the postseason but the ‘Cats still finished a disappointing 3-8 on the year.
This year, the 7A-Central looks quite a bit different but so will North Little Rock.
“It's not a secret, we have also lost a number of players to the (AHSTP) Arkansas High School Transfer Portal,” Reed said and added that the AHSTP was a “new acronym I just gave it.”
And, that’s true. North Little Rock lost a significant number of players from last season. Perhaps not as many as Central Arkansas Christian, but that’s another kettle of fish, as they say.
“The production part of our football team is gone and has to be replaced,” Reed said. “We are excited about the young men that are on this football team. They are working extremely hard, they are in our boat and are giving it all they got. We hope to put a product on the field that people can be proud of, we want players that play the game the right way. Well coached guys that line up and play the game with pride, energy, and effort. Guys that win simple victories everyday, that concure little things, and get the most out of the day.”
Reed said the team goal was to return, as the North Little Rock Times, dubbed North Little Rock then, “Title Town.”
So “getting back to competing for conference and state championships is the goal and it's what we work towards everyday.”
As for the league, Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy were moved up to 7A by the AAA for the next two seasons, thanks to what those teams accomplished on the football field. It will also make the 7A-Central, truly central as five of the eight schools are in Pulaski County with Bryant, Cabot and Conway filling out the rest of the conference, So none of those weird trips to Jonesboro or Fort Smith Northside.
“I am excited about the conference realignment,” Reed said. “To get the opportunity to play other quality teams in the city is really good. The travel is awesome, the gates should be really good, and the chance to create some rivalry is definitely a possibility.”
Indeed, eight of North Little Rock’s 10 games this season are in Pulaski County with two road trips to Benton and Conway, so cha ching on the gate.
Offensively, North Little Rock will run the spread and Reed said some players to watch this season include running back Cyntonio Dicus , running back and wide receiver Jontavious James, running back Zeek Lewis and wide receivers Malachi Muhammed and Tony Wilkins.
Reed said the base defense would be a 3-4 with defensive end Thailyn Cox , linebacker De' Marcus Williams and defensive back Dayvion Withers leading the way.
Clint Reed, at a glance, 3-8, second season, played collegiate football at Arkansas Tech.
7A-Central
Bryant
Cabot
Conway
Little Rock Central
Little Rock Christian
Little Rock Southwest
North Little Rock
Pulaski Academy
For the online North Little Rock roster, click here.
Roster
0 ... Demarcus Williams ... LB
1 ... Malachi Muhammad ... WR
2 ... Jontavious James ... RB
3 ... Tony Wilkins ... WR
4 ... Gabriel Shavers ... WR
5 ... Kylan Fudail ... WR
6 ... Treyvon Mackintrush ... TE
7 ... Dayvian Withers ... DB
8 ... Priest Simpson ... LB
9 ... Simeon Trotter ... WR
10 ... Carson Brister ... WR
11 ... Dahlon McKinley ... LB
12 ... Aaron Jordan ... DB
12 ... Thailyn Cox ... DL
15 ... William Jones ... QB ... Jr.
16 ... JaCorey Spann ... RB
17 ... Kaedyn Dunn ... LB
18 ... Caiden Pettus ... WR
19 ... Ta'Curian Williams ... WR ... Jr.
21 ... Miles McGill ... WR ... So.
22 ... Ezekulun Lewis ... RB
23 ... Destin Nicholson ... DB
23 ... Jack Copley ... K ... P ... Sr.
24 ... Travis Young ... DB
26 ... Jamarius Green ... RB
27 ... Rashon Johnson ... DB
27 ... Joshua Johnson ... LB
28 ... Kaleb Lewis ... WR
29 ... Jeffrey Mayweather ... DB
30 ... Kelton Womack ... DB
31 ... Carlos Zamora ... DB
32 ... Amir Brown ... DB
34 ... Stephen Dicus ... TE ... Jr.
35 ... Tylen Miller ... LB
37 ... Makyah Williams ... DB
38 ... Jaylon Jones ... DB
38 ... Trevon Stewart ... DB
39 ... Trenton Branscomb ... DB
40 ... Hudson Booker ... DB
41 ... Isaiah Flemons ... DB
42 ... Markel Parker ... DL
43 ... Sebastian Foster ... DL
45 ... Jeremiah Hammonds ... LB
47 ... Jonathan Gooseberry ... WR
48 ... Collin Boykin ... TE ... So.
50 ... HHerbert Montgomery ... OL
51 ... Dillon Mallett ... LB
52 ... Christopher Hatchett ... OL
53 ... Mario Newsome-Zavaia ... OL
54 ... Johnathan Christopher ... OL
55 ... Justin Mitchell ... DL
56 ... Daxson Brown ... DL
60 ... Caden Hughes ... DL
62 ... Achilles Reed ... OL
63 ... Oliver Price ... OL
64 ... Damaurion Davis ... DL
65 ... Marcus Haynes ... DL
66 ... Corvarion Robinson ... DL
67 ... Giuliany Stopani ... OL
68 ... Gabe Adams ... LB ... Sr.
69 ... Cole Ort ... OL
73 ... Donovan Tidwell ... OL
77 ... Ian Swinford ... OL
78 ... Mykhl Curenton ... OL
80 ... Teyvion Hund ... WR
81 ... Braylon Layton ... WR
82 ... Jonathan Otey ... QB
82 ... a Shawn Lewis ... RB
83 ... Asher Ward ... P ... K
87 ... Jayden Newby ... DB
89 ... Marvin Cawthon ... DB
90 ... Ethan Cox ... DL
91 ... Gabriel Newton ... DB
92 ... Joshua Emery ... DB
93 ... Kaleb Rodgers ... DB
95 ... Gerald Williams ... DB
96 ... Jayden Jones ... DB
97 ... Joshua Williams ... DL
99 ... Raymond Hunter ... DL
Thomas Aiden George ... So.
