Story, photos, and video by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson.
Senior running back TJ Brown breaks the tackle of a West Memphis defender to gain extra yards on his carry. While Brown got hurt during the game, he was back out on the next Jonesboro drive. Photo by Allie Carson.
The Jonesboro Golden Hurricane beat the West Memphis Blue Devils 56-25 in their final regular season game to secure a playoff spot.
The Blue Devils didn’t win a single game their entire season, on a 13-game losing streak stemming all the way back to the end of last season while the Golden Hurricane is 5-5 overall and 4-3 in conference, 4th overall in 6A, sending them to the playoffs.
“We’ll see where we fall for the playoffs. Hopefully we’re at home. If not, we’ll be road warriors, and we’ll get ready to go play whoever we play,” Jonesboro coach Tyler George said.
Jonesboro started with the ball on their own 48 and within 30 seconds of the game, the Golden Hurricane scored their first of many touchdowns after senior running back TJ Brown ran it 37 yards to the end zone.
On the Blue Devils’ kickoff return, the special teams unit put the offense on the Jonesboro 41 after catching it on their own 35. A play later, West Memphis wide receiver Kevius Woods runs it in for a touchdown after a 41 yard pass play.
While Jonesboro made their extra point on their touchdown, West Memphis did not, keeping the Golden Hurricane in the lead 7-6.
Jonesboro would end up in a 4th and 13 situation at the West Memphis 42 after a snap that quarterback Asa Myers would have to fall on. The Golden Hurricane, however, would fire a deep pass down field to wide receiver Kam Davis for another Jonesboro touchdown.
Junior wide receiver, Kam Davis, takes the ball downfield past the West Memphis 20 to the end zone to score. Photo by Allie Carson.
West Memphis would end up in a 4th and 8 situation on their next drive and they assumed they could do the same thing that Jonesboro did: Get a first down. Instead, Blue Devils’ quarterback Andrew Clay’s throw is intercepted by senior defensive back Randy Eusebio.
While Brown would get his Golden Hurricane team to their own 20 yard line after a 22 yard rush, he would get injured on the play and taken out of the game.
Jonesboro would have to punt but West Memphis bobbles the catch and it’s recovered by senior defensive back Jaylen Alexander on the Blue Devils’ 32 yard line.
Brown was back in the game and picked up a first down for Jonesboro to get into the red zone and then some. Davis would score another touchdown on the night soon after to extend their lead in the first quarter.
West Memphis would score a touchdown at the start of the second quarter but miss their two point conversion, Jonesboro staying in the lead 21-12.
Jonesboro would score on a quarterback keeper on the next drive with a made kick.
During West Memphis’ next drive, Clay would drop the football and it’d be scooped up by senior cornerback Jaques Jordan and taken 56 yards for a touchdown.
Two bad snaps in a row on the Blue Devils’ next drive would be the curse for this West Memphis team as a snap goes over the head of Clay. Jonesboro would scoop it up and score after a 43 yard bouncing football carry.
42-12 would be the score with 5:16 until halftime.
However, the Golden Hurricane isn’t done as on their own 33 yard line, Myers sends a short pass to Davis and he has the room to go. Davis, on 3rd and long, scores a 64-yard touchdown for Jonesboro’s senior night.
“He’s a player. We’re going to get him the ball as much as we can, because he’s going to win those one on one matchups. So that was really good for him to see again. Him getting back healthy,” George said.
Myers was taken out of the game and quarterback Aiden Grimes was put in. With 1:18 remaining in the half, Grimes threw an interception. West Memphis cornerback Martavious Sanders intercepted the pass at their own 35 yard line and made it to the Jonesboro 5 yard line before being brought down.
West Memphis quarterback Micha Ingle threw to wide open running back Demetrius Craft for a touchdown and to be sent to half 49-18 Jonesboro.
Myers is put back in the game and throws a touchdown to Jordan, his second of the game from a 5-yard pass play.
West Memphis would score with 9:20 to go in the fourth quarter, third strings in for both teams, as the player who scored wasn’t even on the roster and the Blue Devils had their third quarterback, Keaton Troxler, in to play.
With the mercy rule in effect, the clock would keep running and the third strings would keep playing until the clock hit zero on Jonesboro senior night, the Golden Hurricane winning 56-25.
“We lost last year’s senior night, so to be able to win this one in the fashion that we did is big for those guys,” George said. “This is the first class that I’ve had as a head coach of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. Told them they mean so much to me, personally, and to this program. We still have a lot of work to do, but they have definitely played a huge part in helping with it.”
The Paragould Rams hosted the Brookland Bearcats on Friday night in their final home game of the regular season. It was an emotional evening for the Rams as the senior players took the field one last time in front of their home crowd.
Brookland entered the matchup determined to rebound from a narrow 24-21 loss to Batesville the week before. The Bearcats wasted no time setting the tone, leaning heavily on their running game led by tailback Elijah Hammon. Their early persistence paid off with a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter, giving Brookland an early 7-0 lead.
The Bearcats’ defense quickly followed suit, forcing multiple three-and-outs and stalling Paragould’s offensive rhythm. Late in the first quarter, Brookland stopped the Rams on a key 4th-and-6 attempt, keeping momentum on their side. The Bearcats continued to pound the ball on the ground, finding consistent yardage through Hammon and fellow back Nathan Murray.
Murray capped off a steady second-quarter drive with an 8-yard rushing touchdown, extending Brookland’s advantage to 14-0 before halftime. The Rams struggled to find offensive consistency, as Brookland’s defense clogged running lanes and pressured quarterback Reid Phillips throughout the half.
Paragould opened the third quarter hoping to climb back into the game but was plagued by costly mistakes. A mishandled snap on 3rd-and-1 ended a promising drive, and penalties—including a sideline warning, holding call, and unsportsmanlike conduct flag—further set the Rams back. Brookland capitalized by controlling time of possession and wearing down the defense with long, clock-draining drives.
In the fourth quarter, Brookland delivered a backbreaking score as Murray broke free for a 10-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-12, pushing the lead to 21-0. Paragould showed fight late, as Phillips connected with Austin Burdin on a 41-yard completion and later punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to put the Rams on the board.
Despite the late push, the Bearcats held strong to secure a 21-6 victory.
