Calm down.

It is a cold day in little Rock, Arkansas.

As we get you set for today's two day state championship game between Cross County and East Poinsett County.

I'm Jayhawk, along with West Moore and West.

It's championship football.

Great time of year, but it is a cold time of year.

And it was really cold last night I tell you.

And it was a long game last night between Cedar Ridge and Woodlawn to get it all started with the eight man kickoff are the eight man championship today.

I promise you, it's going to be a little faster game with these two teams.

Yeah, they're going to have a lot of running.

Let's look at those highlights from last night in that eight man championship.

And you know for people that aren't used to the eight man game there was a lot of scoring going on last night.

Let's see.

The Ridge put up a record number of points 74 points last night.

Most ever scored in.

Touchdown.

It is a cold day in little Rock, Arkansas.

But it's a great day for football.

It's the two day state championship game between cross county and East Points at County.

And we're just about set and ready to go here at War Memorial Stadium.

I'm RJ Hawk along with West Moore and West.

Fans are cold.

Last night was cold.

You guys had the eight man championship game here that it will last until about 1030.

But a high scoring affair between those two teams.

Cold long game but a lot of points.

74 points.

That was a record that Cedar Ridge put up last night.

And I tell you what, they were putting up some great highlights.

Their quarterback who was, by the way, the MVP of the game, Jonas Ames, rushed for 279 yards, six touchdowns.

He also passed for two more touchdowns seven of eight last night.

Just an outstanding game as they knock off Woodlawn 7438.

Well, that was game one of championship week and we've got a lot more as we've got the two eight game going on right now.

And then tonight in the nightcap it's the seven eight game.

Bryant and Bentonville going to be a great weekend of football.

A little bit chilly, but I was told I've got meteorologist friends that say it's going to warm up a little bit as we go on throughout the weekend 50s tomorrow.

Yes.

Yeah.

It's going to be an awesome day tomorrow.

But tonight it's going to be a little chilly, but it's going to be a lot of fun with Bryant.

Bentonville number one.

Number two in the state undefeated a rematch of last year.

And then today you got two teams that have already played conference foes going at it for the two way state title.

And if you're a Razorback fan, you can see our, Razorback signee in this game as Mister Beal.

He's going to be sitting here showing his dominance in this game of the two way game.

There's the hot the package for the weekend of all the games going on.

We're going to take a break.

When we come back we will break down both Cross County and East Poinsett County in the two AA state championship game.

As you're watching the Centennial Bank State Football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

Down.

It is a cold day in little Rock, Arkansas, but it's a great day for football.

It's the two way state championship game between cross county and East Points, said county and we're just about set and ready to go here at War Memorial Stadium, I'm RJ Hawk, along with West Moore and West.

Fans are cold.

Last night was cold.

You guys had the eight man championship game here that it was last until about 1030.

But a high scoring affair between those two teams.

Cold long game but a lot of points.

74 points.

That was a record that Cedar Ridge put up last night.

And I tell you what, they were putting up some great highlights.

Their quarterback who was, by the way, the MVP of the game, Jonas Ames, rushed for 279 yards, six touchdowns.

He also passed for two more touchdowns seven of eight last night.

Just an outstanding game as they knock off Woodlawn 7438.

Well, that was game one of championship week.

And we've got a lot more as we've got the two eight game going on right now.

And then tonight in the nightcap it's the seven eight game.

Bryant and Bentonville going to be a great weekend of football.

A little bit chilly, but I was told I've got meteorologist friends that say it's going to warm up a little bit as we go on throughout the weekend 50s tomorrow.

Yes.

That's going to be an awesome day tomorrow.

But tonight it's going to be a little chilly.

But it's going to be a lot of fun with Bryant.

Bentonville number one.

Number two in the state undefeated a rematch of last year.

And then today you got two teams that have already played conference foes going at it for the two eight state title.

And if you're a Razorback fan, you can see a Razorback signee in this game as, Mister Beal.

He's going to be his senior showing his dominance in this game of the two way game.

There's the hot the package for the weekend of all the games going on.

We're going to take a break when we come back we will break down both Cross County and East Poinsett County in the two AA state championship game.

As you're watching the Centennial Bank State Football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

Mobile.

And then our and our through anthem.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

And now, the fourth annual banner.

I want to nominate.

Comes down.

It is a cold day in little Rock, Arkansas, but it's a great day for football.

It's a two day state championship game between cross county and East Points at County.

And we're just about and ready to go here at War Memorial Stadium.

I'm a Jayhawk along with West Moore and West.

Fans are cold.

Last night was cold.

You guys had the eight man championship game here that it will last until about 1030.

But a high scoring affair between those two teams.

Cold long game but a lot of points 74 points.

That was a record that Cedar Ridge put up last night.

And I tell you what, they were putting up some great highlights.

Their quarterback who was, by the way, the MVP of the game, Jonas Ames, rushed for 279 yards, six touchdowns.

He also passed for two more touchdowns seven of eight last night.

Just an outstanding game as they knock off Woodlawn 7438.

Well, that was game one of championship week.

And we've got a lot more as we've got the two eight game going on right now.

And then tonight in the nightcap it's the seven eight game.

Bryant and Bentonville going to be a great weekend of football.

A little bit chilly, but I was told I've got meteorologist friends that say it's going to warm up a little bit as we go on throughout the weekend 50s tomorrow.

Yes, that's going to be an awesome day tomorrow.

But tonight it's going to be a little chilly.

But it's going to be a lot of fun with Bryant.

Bentonville number one.

Number two in the state undefeated a rematch of last year.

And then today you got two teams that have already played conference foes going at it for the two eight state title.

And if you're a Razorback fan, you can see our, Razorback signee in this game as, Mr.

Beal.

He's going to be sitting here showing his dominance in this game of the two way game.

There's the hot the package for the weekend of all the games going on.

We're going to take a break.

When we come back we will break down both Cross County and East Points at county in the two state championship game.

As you're watching the Centennial Bank State Football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by.

Since 1937, the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have been providing power to homes, farms, and businesses across our state.

The cooperatives are member owned and worked together to serve Arkansans.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas proudly support high school students and athletics in Arkansas, and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas.

PBS Sports.

Better connected together the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

UAMs is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS.

Sports UAMs health provides orthopedic and sports medicine care across Arkansas, supporting athletes and teams throughout the state.

Find out more at That's Health back home win.

Rock automotive supports Arkansas athletes as a sponsor of the Arkansas PBS sports broadcast of the high school state championship games, with seven dealerships across the state serving little Rock, Conway and Jonesboro.

When Rock automotive is community focused and provides vehicle sales and service across Arkansas, we're honored to be a part of these unforgettable moments celebrating Arkansas student athletes.

Win Rock automotive connecting communities through service and support.

Centennial Bank supports communities across Arkansas and is a proud supporter of the Arkansas activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports, providing financial services since 1999.

Member FDIC.

More at my 100 bank.com.

Everett Buick GMC provides vehicles to Arkansas families and supports local organizations.

Community involvement has been part of our story for generations.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports.

More at Everett BGM Macom.

For over 70 years, Farm Bureau Insurance has offered coverage for automobiles, homes, farms, and lives across Arkansas.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association.

More at AFB KGW.com.

Goodbye.

Touchdown.

Back here at War Memorial Stadium.

Getting you set for today's class two state championship game between East Poinsett County and Cross County.

And, rivalry game.

I guess you could say between these two conference members and kind of a little cloudy sky today.

No rain in the forecast.

It's just cold up right now.

Temperature around 38 degrees.

As we get your set for today's game.

Westmore, I'm RJ Hawk.

And let's go ahead and take a look at our visitors today, the Cross County Thunderbirds.

And this is the path west west that they got here.

First, they beat Bigelow 49 to nothing.

Then they played Junction City.

That was a good game at first, 4822.

Cross County then takes on desert to win 27 to 8.

And now you've got the state championship game against East points at County.

And how about that path though.

Yeah Bigelow Junction City.

And then last week against desert.

Yeah all three teams have been making deep playoff runs or playing for championships or winning championships over the years.

That's three quality teams.

They knocked off 100%.

Let's go ahead and take a look at our player of the game for Cross County West.

And this is a team that runs the football a lot.

Yeah King Crawford's are leading rusher 1865 yards rushing this season 27 touchdowns.

Last week in the semifinals he rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown.

He is their leading rusher.

You also have Braxton Armstrong to keep an eye on.

But they're going to run the ball and they're effective running the ball.

Yeah 27 touchdowns.

The kid has been the real deal all year for the Thunderbirds.

And really if you're looking at the Thunderbirds for keys to the game for this one West, what would you say that they would need to do today?

They need to own the line of scrimmage for sure.

They they've got to be able to run the ball and stop the ball.

And that means feeding the ball to Crawford.

And then on defense, shut down this, epic Warriors offense.

They like to run the ball too.

They'll throw it a little bit more.

But you got to control the line of scrimmage today.

By the way, the cross County Thunderbird defense ranked number two in all of two way throughout the year.

They have been a very stout defense.

Now, let's move over to the home side, East Poinsett County.

Their path to get here, it's, once again, you got Conway Christian, who is traditionally been making runs, won that game 49 to 7.

Then they take on a good Po and team win that game 61 to 20.

Then you've got Mount Ida 2614 to get to the state championship game.

And much like, Cross County they run the ball very, very heavily.

Yeah.

East Poinsett County is led by Jacob Gaines.

We've been watching a Gaines in the state championship game for a long time.

Of course, this is the third straight appearance, but his older brother was a big part of those teams.

But Jacob Gaines, 1500 yards that he's rushed for this season, he's got 17 touchdowns rushing.

He's also caught a couple of touchdown passes.

So he's a, threat to run the ball.

He's also a threat to catch the ball.

Well.

And when we're looking at keys to the game, it's much really it's almost an exact blueprint for them is what it was for Cross County.

When you're looking at keys game, you got to run the ball and shut down Crawford.

I mean it's really two things.

Yeah Eli Brad can throw it a little bit.

They they'll they'll do a little bit more passing than you're going to see from Cross County.

But look these two teams know each other.

They play every year.

They've already played once this year.

EPC with a narrow four point victory over Cross County.

And Cross County felt like that was a game they should have won.

And now they get a chance to get a little payback today.

This is the third straight appearance, like I said, for epic.

And you look at Cross County with the legendary coach William Haskell.

This is his third team to bring to a state championship game.

He won it with Monticello, lost at Barton.

He's only the third coach in Arkansas history to bring three teams to the state championship game, joining Bobby Bolding and Gus Malzahn.

So that's good company to be in.

And if you're going to do it, hey, let's check in with the third member of our broadcast team, Josh Perkins, down the sideline for this cold game.

The two way game.

Josh what's up.

Hey fellas.

And great great to be with you here today.

It is cold and that's where we're going to talk about here at the gates as the teams take the field.

You saw a couple players out of the tunnel kind of feeling on the turf.

Obviously it's an artificial surface and it's in good shape.

Temps right now in the upper 30s, as you guys mentioned a little bit windy.

There's no precipitation now.

But yesterday obviously a little bit of rain.

So both coaches saying they want to make sure early on the footing is good.

Maybe some extra care to holding onto the ball as they make their way through the early stages of this game.

Back to you all.

Josh will be checking in with you throughout the ball game.

You saw the captains on the field just a moment ago, and SPC won the toss and elected to the first across county.

As they come out the tunnel, they will get the ball first to start this two AA state championship game between East Poinsett County and Cross County.

Today's officials for the game.

Your referee is going to be Chris Bryan, your umpire BJ Robinson, linesman Jeff Johnson, line judge is Brian H. Horn.

Field judge Rusty Reed and side judge is going to be Ben Fox for this one.

I'm going to try to really pay attention to the entire field.

But I got to be honest with you, this is the first time I've seen Danny, Bill play in person.

Danny Bill, the Razorback signee, signed earlier this week, new coach Silver Field got him to flip and change his mind at the last minute.

But Danny Bill wears number four on offense.

He's going to line up kind of a tight end.

The role really a blocker a big blocker because they run the ball.

Another offensive lineman and yeah another offensive lineman.

He'll also run it in some goal line packages.

So you'll see him running the ball possibly today.

But on defense he's going to play at the defensive end spot.

He's got 35 tackles on the year of sack and a half.

He also has an interception.

But that's the advantage Cross County has is on the offensive line and defensive line Roderick Williams another big guy for cross County, is getting some offers from around the state of New Arkansas.

Tech has already offered him.

He's getting some other looks from some bigger schools trying to decide, but, that's a good one.

Two punch for A2A score.

Yeah, we have two guys, two defensive linemen.

They're going to be playing on Saturdays.

Well, sorry, I was doing the pregame warm warmups.

I saw Danny, Bill running post patterns and they were throwing it to him.

And I'm like that is a really big offense.

A big wide receiver.

And I got the binoculars out.

That's Danny Bill down there doing that.

So we're just about set and ready to go as epic is going to kick it off.

And we are underway in the two AA state championship game is it'll be a short kick caught at the 25 yard line.

And going to bring it up for Cross County is going to be Garner.

And Garner is going to take it right to the 25.

Went around that far side to find a seam and could not find anywhere to go.

And that's where they'll start things here in the two championship.

Warriors did a really good job of staying in their lanes.

They didn't collapse and get to the middle or go over to that left side.

The right side of their coverage team stayed where they were supposed to.

When they tried to take it back to the high side of the field, there were plenty of warriors waiting on.

There's your offensive starters for Cross County, who come in 11 and two on the year, and, Kale Searcy is going to be their quarterback and his running backs.

You've got Simmons and Crawford as well as Armstrong.

And then Danny Bales.

We talked about the tight end.

They're going to go with a quick toss right back up the middle.

That time running with the football is Crawford.

And he'll only get a couple of yards on the play as that time.

Cam Thomas came in to make the stop.

The inside was all bottled up.

There was just nowhere to go.

Very short gain on first down.

And that's a win for epic.

We talked about the defenses.

Both these two defenses are really good.

We sit cross county's was ranked two in all of class two.

And as for East points at County, their defense is ranked number four in all of class two AA this year, cross County giving up only 11.8 points per game.

I do not expect a high scoring game today.

Here's another toss that goes left side out to the 30 yard line.

That was Armstrong on the pitch that time.

Coming in for the stop, cam Thomas once again was able to pick up a couple more yards.

But that's going to bring up a third down now and about six yards for cross County.

Also saw Jacob Gaines right there in that pile.

The running back also playing linebacker for them.

He also plays on the basketball team.

I remember calling the basketball game championship game last year.

And Jacob Gaines part of that team to Kale Searcy, the quarterback going to have that tight formation man in motion.

They're going to hand it off straight ahead.

And with the ball was Simmons that time.

And Simmons is going to be about a yard shy of the first down to bring up fourth down is Jacob Gaines.

That time came in to make the stop.

So look at your wind rock automotive defensive starting line up for East Poinsett County.

Thrasher Shepherd got the reels in there on that defensive line.

There's a look at Jacob Gaines 70 tackles on the season.

This is an interesting calls.

Fourth and one early in the game.

Deep in your own territory.

You've had positive yardage every single play I think they're going to go for it.

And we come back with the tight formation man in motion toss, sweep straight up the middle has the first down and much more.

That's Crawford.

He gets away for a man.

He's off to the races down to the 30.

Has one man to beat and he'll walk into the end zone dragging a man.

It's the first score the ball game.

He saw Jacob gain speed.

He chased him down.

But it wasn't enough to get him there 66 yards.

That was the guy we told you to watch.

Kaden Crawford.

He had 1865 yards coming into this game.

Now he's got his eyes on a 2000 yard rushing season.

He needs 135 yards.

He's halfway there.

I know Gaines actually had him around the waist when he went up the middle, and he just pulled away from him.

But talking about that speed of Gaines West you were talking about, he he ran past another EPC player to get to him and try to make the tackle.

But it was just too late.

And it's the first score of the ball game.

And now cross County going to go for two.

Toss comes left side into the hands of Armstrong and he's not going to get it.

Came up about a half a yard shy of the goal line.

And with 950 left here in the first quarter.

Cross County leads at six to nothing.

And that's a quick start for this cross county team.

Thought Armstrong had a blocker in front of him.

If he'd have been a little bit more patient on that two point conversion, he may have been able to get in.

But he he actually ran past his blocker and, got tackled just short of the goal line.

We, while we're, we're not going to take a break right now.

Let's go down to to J.B.

on the sideline.

J.B.

that's a fast start for this cross county team.

Oh, it sure was.

And how about that play?

Great design.

And then the broken tackle.

I heard you guys mention that you know they're going to pound the rock.

Got to be able to be sound in the tackling department.

Whole sideline.

You're fired up.

Head coach first went on the field.

The high five is guys as they came off.

They're all they're all excited down here with a lot of energy.

How about the decision to go for it on fourth and one from your own 34 yard line.

Yeah that's that's gutsy.

And not only did it pay off with the first out if you get a touchdown but you made it.

You made the great point West.

