By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
Keonte Larry, El Dorado’s starting tailback, left Friday’s game at Benton with an injury in the first half. The Wildcats inserted Devonte Yarbrough into the backfield. On a fourth-and-3 in the third quarter, Coach Scott Reed gave the ball to Yarbrough, who picked up the first down.
“I thought we blocked it pretty well,” said Reed. “Yarbrough was patient and kind of waited for it to open and then he squirted out. He was patient and he got to the spot we were supposed to get to.”
The Wildcats fell short to the Panthers but the running game was productive, despite the key injury.
“He does a good job. He’s a good player,” Reed said of Yarbrough. “In fact, he was key on the two-minute drive before the half. He made two good runs and got out of bounds. We scored with 15 seconds left. If he doesn’t get out of bounds, we may not score there.”
El Dorado’s depth at running back is somewhat surprising considering they lost their top three at the position from last season. Richard Kesee and Jarius Curry graduated and Alex Hicks, who played tailback last year, is this year’s starting quarterback.
“I think Coach Claude Johnson has done a good job. We lost our tailbacks. We had to start over there,” said Reed. “Coach Johnson has done a tremendous job. I’ve been very pleased with that position.
“Claude has gotten better and better. He works them. They work hard. He expects a lot out of them. I’m not slighting any coach at all. I’m very pleased with that position and the job he’s done with them.”
Larry entered Friday’s game with 575 yards rushing, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. Yarbrough had 16 rushes for 107 yards, 6.7 per tote.
Although Larry did not re-enter Friday’s game, Reed believes both backs will be available for the Wildcats’ stretch run.
“We don’t think it’s major at all,” Reed said of Larry’s injury. “We won’t know anything until (today). He walked out afterwards fine. I’m hopeful we’re going to get him back sometime.”