After the game, Rams head coach Randy Phillips praised his team’s effort and perseverance. “Our kids kept fighting,” Phillips said. “That’s what we talk about every week—never quitting, no matter the score. We just had some missed assignments and mistakes that cost us, but I’m proud of how they kept battling.”
Phillips also reflected on his senior class.
“This group means a lot to me,” he said. “They were sophomores when I first got here, and I’ve seen them grow into strong young men and leaders. They’ve made a real impact on this program.”
Brookland head coach Mark Hindsley credited his team’s focus and resilience for the win.
“Our message this week was about improvement,” Hindsley said. “We wanted to play hard and finish the season the right way. The record doesn’t show how much growth we’ve had, but tonight our kids earned it.”
Hindsley added that closing out the season with his senior class makes the win even more meaningful.
“This group has been with me since their freshman year,” he said. “To see their development and character over time—it means a lot. I’m proud of them.”
Story, photos, and video by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson
Jonesboro High School running back T.J. Brown scores a touchdown during homecoming. Video by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson.
For Jonesboro’s “Hurricane Hits” Homecoming Week, the Golden Hurricane played Little Rock Catholic after a week of events.
With dress up days throughout the week, a parade on Wednesday followed by the seniors vs juniors and sophomores Powderpuff matchup, a pep rally on Friday afternoon and then a dance following the football matchup against Catholic, the Hurricane schedule was packed.
Hurricane Homecoming celebrated all things music: From hip hop to country to rock to headliners. Just in time for gameday, the Golden Hurricane ended the week off with a black and gold theme.
The parade, which took place on Wednesday instead of the usual Friday, blocked off Main Street in Jonesboro for the entirety of Jonesboro Public Schools.
The Jonesboro band led the parade with Cane the mascot not far behind.
Photo by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson.
The Kindergarten Center brought their Taylor Swift “Showgirl” themed float, Visual and Performing Arts had a country themed float. The cheer and dance teams walked the route and the Jonesboro High theatre troupe entered the parade and promoted their upcoming play, “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Photo by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson.
The Homecoming Court wrapped up the parade, riding in style at the end of the route.
Later that day, the senior class took home the victory against the underclassmen in the annual Powderpuff match.
The pep rally would headline the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen after presenting the Homecoming Court for the second time that week and performances from the Jonesboro band and spirit squads.
Homecoming Day came on Friday with a parking lot full and Hurricane alumni packing the stands, hoping to see a win from their alma mater.
And a win is what the Jonesboro fans got.
Getting their first back-to-back win since October of 2023, the Golden Hurricane played like they had something to prove.
“It’s Homecoming Week. There’s a lot going on. But I thought our kids did a good job of staying focused for the most part. It was a good week of practice and I thought they were ready to come out and perform,” Jonesboro head coach Tyler George said. “We really challenged them. You have people coming back from almost every decade. You have to perform and put a show on for them and they did that tonight.”
After a defensive first quarter where a field goal by Jonesboro kicker Alex Glomski, offense showed more in the second, Catholic scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the quarter off a quarterback keeper.
Jonesboro would score with three minutes to go in the half after running back K’Den Hawkins ran fifteen yards and proceeded to run it in for a touchdown on the next play, giving Jonesboro the lead back going into half.
The Golden Hurricane decided to go for it on fourth and seven on Catholic’s 36 yard line, too far to kick a field goal and too close to feel the need to punt.
It worked out for the Golden Hurricane, however, after wide receiver Jaylen Heard gave them a first down and running back TJ Brown would break free at the five yard line to give Jonesboro another touchdown.
Jonesboro running back T.J. Brown. Photo by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson.
Catholic would have a turnover on downs on their next drive, trying and failing to repeat what Jonesboro had just done.
Jonesboro was given the ball at their 44 yard line but wouldn’t be there for long as on the first play of the drive, Brown would complete a 56 yard run, breaking multiple tackles from defenders, to give Jonesboro his second touchdown of the quarter.
It would go back to defense for both teams for the last four minutes of the quarter. A hard hitting block by Catholic cornerback Walt Menefee against Jonesboro wide receiver Kamari Fisher would give them the ball back.
Jonesboro wide receiver Jamarius Jackson evades Little Rock Catholic defenders during a drive. Photo by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson.
However, an interception by Jonesboro defensive back Clarence Mucherson, his third interception of the year, at the Golden Hurricane 8 yard line would bring in the final quarter of Homecoming Night.
Catholic would score their second touchdown of the night after multiple quarterback keepers by Phillips Blair on their first drive of the fourth would get them to the goal line before Blair would throw to middle linebacker Brock Hatchett for the score.
“We didn’t want the quarterback to beat us,” George said. “He’s a phenomenal player. Can really beat you with his legs and his arm. We lost contain on him but for the most part of the night, I thought we did a really good job at keeping him contained and not letting him beat us with his legs.”
After having the lead be cut to only 14, Jonesboro would run down the clock while getting enough first downs to get downfield and score after a five minute drive. Brown would get his third touchdown of the night on a fourth and three at the goal line.
“I wanted to kick the field. The kids wanted to go for it. Really challenged them. I put my trust in them and they got it. And then they let me know about it after,” George said. “Sometimes you gotta let the kids play, and that’s what we did right there. And it paid off for us big.”
A kickoff return that hit Catholic receivers in the helmet would be recovered by Jonesboro at Catholic’s 21 yard line. However, Jonesboro quarterback Asa Myers would take a knee to end the game, securing a 31-14 victory for the Golden Hurricane.
The Golden Hurricane would improve to 3-3 and 2-1 in conference on Homecoming Night.
Jonesboro moves on to play at Marion on Oct 17 while 2-4 Catholic plays Sheridan at home.
One of the touchdowns Benton scored against Jonesboro. Video courtesy of Allie Carson, DDNS Reporter.
After their first win of the season, the Jonesboro Golden Hurricane stayed at home to face off against Benton, a team they have always fallen short against. This meeting was no different, losing 55-24.
Jonesboro decided to defer to the second half so Benton started with the ball. And a touchdown.
Within the first 12 seconds of the game, Benton quarterback Drew Davis hit wide receiver Karson Collatt for a 55 yard gain to set the Panthers up at the Jonesboro 2. Free safety Gunner Deaton would sneak into the endzone on the very next play for a touchdown.