I mean every time they were getting positive yards, even if it was only a yard or two, they were getting a good push by the offensive line and they were able to get that.

And so they felt really confident about it being able to go on fourth down that time.

So they're setting up for an onside kick.

Kicking is going to be Gus Chism.

You'll put it on the ground and it is recovered by East points at County.

But we've got a penalty flag down on the far side.

Could be a sideline warning or illegal formation.

They're going to kick it again.

That's going against APC.

So there's offsides on APC.

And so you got to give them ten yards.

And I think one of the guys jumped across the line that ten yard line before the kick happened.

So Chisholm's going to line it up again, this time from the 45 yard line.

There's a kicked balls on the turf.

Boyett almost popped out that time.

But recovering it was Aiden Thompson and that's where he'll have it from the 46 yard line in their own territory.

Going to have great field position for their first drive.

And he bobbled it for just a half second.

And then he brings it back in right before the cross County defender was able to jump on him.

But it was loose for just a half second.

They had a little bit of a shot.

Here's a look at your win.

Rock automotive offensive starting line up for East points at County Eli Bragg at quarterback.

There's Jacob Gaines DB Buchanan Devin McGee Quincy Perry the wide receivers dirty tide in your offensive line.

Kimble Chip Robinson real.

So three wide are going to go to the right side.

And he's Poinsett County going to look to throw first play and just going to overthrow Quincy Perry that time as Eli Black.

He was able to he's got an arm on him for it.

For a team that runs the ball like they do West.

You talked about it.

They do throw a little bit.

But he's got a good little arm on it.

Yeah 156 attempts.

He completed 102 pass for 1700 yards 17 touchdowns six interceptions.

He'll run it a little bit.

He's got six touchdowns rushing.

But it's mainly Gaines and Buchanan running the ball on second down.

They're going to hand it off.

And Gaines has nowhere to go.

Is he gone back to the line of scrimmage that time it was Michael Ward who came up to make the stop.

And now you've got a quick third down is here's the win win.

Rock automotive defensive starters for cross county defensive lines Williams Bill Ward you're and buzzard.

You got your linebackers Crawford Walker your D backs Hall, craft, Simmons Finley and Armstrong.

Third down and ten with three one going to the right side.

Looking to throw again across the middle.

Almost intercepted that time.

Put his hands on.

It was Caden Finley who almost had the interception.

That's going to bring up fourth down in a Finley got in late to make the tackle on that last play a tackle for loss.

And then he gets his hands on this one showing up early.

He had his receiver but the linebackers got a good drop into the coverage.

Got a hand up knocked it away.

And now you got a three and out a possible punt for epic.

But I don't see anybody going deep I think they're going for it Jayden Finley by the way 114 tackles this year.

He leads the cross county team.

He also has a couple picks.

They're going for it on fourth down.

And now we've got whistles and a penalty flag on the far side of the field.

He.

Will be a false start on the offense.

So he's going to get backed up five yards and make it a little bit more difficult on him.

I think that might change their mind.

Fourth and 11 to fourth and 16.

You do see a punter coming in.

So I do think they're going to kick it this time.

So back deep for Cross County.

They're going to put Kelby Armstrong back there.

You saw Luke Corbin come in I figured yep he's going to punt it lined up in the punt formation.

Here's the punt by Corbin taken by Armstrong at the 31 straight ahead as he'll take it down to the 44 taken down by Quincy Perry.

And with 902 left here in the first quarter of play.

Cross County they lead at six to nothing.

You're watching the Centennial Bank State Football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

What happened?

I'm investigating the murder of my friend.

I think I might be up to them.

My name is Agatha Christie.

I'm a writer.

The situation is getting out of control.

You should be more careful.

I want you to help me solve a murder.

I'm a writer, not a detective.

It's a mystery.

Like one of your books.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

Sports is so important to this state and the fabric of the state.

And I appreciate Arkansas PBS doing all the state title games.

And that makes it available for not just the fans in Central Arkansas, South Arkansas, but fans around the entire state.

I can only think of the kids in small towns, and this is the biggest moment maybe in their sports careers, and they have that keepsake of having that game on TV to have with them the rest of their lives.

This month in passport on the PBS app a race.

The loss is catastrophic for us to restore a medieval masterpiece.

Evolution left these birds flightless.

But that doesn't mean they can't fly.

As you travel upriver, the modern world seems to fall away.

Feels like a trip back in time.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

Goodbye.

A snap!

Arkansas PBS is the home for high school sports.

If you love seeing these high school sports championship games live and also on demand, please consider making a gift.

Arkansas PBS today.

Visit my r pbs.org/sports.

Donate or pull out your phone.

Take a look at the QR code, scan it and we'll take it.

Take you straight to the website or go to my AARP PBS.org slash sports.

Donate.

Back to action here.

With 901 left in the first quarter and another running play by Cross County.

And it was Cam Thomas who came in to make the stop for APC.

And they got that's probably their best run outside the touchdown run between the first down sticks.

And so now that's gonna bring up a second down and three for Cross County.

You saw the linemen pulling leading the way.

I even saw Danny Bill in there finishing off a block.

Just a good running play there for Cross County on first down.

You know when they're going to run the ball run the ball run the ball.

If they're able to pick up six yards on first down at the 50, you know they got three more shots at it to pick up three yards and get a first down.

Brings up a second down and three with the ball at the 49 yard line.

Toss straight up the middle this time to Crawford.

And he'll go straight ahead.

Gets the first down as he takes it down to the 42 yard line.

We mentioned these guys earlier but man take a look at this offensive line.

You got the tackle pulling the guard pulling.

That was Markelle Ward.

Stephens pulling opening up a big hole an easy first down.

And that offensive line is big.

I mean, they're they're not just standing, you know, the run blocking and going and finding a man.

They're not just kind of staying right there at the offensive line there.

They're going downfield to find somebody putting a hat on a hat.

Here's a handoff to goes right side.

That time it was Simmons coming up for the stop was Eli Black will trap play.

Markelle Ward once again pulling over opening up the hole.

Running back hits it.

Very productive run on first down five six yards.

You know they keep they'll just keep doing this all day until they stop running.

Well they've they've not had a lost yardage or even really stopped at the line of scrimmage in their two drives so far.

So it's second down and five.

Toss comes left side in the hands of Armstrong.

He'll pick up a about a yard and a half on the play times.

They had Roderick Williams pulling from his right side trying to lead the way.

APC did a good job of, kind of, stopping it, not getting a lot of push.

Did a good job on that right side of the defensive front.

Saw Doug reel over there.

Brad Shepherd over there.

Barry Shepherd over there.

They did a good job of stopping that play.

Ball is at the 35 yard line.

It's third down and three clock running at 649 and counting.

Handoff straight ahead that time.

Crawford goes ahead, gets the first down.

Takes it inside the 30 yard line as the area shepherd came in to make the stop.

Look at Van Pascal, the legendary head coach there.

Cross County getting them into the state championship game.

Third time he's been here.

Tell you what.

That run play was so good.

He had two different holes.

He could have bounced it a little bit to the right.

He cut that up inside picks up the first down.

That's when you're clicking.

You got multiple holes to run through.

And you know with the size of Danny build they've not just run it to the right side.

They run it all over especially to the left.

Is that Simmons.

And he's going to pick up another five yards.

Little quick hitter there.

Just a change of pace.

Just methodic right now.

This is exactly what they want to do.

See the double team on the linebacker right there Eli Bragg the quarterback also had no chance with two guys on him.

So that brings up a second down and four with the ball at the 23 yard line.

Toss straight up the middle goes Crawford and he'll pick up about three on the play.

Gets the first down.

And so they'll just keep moving the chains and West.

You know we've seen teams haven't used to do the just three yards in the cloud of dust.

It's not it's not glamorous to watch.

But when you're really good at it it's really hard to stop.

Tell you what.

There's some people enjoying this.

You know, and they're putting on a clinic.

It's not three yards in the cloud, the dust.

They're getting five yards.

Here's another inside handoff.

This time they give it to Armstrong and he'll pick up about four yards on the play when they're spreading it out.

We've seen Caden Crawford.

There's Braxton Armstrong.

Davion Simmons has had some carries.

They have not throwing the ball yet.

That was their 12th rush of the game.

And they already have over 114 yards rushing in two drives.

There is not a negative play yet so far they're averaging.

Of course you had the long run.

That skews it a little bit.

But they're averaging nine yards a run 9.9.

Here's a handoff straight ahead at Simmons.

He'll get stacked up at the six yard line.

And leading the charge was Dave Buchanan who came up to make the stop.

That's going to be very near the he may have got the first down I believe he did.

Yeah he did.

He's they're going to mark it on the six I think you need to get to the seven.

It's going to be first and goal from just outside the five.

Yeah.

It's officially the six.

You got first and goal for 35 and counting left here in the first quarter.

It's cross county.

They lead it six.

Nothing trying to extend their lead.

Messed up assignment that time is quarterback Searcy just had to take it himself.

He went to the right running back went to the left.

And so he still though West another positive yardage play.

He's still got a yard on the play Searcy turns to his right Simmons goes to his left.

He's like well I guess I better run it.

That's how I mean you saw the push though.

Hendricks with the push.

Williams with the push.

Busted play and still pick up two yards.

That may have been the shortest run they've had.

I think of the very first play of the game.

They got two.

And then I guess they were stopped on the two point conversion right about the one yard line.

So they've had three runs for two yards.

Everything else has been a lot more productive.

Here's another handoff.

Left side as does Simmons.

He'll walk in the end zone for a touchdown.

The big back gets to the goal line and just powers his way over the DB.

Not much of a chance.

That's a big size difference.

And we're seeing the size difference on the offensive line.

And you're going to see the size difference right here.

What a great block there by Stephens blocks down on the linebacker.

And you know he's going to win that battle.

The goal line Simmons just too big 337 to play here in the quarter.

They're going to go for two.

They were unsuccessful the first time.

Searcy going to hand it off.

They'll come right side with it.

Gets around one blocker and a nice tackle at the goal line that time.

Coming up to make the stop for East Points.

That county was McGee who was able to get him right at the line and throw him down.

That was a great tackle.

11 plays, 56 yards, 5.5 minutes, 525 to be exact.

On that drive to what they had the blocking there.

I thought that was going to be a walk in touchdown.

But he tried to pop it to the outside.

I wish you to just that's a look at the touchdown right here.

But on the two point conversion there was a pancake block and the pita followed him.

Watch this pancake.

Bam.

Now cut it up.

He tries to bounce it out to the outside.

And he gets thrown down by McGee right before he gets to the goal line.

But that was a nasty block right there.

I wouldn't want to been on the receiving end of that.

Hey let's go down to Josh Bertini on the sidelines.

What's up Josh.

He's obviously a physical game right now.

We're seeing it down in the trenches.

Both teams hitting hard and obviously cross County doing with their head coach.

Van Pascal wants him to do up front about a block and go on.

And you can see that there was a nice play at the end of that, though, for obviously the opposition, the Warriors had a Debbie McGee read it.

The linebacker snuffed out the conversion so maybe you can get a little bit of momentum on your side for 12.

Not the nearly all cross County right now guys.

Thanks JB.

That was Corbin who received the onside kicks.

Another good field position for APC.

Now they've got to do something with it.

West I mean the last time they had it in this same spot just could not get their offense going at all.

I look, they've been here for the third straight time.

They've gone through a gantlet of a playoff run.

They're a very good team.

Now it's time to respond.

It's a good offense.

The only game they lost was against Rivercrest earlier this year.

A bigger school 4846.

This team can put up some points.

Now's the time.

Here's a run up right up the middle.

That's DJ Buchanan who was able to get about ten yards on the run.

Buchanan on the season hadn't run a whole lot.

Only has 214 yards rushing but looked really good right there.

Now he's got 214 receiving yards.

Here's 1100 yards to throw.

I looked at the run.

Right now he's our secondary guy.

You got Gaines and then Buchanan.

Now here's another run straight up the middle.

And we get three yards on the play.

Yeah.

Buchanan has had eight 100 yard games this year.

It's a good one two punch.

When you look at Gaines and Buchanan three.

And black run it a little bit.

He's rushed for 300 yards this season six touchdowns.

Second down and seven.

They're going to send two receivers to the right side.

Have two backs in the backfield.

And hand it off once again.

Bounces it outside Buchanan and he'll take it inside the 35 down to the 34.

Good.

Tough running right there.

It looked like he was going to be stopped at the line of scrimmage but kept his legs moving.

Bounces it out to the outside.

Found a little space to run and made something out of nothing.

So it brings up a third down and three from the 34 yard line.

Clock ticks down to two minutes and 20s going to hand it off this time to Gaines.

Gaines gets a first down and much more.

He's off to the races down to the ten, and he's going to get into the end zone for the touchdown.

Exactly what SPC needed.

That's the response they had to get back into the game.

You don't want to let Cross County get too far ahead.

And then they you know what cross is going to do.

They're just going to keep working the clock.

Running the clock.

You got to stay within shouting distance.

And big run from Gaines breaks a tackle there.

Here's another one.

Another chance to get him right at the sideline.

Misses him.

Goes in two broken tackles.

Gaines goes in for the score and we got a ballgame.

Now they're going to try the extra point set of going for two.

And he's had some a chance to not only make it a one possession lead, but after missing 22. conversions at 12 six you make this and you get a chance to take the lead if you score again.

Here's Jeb Holloman, the kicker for SPC.

Hold is down and the kick is no good.

And so with 213 left here in the first quarter, Cross County leads it 12 to 6.

By the way for Gaines that's his 18th touchdown of the season.

We're talking about 100 yard games between you know the running backs.

Buchanan's had eight.

Gaines has had seven of them this year.

They're very effective on the ground as well.

One of these teams got here.

I mean they're both very effective running the ball across county with a little edge on defense.

But right there it was the EPC that came through.

And Gaines at the very end just too big to shucks off that tackle on the sideline and gets in.

Scampers in for the score right now though.

So they found an offensive scheme.

But they've got to find a way to to stop down this cross County running attack.

As you mentioned a minute ago, there's not been a a negative play.

There's really not been any really many one yard gains.

And they've just got to find a way to to stop that and get a get them off the field.

131 yards rushing for cross County.

The Thunderbirds have had it 15 plays 15 carries.

That kick is going to go out of bounds.

And so Cross County is going to get great field position to start their third drive here at the two a state championship game.

EPC it's going to be important for them to win first down.

They haven't been winning first down.

Well actually the only time they won first down was the first play of the game when they held them to two.

You remember you go back.

It was fourth and one.

They went for it.

And bus not only got it but busted it for the touchdown for the big play of the game.

But they got to start winning on early down so that they can get them into a fourth and long.

Looks like off the penalty.

They elected to re kick the football.

So they're going to they're going to back it up.

And they're going to re kick.

To try to get a little bit better field position.

Tells me Coach Pascoe has a little confidence in his return unit here.

He feels like they can maybe bust something get a bigger play than just that field position.

They would have gotten on the penalty.

So the kicker for Eli flag.

On.

It's going to be a short kick.

It was fumbled by the up man and he just gonna have to fall on it.

And around the 36 yard line.

And I think you're taught to West.

If you've got a kind of range back to go get that thing.

You just let one you're up man.

Get to it.

And that time he just fumbled it down the 36.

They're still going to have good field position.

And Braxton Armstrong you know he's got good hands.

He's a running back.

But he lost about ten yards on that.

If he had just caught it went down they'd have had the ball around the 46.

Instead they're going to have it at the 36.

So with 207 left here in the quarter, Ross County is going to get the the football back with the ball at the 36 yard line.

And I hand it off inside.

And that's the first lost yardage of the ball game for cross County.

And coming up to make the stop that time it was just there is real and it's a two yard loss after Armstrong tried to take it to the outside.

So they pulled the entire right side and dug real.

Didn't have anybody on him.

And there's like, well, we can get over there quicker than him.

But Doug is just too fast for that.

Comes from the back side.

Makes the tackle for loss.

He came into the game with eight tackles for loss this season.

He just got a big tackle for loss on first down.

So it's a second down and 12 clock running at a minute 30 left here in the first quarter.

And they go with a toss inside.

And that time it was Crawford who was able to get back inside the sticks.

Picks up about three yards on the play to bring up a little.

End up being a third down and nine.

They've done their job.

Lead Buchanan came in that time from his linebacker spot.

Little run blitz beats the pulling linemen to their spot.

They're kind of chasing this down from behind now.

Enough with the pulling guys.

You gotta.

But those guys are pulling.

Get upfield.

Make the tackle from behind.

So it's third down and nine with the ball at the 37 yard line.

Under a minute to play left here in the first quarter.

Handoff straight ahead this time to Simmons.

He has nowhere to go.

May have picked up a yard on the play that time Jacob Gaines came in to make the stop.

And now you've really got a decision because you've got a fourth down and long for Cross County.

And that much of a decision they've already brought out the punt team.

You saw the linebackers once again, they're attacking the plays.

Instead of waiting.

Gaines from his linebacker spot gets up field makes the tackle and forces the fourth and long.

