This year it’ll be called the 7South Showdown with a trophy awarded to the winner. But it’s still El Dorado vs. Camden Fairview.
The annual rivalry game will be held Friday at Memorial Stadium, beginning at 7:30 p.m. It’s the season opener for the Wildcats. The Cardinals are 0-1 after falling to Arkadelphia 41-21 last week.
“We’re excited to kick off the 2022 season,” said El Dorado coach Steven Jones. “As far as the game goes, I don’t think it matters who the opponent is. We’re just ready to play football. Our guys have worked very hard since the end of last season to prepare for this moment.”
As if the teams needed extra incentive, this will be the first time a trophy will be awarded to the winner.
“It’s a cool addition to the game. I think the only other trophy game in Arkansas is the Salt Bowl (Benton vs. Bryant). That makes it a unique event,” said Jones.
El Dorado will take the field for the first time as the reigning 6A state champion. But this year’s Wildcats will have a lot of new faces with just two returning starters on defense.
“Very athletic, they’re well coached,” said Fairview coach Nick Vaughn. “They can be very explosive with DeAndra in the kicking game as well as the Plummer kid. I think, offensively, they have a tendency to create a lot of big plays. That’s something we’ve got to limit.
“Defensively, they’re very athletic. They run to the ball. They’re aggressive. I tell you what, the Steward kid is a really good football player. He might be their best defensive player up front. They bring a lot to the table to make sure we’re prepared for.”
Vaughn credited Arkadelphia for its performance last week. But, he said the Cardinals could’ve played better.
“Arkadelphia is really good. They have a chance to probably win it all with their quarterback play. You could argue, I don’t know that we’ll see a better quarterback this season. I would challenge anybody to say he might be the best in the state of Arkansas this year. Don’t get me wrong, I really like our kid. I really like Martaveous. But as far as other quarterbacks we’ll play against, I don’t know that we’ll see a better one,” he said.
“And, we made mistakes. We can’t turn the ball over. We can’t give up big plays. We can’t make critical mistakes in the kicking game like we did with an onsides kick and stuff like that.
“After watching the film, we feel like the majority of our mistakes are fixable. They’re very much fixable. We dropped two touchdown passes, overthrew another. We actually dropped two picks. If we don’t turn the ball over and make an extra play here or there and it’s a different scenario. We’re probably looking at being the winner.
“We feel like we were really close to taking that step and winning that game. The advantage for us, I think, as compared to El Dorado is we’re able to get that first game out of our system. Everybody likes to tell you, between your first and second game is when you take your biggest steps forward. We’re certainly hoping that happens for us.”
Jones agreed El Dorado will probably see a better Fairview team tonight.
“I think they had some obvious first-game mistakes that every team is going to deal with,” said Jones. “I thought that, overall with what they’re trying to do, they were very sound, just didn’t make a ton of plays. I know they’ll get those fixed and they’ll be ready to go.”
The Cardinals also could have an advantage of having a game under their belt.
“I think you could say there’s advantages and disadvantages for both ball clubs. One advantage we have is we were able to sit there live and watch their team play last Friday,” Jones said.
“For them to be able to get the first-game mistakes out of the way, that’s good on their side. But, there’s plenty of things you could go back and forth with as far as us not playing a game, yet and them actually having a film out there to see.”
Fairview’s spread offense revolves around senior quarterback Martavious Thomas, who is a dual threat.
“Everything starts with the quarterback,” said Jones. “He’s a very talented player. He throws a great ball and does a good job of extending plays with his legs. He’s explosive. When the pocket breaks down, he takes off and runs. They gear everything around him, as they should. He’s a phenomenal quarterback. The key to victory will be keeping him contained.
“They have some big time playmaker wide outs out in space. The Reed kid is a good player. They weren’t able to connect in that first game as much but I know as the season progresses, those guys are going to get better and better.”
Defensively, the Cardinals could go back-and-forth between 4-2 and 4-3 alignments, depending on the Wildcats’ offensive personnel.
“I expect their defense to be very physical. Their defensive line does a good job of playing with sound technique. They have a couple guys at linebacker. They have a young guy, (DeJuan Wesley, 5-11 230, Soph.), that makes plays. (Jabari Spencer) is a good corner.”
Defensive end Kameron Eastham is a returning starter.
“We expect to see mixed coverages on the back end, some cover-3, cover-1. They’ve shown some two-high safety stuff on long downs,” Jones said. “They really do a good job of playing to the situation. Long down and distance we expect them to put two safeties. They’re being aggressive in the blitz game. I think what they do is very good.
“Their interior (defensive) line is probably their best. Their nose and tackle do a good job taking on double teams, really clogging things up. And the other defensive end can be a dynamic player. Everything starts up front with them.”
Both offenses will look for explosive plays. The team that limits big plays will have a leg up.
In El Dorado’s benefit game against North Little Rock two weeks ago, the defense wasn’t tested through the air.
“North Little Rock really didn’t throw the ball vertically. I know Camden will with those playmakers on the edge,” said Jones. “I think the key to winning Friday is going to be the team that limits explosive plays. They have the ability to go over the top with the vertical ball and also if the pocket collapses and the quarterback gets out and makes a play with his feet. We’ve got to limit those big plays and get off the field.”
“Limit big plays defensively,” said Vaughn. “Make them earn everything. We have to be smart in the kicking game and limit their return ability. At the same time, we have to be able to execute, not turn the ball over, make sure we take advantage of opportunities. We can’t miss our chances at scoring when we have the chance.”
On Wednesday, Jones said sophomore Cooper Henry would handle all aspects of the kicking game with Javier Rivas expected to miss due to an illness.
Trey Cook, Takoi Steward and Javeon Carroll will start up front defensively with Zalex Meeks, Dovonte Williams, Trayson Jones and Curtis Jefferson at linebacker, Levictor Levingston and Bryson Boulden at corner and Jordan Ford and Caden Perry at the safety spots.
Offensively, El Dorado will start Kolin Parker at quarterback with Shadarious Plummer at running back. Deandra Burns, Jr. and Torenzo Dunn will start at receiver with Andrew Clawson at tight end, Raevarius Joe at fullback and an offensive line of Carmilio Johnson, Ethan Faith, Japhen Baker, Jamaal Green and AJ Craig.
“We’re looking forward to the competitive atmosphere, being apart of the rivalry, that’s the great thing about this,” said Vaughn, who was an assistant coach at El Dorado for 12 years under Scott Reed. “The two communities coming together to support the kids. I’m expecting a full house crowd.
“I was talking to Phillip Lansdell, it would be nice for them to have to close the gates because we’ve got too many people here. That’s what I would love to see. Love to see us create an environment for our community and our kids to be happy about.”