While running back TJ Brown would bring the Golden Hurricane to the Panthers’ 11 yard line off the kick return, Jonesboro would be forced to kick a field goal.
The Panthers wouldn’t give the Golden Hurricane time to breathe as the next drive ends in another quick touchdown and Jonesboro doesn’t get in good enough field position to score on their drive.
A fumble on Benton’s next drive would push them away from the Jonesboro 37 yard line all the way back to their own 26 yard line. While Jonesboro had all the opportunity to jump or scoop up the ball, they were unable to get under it, causing QB Davis to jump on the ball.
However, Benton wouldn’t be able to do anything on their drive, giving the ball back to Jonesboro.
A perfect slant pass to wide receiver Kameron Davis from Jonesboro quarterback Asa Myers gives the Golden Hurricane team their first touchdown of the night after Davis was given the opening for a 25 yard run.
After a made extra point, the deficit would be cut 14-10 Benton until the Panthers would break multiple tackles on their next drive, scoring their third touchdown of the quarter, the second touchdown run by QB Davis.
The second quarter was off to a slow start until Benton’s ball at the eight minute mark. QB Davis throws the ball up the middle, intended for wide receiver Easton Snellings, but is intercepted by defensive back Jaylen Alexander, his fourth interception of the season.
It’s Jonesboro’s ball at the 41 yard line of Benton. An overthrown pass intended for Jaylen Heard is awarded with a defensive pass interference call, giving the Golden Hurricane 15 yards and getting to the Panthers’ 30 yard line.
Brown would soon have back to back 15 yard runs, giving Jonesboro their second touchdown of the night. A made extra point would bring the Golden Hurricane their edge back, closing the Panthers’ lead to 21-17.
After penalties and breaking tackles, the Panthers scored another touchdown, Jon Curtis Barger breaking through multiple Jonesboro defenders to make it to the end zone.
The Golden Hurricane go into halftime down 28-17 but come out quickly like a second half team.
After a penalty on Benton, Jonesboro started at their own 16. QB Myers launched a deep ball down field into the hands of WR Davis who would catch it just past the Jonesboro 45 and reached the Benton 20, with a horsecaller penalty moving the Golden Hurricane into the Panthers’ 14.
While that early second half touchdown seemed promising for the Golden Hurricane, it’s where they stalled out, not scoring anything else the entire game. Instead, Jonesboro QB Myers would get hurt and taken out of the game early in the fourth quarter for a hamstring injury.
“He’s fine. I was proud of him for battling as long as he did tonight. We’ve got to get him back to 100 percent,” Jonesboro coach Tyler George said. “He’s kind of tweaked it throughout the week.”
Jonesboro would watch as Benton scored two field goals and three more touchdowns, making the 55 points the most the Panthers have ever scored all season.
This would include a 64 yard rushing touchdown by Panthers’ QB Davis, a 57 yard pass to Collatt and even a 49 yard field goal during the last minute of the game.
“Came out of half playing good on defense and it got away from us in the fourth,” George said. “I say it every week. Our kids are gonna continue to fight,”
With the final score being 55-24, this marks Jonesboro’s sixth straight loss to Benton and puts their season record at 1-3 with a game at Sheridan next on the schedule.
Benton would improve to eight straight away game wins and become 3-1 on the season before heading home to play rival Sylvan Hills.
Story and video by DDNS Reporter Benjamin McDowell
The Valley View Blazers left no doubt on Friday night, racing out to an early lead and never looking back in a 45-6 rout of West Memphis. The victory marked the Blazers’ second win at home this season and highlighted their ability to dominate in all three phases of the game — offense, defense, and special teams.
From the opening kickoff, Valley View seized control. West Memphis mishandled the return just 90 seconds into the contest, and the Blazers pounced on the loose ball with 10:51 left in the first quarter. A few plays later, running back Levi Manning powered in from 2 yards out to put Valley View on the board and give the home crowd an early reason to cheer.
The defense followed suit, applying heavy pressure on the Blue Devils’ offense. A strip sack on the next possession gave Valley View the ball back in favorable territory. Quarterback Taylor Hyneman quickly capitalized, delivering a 53-yard touchdown strike with just 1:37 remaining in the first quarter. In the span of a few minutes, the Blazers had built a double-digit lead and shifted all momentum in their favor.
The second quarter brought even more fireworks. Valley View’s offense continued to click, producing a 7-yard touchdown pass and later a 7-yard scoring run with 4:04 left before halftime. The Blazers’ special teams also made their presence felt, blocking two punts that set up short scoring drives. Each phase contributed to what would become a commanding 28-0 lead at the break.
“We had a fast start tonight,” Valley View head coach Sean Cockrell said. “We got up 28-0 and were playing well on both sides of the ball.”
That fast start carried over into the second half. The defense stayed aggressive, forcing hurried throws and disrupting West Memphis in the pocket. Midway through the third quarter, Valley View intercepted a pass with 7:54 left, once again flipping momentum back in their favor. Manning capped the ensuing drive with an 8-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-7, extending the lead to 35-0 with 4:09 left in the period.
Before the quarter was over, the Blazers struck again. Another touchdown stretched the margin to 45-0, sealing the outcome and sending much of the Valley View crowd into celebration mode. With the game well in hand, Cockrell turned to his reserves in the fourth quarter, giving younger players valuable varsity reps while resting his starters.
West Memphis finally avoided the shutout late, punching in an 8-yard touchdown run with 4:21 to play. The score gave the Blue Devils a brief highlight, but it did little to change the overall storyline of the night: Valley View’s overwhelming dominance.
For Cockrell, the game was about more than just the lopsided margin. After describing his team’s previous effort as slower, he was pleased with the sharpness, energy, and balance his team displayed from start to finish.
The 45-6 win not only gave the Blazers another mark in the win column but also served as a reminder that when they start fast, they can be a tough team for anyone to slow down.
The Jonesboro Hurricane celebrate after the come back from behind victory. Video by DDNS Reporter Allie Carson.
In their first home game of the season, the Jonesboro Hurricanes defeated the DeSoto Jaguars after being down 21-34 at the half.
“Like I say every week, this group does not quit. They fight and fight and fight no matter what,” Jonesboro Head Coach Tyler George said.
