By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
This time last year, El Dorado was preparing for its Purple-White game. Tonight, the Wildcats hit the road to take on one of the premier 7A football teams in the state.
El Dorado kicks off the football campaign at Conway tonight, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The Wampus Cats went 9-4 last season, including two losses (one in the state semifinals) to eventual 7A champion North Little Rock. Former El Dorado assistant coach Keith Fimple was hired by Conway to take over its program. It is Fimple’s first head coaching job.
“He just got the job in the spring. It’s his first game,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed. “How ironic, Fimple catches El Dorado for his first game ever as head coach.”
The Class 6A Wildcats are coming off a 9-2 season but lost nine defensive starters.
“We only have 18 seniors but I’m really proud of the way they’re leading and the way they’re going about their business,” said Reed.
Conway won two playoff games last season for the first time since 2003. The Wampus Cats’ shotgun spread offense is triggered by senior quarterback Jovoni Johnson, who operates behind a big, sturdy offensive line.
“They’re a gun-run team and play action over the top. They’ll remind you a lot of Har Ber, a few years ago when we played them. Physical, downhill run, the quarterback is a real good athlete, already been offered by UCA. He’s been offered a preferred spot by Arkansas, already. He can run, good athlete, can throw it,” said Reed. “He’s more of a mobile quarterback than we saw at Har Ber. But, they run power in kind of a pistol gun and then they play action you and throw it over the top. They’re good on offense, really good.
“Their main weapon is their offensive line is really good. They’re physical. And then the quarterback, he can go on any play.”
Conway’s offensive line averages 254 pounds tackle-to-tackle with a 220-pound tight end and a 220-pound fullback.
Not letting the Wampus Cats’ offense control the clock will be critical for El Dorado, which could be shorthanded. On Wednesday, Reed said safety Calab Scott and center Thomas Crawford would be questionable due to injuries. Scott has emerged as the quarterback of the Wildcats’ defensive unit. Also, cornerback Williem Artis was withheld from the last scrimmage with an injury.
“It’s hard to go into your first ball game with three starters out. And, it looks like we’ll be missing one or two of them,” said Reed.
Defensively, El Dorado anticipates a 3-4 look from the Wampus Cats. But, the Wildcats must be prepared for anything.
“Defensively, that’s the unknown,” said Reed. “Fimple ran the defense everywhere he’s been. He’s very multiple so I don’t know what he’s going to give us.
“We did swap benefit games so I, at least, saw their personnel. They were pretty basic in what they did. They have one defensive end who is very good. They’re good, thick, big active kids inside. The linebackers are both 6-1, 205. They have a returning corner (Darius Washington) who is very good. They have another returner (Malik Benton) at safety who is very good.”
Conway lines up with four senior starters in its secondary.
“We need to be able to block ‘em. We don’t need them to be able to kill us in time of possession. That’s their M.O. I say that, with Coach Fimple it could totally change. But, we need to have the ball half or more of the time,” said Reed.
“Offensively, we’d like to have a number of guys contribute in the run game and the passing game but especially in the run game. I don’t want (Alex Hicks) carrying it 25 times.
“I don’t want (tailback) Keontae (Larry) carrying it 25 times. Best case scenario for us would be both of them carrying it from 12 to 16 times and then spread other carries.
“Shun (Levingston) needs to carry it some. (Steven) Tollette needs to carry it some and then pick our spots, do some things where we have the option to run or pass.”
With its game moved up to, what Reed called, “zero week,” El Dorado has been a bit under the gun in its preparation. Losing Monday’s practice to lightning didn’t help the situation.
“I can tell we’ve had one less week. It’s not that we’re not ready to play. We’ve got everything in. But, you know what, if we weren’t playing until next week, I’d probably feel that way next week. There’s always a little apprehension when you’re going into a season,” said Reed.
“I think our guys have handled game week and installation, not just running base offense and base defense against each other but getting ready to play an opponent who’s totally different.
“The whole key is how do you take that to the game. When you have an older team early in the year, they’re used to doing it. We’ve got a lot of new faces this year.
“That’s why I think we’ll be better as the season goes on because we’ll understand how to get ready for a game a little better and how every day of the week is really important.”
Long road trips haven’t bothered El Dorado much in the past, although one of its losses last year was at Greenwood. Reed doesn’t believe the long drive will be a factor tonight, though.
“We always travel well. Our people travel well with us,” he said.
“I think our kids playing in those types of environments, I know they will accept the challenge. They’re excited about playing them. We all are. I like opening with games like this.”