Our first punt for Cross County.

So Quincy Perry's going to be back for epic as the punt is away.

Perry's going to let it hit down at the 30.

He'll take it off a bounce and it's a nice spin move to get away from the defender.

Going to work to the outside and he'll go out of bounds just shy of the 40 yard line as that's going to do it for the first quarter of play.

We're cross county.

They lead this to a state championship 12 to 6.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

Join the ranks of corporate sponsors and business partners and Arkansas PBS.

Your support will shine a light on your business with recognition on air and at major community events like Family Day.

Plus, our viewers love the businesses that underwrite their favorite programs.

Showcase your company while making a meaningful impact on lifelong learning.

Partner with Arkansas PBS to build a brighter future for our state.

It's prime time on your time.

Get more of your primetime favorites each weekday, starting at 130, following our PBS kids programs.

Catch up on all the programs you love, including exploring Arkansas, nature, Antiques Roadshow, Arkansas Week, British Favorites, mysteries, and more beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

See the full schedule and all the ways to watch at my Arkansas PBS Dawgs.

Watch.

See your state government in action.

The Arkansas Citizens Access Network provides convenient live streaming coverage of state board and commission meetings, as well as direct links to proceedings of the legislature and the Arkansas Supreme Court.

You can't watch live.

Archived events are available on demand on YouTube.

Learn more at my Arkansas PBS Dawgs Arkansas.

Good night.

Let's now.

Let's take a look at our Arkansas Quiz Bowl trivia question.

Cross County allowed 86 yards versus risin in the 1984 championship game.

What is the record for fewest yards allowed in a title game?

That's a good one.

I have the answer for you.

Coming up, giving guests.

Well, I guess you probably know the answer.

Yeah, I got a good guess.

Yeah, that, I would be curious to know what that is.

I'll let you know here in a few minutes.

Okay, so ABC has got the football with the ball in the 38 yard line to start the second quarter.

They're going to hand it off straight ahead and it'll be about a one yard gain that time.

As Jacob Gaines was able to get it down to the 39.

Good penetration from the cross county defensive line.

So he PC fans encouraging their team.

They got the ball and a chance to take the lead after being down 12 to nothing.

Could be a game of runs if APC can put something together here to start the second quarter.

Second down and nine ball at the 39 yard line.

You know that first drive for APC the aired to out almost every play.

Come back the second drive and it was all running plays the entire time and trying to find their their bread and butter for this championship.

And now we've got whistles and it looks like we've got a timeout.

Charged these points at County with 1111 left here in the second quarter.

And the play clock was down to zero.

And coach saw that and called a quick timeout to say five yards.

Yeah it's already second and nine.

You don't want to make it second and 14.

So a good time out there.

See the, blankets there on the bleachers?

Yeah.

Steel.

Aluminum bleachers get a little cold.

So that's a good idea for the fans that are coming out later.

Either tonight or tomorrow.

May want to bring a blanket to sit on.

You know, West, I've been I've been doing championship games for I think this is my 18th year doing championships.

And I remember there's some years and you've been to them just as long as I have, but, there's been some years you come out here and you wear shorts and a t shirt out here.

And then there's been other years we've had snow on the field whenever we were coming out to these state championship games.

I remember no matter how cold or hot it was, Kevin Kelly at Pulaski Academy always wore shorts out there and everybody's like, what is wrong with that guy?

And but that was just kind of the tradition that they had out there at Pulaski Academy.

So, yeah, if you're coming out to the stadium, bundle up several coaches.

I remember Tommy Gill.

Yeah.

Hamilton would do.

Yeah.

Speaking of pay, remember the year it was raining?

They played McClellan and went into halftime and changed jerseys and changed uniform.

Yeah.

Want to have dry uniforms?

Yeah yeah yeah okay.

It's second down and nine out of the time out.

Bligh's going to look to throw as he had a man just it was stretched out a little too far as that time trying to hook up with McGee.

And it was Will Bussard who came in to have the coverage.

And now you've got a third down and nine from the 39 clock stops.

In 1106, Zar blew up that play.

He came from his, defensive end spot, put some pressure on black and black, had to get rid of it a little quicker and it affected his throw.

You think he's going to have some chances across County playing a man to man.

They're going to line up three receivers to the left side.

Flag comes back.

Right side has a man at the 50.

And he's going to pick up a first down.

That was lamb who was able to make the catch and run.

Takes it into Cross County territory at the 46 yard line as Aiden Kraft came in to make the stop.

Just snuck the tight end out, that's all.

It was like he was going to block and he went on out to the, formation.

Nobody was there.

Safety had to come up, make the tackle.

Fresh set of downs for epic.

That's huge.

They needed that third and long needed to convert.

Keep this drive going.

So Danny Bales checking out of the ball game.

They just checked in.

Parker Duncan who came in?

Just giving Bill a break.

Here's the handoff.

This time is to Gaines.

Ball's on the turf and Cross County says they've got it at the 50 yard line.

So did the officials.

It's the first turnover of the ball game.

And Cross County is going to have at the 50 yard line.

Markelle Ward was the first one there.

I think he knocked it out.

But to get a good look at it, to see if he was down before the ball came out, but hand comes in, maybe knocks it out and Kraft picks it up.

Looked like he was stuck.

I think the ball was moving.

You could honestly see the ball moving already before he was going down.

Van Pascal was on that far side.

He was even with the play and he saw it immediately started running the other way.

Thomas County's got the football, but it looks like smart thing and falls on it.

But if he he just picks it up he walks it.

I mean it's a scoop and score easily, but you want to make sure you recover it first.

But we're going to take a look at it.

But you know, the only thing that would have kept that from being a fumbles if they had blown the whistle because forward momentum had been stopped.

But there was no whistle.

Yeah.

And he definitely the ball was moving before he hit the ground.

And now one thing west in the state championship games if you're not familiar with it we do have replay here at War Memorial.

And coaches have a challenge to where they can look at, you know, turnover positions.

And I think this time the coaching the officials want to come over and talk the talk to the coaches about the replay and what was going on.

They're not going to officially look at this one.

It doesn't look like.

I believe they look at all turnover anyway.

Yeah.

So the book does look at it.

They've already told the official buzz down and said hey, that's a fumble.

There's no need to challenge.

We've looked at it.

You guys got it right.

Play on.

Yes.

First turnover huge turnover for Cross County.

Let's see if they can take advantage of it.

So the officials just stopped the clock again.

Stop play again.

Wow.

And now it looks like they're going to go over and check the replay monitors.

So they may have buzzed down and said hey take this.

Give us a little bit more time.

Let's take a look at this.

Let's make sure we get it right.

Let's go down to J.B.

on the sidelines.

Josh, did were you able to see the play at all?

Yeah, it was close to the ground when it came out, but it was out and it looked like it got bobbled on the way down.

So considering the call on the field, like you guys said, I think it'd be really tough to overturn that one.

I mean, looking at the replay right now.

Yes.

And we're looking straight from the DV sports guys.

What they're looking at, the knee was down, but it's all about where the ball was coming out.

When the ball was already moving.

He had already lost control of it.

And when the knee hit, that's when it came out.

Totally.

But I think the ball was already moving right there, there again.

And the knee is not down.

Here it's called.

Again.

Yeah, I thought they got it right at first look.

But I applaud the decision.

Let's make sure give him a couple extra seconds.

Let's look at it from all different angles and make sure we get it right.

It's too important of the game, is too, too important of a turnover here.

And so applaud the decision.

Take a look at it.

They got it right.

Now play on the cross County has the football back at the 50 yard line.

Kale Searcy the quarterback.

Got a hand it off right side to Crawford.

And Crawford's going to take it for about an eight yard gain in the FC territory.

Stephens again one of the linemen leading the way.

Another big hole.

See Doug Reel.

He's going to have to come off.

He lost his helmet.

The offensive line for a cross county winning the game right now.

So second down and two with the ball to 42 yard line.

Wing back set up that right side.

Here's a toss straight up the middle.

That's to Crawford.

And he'll get the first down and much more as he falls down at the 35 to watch.

Stephens is just paving the way once again from his left tackle.

Spot pulls over on the right side.

Running back just looking for big 77.

He just gets right in behind him.

Watch 77.

Get right behind him.

He'll make a block.

Follow that pick up about six yards.

So it's a first down and ten with the ball at the 35 yard line.

Under ten minutes to play here in the first half.

Crawford's got eight rushes for 106 yards so far.

Here's another toss to him.

But we've got whistles and a penalty flag.

Looks like it's gonna be a false start on Cross County not to back him up.

A miss that I didn't see.

I had my eyes focused on 77 because they've been running behind him.

I was just watching him to see where he was going and I guess somebody else moved.

I couldn't see anything.

So that'll bring up a first down and 15.

Now with the ball at the 40 yard line, the way they've been running it, the five yards of the club.

Yeah.

And this is four down territory.

So that first and 15 doesn't guarantee anything.

Here's a toss.

Crawford going to bounce it outside and he'll be stopped.

But he got about four yards before he did.

And that's going to bring up second down and 11 that time Ashton Real came in to make the stop.

That time he did a good job.

They were focusing on two.

They're watching 77.

He pulls once again.

This time they kind of bottle it up.

And so there was nowhere to go inside.

So he just popped it outside and made something out.

Nothing got four yards, almost five.

It was good tackle.

Thought he had a chance to get some more.

But a good one on one tackle.

Bring him down.

So second down and 11.

Here's a handoff to goes to the outside.

Got a penalty flag down and he'll be taken down at the 30.

And the official threw his hat.

So you got another penalty flag down at the 30.

That's Ryder Hill who came in to make the stop after Braxton Armstrong took it wide to the outside.

But we've got laundry on the field.

I think we got a hold and maybe a facemask.

And I think it's on Armstrong.

Yeah, it is on Armstrong.

Armstrong got I think both of these are on Cross County.

I tell you Armstrong he's he's he's racked up a lot of yards.

He's just got to be more patient.

He's got a pulling guard.

Hendricks.

And just slow down.

So let him make his block follow him.

He just ran right past it.

And that's who made the tackle.

If you wait a little bit and you let Hendricks get the block, heck, he might score.

So it's kind of a double whammy.

He didn't wait on his block.

Then he gets called for a facemask, but it probably won't.

Going to matter.

They had a whole call anyway.

Here's Chris Brian, our official here's your hold on number one.

That was on Caden Crawford leading the way.

And then there's the facemask.

So he had to throw a flag.

And then he had to throw his hat.

He was busy.

Think he had any help from that APC sideline.

Oh 100% yeah.

So that's going to back the ball all the way up to the the 45 yard line.

Hey West, while we've got a little stoppage, what's the answer to that trivia question that oh yeah.

Let's go back to a cross county allowed 86 yard versus risin in the 1984 championship game.

What is the record for the fewest yards?

19.

Prescott against Agusta.

That was back in 1983.

Wow.

Now we've got another penalty flag.

And this time it's going to go against EPC for jumping into the neutral zone.

We got half of the holding penalty called got back got.

So that makes it a little bit more manageable.

Second down would be second and 14.

They need to get the ball almost to the 25 yard line.

Maybe it is exactly the 25.

So you've got a second down and 14 with the ball at the 39.

Here's the toss to Crawford.

And he's upended as he got it out to the 36.

He's got a yard shy of the original sticks.

Now we've got a helmet Danny Bills helmets off on that far side of the field.

As Dede Buchanan came in to make the stop, and Buchanan made a good tackle.

Coach Pask was on the on the field.

He's wanted to know why they're in the penalty.

How did Danny Bill get his helmet ripped off?

How did this happen?

By accident.

Right.

Somebody grab it.

Let's look and see if we got an angle anywhere of, what happened?

That bill was blocking Gaines way down the field.

There's a look at Bill where he's a he is a big player, and he he's got the size, but he's also got the speed and quick.

And that's what you think about him.

Here's a look at top of your screen.

They're going at it.

Can't really see it.

So here we go.

He's got his.

They're going oh he just kind of flicks it.

He just kind of flicks real.

Just flicks the face Maggie face mask.

And it goes off.

It looks like we've got a timeout on the field now.

Looks like it was charged across County.

So as they take a timeout we'll stay here.

Let's go down and check in with Josh Porter.

Chaney down the sidelines.

Josh if you guys and you know you were just talking about Danny Bill a moment ago.

The Razorback recruit flip for new head hog Ryan silver field just a couple of days ago right as you brought it up I was I was looking at him on offense because defensively you know he's a guy who's going to play on the line down low.

But offensively Van Pascal the head coach very creative about where he puts him.

And he doesn't so much have a position designation as just big Boy right.

He gets out in space, tries to find a linebacker and his teammates look for the hole behind him.

They list him as a tight end.

But guys he's pretty much an immovable object is what he is out there.

Back to you all.

Well, and on that hand-to-hand combat, they were going, like you said was it was more of a flick of the helmet because it just it just popped off.

But mainly do, buckle that chin strap a little tighter.

Yeah, they just kind of flick the facemask.

That thing went flying.

So it's third down and 11, as you said, it's four down territory for Cross County as the ball is at the 36 yard line.

This is going heavy right.

Unbalanced line a hand it off.

Now the quarterback's going to keep it himself.

And he has nowhere to go.

Searcy gets bottled up for about a yard loss.

Leading the charge was Cam Thomas.

So she doesn't run it a lot.

And that time he missed his opportunity.

He should have just tucked it right up the middle and tried to pick up three or 4 or 5 yards.

You see it right there.

He's got the block.

But he decides to go outside and is he had to block from Simmons blocking him outside and he ran outside.

If he runs back in, I know there's a lot of guys coming that way and he's trying to get get avoid all that.

But to have picked up three maybe four yards.

And then he got a decision on fourth down.

Now it's easy decision.

You got to punt.

So Jake Brooks is going to come on to punt and back deep.

They've got I believe that was Quincy Perry.

And it just lets it go through the back of the end zone.

So SPC will have at the 20 yard line.

We'll take a break with 704 left here in the second quarter.

Cross County they lead at 12 to 6 in the two state championship game.

You're watching the Centennial Bank State Football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This month on Arkansas PBS.

We think they may be Benjamin Greenleaf, but I'm not sure of that.

My mother in law was given to hyperbole.

I'm Dick Van Dike.

Remember, there's no limit to his town.

Walking around the Christmas tree.

Look who's walking around.

American masters, Brenda Lee.

Only on Arkansas PBS.

You know, I think sports are really big to a lot of people.

And because it's an important part of our fabric and our community.

And one good thing about what I've seen is its high quality production.

You know, you think of a small communities all over Arkansas.

It's a big deal that they can turn on the TV or DVR or whatever and know they're going to get a quality product.

And so I think it just expands the, the focus of what PBS is doing.

You know, Arkansas PBS is doing a great job, and I think it's part of education.

This month on Arkansas PBS.

This item is the symbol of the whole myth of the cowboy.

The work of our hands is informing the work of our mind from the English National Ballet.

Treat yourself to the music and the magic of Nutcracker on great performances.

This stirring program celebrates the birth of the Savior of the world with music from the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

Only on Arkansas PBS.

Good night.

Let's now.

Let's take a look at our Arkansas PBS student All-Stars.

Payton Willoughby from Mark tree plays on the offensive line.

Also a linebacker, the senior has a 4.11 GPA.

He plans to attend college as part of the Air Force ROTC.

Payton Willoughby, congratulation our Arkansas PBS student all star.

So it's going to be first down and ten with the ball to 20 yard line for East points at County as they trail 12 to 6 here in the two a state championship game.

Eli Blagg trying to look to throw.

And he's going to be upended back at the 15 yard line.

That's your future Razorback.

Razorback fans.

Be excited about that Danny.

Bill coming in second.

Initial pressure forced to pull it down.

It was Roderick Williams their other outstanding defensive lineman.

That's a great combination.

We talked about that to begin the show.

It's not often in two way you have two defensive linemen or offensive linemen, whatever position that they're going to be playing college ball.

What A12 punch.

So now you've got a second down and 16 is they're going to hand it off.

Right side goes Gaines and he'll be thrown out of bounds.

But the officials say that they're going to keep the clock rolling.

As he takes down to the 16 yard line.

Drake Hall came in to make the stop and bring up third down.

Now Hawk down even made not only made the stop, he fought off a blocker.

I thought we had a little something going here with Gaines.

We've seen a speed already, but Hawk sheds the blocker and then is able to grab him by the jersey and slinging to the ground.

So it's third down and 14 with the ball to 16 yard line.

Bly going to throw has a man right side.

And that time put it in the hands of McGee.

McGee is going to take it out past the 25 to around the 28 yard line.

It'll be short of the first down as Caden Finley came in to make the stop.

It's going to be third and two.

This is interesting.

Fourth and two.

Fourth and two.

I'm sorry.

Yes, fourth and two.

And they might go for this man.

I'll tell you what, I thought they were playing way too soft on third and 14.

And they did.

They gave up 12 yards.

Now they got to get a stop here on fourth down.

So it's fourth down and two.

And we've got whistles and penalty flags.

That's a killer.