DeSoto’s heavy rush offense was on full display on its opening drive. On a quarterback keeper, Eric Perry made it to the Jonesboro 25-yard line after a gain of 27 yards, soon followed by an 18-yard rush by running back Cade Rogers on 3rd and 4, pushing the Jaguars to the Jonesboro 2.
The Jaguars score and the Golden Hurricane received the ball. On 3 and 15, Hurricane QB Asa Myers throws one downfield and finds running back TJ Brown. A throw to wide receiver Kam Davis puts Jonesboro on the DeSoto 12, a 44-yard gain. Brown scored on the next play for the Golden Hurricane.
DeSoto wasted no time, however, scoring on their next drive, after some Jonesboro flags helped them move the chains and get out of trouble.
A pass-heavy Jonesboro soon tied the game once again after an endzone throw to Brown.
Rogers got into the end zone untouched by the Golden Hurricane defense to put the Jaguars ahead. The punt that followed ended up being recovered by Desoto after the football hit defensive back J’Karious Lattimore.
DeSoto gets the first big lead of the game, going up 14-28 against Jonesboro.
After Meyers gets tripped up after he’s forced to keep the ball, Jonesboro is forced to punt, handing the ball back to DeSoto at their 23.
Thankfully for the Golden Hurricane, their defense is able to hold the Jaguars and get the ball back after a three-and-out.
Clarence Mucherson returns the Desoto punt for 13 yards, putting the Jonesboro offense on the Jaguars’ 33-yard line.
Brown ran up the middle for his third score of the night, closing in on the Jaguars 21-28, but Desoto returned the favor for Perry’s fourth rushing touchdown of the night, making it a 13-point deficit going into the half after a blocked extra point.
The Golden Hurricane came out of the halftime break looking like a new team, scoring back to back touchdowns.
“Came in at halftime, made some simple adjustments, but really nothing major,” George said. “Just executing and doing our job. They came out in the second half on defense and did that. Got a big play on kickoff right there, offense scored back to back to back.”
Running back K’Den Hawkins scored a 67-yard rush 20 seconds into the half.
“We all know Hawkins is super explosive; those are things we can do. We’re trying to find different ways to get him a ball. We’ve been working that last week,” George said.
Hawkins’ touchdown was followed by a punt recovered by tight end Patrick Dutton on Jonesboro, which gave the Golden Hurricane the ball back immediately.
The very next play, Myers threw downfield to Davis, resulting in a 42-yard touchdown. For the first time all night, Jonesboro was in charge of the scoreboard 35-34.
On fourth and 5, Desoto was going for it, but a defender on Jonesboro knocked it away and it was recovered by the Golden Hurricane defense on their own 49-yard line. Soon, Davis scored a 45-yard touchdown, the third touchdown of the quarter, and there was still 8:45 to go.
Three punts later, and Jonesboro had the ball again with two minutes left in the quarter. Brown immediately finds a hole in the DeSoto defense and runs 52 yards to score his fourth touchdown of the night.
Stretching the lead 49-34, neither team scored in the fourth quarter, handing Jonesboro their first win of the season and DeSoto their second loss.
Myers had 299 passing yards throughout the night, while Perry of DeSoto had 90 yards. However, Perry recorded 141 rushing yards against Myers’ 24.
The rushing leaders on both teams, in comparison, were Rogers with 220 on DeSoto and Brown with 126 on Jonesboro.
Jonesboro defensive back Jaques Jordan had a total of 14 tackles on the night, 11 solo and three assists, and made the DeSoto offense lose 4 yards.
“Offensively, we can score the ball better than we have the last two years. So that’s really good. Defensively, it’s a scrappy group. They stay together no matter what, good, bad, or ugly,” George said.
Story and Video by DDNS Reporter Benjamin McDowell
A touchdown scored by Hoxie over Westside. Video by Benjamin McDowell.
Hoxie’s home opener Friday night ended with the Mustangs celebrating a 20-0 victory, but the story wasn’t only about what the scoreboard showed. For Westside, it was a reminder of how far its defense has come and how much its offense still needs to grow.
The Warriors were outgained on the ground and shut out for the first time this season, but their defensive unit kept them in the game longer than many expected. Despite giving up two early touchdowns, Westside forced Hoxie to work for its yards and came up with stops that prevented the margin from growing even wider.
“Our defense has been killing it from day one, and I think they’re continuing to get better every day, every week,” Westside head coach Tyler Gahr said. “We had some mistakes, but honestly, they fought through the mistakes on defense. Now we’ve got to pick it up on offense so we can match them.”
The Mustangs set the tone early, striking on their opening drive with a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dylan Barnhill to wide receiver Tristian Foust. The quick score was followed by a momentum-swinging special teams play when Hoxie’s squib kick slipped through Westside’s coverage team and was recovered by the Mustangs. That miscue gave Hoxie an extra possession and allowed them to dictate tempo in the first quarter.
Still, the Warriors did not fold. After Barnhill punched in a 2-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to extend Hoxie’s lead to 14-0, Westside answered with one of its best drives of the night. Quarterback Aiden Turner led the Warriors downfield, using short passes and timely scrambles to move the chains. With less than seven minutes before halftime, Westside reached the Hoxie 15-yard line and seemed poised to cut into the deficit.
But the drive stalled. On fourth down, Turner dropped back and looked to the end zone, only to be met by a heavy rush. His throw fell incomplete, and Hoxie took over on downs.
“That was a tough one,” Gahr said. “You get that touchdown, and the game feels completely different going into halftime. But we came up short.”
Westside had another opportunity before the break after its defense forced a punt, but again the offense couldn’t find rhythm. Hoxie entered halftime with a 14-0 lead and full control of momentum.
The third quarter, however, belonged to the Warriors’ defense. Adjustments at the break helped Westside tighten up against the run, and the front seven delivered a series of stops that kept Hoxie off the scoreboard. Defensive linemen consistently shed blocks, and linebackers filled gaps to limit Barnhill and running back Robert Martinez, who still managed to pile up 137 yards on 17 carries by game’s end.
Turner, meanwhile, continued to face relentless pressure. Several times he spun away from would-be sacks and tried to create plays with his legs, but the Mustangs’ secondary closed quickly on receivers.
“We really need to work on blocking up front, giving our quarterback time to get the ball out,” Gahr said. “Even blocking on the edge with receivers and just basic throwing and catching. We’ve got to fix those small things to get going.”