Zayden Anderson
Emazhya Lambert
Cory Walker
Danny Floyd
Nahun Hernandez
Carson Crump ... So.
Plumlee takes over depleted Mustangs
Central Arkansas Christian hired former Malvern head coach JD Plumlee to take over the Mustangs football program this past spring.
Plumlee, who won a state title at Malvern in 2022, has seen some real success and things could have been that way at CAC this season, but much of last year’s roster didn’t return for this season.
Among the notable names gone are quarterback Grayson Wilson, who has committed to play college football at the University of Arkansas, and top running back Jacob Henry. Wilson is now at Conway, joining former CAC coach Ryan Howard, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Wampus Cats, while Henry is at Maumelle.
CAC was 9-3 last season and made a deep playoff run before losing at Elkins in the quarterfinals.
Tiffany Plumlee, JD's wife, is also on staff at CAC and will be the school's cross country coach, among other job responsibilities.
The good news for CAC is that the 4A-Conference gets five teams in the playoffs, the bad news is that it really isn’t clear who will be among the team’s best as the players are all relatively young and inexperienced. There’s just 28 players out this season, but those numbers are better then some previous years, when CAC had rosters in the teens.
The schedule is also a bit of a bear as Harding Academy travels to Mustang Mountain for a non-conference game on Sept. 13. Just a good ol’ CofC grudge match there,
JD Plumlee, at a glance, 35-25, sixth season overall, first season at CAC. Played college baseball at Arkansas Tech.
4A-2
Bald Knob
Central Arkansas Christian
Forrest City
Heber Springs
Little Rock Hall
Lonoke
Mills
Riverview
For the CAC roster online, click here.
Roster
2 ... Brody Vantilborg ... So.
3 ... Connor Taylor ... So.
6 ... Colt VanDyke ... So.
8 ... Renalson Sullivan ... RB ... Sr.
10 ... Jason Hunt ... Sr.
11 ... Ross Mounts ... So.
12 ... Landen Allen ... Sr.
13 ... Hudson Ritchie ... WR ... Jr.
13 ... Luke Tindall ... So.
14 ... Andrew Lowe ... So.
15 ... Lincoln Keim ... DB ... Sr.
16 ... Jace Wooten ... LB ... Sr.
17 ... Aiden Musticchi ... WR ... Sr.
18 ... Gus McConnell ... DB ... Sr.
20 ... Carson Collier ... So.
22 ... Zachary Moore ... Jr.
22 ... Aaron Weiner ... LB ... Jr.
23 ... Gus Smith ... LB ... So.
31 ... Max Pullen ... DL ... Jr.
33 ... Cooper Bahnks ... DL ... Sr.
51 ... Damien Wicker ... DL ... Jr.
52 ... Aaron Cook ... OL ... Sr.
55 ... William Aycock ... So.
57 ... Ethan Brooks ... OL ... Jr.
60 ... Drew Cauley ... OL ... Jr.
75 ... Jackson Allen ... OL ... So.
77 ... Peyton Baker ... OL ... Sr.
88 ... Jordan Kasinger ... DB ... Sr.
Sports
Upcoming Travs games
At Amarillo, now through Sunday
Opponent - Corpus Christi | Last regular season home stand
Tuesday, Sept. 3, 6:35 p.m.
No promotions scheduled
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 6:35 p.m.
No promotions scheduled
Thursday, Sept. 5, 6:35 p.m.
$3 Thursday: Enjoy $3 Beer Garden Tickets and Concessions deals, including Hot Dogs, Soft Drinks, Cotton Candy, and a Select Canned Beer & Seltzer!
Friday, Sept. 6, 7:05 p.m.
Fireworks Friday - Fans' Choice
Saturday, Sept. 7, 6:05 p.m.
Cal Raleigh Bobblehead Giveaway: Presented By Hardee's | First 1,000 Fans (one item per person)
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game!
Sunday, Sept. 8, 1:35 p.m. | Last regular season home game
Brunch at the Ballpark: Get a special Brunch ticket (**available at a later date**) that comes with a Field Reserved seat! Pre-game buffet will include select breakfast foods, juice, coffee, and soft drinks. (Alcohol will be available for purchase separately.) Food will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ticket Offer: Operation: Military Appreciation: Service Members get $3 off General Admission and Field Reserved tickets by presenting a Military ID (only available at DSP Box Office) | Presented By Mid-South Ford Dealers
Family Sunday: Get $2 General Admission tickets by presenting a physical or digital church bulletin (only available at DSP Box Office)
Kids Run the Bases: Kids 13 and under are invited to run the same basepaths the Travs run after the game!
At Northwest Arkansas - Sept. 10 - Sept. 15: End of regular reason
Playoffs
Pandemic deaths unknown
The state Department of Health again didn’t have a Covid report available for this week and numbers for the year haven’t been updated since last week. The state’s dashboard says there’s been 294 Covid-related deaths in 2024. The virus has now killed 13,938 Arkansans since the pandemic began four years ago. That would mean the pandemic death toll has now passed Marion’s 13,635 people, the state’s 29th largest city.
Covid toolkit
There’s now a one-stop shop to learn about vaccination sites and other Covid related information. Click here to learn more.
If you don’t want to get sick and die, there’s some things you can do:
Get vaccinated
Get boosted
Wear a mask
Avoid crowds