But either way it's a killer.

We will be a false start on EPC.

I go back of my five yards.

One of the receivers at the top of the screen may have moved prematurely.

So that will put the ball down at the 23 yard line.

You got to punt this now right.

Blacks got to drop back and punt this I mean you got to think like.

They're lining up like like they're going to go for it though black does punt.

He may take a step back or two and take that short snap and punt it real quick.

Now they're going to go for it.

Fourth down and seven going big ball.

Right side.

Tried to hook up with McGee and it's too hot.

The ball was thrown too far.

And that'll be a turnover on downs.

Tell you like I want a shout out to the DB Aiden Kraft for Cross County.

He was running stride for stride.

And you see it so many times you just kind of panicked a little bit and grabbed the guy and he didn't do it.

He was watching the ball, knew it was overthrown a little bit, never touched him.

You just see so many times on those balls, the guy, the DB will panic and just start grabbing and there's no reason to he's not going to catch it.

But that was good job by Aiden Kraft.

So now great field position for Cross County with the ball at the 23 yard line.

Going to hand it off straight ahead.

They given off out to Simmons.

Still pushing the pile keeping his feet rolling.

And they're going to finally get him down inside the 20 down to the 17 yard line.

Just still surprised that they went for that on fourth and seven.

Deep into your own territory.

Five minutes to go.

Well not only that but go deep with it.

And they've done really good.

Just kind of dumping it off, you know, three, 4 or 5 yards out and trying to pick up.

They only needed seven.

Went for the home run.

So now, you know came did here one time against LSU who didn't come to paint right on fourth and short has a deep man to man coverage Joe Adams down to here in this end zone.

We're across county's going and connects for the touchdown.

That's what they were looking for.

So now it's second down and four with the ball to 17.

Handoff right side.

And they're going to be very near the first down.

That time it was Armstrong who carried it.

There are they are going to say it's a first down as Davion Simmons was able to make the tackle.

So it's a first down with the ball to 12 yard line.

That time they just ran right behind Danny Bill the big tight end for the offensive tackle.

That lines up at a tight end.

And just giant body out there.

Yeah no pulling just straight ahead blocking power blocking and picked up the first down.

So it's first down and ten.

And I hand it straight ahead.

And just another hard run down to the five yard line.

Same play as that was Simmons who was able to take a right side.

And you've got second down and short.

But it looks like Simmons is down on the turf holding his right shoulder.

To see how he landed may have come down on it but they ran the exact same play.

And just ran right behind that right side.

And Perry.

And here's a take a look.

I'm watching a different replay.

Yeah.

And he just falls awkwardly on that shoulder kind of gets slung to the ground and he's holding it I hope away.

That is hope.

It's not like a separated shoulder with where he fell and guys falling on top of him.

But he fell right on that right shoulder and maybe a collarbone.

Oh, I hate to see that.

He's up and going to walk over to the sideline and maybe we'll get JB over there to check on him and see see how he's doing.

So with 323 left here in the second quarter, Cross County's got a second down and three from the five yard line.

And that's they lose their big kind of fullback.

And I know for a fact Danny Bill will run the ball at goal line situations.

Have to look and see.

Maybe they line up big number four in the backfield at some point.

He's moving it a little bit, but he's still in pain.

Yeah.

Now Searcy going to keep it himself straight ahead.

And Gaines kind of got him by the jersey.

Yeah and slung him back.

Stopped his momentum.

Looks like he's going to be very near the first down but.

And looks like the officials are showing third down.

So it's going to be third down and short.

He needs to get to the two or right outside the two is pretty much the two.

So you got two downs to pick up a yard.

And Pascoe's just letting time run off the clock because we're down to 240 left here in the quarter.

Here's the handoff straight ahead to Crawford.

And Crawford's going to take it down to the one.

So they're going to have a fresh set of downs as they take it to the one yard line.

And the clock will play.

And now they can just one more time go off the clock here in this first half they just reset the clock.

So we got to play clock at about 27 seconds 223.

So they're going to take their time and try to get this around the two minute mark before they run another play.

In fact you know what coach is talking to the sideline official right now.

He's not going to run another play.

He's going to go and let that last 14 seconds go off, call a timeout and just use as much time as possible.

Get it under two minutes so that if they do score, it just gives EPC less time to work with.

So they can't cross.

County called the timeout so they will have one remaining with a minute 56 left here in the second quarter.

Let's go down to Josh Bertini on the sidelines.

Josh any update on Cross County's Simmons.

Yeah we just checked on him fellas.

And he's dealing with what looks like a separated shoulder was grabbing at it.

They got a couple of trainers right next to me right around him right now.

And they've taken off of his pads his helmet.

They're kind of giving him a little work through right now.

So, maybe an old injury re aggravated.

They're taping it up and, they say he's returned to the game obviously at this point.

Questionable fellas.

Back to you.

Thank you JB.

Well hey don't forget coming up at the halftime.

We've got some great features going on with Arkansas.

PBS has done some great features on things going on around the state.

You don't want to miss out on that, as that's coming up at halftime featuring the wide receiver factory, and Christina munoz and David Basil doing the halftime show.

So that's all coming up here at halftime as that's in a minute.

56 of this two state championship game.

Time of possession right now.

West Cross County 13 minutes 22 seconds.

Epic five minutes and 41 seconds.

Just to, let her body know again.

They haven't thrown a pass I know right?

I mean running plays 11 carries by.

Crawford Simmons has nine before leaving with an injury.

Armstrong was six.

And Kael Searcy, the quarterback with three, got a new fullback in there.

Sawyer Powell.

Here's the looks like Searcy took it himself straight ahead.

And they're going to say it's a touchdown.

Quarterback sneak straight up the middle got the touchdown.

And you can give it to Kael Searcy this time.

And so with a minute 50 left here in the first half Cross County extends their lead.

And they're going to go for two.

Try to get to that 20 point mark.

This is because they're oh for two on two point conversion so far.

Which is kind of strange because they've been running the ball so well.

They've been picking up on average a lot more than three yards.

But they have been able to get the three yards on the 22. conversions.

Yeah, they almost had it on the last one and and came up a half a yard shy.

So let's see what they do right here.

Look to throw this time.

And they do get it as they put the hands of Crawford.

The first pass the ball game for cross County.

It comes on a two point conversion.

And just like that Cross County leads it 20 to 6.

With a minute 50 left here in the second quarter.

You run it, you run it, you're on it.

You're on it.

And you're I keep going.

And then finally, when you're least thinking it, they sneaky him out and he is wide open.

Ball was on the money.

And that's about as easy as you're going to get on a two point conversion.

That's a look at the touchdown little quarterback sneak.

And they Searcy gets in thanks to a little help from the fullback will push push from Sawyer Powell.

Here's a two point conversion.

And you know that receiver's been blocking the entire game.

Yeah.

And that Linebacker's thinking he's trying to block me and he shuts him.

He gets him out of the way.

And I'm gonna make this play.

Finally I'm going to make a play.

Oh no.

They're going to throw it to the guy that you were supposed to cover.

Yeah.

Here's the onside kick that's going to land in the hands of an APC player down the 49 yard line.

He's Thompson got that was nice play and held on to it after the big hit.

So APC will have it at the 49 yard line with a minute 48 to play left here in the first half.

We used to practice that every day in practice and I don't like that line and I don't know how many times I took a hit like that.

Not once in a game did I ever get the chance.

No one ever tried the onside kick on us, so I never even got to try it in the game.

But I did it in practice day after day after day, taking a big hit.

So yeah, I never was.

I wasn't the guy that got to be on the front line.

I was on the second line.

Right.

And so I never had to worry about the big hit.

And I was always the guy that was at the end of the line that he was never going to get the onside kick.

That's where I was at.

Here's a nice play by apex running the football.

That time it was Perry and or Jimmy catching the football at time.

And it takes it down to the 32 yard line.

It a good job that time by black you had, Finley dropping in coverage in that linebacker spot.

He was there, but he holds on just a second so he can get past Finley in that window and delivers the the ball right on the money.

A minute, 34 and counting left here in the first half.

It would be big for epic to get a score before the half.

Ellen Black sends a man in motion.

Going to look to throw again across the middle has his man.

That time it was McGee and he'll pick up about five yards as Caden Crawford came in to make the stop.

He has two timeouts.

They're not going to use one right here.

So plenty of time with the minute seven to go in the game or in the first half ball at the 26 yard line.

Blake has three receivers in the formation.

And a look to throw again going big ball right side in and out of the hands and is partially deflected that time trying to hook up with Quincy Perry.

And it was Drake Hall who came in to knock it away.

Hawkins, we talked about earlier has six interceptions on the season.

Been one of their best corners for this cross county team.

Well Hawk looking at the ball.

Watch him.

He's playing the ball.

Gets that right hand in and knocks it down.

That was a good job.

I would love to see Perry be a little bit more aggressive.

Go up and get the ball and high point the ball instead of running with it and trying to catch it around his waist.

If he stops, jumps up in the air, maybe he catches it before Hawk is able to deflect it.

Third down and four man in motion from left to right, and a look to throw as Perry straight ahead out to the 20 yard line.

That'll be enough for a first down as Caden Finley came in to make the stop.

Perry just ran down about five yards, turned around, stopped.

Found a little hole in the defense and flag.

Did a good job of delivering the ball on the money.

And that's an easy first down on third and four.

He just found a little soft spot down to 39 seconds left in the quarter.

Now this time it's going to be a running play to Gaines direct snap.

And he had nowhere to go as he takes it to the 28 I'll use their timeout here.

We'll have one more left with 30s.

They're not throwing the ball bad.

Yeah I mean they've they've consistently thrown it so far in this game and not a bad job.

And flag is five of ten for 58 yards.

Just haven't been able to hit the two big ones.

That one in the corner.

Then on fourth and seven they went for the deep shot and just hadn't had that big pass play yet.

But yeah those intermediate throws he's been on the money with those five Jacob Gaines leading the way rushing for Eastpoint.

Heck County of course he it he's got 33 yards 34 came on one play.

So how about that for cross County.

He's got six carries for 33 yards.

But the touchdown was 34.

So for the other five carries is it negative one.

Oh wow.

Yeah he can.

And three carries for 17 yards Eli Bragg of course he was sacked.

And he's got negative six Quincy Perry leading them and receiving with two catches for 45 yards for Cross County.

Caden Crawford 115 yards.

Of course he had the 66 yard touchdown run on fourth down Davion Simmons 45 yards rushing.

Armstrong has 21 yards rushing and Kael Searcy four carries, four yards and a touchdown on the quarterback sneak.

So it's a second down and ten at the ball at the 20 yard line.

Blagg going to look to throw again under pressure is going to step up.

And he's just got nowhere to go.

He'll be taken down for a two yard loss and call timeout.

There it is.

He knew I'm going to give it to Bill on the sack.

Is that his second sack of the game.

There were about three guys in there could never see who finally got him.

Bill?

No.

Yeah.

He jumped on the pile late.

He got the first hand on him.

I guess it looked like his offensive lineman tackled.

Yeah, I mean, he was just trying to run him wherever he could.

The pocket was collapsing and ran into his teammate.

But then Bill, when he kind of slowed him up running into his offensive lineman, jumped on the pile and tackled them all, tackled everybody.

So you got 14 seconds to go.

Third and 12, no timeouts.

If you can get the first down and you can run up and spike it, but.

You don't necessarily have to throw it into the end zone.

Experience the action all over again next week.

Follow us on YouTube at my AARP PBS.org.

Slash football 2025 to watch the Games on demand.

That's always cool.

If you don't catch it live, you don't record it.

Go to YouTube and you can see all these games and watch them forever.

They're they're always going to be there.

I actually this week, sit back and watch some of the games you and I did together last year, from some of the state championship games, just to kind of remember some of the teams that were here last year and playing in other divisions.

So with 14 seconds left, well, I just stuck 25 on the clock.

Then they added time to the clock.

That's odd.

So they put 25 seconds back on the clock.

And now black is going to take the snap.

Now look to pass.

Now he's going to run with it out past the 20.

And he'll go out of bounds inside the 15 down to the 14 yard line.

And that'll stop the clock at 19 seconds.

Well that was huge.

Putting that 11 seconds back on I guess the the clock kept running after the timeout.

I wasn't paying attention.

Well they're they're paying attention on the field.

I'm not second guessing them.

I just didn't never hear them tell the clock operator to put more time on the clock.

But to go from 14 seconds to 25, that's huge for epic.

And that was huge for black to have the awareness to run out of bounds.

So now you've got a fourth down and four with the ball.

The 14 yard line to two receivers split to the left side.

One of the right man in motion goes from right to left.

Now black going to look to throw again.

Has a man in the endzone overthrows him AJ Johnson was in the end zone.

It was a he was covered that time and that's who he was trying to hook up with.

It's going to be a turnover on downs.

Yeah they weren't going to complete that.

The safety was coming over.

And if that ball's a little lower he probably picks it off.

You see one coming over from his spot.

He had that that was Crawford coming over.

He had a bead on it.

He saw the ball the whole way and saw it was well overthrown.

And in and the DB was running with him.

So and honestly, there was nobody else open.

I was scanning the field on the left side.

They ran him a receiver in motion trying to get him in the flat, but he was covered.

It was just, a good job, you know, tip the cap to cross County's defense.

One of the best defenses, if not the have heard people argue it is the best defense in two way.

They showed it right there and they showed it in the first half.

They gave up one big play to gain on that running play.

And that's it.

They got a 20 to 6 lead at the half.

And that's a it's a good lead as JV is going to be catching up with Van Pascal here in just a moment.

As his team leads it 20 to 6.

Looks like Coach Pascal was down talking with the officials.

He's over there trying to get some clarification from officials.

Is his teams making their way into the tunnel and.

I guess just never happy there.

Never ever know.

Oh there is there was something that they missed out there and he's just wanted to alert them.

Hey, we got to look for this in the second half.

So now Coach Pascal is going to make his way over to Josh Bernardini.

And as he does we will send it down to the sidelines.

And here's Josh Bertini.

All right coach obviously an outstanding first half for your team.

You really came in with that big running game.

And it seems like they haven't been able to slow it down.

Yeah well they've slowed it down a little bit more than than than I want them to.

But yeah I mean you know with the defense playing great I mean that's the bottom line.

Oh yeah.

They slowed us down.

We've got to be better.

We've got to do better.

Were you surprised that they started throwing the ball a little bit on that last possession.

Oh no.

They threw the ball last time we played and took it 80 yards in a minute and a half and score to beat us.

Good luck in the second half.

That's it guys.

Back to you.

Thank you Josh that was Van Pascal the head football coach for Cross County.

Stick around.

We've got a great halftime coming up as the Thunderbirds.

They lead the PC Warriors 22 six in the two AA state championship game.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by.

Since 1937, the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have been providing power to homes, farms, and businesses across our state.

The cooperatives are member owned and work together to serve Arkansans.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas proudly support high school students and athletics in Arkansas and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas PBS sports.

Better connected together the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

Hey, everybody.

David Bazzle here.

It's halftime at War Memorial, and that means we are back here at Arkansas PBS Studios to share with you a little bit of what we've been working on.

In a few minutes, Cristina munoz will introduce you to some All-Stars, both on the field and in the classroom.

And we're going to introduce you to a high school football team that is literally beyond belief.

But first, deep in the heart of South Arkansas.

The town of Warren has been cultivating a culture of elite wide receivers.

Here's their story.

Born in a small town, is known for its tomatoes and wide receivers.

Saw Mill Town good salt of the earth people grew up with 4000 people.

I graduate with only 99.

People love you there.

The people love football there.

And when Friday night is packed, there's no way that many people are going to a high school football game in a small community.

And I do.

They turn out.

You got a big community that's on, like they on your side, and I just want to win.

That's all I want to do.

Well, Warren has always been a football town.

But Coach Avery is taking it to the next levels.

Started in 2000.

So this makes my 26 years as a head football coach, both coming in and taking the job over as a young coach and just switching from a power to more of a spread offense.

Shotgun with, with one back and then four receivers and then translated into no backs, people running five wide and nobody else was doing it.

I mean, honestly, we were the only team in our conference doing it.

I don't think a lot of people really believed in it early.

But as you see with the, you know, the back to back state championships, the system started to work and kids started to get recruited.

You know, we started with Brad Smith and Sean Fellows in after the 2001 and, it kind of grew.

College coaches all over the country can tell you, Warren, Arkansas was one of those places we're going to look at.

The thing that kind of prepares you coming from Warren is to do football.

You know, our guys start in the seventh grade and we learn how to catch a football.

What a catch a football, where to catch a football.

Because a lot of little things go into running great routes and getting open, not just being faster, athletic.

He taught me everything I know.

He he'll become like a better player on the field.

Off the field.

Q all kids play both sides of football in the higher classifications.

They only play on one side when they get to college, but don't work out, then they're pretty much in trouble.

Whereas our guys, they played everywhere.

I look at Jalen Burks.

He was our fourth NFL pick since I've been here, which is crazy.