The Warriors’ defense continued to fight in the second half, but the offense’s inability to sustain drives eventually wore them down. In the fourth quarter, Barnhill delivered the final blow, breaking through the middle for a 30-yard touchdown run to make it 20-0.
Though Hoxie never trailed and controlled much of the game, Westside’s defensive effort stood out. Holding the Mustangs scoreless for an entire quarter and forcing multiple punts highlighted a unit that is steadily improving.
“Our kids never quit, and that’s the biggest thing,” Gahr said. “They played hard to the last snap. We’ve got to take that energy and now build the other side of the ball.”
With the shutout loss in the books, the Warriors turn their focus toward fixing the details that stalled their offense. That means improving blocking schemes, refining timing between quarterback and receivers, and finding ways to finish drives when opportunities arise.
The defense may already be close to playoff caliber, but until the offense finds consistency, Westside knows it will face uphill battles against teams like Hoxie. Still, the Warriors left Friday night with positives to build on.
“Confidence is the biggest thing,” Gahr said. “We’ve got to get our kids believing in what we’re doing. If we can put both sides together, I think we can be a very good football team.”
For now, the Warriors will look to regroup, using Friday’s loss not as a setback but as a benchmark for what they can become. With a defense that continues to fight and an offense hungry to improve, Westside’s season still has room to turn in the right direction.
One of the touchdowns the Mustangs scored against the Warriors. Video courtesy of Benjamin McDowell.
On September 6th, 2025, for the first time, the Arkansas Razorbacks will take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 pm. This is a historic matchup as it is the first time that the FBS schools in the state of Arkansas will finally play each other. Many people would not have thought it would happen because of a statement made by the previous Arkansas Razorbacks Athletic Director John Barnhill, who said that the hogs would not play against in-state schools like A-State, UCA, UALR, and UAPB. This policy was continued by his successors, Frank Broyles and Jeff Long.
But Jeff Long’s successor, Hunter Yurachek, broke this policy in 2018 by having Arkansas play against in-state schools for the first time in Arkansas Athletics history. Still, those games were scheduled for sports outside of football and basketball. However, on February 3, 2021, a jaw-dropping announcement was made, stating that hogs and red wolves would play a football game against each other on September 6, 2025, in Little Rock. Finally, the game that everyone has been waiting for in the entire state of Arkansas has a date. Fans of both programs were split on this, as A-State fans wanted this game to happen in the early 2010s when both Arkansas and Arkansas State were doing really well in football, with the hogs ranking inside the top 25, while the Red Wolves were winning conference titles and going to bowl games with a new head coach every single season.
Coach of the University of Arkansas Sam Pittman (left) and Coach of the Arkansas State Butch Jones (right) will coach the Arkansas-Arkansas State game.
Butch Jones and his players, Jaylon Raynor and Brandon Barnes, were asked about this matchup at the 2025 Sun Belt media days in New Orleans, LA.
“ Being able to go play in our state capital against the University of Arkansas, and you look at the excitement, you look at the revenue that it’s going to bring to the entire state comes to one place for a weekend, it is going to be a great challenge for us, but I think it is a great opportunity for us, and it’s truly a great opportunity for the entire state of Arkansas” said Coach Jones.
Junior Quarterback Jaylon Raynor said,” Definitely, it is a great opportunity for us to play Arkansas.” Sophomore safety Brandon Barnes said,” I would say that there is some excitement about being able to play a team like Arkansas.” Both players are excited for the game, but are focused on the fall camp and the first game against Southeast Missouri. Coach Jones was asked again about this matchup at the Sun Belt media day with the host of the Locked-on Sun Belt podcast, Dave Schultz.
“I will say it is in the world of college football expansion and conference expansion and coast to coast for two in-state schools to come together at a neutral site in Little Rock or the state capitol and play. That’s as big for our players or their players, it is for the entire state and the fan bases, but also the economic value that it brings to the state in Little Rock, AR.
Before the Sun Belt Media Days this year, Coach Jones was asked about the game between the Hogs and the Red Wolves back in March of this year on the Coaches and the Mouth Show with hosts Jeff Williams and Brey Cook.
“Obviously it’s a great challenge for us and it’s an uphill battle for us, but have so much respect uh, you know for everyone in that program, but when you look at what it does to the entire state of Arkansas, the excitement, the economy, you know, everybody going to Little Rock for the weekend, I think it’s really going to be a unique atmosphere and it’ll be a great experience for really both of our players, but especially our players playing a program and a team that’s, you know, been very, very competitive in the Southeastern Conference in terms of our program.” Said Coach Butch Jones.
Fans, players, and coaches of either team are not the only ones excited about this game; media members are excited about this game as well. One of the media members who is excited about this game is Chris Hudgison of Kait8 Sports, where he covers both the Razorbacks and the Red Wolves. Chris was asked about this matchup on Aug. 6 on the Chuck and Bo show with hosts Chuck Barrett and Bo Mattingly.
“It’s been fascinating, I think it was 2021 when the game first got announced, and it has been kind of like a snowball that slowly kind of getting down the hill, and then once it got closer, okay, now it’s 2025, now it’s actually happening, it’s been a combination of things.” Said Chris Hudgison of Kait8 Sports. Later in the show, Chris was asked about the matchup and whether could A-State pull off the upset against Arkansas. “It is possible, yes, because in college football, anything could happen. I think matchup wise, I think a-state has a decent chance offensively against the Razorback defense just because of all the experience coming back, obviously there is a big question mark at offensive line, but in terms of the skill position, there’s a lot of depth there, and having a essentially a 3-year quarterback, which doesn’t happen very often in the sunbelt with Jaylon Raynor, having experience in these type of settings against power 4 is gonna help. What I’m gonna be interested to see is the matchup between the very new A-State defense goes up against the Razorback offense, and special teams has been an ace in the hole for A-State, so if the game is close on the sixth, A-State has a definite more than a puncher’s chance to pull it off.” Said Chris Hudgison.
War Memorial Stadium will be the site of this first-ever game between the hogs and red wolves.
