By Kev Moyé
News-Times Staff
The Smackover Buckaroos will open their season Monday at Golden Lion Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where they’ll take on Warren.
This contest between the Class 3A Buckaroos and the Class 4A Lumberjacks is part of the 2015 Hooten’s Kickoff Classic.
On paper this game promises to be entertaining. Both teams were successful last season and expect to once again compile a surplus of victories. According to Chris Hooten, Smackover was an ideal program to showcase in the acclaimed event.
“Being able to see Smackover in person a couple of times last season, considering what coach (Brian) Strickland has done with the program, along with having star power in Jordan Jones (an Arkansas Razorback commit), and they played for a state title last season, it all made Smackover a good selection for this game,” Hooten said. “In fact, if Smackover doesn’t have a late turnover, it looked like they were going to win the state championship game. We definitely had our eye on them.”
Hooten is eager to see Smackover compete against Warren, which has become one of the best programs in Arkansas.
“They’re playing the defending 4A champ Warren Lumberjacks. As for Warren, they’re actually rebuilding. But, they’re always talented and exciting. Warren has won a lot of football games over the years,” he said. “Before Bo Hembree got there, Warren wasn’t in a state title game for a long time. And that changed when Bo Hembree arrived. What he has done at Warren is incredible. They now expect to win and play good football.
“So it ought to be a good game between them and Smackover. I know Smackover is a team that played for a state title last season and they feel they have a shot to return to the 3A championship game.”
This is year 15 of the Kickoff Classic. The Hooten’s Arkansas Football staff have a stringent criteria for the participants of the event.
“We’re looking for teams that are on the rise, that expect to play for a conference title, and a state title. Their fan-base is enthused. Those are the primary things we look for. If they have great players and potential college recruits on their team, that’s a bonus,” Hooten said. “We normally have pretty good match-ups. But, the main thing we look for are good teams, state title contenders, and programs that are obviously on the rise.”
And what was the reason for pitting Smackover against Warren?
“We thought it would be a pretty good matchup athletically,” Hooten answered. “Smackover’s the preseason No.1 in 3A while Warren is the defending 4A champion. It’s a pretty good game – so we’ll see how it goes.”