By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
After a disastrous special team’s performance against Sheridan two weeks ago, El Dorado’s kicking game provided a much-needed kick in Friday’s loss at Benton.
The Wildcats had two punts blocked and another rushed against the Yellowjackets. El Dorado’s coaches spent the next week making adjustments in personnel, including inserting a 6-foot-1, 265-pound punt protector.
“We actually put (Gavin) Heustis back there,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed of the senior defensive tackle. “Gavin took pride in it. He loves it. He’s just a football player. You’ve got to have guys like that. He’ll do whatever you ask if it’s important for us to win. He’s all in on doing it. That kind of stuff gets contagious. That whole group picked up this week.”
Greysen Hubbard was good on all five extra points. Shun Levingston was a weapon on kickoff returns. And, Derek Jobe had a solid night punting the ball.
“I thought our special teams were really good. Kickoff return did a great job. Shun had some really big returns, got us good field position a couple of times. I thought we won special teams. We were good,” said Reed. “Greysen made every kick. We did a great job in punt coverage.
“I was very pleased with our kicking game after the week before. Our punt team was really good. We won the kicking game. I thought our kicking game was just tremendous. The coverage units, the best we’ve done all year in kickoff coverage. That was a major improvement. I’m proud of that.”
The Wildcats also perfectly executed an onsides kick in the third quarter. Hubbard booted the ball on the ground and made the recovery himself.
“Basically, he just punched it right down the field on the ground,” said Reed. “I think he recovered it at the other 45. He had to fight to get it. He did a great job of beating the other guy to the ball and turning his body to the defender where he could shield the ball. He made a great play. It was a heck of a kick and cover.
“He is competitive and I like that in a kicker.”
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El Dorado defensive coordinator Justin Wylie released the Wildcats' defensive leaders from Friday night's game at Benton.
Senior linebacker Zac Donahue led El Dorado with 14 tackles, including nine unassisted. Quentin Frazier had 12 tackles, seven solos, with one tackle for loss. Calab Scott had 12 tackles, eight solos, with a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Chris Newton had six tackles, including three tackles for loss and one pass breakup. Jacoby Hankton had five tackles. Skylar Higgins had five tackles. Camerious Rucks had three tackles. Wanya Archie had two tackles and forced a fumble.