War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock will be the site of this first-ever meeting between the hogs and red wolves. Both teams have a history of playing in this stadium. Razorbacks have played at War Memorial more often than the Red Wolves, which has led fans to call the stadium the Razorbacks’ second home stadium, with Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville being the primary home stadium for the Hogs. The Red Wolves have not played at War Memorial Stadium since 2006, and have played their home games at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro. The game on September 6th will be the first Red Wolves game at War Memorial Stadium in 19 years.
Everyone in the state of Arkansas is excited about this game. Fans of both programs will be divided when the game kicks off on September 6th, but they can all agree that September 6th will be a historic day for college football in the Natural State.
Ryan Pannone, Photo courtesy of the University of Alabama
JONESBORO, Ark. (3/30/25) – Arkansas State Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton announced Sunday that Ryan Pannone, who has gained a reputation over the course of his 23-year career as one of the nation’s top offensive minds and player-development coaches, has been named the Red Wolves’ 18th all-time head men’s basketball coach.
A 2025 selection to Silver Waves Media’s prestigious Elite 75 Future Head Coach Power Lunch, Pannone (pronounced Puh-Known) comes to A-State after most recently spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Alabama. The Crimson Tide boasted the nation’s highest scoring average both years as Pannone helped lead the program to Final Four and Elite Eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2023-24 and 2024-25, respectively. However, his path to Jonesboro also went through six different countries, including the United States, China, Germany, Israel, Korea and Slovakia.
“Coach Pannone has achieved success both nationally and internationally, running high-tempo offenses in systems that emphasize player development. He is well-known as an elite basketball tactician and great recruiter with the ability to get the very best out of his players. He truly cares about the young men he coaches, placing a priority on their success both on and off the court.”
An introductory press conference open to the public will be held soon on a date to be announced at a later time. The press conference will take place in the Centennial Bank Athletics Operations Center, located in the north end zone of Centennial Bank Stadium, and be streamed live on the Arkansas State Athletics Facebook page (/AStateRedWolves). The press conference will also be carried lived on the Ticket Radio Network (95.3 FM, 96.9 FM and 970 AM in Jonesboro) and through the EAB Media app.
Pannone owns a wealth of experience at numerous levels, including NCAA Division I, NBA, G-League, various professional leagues overseas, junior college, high school and AAU. He has claimed 204 career wins in nine years as a head coach, including stops with the G-League’s Erie BayHawks and Birmingham Squadron and the Slovak Basketball League’s BC Prievidza.
His background includes 18 years of coaching players with NBA experience. He has coached 82 total NBA players and 46 players selected in the First Round of the NBA Draft, including 30 Lottery picks.
“The A-State basketball brand is on the rise amid great momentum, and that is a testament to the amazing job Bryan Hodgson, his staff and the players have done the last two years. They built a strong foundation, and I’m fortunate to be stepping into a fantastic situation – we’re in a great place to continue elevating this program together. Our staff and players will be committed to working extremely hard to put a fun and winning product on the floor while representing our community in a first-class manner.
“I also want to thank everyone associated with the University of Alabama, including head coach Nate Oats, Athletics Director Greg Byrne, the coaching staff and the players, for a wonderful two years in Tuscaloosa.”
Serving as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under head coach Nate Oats, Pannone orchestrated the country’s most explosive offenses the last two seasons. The Crimson Tide averaged over 90 points per game both of his years in Tuscaloosa, including a school-record 90.7 average in 2024-25. Alabama made an NCAA Tournament-record 25 three pointers in its Sweet 16 victory over BYU.
The Crimson Tide eclipsed 100 points in 17 contests during Pannone’s time with the program, including an SEC-record nine games this year. Alabama also led the nation in offensive tempo each of the last two years while posting a combined 53-21 record.
Pannone spent the season prior to his arrival at Alabama as an assistant coach for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, helping lead the squad to 42 victories and a Play-In Tournament berth.
He served as head coach of both the Erie BayHawks and Birmingham Squadron as part of the NBA’s G-League from 2019-22. His squads made back-to-back playoff appearances his last two seasons and had 11 combined NBA call-ups.
Pannone was also on the BayHawks coaching staff as an assistant during their 2014-15 campaign, but spent a season before that and the four years after coaching internationally.
His first overseas coaching opportunity came in 2013-14 as an assistant with the Guangzhou Long Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. His next international coaching job came with the Hanau (Germany) White Wings, also as an assistant in 2015-16.
The 2016-17 season saw Pannone work as an assistant coach with Hapoel Jerusalem, helping the team appear in the Final Four of the EuroCup and claim the Israel Winner League Championship. He then spent the following year as head coach for a BC Prievidza (Slovakia) team that led its league in defense, opponent points per game, rebounding and three-point field goals made and attempted.
Pannone returned to Hapoel Jerusalem as an assistant coach for the 2018-19 season, when the squad led the Champions League in points, assists and rebounds. He also worked remotely as an advanced scout and video coordinator for the Angola National Team in 2019.
“I am thrilled to have Coach Pannone join our team and community,” said ASU System President Dr. Brendan Kelly. “Our efforts to continue to elevate depend on us attracting great talent and excellent leaders. Coach Pannone embodies both of those descriptors.”
Pannone began his coaching career in 2003 while working on his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida, taking an assistant position at Oldsmar (Fla.) Christian School. He was elevated to head coach three years later in 2006 and served in that role until 2011, posting a 131-42 record that included wins over three USA Today nationally-ranked teams.
Following his time at Oldsmar Christian, and one year before he joined the Guangzhou Long Lions, Pannone spent the 2011-12 campaign as an assistant coach at Wallace State (Ala.) Junior College. His lone season in Hanceville saw the Lions win the Region XXII Championship and Alabama State Championship. They were one of 16 teams in the country to qualify for the JUNCO National Tournament.
In addition to his numerous coaching stops from 2006-19, Pannone worked at the Pro Training Center as its NBA Director. During that time, he oversaw the development of over 50 NBA players, 33 First-Round NBA Draft selections and 22 Lottery picks.
The Clearwater, Fla., native earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies with a concentration of public health from the University of South Florida in 2011. While working on his degree, he was a student manager for the men’s basketball program under Robert McCullum in 2006-07.
Pannone and his wife, Dr. Sarah Pannone, have three children — Raylan (7), Dahlia (5), Trajan (3).