But our first first round draft choice, he played linebacker.

He played safety, punted.

He returned to return gigs.

He played quarterback.

He played wideout Antonio Jordan same thing.

Jerry's right.

You go back and you look at the list.

Trey McKnight, Ricardo Kemp, Chris, Greg, Greg.

Giles, Darby on Brown and Jalen Marshall who played Arkansas State.

So you're not getting a wide receiver.

You're getting a football player growing up.

I seen a lot of guys like Antonio or, you know, trailing by just keep pushing yourselves.

And, you know, it just makes me want to strive for more.

You know, when Brett and Sean and they were they were at Tennessee, they would come back in the summer workout with our guys.

When you had Jason, Greg and Chris that would come back workout with our guys.

I remind them that I sat in the same chairs and the same in the same elementary school, that they did the same junior high at the same high school, the same locker room.

Man.

Like I literally helped build those locker rooms.

We, we had to say in the walls and stuff, when we first got that endorsement, knowing that you got those people that came through here, you know, you coming through this organization feels good.

Feel like you're on the right road.

You know, it's tough to make it out of South Arkansas.

I'm good at football.

That's what I'm good at.

That's what I know how to do.

This is my ticket to get out of war.

And that's one thing that I use.

And it means more to us down there.

It just means more.

Football has been the ticket to a much better life for a lot of kids in those football towns of rural Arkansas.

Warren is going to continue to produce great talent, and I truly believe that the sky's the limit for that football program down there, or I will see you coming out of war.

No, it's a lot of hype about it and I love just playing under the pressure.

They live for football.

It's just part of the culture.

It's who they are.

It's what they do.

And we had a dessert auction, a dessert auction now where people made desserts and we raised over $12,000 and people were buying pecan pies for 500 bucks.

And it wasn't because of the car, it was because they want support for lumberjacks.

And every Friday the town shuts down just to come watch, you know, lumberjack football show.

You think this town is pretty big.

Everybody comes out to show out.

Or part of the very culture, not just the sport, but part of the fabric that holds that whole town together.

Football puts Warren on the map.

And to see all the fans, you know, filling up the bleachers and standing around the fans and things like that, because we helped make football important, to that town is, it's kind of a feeling you really can't replace.

From tomato crops to first round draft picks.

Warren keeps proving that small towns can raise big dreams.

Now let's kick it over to Christina for a look at the 2025 Arkansas PBS Student All Stars.

Christina.

Thanks, bas.

Every year, we scour the state to find athletes who not only excel on the field, but more importantly, in the classroom.

Here is your 2025 Arkansas PBS Student All star.

We kick it off with the eight man Arkansas PBS student all star.

That is Cash Martin, a linebacker and running back for the Cedar Ridge Timberwolves.

Cash has a 4.0 GPA and plans to go to college and get an engineering degree.

Next up in the two a classification we have Peyton Willoughby, a senior with the Indians of Mark tree.

Peyton has a 4.11 GPA and is planning on attending college for the Air Force ROTC.

Moving on to the three A classification here is Micah Gamble with the Fordyce Red bugs with a 3.7 GPA.

Micah wants to play football at the collegiate level and major in criminal justice.

Brayden Simpson with the South Side Charter Southerners is our four, a Arkansas PBS student all star.

Braden has a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Harding University to play football and major in civil engineering.

The five AA classification is well-represented by Walden Walcott, the quarterback for the Lakeside Rams.

While he has a 3.5 GPA and wants to play football at the collegiate level and become a coach.

The Benton Panthers Garrett Pilkington is the Arkansas PBS student all star from the six AA classification.

Garrett has a 4.06 GPA and is planning on attending UA, LR and going to pharmacy school.

And finally, our seven day student all star is Trey Thompson, the quarterback for the Bentonville West Wolverines.

Trey has a 4.0 GPA and wants to major in marketing in college.

Congratulations to all and way to go.

You know, we may see some of these faces again in April here on Arkansas PBS for Quiz Bowl.

Now, if you haven't seen Quiz Bowl, you'll want to make a note to watch.

This year, some of the smartest high school students in the state meet up right here in this studio and square off not only for bragging rights, but for some pretty big checks, too.

And it is all live right here on Arkansas PBS.

Now let's throw it back to bass for a look at a little bit of trickery in Arkansas football history.

Bears.

Thanks, Christina.

What do you get when you mix two Mary jokesters and a fake football team?

One of the greatest pranks in Arkansas history.

Check out the story of the Village Academy Beavers.

The very first game was September 7th.

Actually, that was the day that the article was published, so it would have been September 6th.

We played rival Louisiana and Jess Norman gained 94 yards on 11 carries.

Jess Norman is one of the star athletes of all time here in Arkansas.

He was an outstanding running back, quarterback, whatever, any position for the Village Academy Beavers back in the mid 80s.

He was indescribable.

His capabilities were limitless.

A lot of muscular definition could jump run.

He was fast.

He was very intelligent.

I mean, he could outsmart the defense wherever, wherever village can be appeared.

Just always going to be there.

Just so happened he didn't exist.

That's true.

He did not exist.

He was all made up.

Bob Seville's band director.

I was the girls basketball coach at Jesse, the high school.

Gary and I called the scores and for Jacksonville every Friday night, and we were talking about the fact that when we would call in the scores, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette at that time, we're having a newspaper war.

They're trying to get every score in the state within an hour.

And I would call in a score and we'd say, Jesse, Bill!

And they'd say, who are y'all?

Jacksonville?

And he'd say, no, no, we're Jesse, Bill, and you're the Eagles.

No, we played the Eagles.

We're the Lions.

And Gary got so frustrated that I could not keep straight where we were, who we are, he said.

I don't even know if they know if our school exists or not.

And the conversation began that we could probably just call in a make believe score because the people taking the scores really had no idea about some of the small schools in the state that had a ding with me.

And I said, well, let's test it out.

Bob Seville's made that first call.

He went across the street from Jezebel School, went to First Baptist Church to the pastor's office to make the first hoax call.

Here I got the village Academy football scores, and the guy that I got knew a little enough to say the village has a football team.

Well, you May says.

I've never heard you before.

He says, is this your first year for football?

And and Bob said, yes, this is.

And he said, who's your best player?

And I said, yes.

No, I mean, we thought of that.

Our principal at Jesse, the high school's name was Norman Jasper.

So it'll be kind of a play on words on his name and but nobody will know who that is.

So we turned his name around and called it just Norman.

And he said, what's your mascot?

Well, we didn't even talk about a mascot.

So Bob quickly came up with beavers, but he asked me so many questions that I knew it was going to be in there the next morning.

There was, I don't know, I don't know if we ever gotten going.

I don't know if I would have ever made a call.

But when he made the first call and it got started, hey, it was all.

Up.

As we progressed with this and started calling in scores each week, I would make some calls.

Bob would make some calls, had them play out of state schools, were smart enough to realize we couldn't play other schools here in Arkansas.

There'd be two scores in there.

We knew that we could not win every game.

Okay, if you know, we did not want to create too much attention to ourselves, we weren't going to let just one run for 400 yards.

Anything that would attract attention where they were going to say, wait a minute, that doesn't seem possible, and start looking.

So those were just general guidelines on what we had to do to keep from being court coaches and band directors and friends around the state.

They couldn't wait to get a paper, you know, Saturday morning, to see how Village Academy did the night before.

Once they caught on.

Hey, this is real.

We got a lot of people saying, I just want to kick a field goal or an extra point.

We had a lot of fans that were getting into this.

We had bumper stickers printed.

They.

One of the faculty members wrote a fight song.

We had an album out and we were really getting into this big time.

A lot of Village Academy fans.

Village Academy Nation was big.

The elementary school principal was the only one that didn't think it was funny.

And he said, y'all need to stop that.

If something bad were to come of it, I can't stand up for you.

And we said, we totally understand that.

And we kept doing it.

We thought, okay, we'll call it, get it in there one time and you know that that'll be it.

And we'll laugh about it and and they'll figure it out.

There's, you know, and they won't put it back in there.

Well, they didn't ever figure it out.

We kept doing it for four years.

And there's the article of when we were actually caught by a reporter named Robert Yates.

One of our administrators sent in a note to the Arkansas Gazette and said, you have a group of people in the state calling in fictitious football scores.

He misspelled fictitious.

By the way, he said, they called our school village academy.

There's no such school by that name.

So Robert Yates took that letter and started to investigate.

He eventually figured out, no, this is not real.

We had a great program for four years until we got shot down.

And I said, you feel it, the village character coach said, He said, are you happy to be happy to try out the team?

Once we got caught and we said, okay, we've been exposed, we'll have a celebration banquet at Rod's Pizza Cellar in Hot Springs, and we had well over 100 people for us to tell the story of the Village Academy Beavers talking about a make believe football team that did not exist.

So when it was announced they and we village Academy are just normal wolves here.

Just pop up places you never expect.

Yeah, I'm just got a wild blue.

I am amazed that it's still pops up every once in a while now, this many years later.

That was 1985 that we started, started it and quit in 88.

I think the fact that it went so long for four years had a lot to do.

If it was only a couple of times, nobody be saying anything about it.

So I think that's what keeps it going is just how much fun it was back then, how many people enjoyed following it and being a part of it.

I don't know if it'll ever die.

It'll go on forever on our side.

From a joke to a statewide following, just Norman and the Village Beavers continue to spring up across Arkansas, breathing new life into the prank.

More than 40 years later.

Now, Christine, it's about that time.

Yes it is.

Let's get you back to War Memorial Stadium for the second half of the high school state football championship, right here on Arkansas PBS.

Oh oh.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by.

Since 1937, the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have been providing power to homes, farms and businesses across our state.

The cooperatives are member owned and worked together to serve Arkansans.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas proudly support high school students and athletics in Arkansas, and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas PBS sports.

Better connected together the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

UAMs is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS sports.

UAMs health provides orthopedic and sports medicine care across Arkansas, supporting athletes and teams throughout the state.

Find out more at you.

And that's health.

Back home.

Is.

That's one fly for the big kites.

Dunking side is the icing on the cake for Louisville.

Here's a big play by Roberts.

He'll go down the left side.

One man to beat.

He'll walk in the end zone for a touchdown.

And here's a running lane at the five.

He'll walk it.

Touchdown!

There we go.

Johnny s five age baseball championship.

Hart hit once again down the left field line.

Double and score for nothing downfield.

The the wall is gone.

Three.

Run home Howard two.

This is the time to dig in and get the job done.

NC Freeman with the big swing from the right side, she puts down another kill.

All that hard work finally paid off.

She tries to go crosscourt.

Nobody home right in the middle.

And don't go anywhere because we've got a lot to score for you.

Here's the Arkansas PBS Student All Stars class of 2024.

Unified team is special Olympic partners and peer partners.

Friends, I say know this.

It's just incredible to watch how they have been impacted by this experience.

You know, the biggest contribution was the adoption of the Razorbacks and a whole sense of pride for this state and for this university.

What a game it was.

It's an exclamation point for an all time Arkansas team.

When Rock automotive supports Arkansas athletes as a sponsor of the Arkansas PBS sports broadcast of the high school state championship games with seven dealerships across the state serving little Rock, Conway, and Jonesboro.

When Rock automotive is community focused and provides vehicle sales and service across Arkansas, we're honored to be a part of these unforgettable moments celebrating Arkansas student athletes.

Win Rock automotive connecting communities through service and support.

Goodbye.

Let's now.

Back here at War Memorial Stadium as it's halftime of the two AA state championship game, where Cross County they lead EPC by a score of 20 to 6 and West.

A lot of running for the Thunderbirds.

Little mix up between passing and throwing free PK in that first half.

But really, it's been all cross County so far here in the first half.

Yeah, technically Cross County has it thrown a pass.

The two point conversion isn't in the stats, but they have rushed the ball over and over and over.

You see, Caden Crawford with his big touchdown run, he went 66 yards.

First score of the game six to nothing.

Davion Simmons added the four yard touchdown run to make it 12 to nothing.

Then Gaines gets on the board Jacob Gaines goes 34 yards on the handoff and it's 12 to 6.

But then the quarterback sneak from Kael Searcy and the two point conversion makes it 20 to 6.

And that's your score at the half.

Well, let's head down to the sidelines real quick as Jv's got Brandon Powell the head coach VPK well coach obviously a battle in the first half back and forth.

Y'all grabbed a lot of momentum in that second quarter.

And then a tough finish.

What's the message at halftime.

You know come out play the second half.

You know we're still in this game.

We're good.

But at times we got to go down a score and make this a home guessing game.

It was a play good second half and go finish.

This seems like a spark of some kind of offensively we go a long way right now coach you know the big play here.

There you get some going.

You little spark going gets you're going.

Thank you so much.

Best of luck.

All right fellas.

Thank you.

Josh as that was head coach Brandon Powell for his points that county and west.

You were talking about the running game and the stats.

There they are on the screen right there.

108 total yards for EPC 183 for Cross County.

Well, we talked about this being a game that was going to be one in the trenches right now at the first half.

Cross County is winning the game in the trenches, rushing the ball for 183 and holding EPC to just 50 yards rushing, 12 carries, 50 yards.

They got 58 yards throwing the ball.

But look at the time of possession.

Cross county's had the ball the entire game.

It's it's felt like.

And then they've been able to punch it in for three touchdowns.

And defensively man they've been getting the job done.

That one big play from Gaines.

And that's really been it for DPC.

Well both putting both teams are back on the playing surface right now.

And getting their final warm ups.

Got about 45 seconds till we get things kicked off here in the two a game.

Don't forget coming up tonight, we've got more state championship football as you've got the seven eight game.

Bryant and Bentonville a rematch of last year's state championship game that'll be under the lights here at War Memorial Stadium.

This evening.

And then on Saturday you've got the five and six AA game.

You've got Robinson and Lakeside at noon on Saturday.

And then at 630 you've got Greenwood and Shiloh Christian.

Another rematch in the state championship game.

That'll be some good football this weekend.

Well, think about it.

That's the kind of the, the theme for the rest of this weekend rematches.

You got a rematch of last year's championship game between Bryant and Bentonville, and then Lakeside and Robinson playing for the fourth time in two years.

They've been playing in the non-conference and met in the playoffs the last two years.

This time, of course, in the state championship game and then Shiloh Christian in Greenwood, a couple of conference foes.

Just like this game, they've already played each other in conference, and they'll have a rematch for all the marbles in the state championship game.

I'm really looking forward to seeing that Lakeside Robinson game.

Just, but both those two teams are going to be fun to watch.

I've been keeping up with them all year long and, really wanted to see what they, what they turn out for the state championship game here at War Memorial Stadium.

The deuce should be loose for Robinson this week.

He didn't get to play last week due to a, an ankle injury.

It's just been bothering him.

And so they held him out last week, been rehabbing, and they're very hopeful he'll be able to play tonight and be closer.

He won't be 100%, but, hopefully he'll be a little closer to signed with SFA earlier.

And I felt like he was one of those that some of the in-state schools let get away.

Yeah.

He was you know, earlier in the year when, the little Rock Touchdown Club announced the McFadden Award, he was in the running for that at one point.

And he's a a great little running back.

You right here from Central Arkansas.

Here's the onside kick.

And it takes a big hop.

Epic is going to recover it back pass or run at the 40 yard line.

That almost got away for him there for a moment.

But SPC will get the football at the 40 yard line.

They saw a bunch of onside kicks last night and we've seen several today.

Haven't seen one recovered yet.

I will say Close County's kicked it deep once in this game so far.

No no it's been on all onside kick.

Just like, Woodlawn last night.

They went with the onside kick every attempt.

And they were unfortunately not able to recover one.

So these points said County they've got the 40 yard line Eli Blagg the quarterback going to hand it off gives it off to Buchanan.

And he'll go straight ahead out to the 44 yard line and pick up four yards on the play.

Will power run from the quarterback.

Caden Finley was the first one to get there, and he ends up after a bouncing off of him, holding on to his legs and waits for his teammates to come.

You see the, good kick block there on, actually you don't.

It was on the play back four, but they took out Danny Bill and ran right, kind of right at him.

And that was a good block to, take Danny Peel out of the play.

So it's second down and six just underway here in the third quarter.

They're going to line up two receivers to the near side.

Breaks now to Buchanan.

You know work it out.

Side gets past the 45 steps out of bounds at the 46.

Will be a two yard gain.

That'll bring up third down.

Tom Danny bill got up field and kind of blew up the play and just kept forcing EPC to string it out out wide and the rest of his teammates were chasing the play down.

Just nothing there.

They just couldn't find any room to run and cut it upfield.

You weren't you running that outside.

You'd like to plant that foot and get up field, but there's just nowhere to go.

Third down and four with the ball at the 46 flag and a look to throw.

And it's in and out of the hands of the defensive end Colby Walker who was able to jump up it jump right through his hands was that time he he's he was thinking I had an interception right there.

I was gonna be able to go with the house with it.

It just kind of drops back in the coverage gets into the throwing lane and they were going right there to that receiver.

