By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
El Dorado coach Scott Reed watched last week as Searcy beat Lake Hamilton 35-22 in the first round of the 6A state playoffs. With the victory, the Lions won an all-expenses paid trip to Memorial Stadium for tonight’s quarterfinal match up.
“I know they’re excited,” Reed said. “They were calling out El Dorado after their game on Friday.”
Although Searcy has never beaten the Wildcats, their fans have reason to be excited. The Lions bring a 9-2 record into the game. It’s their first 9-win season since going 9-3 in 2011.
They also have a high-powered offense, averaging 41.9 points per game. Searcy has won four games in a row.
“I was very impressed with Searcy. We went and watched them. I thought they were pretty good,” said Reed. “They’re big. They’re athletic. Skill kids and cover guys are really good. Left tackle is like, 6-6, 340 … big old, boy. Quarterback is 6-4-200 and has good guys to throw it to. I thought they and Lake Hamilton would be really close and it wasn’t as close as I thought it would be.”
Offensively, Searcy’s lowest output was 21 points in a 36-21 loss to West Memphis. The Lions have scored more than 60 points twice this season, including a 61-0 win over Little Rock Hall in the regular-season finale. Their other loss was 57-34 against Pine Bluff in Week 7.
“They threw it 69 times against Pine Bluff,” said Reed, who estimated the Lions having a 3-to-1, pass-to-run ratio.
Mason Schucker triggers the offense for Searcy. He threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns last week and also had a 52-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw.
“I think I’ve seen three really good (quarterbacks) this year - (Connor) Noland at Greenwood. This kid, the Schucker kid and Darius (Holly). And, not in that order,” said Reed. “Those three, I think, are the best three I’ve seen this year. When you get this far in the playoffs, you expect to see a good quarterback each week.
“He’s got a quick release. He’s hard to sack. They get the ball out quick. They’re good at what they do. He looks comfortable back there. It’s not one of those deals where they try to hold the ball. They get rid of it pretty quick. We’ll have to be good defensively. We’re going to get challenged. We have a big test.”
Reed praised Searcy’s receivers and defensive backs for their speed. In the past, the Lions have not been known for their foot speed.
“They’ve had a number of kids, from what I understand, they’ve had a few kids move in from Augusta,” said Reed. “They’ve got some receivers and (defensive backs) who can go. All I know is, they’re good. They’re throwing for a lot of yards, scoring a lot of points.”
The coach was asked if the key defensively for El Dorado would be pass rush or coverage in the secondary?
“I think it’s going to be more coverage,” he answered. “They get it out so quick. You can’t expect to get there all the time. Our front four needs to play well and be disciplined, no doubt.
“They’re going up against a good offensive line. But, in the back end, the teams that have got ‘em, have got turnovers on them.
“They’ve been good in coverage, got some tipped balls or whatever. One thing I would love to see, I would love to see us be more physical than they are on both sides of the ball.”
Reed said Searcy is not one-dimensional. The Wildcats can’t get too caught up in stopping the pass and forget about the run.
“A lot of times people spread you out because they have skill kids and they don’t have linemen. I think they’re big and physical, too,” he said. “Their back has run for over a thousand yards as well.”
Defensively, the Lions run a 50 front with a lot of man coverage.
“They don’t blitz a lot,” said Reed. “I think they do a good job of not giving up big plays. They run real well at the back end.
“When I look at them, I’m real impressed with their safety, number 10. Strong safety, number three, is real good. He’s about 6-3, 210.
“And, they have a linebacker, number 44, who is really good. And, a defensive lineman, number 50, who is pretty disruptive. They’re disciplined. They move (the safeties) around, playing man coverage and they make a lot of plays.”
Can their secondary cover El Dorado’s receivers man-to-man?
“That’s a big question mark,” said Reed. “That’s a big key to the ball game for our offense.”
El Dorado (9-1) enjoyed a first-round bye last week.
The Wildcats used some of that time to shore up the kicking game. Reed said that will be important tonight.
“They onsides kick about half the time,” he said. “They go for it on fourth down a lot of the time, too. They went for it on fourth down against Pine Bluff nine times. And, they got two or three onsides kicks.”
Reed said El Dorado had a good week of preparation after using the bye week to heal.
“During the bye week, we lifted on Monday and we practiced heavy on Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday, we had a lighter practice, worked on special teams, and on Friday we went scouting so all we did on Friday was lift,” he said.
“This week has been business as usual. We’ve had a good week. We’re sharp mentally. We had plenty of time to work kicking game the last two weeks. I think we’re better there.
“And, I think we’ll need to be this week. We also got our kids healthy. I think we’re in a good spot. The bye week should’ve helped us.”
The Wildcats are 2-0 against Searcy with playoff wins in 2012 and 2015.
But, these Lions could be bigger, stronger and faster than those previous teams. Reed expects a typical, state quarterfinal battle.
“We need to be more physical than they are. We need to limit their big plays. Offensively, we need to be good with the ball and consistent. We need to be able to beat them in man coverage, too,” said Reed, who has liked his team’s demeanor.
“They’ve been business as usual at practice but I think there’s a little more excitement about us being in the playoffs this year.
“I think our group is confident. This group believes they have a chance to keep playing awhile.”
The players have had a business-first attitude and so has their coach, who was asked about becoming the winningest football coach in El Dorado’s 110-year history.
Reed has a record of 101-38, tying him for most victories with Garland Gregory, who has a 101-42 coaching record with the Wildcats.
When asked, Reed chuckled and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
For the Wildcats, the focus is on, what will likely be the last home game of the season and advancing in the postseason against a red-hot Searcy team that is excited to make the trip to Union County.
“I hope we have a big crowd. The weather is supposed to be good,” said Reed.
“This could be the last home game for this group. This group, they’ve been awesome, awfully good to coach, fun to coach, fun to be around. I think we’re going to play really well.”
Kickoff is 7 p.m.