2019 & 2021 | NBA Summer League, New Orleans Pelicans Assistant Coach
2017 | NBA Basketball Without Borders Camp, Tel Aviv (Israel) Assistant Coach
2015-17 | Korean Basketball League, LG Sakers Director of Player Development
2013 | NBA Summer League, Memphis Grizzlies Assistant Coach
By the Numbers
1 Final Four appearance
1 Elite Eight appearance
3 different continents of pro basketball coaching experience
5 years of international coaching experience
6th best record in the NBA’s G-League during last two seasons (2020-22)
9 years of head coaching experience
17 total 100-point games the last two seasons combined
18 years of coaching players with NBA experience
22 years of coaching experience
30 NBA Lottery picks coached
46 first-round NBA Draft selections coached
75.2 KenPom offensive tempo ranked 1st in the nation (2024-25)
82 NBA players coached
126.0 KenPom Offensive Efficiency ranked 2nd in the nation (2023-24)
126.8 KenPom Offensive Efficiency ranked 4th in the nation (2024-25)
204 wins as a head coach
Pannone’s Coaching Pillars
Accountability
Organization
Servanthood
Inspiration
Loyalty
Unity
Love
What They’re Saying
“Ryan Pannone is a great hire for Arkansas State. He has an elite basketball IQ and pairs that with a relentless work ethic that gives him the ability to be a great teacher and developer of talent. Ryan possesses one of the elite offensive minds in basketball, creating a system for his players to thrive in as Alabama led the nation in scoring during his two years in Tuscaloosa. His experience in the NBA, overseas and in college basketball has prepared him for the job. He will be a great fit in Jonesboro.
Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach
“Ryan has one of the brightest basketball minds in the business. His knowledge, work ethic, passion and experience far outweighs his years. He will have tremendous success at Arkansas State!”
Scott Drew, Baylor Head Coach
“Ryan Pannone is one of the top basketball minds in the game. Many of us in the profession have sought him out for ideas. No one studies the game more than Ryan. And if you’re a player, you’ll get a chance to play for a guy who has coached the game at every level. He can help you get where you want to go.”
Stan Van Gundy, current NBA and college basketball commentator and former NBA head coach
“Ryan Pannone is one of, if not the smartest, hardest working coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. He’s got a devotion for players and a passion for the game, and it shows immensely through his creativity with X’s and O’s and player development. He’s a leader and a competitor and an elite level head coach. Any program would be fortunate to have him serving in any capacity.
Bryson Graham, New Orleans Pelicans General Manager
“I am incredibly happy for this next opportunity for Ryan. He has a tremendous passion for the game of basketball and teaching it to his players. Every time we speak he is about to watch film or has just finished watching film. He is always studying how he can improve as a coach and different ways for his players and teams to get better. Arkansas State is in great hands with Ryan.”
Trajan Langdon, Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations
Photos and story courtesy of Cooper Melder and Tristan Harlen/ASU-TV Red Wolf Roundtable
The Arkansas State Red Wolves secured bowl eligibility for the second-consecutive season by defeating the Georgia State Panthers this past Saturday, 27-20, behind a dominate performance by the Red Wolves’ run game. The Red Wolves’ running game would account for 261 total yards of offense and three touchdowns against the Panthers at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
With the win, Arkansas State moves to 6-4 on the season with their final two games of the season at home against Louisiana-Monroe and Old Dominion.
A-State quarterback Jaylon Raynor lead the Red Wolves with 97 passing yards and 114 rushing yards on the night. Red Wolves’ running back Zak Wallace lead the team with two touchdowns, while running the ball for 62 yards.
The first half did not start well for A-State as the Red Wolves could not capitalize on a 10-play, 40-yard opening drive as they were stopped on a forth and short distance down to come up empty-handed on their first possession of the game. Georgia State would then take the ball on the ensuing possession and score the game’s first touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Zach Gibson to Ted Hurst, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead. A-State quarterback Jaylen Raynor would lead the Red Wolves with the ground game late in the first quarter, putting up 58 yards on the ground in leading Arkansas State to tie the game at 7-7 when running back Zak Wallace would also use his running abilities on a 13-yard touchdown with 3:34 left in the first quarter.
A Red Wolves’ interception by Justin Parks would halt an 11-play, 45-yard drive by Georgia State in the second quarter. Parks’ second interception of the season would keep the score at 7-7.
At halftime with the score 7-7, Arkansas State’s offense would only account for 176 yards of total offense and 29 passing yards. Before halftime, Georgia State starting quarterback Gibson would suffer a leg injury and would be replaced by backup quarterback Christian Veilleux.
Arkansas State’s defense made key stops to secure the win.
The second half started with Arkansas State’s defense keeping Georgia State from scoring on the opening drive, highlighted by a key stop by Charles Willekes on a fourth and short to halt the Panthers. The Red Wolves would capitalize on the turnover on downs with a Zak Wallace one-yard touchdown to give A-State a 14-7 left with 9:32 left in the third.
The Red Wolves’ offense would be in sync all throughout the second half, outscoring Georgia State, 20-13 in the third and fourth quarters, to secure the win. Touchdowns by running backs Wallace and Ja’Quez Cross would end up putting the Red Wolves in the win column in Atlanta.
Arkansas State running back Ja’Quez cross on the move.Ja’Quez Cross celebrates after a key touchdown for the Red Wolves.
While Georgia State outgained the Red Wolves in total offensive yards, 419-336, the Red Wolves would out rush the Panthers, 261-73. The A-State defense would sack Georgia State quarterbacks twice and force two interceptions in the win.
The Red Wolves will be back in action on Saturday, November 23, as they take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at 2 PM at Centennial Bank Stadium.
By Garrett Finnicum for Delta Digital News Service
Garrett: Hello everyone, my name is Garrett Finnicum. Today, we take you behind the scenes with Evan Ellenburg, a senior standout from Ridgefield Christian and a true “Warrior” on the basketball court. With his sights set on playing at the college level, Evan’s journey is about more than just stats. It’s a story of passion, resilience, and leadership.
Garrett: Evan’s commitment to the game goes beyond high school. He is driven by a dream to play college basketball, a goal he has worked towards since he first stepped on the court. This is the next chapter in his story, one he is ready to face with unshakeable dedication.