And he gets his hands up a walker gets his hands up knocks it down.

He's going to go for it here on fourth down here with the hard count of trying to make him jump.

Tried it again.

Flag is the punter.

And they're going to go for flag going to look to throw.

And it's almost intercepted again.

That time went off the hands of Caden Finley.

And another turnover on downs for ease points and counting.

And now there's the first little change in the game plan.

They've been killing them with these little in routes coming across the middle there, getting the linebackers back, dropping into coverage, getting their hands up.

That's two plays in the row Finley this time Walker last time.

They're just getting back into coverage a little deeper.

Getting into those passing lanes and knocking it down in the first half.

Those linebackers are coming up and trying to stop the run.

Now they know they're throwing it over their heads.

Get back, knock that pass down or pick it off.

So it's first down and ten with the ball at the 46.

Toss goes right side of the hands of Crawford.

Crawford just spinning off defenders shaking him off.

Takes it all the way down to the 25.

Boy he runs really really hard when he runs the 21 yard gain.

That time for Crawford started at the 46.

And he's just fallen just the same old play.

They've been doing it play after play after play.

Pull a couple of guys.

You see him running right behind Danny Bill and has a big hole there and then just starts just breaking tackles.

So it's a first down for Cross County.

They're going to spot him down at the 26 yard line.

Searcy tosses it once again to Crawford and he has nowhere to go.

Ball comes out though and Crawford is able to jump back on it.

And it's going to be a loss on the play.

They take it back to the 33.

That was a late whistle.

I thought the play was dead and stopped.

He was kind of going backwards and I think that's what he was saying.

Blow your whistle.

Here we go.

Following his blocks.

Good.

Good job by the defensive lineman.

Can't see a number there.

Oh they did.

He just kind of ripped it out.

Play wasn't quite dead.

So good job by the officials of letting them play a little bit.

But one of the defensive linemen from Epps, I think it was real.

I couldn't see a number because he was down on the ground, just came crashing in and made the play.

So it's a second down and 17 toss this time goes to Armstrong and he has nowhere to go.

Is Cam Thomas came in to make the stop come back to the line of scrimmage.

That's going to bring up a third down and 17.

Now another little adjustment from the defense.

That's CPK.

And he got Cam Thomas to safety.

Playing deeper down charging in playing a little run blitz getting into the backfield and blowing up the play there doing a lot of pulling and sweeps and tosses.

And you know if you sit back and wait for it, you're going to get blocked.

Well, they're not sitting back and waiting anymore.

They're attacking.

But you know Coach Parcells got an answer for that.

So he'll see what they're doing and change it up and and try to bust him.

Third down and 17.

They toss it to Crawford.

He'll go straight ahead.

Spins at the 25.

And he'll be taken down at the 24 yard line.

So that's going to bring up now a fourth down and about eight for Cross County is coming.

In that time it was Sheppard who was able to come in as well as Rider Gill who made the stop.

Got about half of what you needed.

It was third and 17.

You got to get to the 21.

The ball's on the 29.

So you got eight yards to go.

You picked up nine right there.

Try to get them to jump offsides.

Went with a hard count trying to get a free five yards.

Looks like he's going to call timeout.

He's just letting it go down.

And he's already standing next to the sideline official.

So they're going to stop the clock at eight minutes and 14 seconds.

As Cross County will call their first time out here in the second half.

Watching Danny Bill he stayed in his position kind of leaned over for a long time and he was holding his knees.

And I don't know if he's got a little injury so dinged up.

One of his knees bothering him, but he was, laboring to get over to the sideline.

Now he's been over in the huddle right now.

West Wing.

No, I mean, we know they're going to run it.

Well, fourth and eight, fourth and nine.

They thrown it once a two point conversion and it was wide open.

But nobody was thinking pass at that time.

And now in the back of his mind they're thinking this could be a pass.

So you're not going to catch them by surprise.

So if you're Van Pascal and you're in, let's just say you run the football, you're going to try to stretch it out a little bit to to pick up those yardage or go with what's been working and try to split the middle and pick up your yards that way.

They're averaging about 5.9 yards per play, about six yards per play.

So you need a little bit more than that right now it is fourth down fourth down and eight with the ball at the 24 yard line.

Searcy going to go toss sweep go stretch it out.

Right side trying to find a block.

Gets it to the 20 down to the 19.

Not going to be enough for the first down.

And it'll be a turnover on downs for Cross County.

It looks like there's a player hurt for Cross County right now.

That looks like it's Crawford.

Yeah it's Crawford and that head hit the turf hard.

He was slung down to the ground and may be head injury.

That's a they're looking at.

Well while they tend to him we'll take a timeout as it's 20 to 6 cross County.

And you're watching the Centennial Bank state football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

For over 70 years, Farm Bureau Insurance has offered coverage for automobiles, homes, farms and lives across Arkansas.

I'm proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association.

More at AFB, Icom.

Tell me, have you ever truly been in love?

And what happened?

You are an expert, detective.

The world has changed.

Did you feel it?

This is the place to meet the right people.

You must have now.

I cannot live without hope.

Coming soon to Arkansas PBS team.

Sports in Arkansas really is the building of character.

It's being able to get through trials and tribulations as a team.

You take those lessons from team sports and use them in everyday life situations.

I'm RJ Hawk.

Please consider giving the Arkansas PBS Sports.

Goodbye.

Touchdown.

Pull out your phone real quick.

Scan the QR code on your screen and you can contribute.

Every dollar goes directly towards supporting these broadcast.

Every bit helps us continue to showcase these amazing athletes and their communities.

Together we can keep the spirit of Arkansas and the sports alive.

It's right here on Arkansas PBS sports.

Go to my AARP, PBS.org sports.

Donate to contribute to the fall.

Here's a big run by Jacob Gaines as he was able to split it out wide.

A right side as he'll take it all the way out to the 35 yard line.

How about the quarterback leading the way?

Flag got two blocks on that.

He took out one.

Kept running.

Got another block.

That's what it takes to.

Gotta get all ten guys blocking 40.

So it's a first down and ten with the ball at the 35 yard line.

Bly going to keep it himself straight ahead.

Picks up a couple on the play in the third time he rolled back kind of to his left.

Saw a hole.

Stopped linebackers for EPC quickly field or I'm sorry for cross county.

Quickly filled the hole so it limited it to just about a three yard gain.

By the way Crawford is now in it on defense.

So it looks like he'll be okay.

After he was injured on the last offensive possession.

Now here is Gaines once again.

He'll go right side.

It's taken right side.

Thrown down.

That time it was Caden Crawford who came in to make the stop.

Gaines is like it was out of bounds.

I mean, what are we doing here?

I don't know if he ever was out of bounds before they picked him up and tackled him.

There's kind of a tackle.

Got him down low.

And here's a look at it.

Let's see if he was ever out of bounds before they tackle.

Not out.

Not out yet.

No.

That's a good play He just tackled him out of bounds.

Yeah I mean picks him up in bounds and then puts him down on the ground out of bounds.

So it's third down and three.

They pass it out right side to Perry.

He'll get it past the 50.

Picks up the first down into Cross County territory at the 48.

That time it was Kelby Armstrong who came in to make the stop.

Yeah.

Good tackle by Armstrong.

An open field.

He doesn't make that tackle.

Could have been bigger, but it's just a simple play.

They only need a three yards.

Corners are playing well off.

You get one wide receiver blocking for him.

He picks up the first down easily.

So it's first and ten.

Direct snap goes to Gaines and a walk behind his blockers.

It's a great run is he'll take it down to the 41 yard line.

Well you see the power of Gaines.

Caden Finley came through.

It hit him hard and Gaines just bounced off of him.

Kept his legs moving.

Picked up another five yards after that hit.

So it's a second down and three.

Stops the clock at six minutes and 58 seconds.

Man in motion.

That's Buchanan who's going to get the handoff.

And he has nowhere to go.

And he's going to lose big yardage that time.

Gonna be a loss for about six yards on the play Danny Bill was just shucked his blocker.

He was just watching.

There he is.

He's just look at look and look at waiting.

Didn't just engulfs the running back and throws him to the ground I tell you he puts his arms around you.

You're not going very far.

And that's the athleticism that people that's why he was being recruited by major colleges.

For a big guy to be able to move like that, that's impressive.

Third down and eight.

Fake the handoff.

Bly going to look to throw now.

Runs with it.

And he fumbles the football.

And falling on it back at the into cross county territory.

That was the combination again.

Bill got there first.

Couldn't bring him down than Roderick Williams brings him down.

Honestly I didn't think he fumbled.

I thought he was laterally get throwing it back to somebody.

He just saw his own color jerseys and but it was an offensive lineman.

That's Bill misses him around the neck.

And then there's Williams.

And he just kind of tosses it.

Oh yeah he had Gaines right there I think he was tossing it to Gaines.

Yeah maybe not.

Maybe the ball was coming loose.

But it was the defensive pressure from that defensive line again, Roderick Williams.

We saw Roderick Williams miss a sack earlier and Bill finished it up.

This time.

Bill misses the sack and Roderick Williams finishes it up.

That's great.

One two punch.

So now you've got a fourth down and 13 and APC is going to punt.

It.

Corbin Allen's going to come on to punt and then back deep.

You've got Kelby Armstrong for Cross County.

He'll stand at the 20 yard line I think that's the right choice still third quarter five minutes.

Go play a little field position.

Try to pin him deep.

Let your defense go out there.

Try to get a stop and get the ball back for the offense about to run out of time on the play clock.

And they do.

And it's going to be another penalty on EPC.

They were trying to get guys onto the field and.

That'll back him up another five yards.

And no need to use the timeout right there.

Just take the five yard penalty.

Oh.

Yeah they were I think they had nine out there.

Got one out there.

And then they realized that that's still just ten.

So we got to get somebody else out there.

And finally by the time they got the 11th man out there, that play clock was pretty much done.

14 they don't punt off it so well.

They go punt team.

The guys aren't used to it.

And here's the fourth down and 18 punt.

And it's not a good one.

It's going to hit but it's going to take a great roll inside the 20.

Still rolling down to the 16 yard line.

It's like when you top a ball or skull ball off the tee box in the par three rolls and rolls ends up on the green.

Everybody's like, good shot.

You know, like, yeah, not really.

But that's what I take it out of it.

And they're like man it was a great run.

Great hole for you.

You know what?

No one will remember that he.

That was a bad punt.

They'll just remember he got it inside the 20 yard line.

You're exactly right.

So cross County is going to have the ball at the 16 yard line with 517 to play in the third quarter.

Now the defense for epic the Warriors gotta stiffen.

Try to get this stop right here.

Get the ball back to the offense.

And you know Cross County would love just to march down the field.

Take up the rest of this quarter and score a touchdown.

Here's a handoff.

This is to Simmons who's back in the ballgame Simmons who went out earlier in the ball game with a shoulder injury.

He's back for real.

You know what this is the last game of the year.

You tape it up.

You do whatever you can to get back out on the field.

We watched it all last night in the eight man game.

By the end of the game I think Woodlawn about a half their team was limping around, barely could get around.

But they, you know, an eight man.

They just don't have many backups.

And that's the case here too.

These guys are playing both ways.

They don't want their backup to come in.

They're going to do everything they can just to gut it out and finish this game.

Second down and nine toss goes left side to Armstrong a nice running lane.

And he'll be taken down just short of the 25.

At the 24 he'll be about two yards shy of the first.

Down to Simmons that time he laid the block in I guess his shoulders feeling pretty good.

He sealed off the linebacker.

Linebacker was coming through, thought he was going to make a tackle.

And Simmons popped him and opened up the hole for him.

And nice gain on second down.

Sets up third and short.

So third down and two with the ball at the 24 yard line.

And it's straight ahead now the penalty flag down.

Back at the 25.

As he was able to get it down to the 28.

It's enough for a first down.

But let's check the penalty flag if they get holding.

I think Doug Real got held.

Yeah but probably not necessary.

They just follow the center and the two guards and just had a massive push.

Chop block.

So the first down doesn't stand up.

The chop block came.

Broderick Williams went low.

And as he was engaged low, the, tight end came across and finished him off.

Well, not really, I think they missed that, Danny.

Bill.

They said because he was gage low.

Bill came over the top, but he didn't really ever hit him.

It was just a good low block and a, good block down low.

So that takes the ball now from a third down and two all the way back to the 12 yard line.

There were a lot of chop blocks going on on that play, both on the right side.

In the left side.

Maybe they called him the left side.

I was looking at the right side.

That was legal.

Maybe on the left side on that chop block, he was engaged down low and the other player came in up high.

So I was watching the center of the guards.

Man, they got a push.

I mean, it was that he walked for the first down, third down and 14 to hand it off inside that time to Crawford.

He has nowhere to go.

He got about a yard on the play to bring up a fourth down and 13.

The punting unit is going to come on for cross county defense.

Got it done that time.

Lee Buchanan came in filling the hole.

The running back saw him and tried to turn it up.

And there was another player there.

But you know, the chop block becomes a costly penalty for cross county and APC forces.

The punt, gets off the field, gets it back to their offense and playing the field position game, they may end up getting better field position.

Quincy Perry back deep for Epq.

He'll catch at the 50 yard line on the dance around.

He'll get inside the 50.

We've got a penalty flag down back at the 48 and he'll get knocked out of bounds at around the 42 yard line.

Maybe calling a blindside hit here.

I thought it was close.

I don't know if he ever got his head around.

Saw what was coming.

Maybe a defensive.

We'll take a look.

A little replay on the left side.

Hey.

Never saw him.

Yeah.

That's probably that's a good call.

And he called that on, the PC.

EPC fans didn't like it.

I mean, it was right in front of their bench and you could hear them booing and yelling right away.

But the, cross county fans, how about the Cross County fans today showed up.

I am very impressed for two way they they have probably three times, maybe four times as many fans as EPC.

That is a a good showing for two way.

Come all the way from Northeast Arkansas down to little Rock for the game.

Very impressed with those cross county fans.

And PC taking over at their own 42.

So here's the handoff straight ahead to Buchanan as he'll take it out past the 45 down to the 48 yard line.

Game into a brand new three onside or different formation that time.

But he picked up six on first down.

So second down and four with the ball at the 48.

Here's another running play.

This time it's Gaines.

And Gaines gets a big gain out to the 41 yard line.

Going direct.

Snap to the running back and letting the quarterback not your typical quarterback and Eli Bragg be the lead blocker.

Watch.

But black comes in.

Sills gets a good block.

Picks up the first down.

Well here's the thing.

Flag is he's got the body type of a linebacker.

And so he just gets in there and starts you know open up holes.

Here he goes again.

And that time Cross County was able to bottle it up for a one yard loss.

Same play.

But that time I think it was Mark Ward 52 got a little penetration.

Stop the offensive lineman.

The offensive lineman gets in the way and there's nowhere for him to go.

And Caden Finley also came in to help stop that play.

And now you've got a second down and 11 a minute 48 to play left here in the third quarter.

Ross County holding on to a 14 point lead.

Direct snap that time to Gaines.

And Gaines will take it out to the 36 yard line.

Fourth time in a row that they've run that play.

Basically a direct snap to one of the two running backs with Eli Black leading the way.

Three of the four.

It's been very successful.

So you've got a third down and five after the six yard pickup until they stop it.

You just keep going with it.

I would say you got two downs here to get first down and you go with change it up.

That was a lateral.

Now here's Quincy Perry.

And to take it past the 35 down to the 34 it's two yard gain.

And that'll bring up fourth down as Kelby Armstrong came in to make the stop.

He probably threw it a little bit further behind the line of scrimmage.

Said he wanted to, and if he throws it out in front of him a little bit, he catches it on the run.

He picks up the first down instead.

He has to kind of stop, go backwards a little bit.

When he threw it so far backwards, I thought, well, maybe this is a trick play.

We're about to see a, lateral and then another pass.

So fourth down and three down to 25 seconds left in the quarter.

There's 13 seconds on the play clock.

Direct snap gives it to Gaines spin move.

He'll get the first down and much more as he takes it to the 26 yard line.

And that will probably be the last play here of the quarter, unless they try to get to the line and they are rocks rolling at 13 seconds.

Cross County came on the linebacker blitz, but the guess the wrong gap came in the wrong hole.

Here's Gaines on the direct snap once again right side.

And he'll be taken down for a one yard loss.

That time it was Sawyer Powell who came in to make the stop and that's going to do it for the third quarter of play here in the two eight state championship game.

Hold on tight because we're gonna have a good one in the fourth quarter where cross County they lead it 20 to 6 over East PointsBet County.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

Centennial Bank supports communities across Arkansas and is a proud supporter of the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports, providing financial services since 1999.

Member FDIC.

More at my 100 banked com.

Everyone's so happy you're home, darling.

Come in, come inside.

It's just so exciting.

It's a real treat.

What an amazing family.

Let's get this show on the road.

Oh, that sounds like a party.

Will I get presents?

Oh, I love this.

The Future of Arkansas PBS.

It's programs and it's irreplaceable purpose all rests on a strong foundation of community support.