Garrett: On the court, Evan’s strengths shine through. His ability to sink tough shots and tenacity on defense make him a formidable opponent, but he is also a player who acknowledges where he can grow, always striving to sharpen his skills and refine his game.
Garrett’s question: So, what are some short-term goals that you would like to accomplish before the season begins, or going back to what you were working on during the offseason?
Evan’s answer: Getting stronger is something a lot of teams have pushed us to do, and it’s something I need to be as well.
Garrett’s question: Are there any specific skills you didn’t have last year that you want to improve this year, going into your senior season?
Evan’s answer: I think getting to the rim a lot more, just going in, creating contact, and finishing.
Garrett’s question: So those are kind of talking about your weaknesses. What strengths would you say you have on the court?
Evan’s answer: Shooting. I think I’m a pretty good shooter, and I can see the floor and make the right pass, which I think helps us out a lot.
Garrett: As a senior, Evan has taken on the role of a mentor, guiding younger teammates with a steady hand and a positive example.
Evan: Just telling them what’s expected and showing them, since they don’t have the most experience, and just showing them what to do.
Garrett: At the core of Evan’s drive is a deep sense of purpose. His motivation comes not just from his dreams of college basketball, but from the support of his family, teammates, and coaches. Every practice, every game, is a step towards proving to himself what he is capable of achieving.
Garrett: With his senior year in full swing, Evan Ellenburg is ready to leave his mark for Ridgefield Christian and improve on his individual stats from his junior season, as shown on the screen: averaging 15.3 PPG, 2.8 APG, and 5.3 RPG.
Garrett: He is more than just a player, he’s a leader, a motivator, and a Warrior. The future looks bright for Evan and any team lucky enough to have him will gain not only a talent player, but a true team leader.
This week’s story includes two different interviews discussing the loss of their one and only senior last year and how they expect the season to go after losing such a valuable player. We are joined by Head Coach Morgan Colburn and Assistant Coach Dustin Ellenburg.
Garrett Finnicum: Hello everyone, my name is Garrett Finnicum, today we are joined by head coach Morgan Colburn and assistant coach Dustin Ellenburg. We are getting some insights as to how the team has progressed since last season as they only lost 1 senior last year in Sam Ellenburg. Starting with Coach Colburn.
Coach Morgan Colburn: Yeah, so we lost a very valuable player last year, Sam Ellenburg, and the stats don’t always talk about how much of an impact he had with just his leadership. He consistently worked hard, never backed down from challenges, and was the model of what you would want in a captain. So, we lost a good player last year, but one thing he did for us is he set us up to do well this year because guys saw his leadership and how he was encouraging. He was quick to laugh, did all the right things, so it was a big loss losing Sam, but he set us up well with his character. Now, as for what we are bringing back, we bring back a lot of good players, and I just feel like we understand each other better this year. We’re also bringing in some really strong tenth graders, and I feel like there are six tenth graders that can play high school basketball this year at the 1A varsity level. So, I think we will be much deeper, and some of the seniors have really stepped up in their leadership. It really helps to only lose one, but having lost Sam is really tough.
Assistant Coach Dustin Ellenburg: That’s a great question. So, Sam Ellenburg was our only senior last year, and going into last year, the majority of our team had been together since 3rd or 4th grade. We’ve seen groups come through Ridgefield. We had one when you guys were coming through junior high, and sophomores, juniors, and seniors were successful. This was back a few years ago. We could kind of see that if we could keep everyone together, this would be the year to make that next little jump. We made a jump last year, made it to regionals—of course, we lost in the first round—but this year, having most, or the majority, of our players back, we have some sophomores this year that were on the junior high district runner-up team that are talented and can play. I think with that mixture, I feel like this season has a chance to be very successful. It’s going to be as successful as the kids want to make it. I think with Coach Colburn leading them, they have a shot to have a great year.
Garrett: Hello everyone, I’m Garrett Finnicum, and today we have an exciting story about a local high school basketball team that has captured the community’s attention. Joining us today is the team’s head coach, who will share some insights. Coach, please go ahead and introduce yourself.
Coach Colburn: Hi, I’m Morgan Colburn, and I am the coach here at Ridgefield Christian School. This is my second-year coaching, and I feel so blessed to be here.
Garrett: Well, first off, I just want to ask, what are your expectations coming into this upcoming season?
Coach Colburn: Our expectations have a lot to do with character, so we want to be a humble and hungry team. We talk about that nearly every day: being a team first. I mean, being humble is being team-first and not really caring about our own accomplishments so much and being hungry and wanting to come out and give our best every game. That’s my expectation of the boys, and that’s their expectation of themselves as well.
Garrett: How would you say the school community impacts the team?
Coach Colburn: Man, that’s a good question. I will say that our boys love playing together; they seem to really enjoy one another. We have done retreats; they have also played other sports together, and they just enjoy playing together. And then the school community—I have only been here one year, but I know that as we started to do well last year, more people started to show up to the games, and it was very enthusiastic. So, it was just a great atmosphere here at the school last year, and I would like to make it better. I would like us to have more support, and I would like our guys to be more supportive of other things and other events at the school, so that is a hope of mine. But I would say that we have great families, just great family support. And then when we do well, I think we get even more school and community support.
Garrett: How has past coaching experience helped you prepare for this job going into year two?
Coach Colburn: Yeah, so I have coached high school basketball at different levels and different places, mostly in Washington for probably 15 years. I have coached some good teams over the years. I coached in Honduras for a few years, and we got second in the nation—and you would not really think of Honduras as a basketball hotbed. We would have won in any six-foot-and- under league; we were tough, we were just small. Then I coached at a high school where we played in the state championship three years. Unfortunately, every year we got second. Really sharp kids, talented. I would say, honestly, the years that prepared me the most to do well—not just here at Ridgefield—were the years that I struggled. Not because it’s a struggle here, but the years where you have to find a way to put guys in the right situations make you a better coach than when you can just throw out eight studs and just be good. So, the years that were a struggle —you learn how to adapt your defenses, you learn how to attack people with only a couple players on offense—and those years make you more creative, make you sleep less, and make it hard. There is good in that struggle. I would say my worst years have prepared me the best.
Garrett: Well, that is all the time that we have today. Coach Colburn, thank you so much for doing this and giving us some inside information on this up-and-coming basketball team. I am just as excited as you are for the upcoming season to see them play.