Help us continue to impact lives for generations to come.

Keep good going.

With a tax deductible donation of just $5 a month.

Visit my r pbs.org/donate to learn more.

Goodbye.

Let's now.

Get your live action photos from the game at my R PBS.org slash photos.

Grab free downloads.

Have prints made.

These are a great championship.

Keep score.

These guys do such a great job.

All the folks at Arkansas PBS doing a great job all weekend long trying to get all these championships brought statewide.

So folks, if you can't make it to the game, you can watch on Arkansas PBS in your hometown.

I was thinking during the break, how big was that last two point conversion?

What if it was 18 to 6 100%?

Now here's Gaines trying to get it around the right side.

Has nowhere to go.

Got back to the line of scrimmage and now you've got a third down for PC.

We've been talking a lot about Danny, Bill and Roderick Williams, but Markelle Ward keeps making play after play.

He blew that up again 52.

You see him there at the bottom of your screen at that left defensive end spot.

He just he just gets some penetration stops the offensive lineman.

And just it just messes up the play.

He may have not made the tackle, but he made the play.

Third down and 11.

Ball at the 27.

Bly going to look to throw going down the right side of the field.

And he just overthrows his intended target.

That was Quincy Perry.

Hawk again I mean it was just a junk ball, but Hawk gets his head around and is making the play on the ball, so there's no pass interference.

He he sees the ball and is able to make a play.

Look at it.

He's just got his head.

He sees it the whole way and just throws his left hand up there, flips it away.

Incomplete pass.

Good job Hawk.

He was just backpedaling.

He just said, I'm just going to watch this thing end with my back to the to the end zone.

So now you've got a fourth down and 11.

You got to get one more stop from those DBS.

Looks like they'll probably throw it here unless quarterback tries to scramble around to get it to the 16 yard line.

Here's a pass.

Left side.

They were missed.

There's some miscommunication as Devin McGee went inside and Bly thought he was going outside.

And it's going to be a turnover on downs.

Thought he was running a corner route.

But he ran a poster out and he had another receiver Quincy Perry running across the middle.

And he's pleading that he give me a look.

Look at me.

But just miscommunication there.

I tell you what.

Cross county sideline.

They were yelling at the sideline, official warning.

Illegal procedure.

They felt like the, one of the receivers at the top got off to a little bit of a fast start, and, I don't know if he got off to a fast start or the others got off to a slow start, but he was obviously moving before the other guy.

But I think they're okay with the result.

Yes, a result, but never mind.

Never mind.

That wasn't that was not that good call.

That was a no call.

So here is Cross County as they go right side to Simmons and he'll take it down past the 30.

But we do have a penalty flag down back at the 29 yard line.

I wonder if we got another chop block on the field.

And down on the turf freeze points that Kenny.

That's Buchanan who's down.

You can't slam there.

And his teammate is I. Never mind.

No he's fine.

He's good there.

He's catch his breath real quick.

And another chop block.

It's the second time they've got him over on the left side.

Check out the left side of the screen.

Going low.

Got 50.

Engage low.

They come in high.

Just put it up.

Can't do that.

Just the one guy can go low.

That's it.

But then when the other guy comes in and hits him high, he can't.

You can't do a double team like that.

So that'll back the ball up to the 19 yard line.

It's costly.

Receiving at the 14 yard line.

Yeah they got to get all the way out to the 37.

So that's a big penalty there in a first down and 23.

Now to have another flag maybe a sideline warning on the coach.

Coach Pascal was over there really giving it to him.

Yep okay.

That's his way of saying that's enough coach.

Yeah that's enough.

All right I've let you think Pascal went over and just looked at him, said I'm sorry and went back down the sidelines.

Here is the handoff.

Goes right side to Simmons.

And Simmons will take it down past the 20 yard line to the 21.

So you're not from New York if you're cross county west.

So right now you know you get you a couple yards.

But you just bleed that play clock.

And just the time's on your side right now.

Oh yeah.

You're taking your time.

You're not.

You would love to get some first downs.

That's why that chop block call is so costly.

It's it's hard for them to overcome a first.

And what was it, 23.

They're going to need a big play to try to get out of the hole.

You got seven there.

So that's a start.

Here's a handoff to Simmons.

Right side bounces off a couple of defenders.

And he just can't get anywhere outside the 24 yard line.

Does pick up a couple on the play.

And so that's going to bring up a third down and 13.

Now for Cross County.

He's able to break two tackles but not the last tackle I tell you what Devon McGee came in with a little fire under his helmet and laid him out.

Third time was not the charm.

Broke two, but not the third.

And when you're up two possessions, you're just you're just working.

The clock is surprisingly snapping so quickly.

Here's the pitch that goes to Armstrong.

He'll get past the 35 and it's taken down the 37.

That is going to be right there at the Sticks by Ryan.

Wow.

There Mark.

And he met the 37.

If he needed to get to the 37 he got it I thought he actually got it.

Let's look at this mark see if it's the 3730.

Oh that's a yeah I mean there oh there's a penalty flag down to 30 though.

I just saw that there's a hold against Cross County at the 30.

The mark doesn't matter.

Yeah.

Well thank Chris Babb for seeing that is as there was an official standing over the, the flag and I heard all the booing and I was like, what is going on?

And there was a penalty flag back there to to back him up even farther.

So now they're going to put the ball at the 20 yard line.

Caught two costly penalties on this drive.

Looked like they may have gotten out of the hole.

Now they're going to have to get another big run maybe.

Do they finally throw it.

Is third down and 17 going to hand it off this time to Crawford.

He's going to cut it outside.

It's past one man.

He'll be strung out of bounds at the 25 yard line.

That time it was McGee who was able to make the tackle.

Great pursuit I mean just kept stringing it out, stringing it out and use the sideline as your friend and come in and make the tackle and force the punt.

So now it's fourth down and 12 at the 25.

And Cross County is going to look to punt.

You know you think about what cross County and their defense I mean it's arguably the best defense in two way.

You got a two possession lead.

There's nothing wrong with punting the ball Quincy Perry back deep to receive the punt.

He'll take it to the 35.

Brings it up right side.

Cuts it back towards the middle of the field and will be taken down at around the 42 yard line.

And with 855 left here in the fourth quarter.

Cross County leads a 20 to 6.

It's the two eight championship.

And you're watching the Centennial Bank state football Championships right here on Arkansas PBS sports.

Everett Buick GMC provides vehicles to Arkansas families and supports local organizations.

Community involvement has been part of our story for generations.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports.

More at Everett BGM KGW.com.

I wanted to give you the best life I can.

I've got the best life.

Borussia Dortmund Jimmy.

Let this.

That's it.

I never grow tired of seeing animals all want the same thing I home and love.

Absolutely glorious.

Coming soon to Arkansas PBS this holiday season, you can give yourself a present while impacting the future.

When you donate to Arkansas PBS.

Your gift serves all of Arkansas through media that educates, informs, entertains, and inspires.

Make your tax deductible gift before December 31st.

It's a gift that will have an impact for generations to come.

Visit my AARP PBS.org.

Slash.

Donate.

Thank you and Happy Holidays from Arkansas PBS.

Goodbye and let's now.

Get all the latest information from Arkansas PBS.

Visit my r pbs.org/sign up.

Get involved with Arkansas PBS sports.

It's a great job.

They always do for all the state championship.

Football, baseball.

Softball, basketball.

Next thing you know will be in Hot Springs and March doing some basketball games.

Huge drive here.

This is almost must score territory.

Here's the pass.

It goes right side.

And that's into the hands of Gaines.

Down to scores.

852 to go in the game with Cross County's offense.

I mean it's not quite there to a must score, but I don't know how many more possessions they get.

Three at the most, I would think.

But it could be two with, you know, two more possessions.

They do have their timeouts.

I'll also say EPC has moved the ball between the 20s quite well.

It's just when they've gotten inside the 20 it's been a bit of a struggle is here's a pass play that goes to Perry and he's going to work it back outside past the 30 down to the 25.

And he's gone to the five.

Touchdown.

They finally broke the man to man coverage.

Tell you what.

Cross County's been playing man to man all day long.

They brought the only one safety.

They got everybody else playing the run.

They said our DBS can cover you.

They've done a good job until right here just that little fake move the hesitation move.

He's able to get to the outside.

And Perry's just got too much speed.

And Perry just sprints to the end zone and just like that it is a one score game.

Down eight.

Do they go for the extra point.

They go for two I think they're going for two.

Yeah it looks like they're going to line up for two.

It's a 20 to 12 game.

Direct snap goes to Gaines.

He'll work right side walk into the end zone.

Two point conversion is good.

Too much speed.

We just saw it on the last two plays.

The speed from EPC Perry had too much speed in that time.

Gaines looked like he was going to be stopped, but he outran the linebacker on the defensive end.

He gets to the outside.

No one could catch him.

He sprints to the corner of the end zone.

Now we got a ball.

Game six point game 842 to go.

This one nowhere near over.

Cross County needs to respond.

They got to get that offense going.

Clean up the penalties that stopped them on their last drive.

We've seen the running game very effective using their size.

Well then we just saw a PC use their speed.

So 842 left.

It's a one score game and APC is going to kick off.

Their defense is really stepped up here in the second half.

Yeah that was our first score.

The second half.

They were scoreless in the third quarter.

And it's going to be an onside kick.

And the ball still on the turf.

And he comes up with it.

The kicker got it.

The quarterback Eli Black he kicked it came squirting loose and he recovers it.

First onside kick recovered today.

And Kale Searcy and he bobbled it off the onside kick.

And here it is on the replay.

Kale Searcy has it go off his chest.

And block is right there to jump on top of it.

And APC is going to have the football back with 838 to play here in the ball game.

That was a good onside kick too.

That thing was wobbling and over inside the side.

You never know what kind of bounce you're going to get.

And it was an awkward bounce and they weren't able to recover.

It squirts loose and there's black to recover it.

So it's first down and ten.

Momentum.

Momentum is on this APC side right now.

And you know what.

Cross County is going to call a timeout.

They're going to talk about this.

Try to settle everybody down.

Get the defense that they want.

Here he is.

Look at him.

Tell everybody be quiet.

Let me talk.

Listen to me.

Look.

Look at him.

Great stuff right there.

Great camerawork inside the huddle.

Okay, he just said we're okay.

You got to.

You've got to tamp down the the emotions right now for both these two teams, especially APC, because they've got so much momentum after just scoring.

But you just don't want to waste a drive like this just because you're a little too amped up.

You know what I'm saying, West?

Because at the end of the day, the better team in the second half to me has been epic.

They've played better defensively and then offensively they've been able to get into the end zone.

You know they hit the big play.

That's been the story.

That was the team of the first half.

Yeah.

Epics hit two big plays and that's their scoring plays.

And I think that's what Coach Pascal was just reminding them guys we're okay.

We have a very good defense.

If I tell you we're up in the fourth quarter, the state championship game, would you take it?

We're up.

Yeah.

Go get a stop.

So it's first down and ten ball at the 48 yard line.

Gaines comes in motion.

They're going to fake the handoff to him.

And black is going to take it straight ahead.

Out past the 45 down to the 44 yard line.

Good running from black.

Powerful.

Just kept his legs moving.

Looked like they had him stop.

They had him for not much, but he broke a tackle and just kept going.

So it's second down and six.

Clock running at eight, 15 and counting.

You see PC taking their time a little bit too, as they know.

You know cross County there for them to go on a long scoring drive.

It takes time.

We saw APC earlier attempt an extra point.

Didn't go very well for them as black will take the shotgun snap going big ball, left side and it's over the head of his wide receiver that time trying to hook up with Perry once again.

So I'm so impressed with these DBS for Cross County.

They're really good.

They turn their head and look for the ball, find the ball and play the ball.

Too many.

Hey, I see it in college.

I watch a team on Saturday.

Pros that they never turn around and look for the ball.

And you know it's a short ball and you run into him.

Pass interference.

If you'll turn your head around and look for the ball, you're not going to get that call.

Or you might pick it off, find the ball in the air.

And that's coached that you can tell they're very well coached.

And I think that that's also part of the reason why they're one of the best defenses in two.

Yeah, they can put their corners out on an island and put eight guys in the box with one safety.

Now they bring the safety up.

Here's a double handoff inside that time they tried to get Buchanan with the ball.

He actually lost a yard on the play as Michael Ward came in as well as Sawyer Powell.

They were able to stop him for a one yard loss.

Now it's a fourth down and eight.

Making a little substitution there getting Simmons back in the ball game.

They've been resting Simmons a little bit after that shoulder injury.

Not playing every snap.

So fourth down and eight ball to 46 yard line.

And now we've got whistles.

And a timeout is going to be charged.

The APC with 704 to play here in the ball game.

The five before we go back to that onside kick I want to go down to JB on the sidelines.

JB I would imagine the FC sideline right now is pretty electric.

Absolutely energy level picking up just shortly before that, Cross County looked like they were going for the kill.

The Thunderbird calls we're running out of that side of the stadium.

You absolutely have seen a great turnout from both fan bases here today, fellas.

What a turnaround by EPC.

The last two drives energy picking up and right now they're all saying we're going to win this game.

We're going to win this game.

So guys this feels like it's going down to the wire.

It's J.B.

Hey let's go back to that onside kick guys.

Because what black did I mean they West.

They were set up and looked like they were going to kick it deep and and did a great job.

As you talked about the squeezing the onside kick to wherever were they were able to get it.

And here's the onside kick right here.

Black does a great job with it.

And just the fact that they disguised it well to be able to come up with it and get this momentum.

Been a great turnaround here in the second half for epic.

Huge play.

Fourth and eight ball at the 46 yard line.

Flag going to take the snap.

Going to roll.

Left under pressure.

Going to throw it down.

Field has Perry.

And it's deflected away.

That time it was Hawk who came in and knocked it away.

And it'll be a turnover on downs.

But we do have a penalty flag down.

Back on the far side of the field at the 45 yard line.

Hawk once again playing the ball in the air.

You do have black still down on the ground.

He took a big hit.

See what the call is.

An eligible receiver downfield.

So they'll decline that.

And, tell you what.

How about that timeout from Coach Pasco.

Looked like his team was a little rattled after the onside kick.

Called a timeout before first down.

Cross County gets the stop four and out.

They'll take over near midfield.

A bit slow and I'll say it again the DBS Hawk I know they got beat on the one play.

But Hawk again that balls in the air.

It was in the air for a long time.

And he just played the ball in the air and he came by knocked it down.

And that's turnover and downs.

So it's now a first down and ten for Cross County.

The ball is going to be at the 46 yard line.

658 to play.

Here's a toss.

Comes left side.

Nowhere to go right there.

It was Cam Thomas who made the stop.

Got about a yard on the play Armstrong just got to hit the hole.

You just got to you got to cut that up and get the tough yards instead of bouncing it outside.

They had a hole.

Got a push.

Look he's not going to take it to the house.

But you see on the replay right there cut it back to the right and you get three.

You get four.

But you know instead of second and nine you got second and six.

That's all they want, 3 or 4 yards.

But he was trying to bounce it outside for the home run play.

And right now you just want to move the sticks run the clock get three get four.

Second down and nine.

Handoff right side.

No running room whatsoever is Davion Simmons has nowhere to go because Ashton Real was right there to make the stop.

It's a no gain to bring up.

Third down and nine now.

Well and his brother Doug really blew it up.

The defensive lineman the left defensive end just got to the backfield forced them to go outside.

And that's when Ashton got into the play I guess you can say those guys are the real deal.

They're the real deal.

Third down and nine.

545 left in the ball game.

Can I hand it off straight ahead this time to Simmons.

An ankle tackle brought him down at the 46 yard line.

It's short of the first down as Devin McGee came up to make the stop.

Well McGee got him by the jersey I thought he was going to get the first down.

But watch McGee right there.

No that's not McGee.

That's Thrasher.

Thrasher gets him by the jersey.

Stopped his momentum.

And then you get McGee.

Come in and make the tackle.

Fourth and two.

I like to call you.

Go for it here.

You get these two yards.

Fourth down and two.

Oh.

Almost got a jump offsides.

That was close.

And now they're going to look over to the sideline with five seconds on the play clock.

They're going to call a timeout.

All right.

This is interesting because look you got the best defense in two way.

Do you punt pin penalty deep here on the 46.

You punt and make them go the length of the field with your defense.

Or do you put the ball in your offense.

His hands say go get me a first down.

We can run some more clock.

Make them use your timeouts.

They've got us.

The EPC has got two timeouts left.

Gamble a little bit or play safe.

Put your defense back out there.

I go back to what Coach Pascal told J.B.

at the half.

He said, remember earlier this year they drove 80 something yards in about a minute and a half, two minutes to beat us.

Yeah.

If I'm here with that in my memory bank, I'm going for it here.

I'm getting the first down.

I'm running some more clock for as dominant.

They have been running the ball today and now it's not in the second half.

It's not been his dominance what they were in the first half.

But you've got to have a good amount of confidence to run the football and get these two yards.

They've not had very many plays where they've lost yards all day long on on a run play and you need two yards.

You got the bigger physical team.

I got him running behind those big guys that go straight power.

I don't go any pulling or anything like that because they've been trying to blitz in behind the polars.

I just go look at they got the right side overloaded.

They got an extra offensive lineman over there and a toss it right side and they give it off over to Crawford.

He'll get the first down as he dives forward out to the 30 or to the 43 yard line.

That's all they do.

They overloaded the right side.

Ran behind that right side.

Just fired off straight ahead.

Got a nice push.

Look at that.

Oh look at that huge push.

And there's no telling how far that can go.

But you get Lee Buchanan coming in from the backside making the tackle.

But you're big Stephen 77.

Huge push that right side with Williams Roger Williams we talked about him on defense.

Just a fantastic push.

Needed to got three.

Love the call.

Look at the clock.

Going to run.

You just go back to what you do run the ball.

They both loaded the side again.

Here's the same play.

And they're going to get him from the two yard gain.

That time as Crawford was able on target on that right side out to the 41.

Thrasher making the tackle coming from the backside.

Picked up two clock running.

Right there.

Can tent with that.

You know what.

Let's just get a couple of yards and maybe we'll bust one for 5 or 6 and get a couple of yards and we'll go for it on fourth and one.

Pick it up, run the clock, make them use their timeouts.

At some point.

There's still 15 seconds on the play clock, so take it down to around 347 before they have to snap this thing.

Second down and nine.

I hand it off straight ahead.

And that was Simmons as he'll take it inside the 40 down to the 38 as Eli Blagg came in to make the stop.

Now you've got a third down and five.

But it might as well be second and five.

You know because you know they're going to go for it on fourth down.

So they got two more downs.

Pick up five yards.

They picked up two on first down three right there.

So they're on schedule.

And if you're EPC right now ideally you get them for a no gain.

So where they don't have that two yard to gain that they need it really get he's got two timeouts left.

Cross County has none.

Here's the toss to Armstrong.

He'll fall forward.

Now we've got a penalty flag down as he crossed over the 35.

And he's right at the sticks.

That's a holding call.

Was it.

And that's what stopped Cross County in the second half.

It's been the, holding calls or the chop box.

I'm looking at the replay.

I haven't seen it.

Facemask possibly.

Yeah.

We can take a look at the replay on the left side and you're going to see the facemask.

Little hands to the face.

Well, five yard variety.

So that'll put the ball inside the 30.

And for the facemask here's the replay.

Got it right there.

Just a little bit called Thrasher Ford.

Not a not the 15 yard where he grabbed it and pulled him.

He just got a little tug on it.

How about Simmons?

Simmons had the big block that gets him the first down.

So it's first and ten ball at the 29 yard line.

Under three to play.

Here's Simmons as he'll move the pile to the 25 yard line.

Man lost his helmet.

Looked like somebody.

One of the offensive linemen for the state.

County lost in Stevens is going to have to leave the game.

And that was Eli Black on the tackle.

That was two big guys meeting each other in the hole.

Simmons with a little momentum and Eli Black steps up meets him and stops him dead in his tracks.

It's a four yard gain.

This is this is going to be big because I expect them to, use their timeouts here.

Now after this play on second down, if they can get a decent stop on second down, the use that their second timeout stopped the clock.

Here's a toss to Crawford.

He's going to be hit the backfield for a two yard loss.

Once again Doug Real did not make the tackle Doug Real made the play.

They will use their timeout here.

That allowed Lee Buchanan to come in and finish up the play.

But Doug Real with the penetration just blows up the play.

Nowhere for him to go.

Try to bounce it outside.

Watch 55.

Boom.

Takes on the blocker.

The running back blows it up.

He made the play.

I mean Doug Real doesn't get a tackle there.

But he took on Davion Simmons stops him.

And then here comes Lee Buchanan to make the tackle.

So West now you've got a third down and eight for Cross County.

It's you know it's four down territory.

It's been that way for this entire drive.

But you've got him in a long distance situation ideally for a three PC.

They get a couple of yards and then you've got to you've still got a fourth down and long for Cross County at that point correct.

Yes.

Numbers game here.

You know Cross County second.

Let's go get 4 or 5 here, you know, and set up fourth and manageable and pieces.

Look, you got two downs to keep them from getting eight.

It's as simple as that.

You stop them, you're going to get the ball back with about a minute 40 to go in the game.

You get back to that same situation first time they played.

So a coach Baskerville just said they went down the length of the field the last two minutes, scored a touchdown and beat us.

So and that score was 20 to 16 I believe beat them by four.

Yeah.

We're looking at the same thing.

You know they can tie it up.

What do they do?

They kick the extra point go for the two point conversion.

But first things first.

You got to get a stop.

You got two downs to do it.

If you're just now tuning in.

Cross County has thrown one pass all day.

And it was for a two point conversion.

They've run the ball all day long.

It's third down and nine.

Toss goes straight to Armstrong.

Goes ahead past the 25.

Taken down at the 23.

And Cam Thomas was there to make the stop.

And with timeouts called by ABC with a minute 50 left here in the ballgame.

Now that's that's exactly what Cross County wanted.

I mean, outside of getting the first down.

Yeah, they got about half of what they needed.

That was good.

Blocking is just straight ahead power blocking no pulling.

They just went straight ahead and, opened up a little hole.

Got some push.

Got to give credit.

Who made that tackle.

He stopped him.

Thomas.

Thomas just stopped him in his tracks.

Because if he doesn't make that tackle, he squirts forward, picks up another couple of yards, maybe the first down.

And the game's pretty much over.

And that's what that's where we are.

It is fourth and four.

And if Cross County gets this first down it's the game's over.

They're going to take a couple knees and they're going to celebrate a state championship.

If they don't get it, then epic is going to be able to have about a minute 45 to go the length of the field to try to win it.

So this is your first chance.

This is their first chance for a cross county to win the game.

They'll have some other chances.

But you you make this play right here.

Game over.

It's fourth down and four.

Ball at the 23 yard line.

They need four yards to keep the drive going.

Crawford is set up on the outside.

They're going to go back to Armstrong.

Straight ahead.

He gets the first down and down to the 15 yard line.

Ballgame.

I want to take a look at this.

Show you the blocking on this play.

Just outstanding from cross County.

Game on the line.

And the blocking is awesome.

Check it out 6477.

You get the block right there.

The push from 6477.

Fantastic.

Stephens getting it done Williams getting it done.

Getting the big push.

You get Davion Simmons coming in.

Gets the block from the big running back.

And now you can take a couple of knees.

Get the Gatorade ready and let's celebrate a state championship for cross County.

If Simmons doesn't make that block I don't think they get the four yards and they're going to take a knee.

And now there's a penalty flag.

And.

That's Ashton real.

He's just trying to play through the whistle.

And quarterback took a knee before he could hit him.

And momentum came.

And it look it's bang bang play I'm not going to criticize the young man.

He's playing as hard as he can.

He's trying to make a play.

They're desperate right now and desperate times.

You you make a mistake when he had never officially taken the knee, you know, I mean, he's just trying to make something happen.

You know, I would tell Searcy, just take a knee, get down.

Yeah.

You don't have to run off any time.

The game, the game's over with the play clock and everything.

You're fine.

Just get it.

Take the snap.

Get down.

No need to run around, trot backwards or anything.

So they're going to spot the ball down at the 11.

Because it was half the distance to the goal.

It is second and six not first and ten.

So but the clock should start right on him on the whistle.

On the whistle.

But the clock isn't starting so bad when you get a personal foul every time.

So that'll start the clock.

And it'll take the it should take most of this time off.

Last time, Cross County won a state championship in 1984.

42 years ago.

How about that?

You know.

There.

There's a good look.

And van pass will third time to bring a team to the state championship.

Won it with Monticello.

Lost at Barton.

He joins Bobby Boulding and Gus Malzahn as the only three coaches in history to bring three different teams to the state championship game.

And that'll do it for your two AA champions.

Cross county since 1984.

It took 40 years.

But you know what 2025 they reach gold is they're the two state champions.

Yeah.

My math was off wasn't it.

16 and 25 as I was just going one.

Yeah I was just going off of you on the 40 year thing.

Yeah.

It is either way for a long time.

It's been a long time and the Gatorade is just flowing.

And they got an assistant coach.

They got Coach Pascal.

It is, time to celebrate.

Look, all those fans on that far side that came all the way for Cross County.

They were rewarded for it.

It's going to be a very happy dr They're going to line this one up.

We will talk to coach Pascal named the player of the game after this.

But your final cross county wins at 2214.

You're watching the Centennial Bank State Football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by.

Since 1937, the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have been providing power to homes, farms, and businesses across our state.

The cooperatives are member owned and work together to serve Arkansans.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas proudly support high school students and athletics in Arkansas, and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas PBS sports.

Better connected together the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

Is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS sports UAMs health provides orthopedic and sports medicine across Arkansas, supporting athletes and teams throughout the state.

Find out more at Unlatch Health back home.

When Rock automotive supports Arkansas athletes as a sponsor of the Arkansas PBS Sports broadcast of the high school state championship games with seven dealerships across the state serving little Rock, Conway, and Jonesboro.

When Rock automotive is community focused and provides vehicle sales and service across Arkansas, we're honored to be a part of these unforgettable moments celebrating Arkansas student athletes.

Win Rock automotive connecting communities through service and support.

Happy holidays from the Arkansas PBS studios.

I'm Angie Rogers and I'm Jennifer Yeoman.

We're here to let you know what's happening.

This December.

We're kicking off the summer with the Arkansas high school football state finals.

Watch live with us starting December 4th as Arkansas's most talented high school athletes compete for their state titles.

Watch all the action on Arkansas PBS or watch later on the Arkansas PBS YouTube channel.

Nathan gets me in the holiday spirit like festive programs from the heartwarming Call the Midwife Christmas special to Joyful Concert, we've got some great choices in December.

We've compiled them all at my AARP PBS.org slash holidays.

Grab your favorite warm beverage and watch with us all month long.

Arkansas educators.

Winter break is the perfect time to catch up on your professional development training.

The Arkansas Ideas team is offering a challenge to help you connect the people, places, and ideas that shape our state and its role in America's story.

Learn more at Arkansas Ideas Dawgs.

250 PD Arkansas Live brings the best of arts and entertainment to the comfort of your home.

Don't miss our festive livestreams this month, including coverage of the Arkansas State Capitol lighting ceremony.

Catch up on even more live streamed events at my AARP, PBS.org slash Arkansas Live.

Thanks for joining us this month, and be sure to connect with us on social media.

You'll find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and we're sending you festive greetings this holiday season.

We'll see you again next year.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

It's the middle of the war.

We had ourselves a merry Christmas cheer, the untold stories of the last months of the war, and find out how close we came to an even more catastrophic conclusion.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app this month in passport on the PBS app.

It's a stirring celebration with unforgettable music from the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

This is Gospel Messiah for many of.

Whom?

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

This month in passport on the PBS app a race.

The loss is catastrophic for us to restore a medieval masterpiece.

Evolution left these birds flightless.

But that doesn't mean they can't fly.

As you travel upriver, the modern world seems to fall away.

Feels like a trip back in time.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

Good night.

Let's now.

Is head coach Van Pascal as he's celebrating with family as his Thunderbirds win at 2214 in the two state championship game over Eastpointe, said County.

And, boy, it was a heck of a game.

We were talking about, MVP and who that should be.

There's a whole team getting the trophy west.

But that offensive line, as you said in the break.

Should have been the MVP for this thing.

Well, and because they turn around and play defense, they paved the way for 263 yards rushing.

And then they turned around.

And many of those guys on the defensive line held EPC to 77 yards rushing on 27 carries.

That offensive line was outstanding.

I know Kaden Crawford was great, 150 yards rushing for him.

That's part of the 263 that Cross County had.

No passes attempted today.

They did have the two point conversion, but technically that doesn't count in the stat book, so they didn't throw a pass according to the stats time of the possession.

Look at that.

31 minutes to 16.

Almost 17 minutes 56 rushes, no passes 5050 almost for EPC.

But you know this game was won in the trenches.

I just realized I rolled up in the elevator today with Coach Pascal's family.

Yeah.

And they said, oh you're with them.

You're at the buzz and you're with Arkansas PBS sports, right.

And I'm like, yeah, they go, who are you picking?

I was like, well, I said earlier to I did pick Cross County and they're like, good answer.

Good answer.

That's like I don't think I had a choice.

And I just saw him on TV and I was like, that was his family.

That that's who I was riding up in the elevator with.

Well, they're they're are your champions right now is just announced that Caden Crawford is today's MVP and, rightfully so though, right.

Well, I mean, just had a dominant day on the ground today.

Yeah, yeah.

Also had the touchdown run.

But, at the trenches with that.

That was the story for me.

They dominated the offensive line.

They dominated the defensive line.

And now they get to celebrate a state title.

Look at them running to the fans to show off their trophy.

What a great feeling.

Nothing like it.

So there they are.

And let's head down the field as Josh Berger.

Cheney has got Van Pascal, Coach congratulations.

Awesome season.

What a championship game a battle back and forth the whole way.

You expected that all the way down to the wire.

Yeah.

Like back in June we talked about defense wins championships June and half of July.

Coach was saying coach you want to run the offense?

I said, no, sir.

Let's go.

Hey you offense, you take care of yourself.

You got to stop them.

And well, we did.

You did.

Your defense answered the bell.

You got that huge stop at the end and then it's a fourth down.

You call the timeout five minutes left.

You could have gone.

You could have punted or gone for it there.

You made a decision to go for it.

Well, you know, momentum and and they beat us the previous time when they got the ball back with less than two minutes, 180 yards.

And I said, you know what?

Hey, if they if they get it, if they get it and go 70, they got it.

But we're going to put it on our guys one more time.

And he said coach I'll get first down and he got your running game is almost unparalleled.

So many different guys.

We're going to talk with one in a moment.

Do it.

Big roles in it.

Just an all around awesome victory you join now Brad Bolden Gus Malzahn only three coaches.

You're one of them who've been to the championship game with three different schools.

You win your second title.

Coach congratulations on an awesome season.

How does it feel before I let you go?

Well, I'll just I'll just say it feels good, but but we we give God all the glory.

He's he's he's the guy that that created all this stuff and give us opportunity to do what we do.

So I tip my hat.

Thank you, Lord.

Thank you.

Appreciate you coach.

Go get him.

And obviously an awesome job by cross County the whole way through.

The Thunderbirds have got themselves a championship.

Nicely done.

As we talked with the game MVP and Mr.

Crawford, it was it was there for you all day.

Your line opening holes.

Tell me what it felt like today, man.

This this this is great, man.

I mean, my line block their absolute butt off, man.

And I ran hard and ran hard.

All the bags very hard.

And they allowed open up 20 holes.

I mean, it was just overall team.

Everyone seemed like confidence from the jump.

Right?

You mentioned it.

You were the lead dog, but a couple other guys with you pounding that rock and every time at the end of the game, it looked like maybe they'd get you off the field.

They just couldn't do it.

Well.

So, you know, I coach, he preaches mental toughness every single day.

And that's all this team has been around is mental toughness.

And how about that?

Doing it for coach.

Doing it for your team.

Just give me a thought on the feeling right now because you'll be thinking about this the rest of your life.

It is a great feeling and I'm only a junior man.

I got another year left.

It's just a great feeling that I'm filled in this year again, I promise.

Hey, we'll see you back here next year this time.

Yes, sir.

Thank you sir.

Great stuff guys a big win for Cross County.

Back to you all.

Thank you.

And great job by you Josh today as Caden Crawford is your MVP.

And yeah he's only a junior West.

Look at him right there.

He scored the first touchdown of the game 66 yards.

Later on it was Davion Simmons made it 12 to nothing APC makes a comeback Jacob gains 34 yards down the sideline.

It's 12 to 6.

But then cross County gets the quarterback sneak.

They're up 20 to 6.

That would be their last points Quincy Perry a 54 yard catch and run makes it to 20 to 14.

But then cross County they get the ball back.

They run out the clock.

They get a big fourth down stop here.

They're after the the onside kick.

Recovery momentum was on EPC side but Cross County got the big fourth down stop.

They got the ball back and they never gave it back.

What a ball game.

Celebrate Cross County's victory.

Your official championship gear is now available.

Visit Arkansas High School sports.com to find the apparel and memorabilia commemorating this unforgettable season for Cross County that is Arkansas High School sports.com.

Well, that wraps up the first game for today as Cross County wins the two AA state championship.

Coming up tonight at 630 it's the seven A Bryant and Bentonville.

It's going to be a shootout tonight under the lights here at War Memorial Stadium.

It all kicks off right here with myself and Bobby Swofford at 630 here on Arkansas PBS sports.

So for our entire team Josh Berger down on the field, Wes Moore I'm RJ Hawk and everybody associated with Arkansas PBS.

Your final score in this one cross County 20 FEC 14.

You've been watching the Centennial Bank state football Championships on Arkansas PBS sports.