Stories by Tony Burns

El Dorado to take on Searcy in league clash Due to the conference reshuffling, Searcy will make its second trip to Memorial Stadium in two years on Friday in a crucial 6A East clash. Both Searcy and El Dorado have identical 1-3, 1-2 records.The... September 30, 2022

El Dorado set to take aim at third straight state title El Dorado’s girls will enter the 5A State Golf Tournament Tuesday as the two-time defending champions. The Lady Wildcats could finally see their dominance come to an end, however.“We defin... September 27, 2022

Field position a problem for Cats El Dorado targeted Benton running back Braylen Russell as the player to stop on Friday. The junior 230-pound Arkansas commit ended up making an impact, bruising his way for 128 yards on 25 carries.&qu... September 25, 2022

Yada gets first tour victory at Mystic Creek Britney Yada was understandably emotional as she spoke during the award ceremony Sunday at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout at Mystic Creek.The 30-yard native of Hilo, Hawaii fired a 65 on Sunday to ... September 25, 2022

Walthall confident after career round Basketball players call it, “being in the zone,” when it feels like they’re going to make every shot. Not sure if there’s a specific term for that in golf but if there is, it w... September 24, 2022

El Dorado, Benton to meet in showdown El Dorado got its offense unlocked last week in a 44-6 win over Greene County Tech. The Wildcats will try to keep the ball rolling on Friday when they renew acquaintances at long-time rival Benton.Bot... September 23, 2022

Improved Lady Cats to defend crown Despite graduating the bulk of last year’s team, El Dorado’s girls have competed well this season as the two-time reigning 5A state golf champions. Still, the Lady Wildcats will have their... September 20, 2022

El Dorado to play for boys' golf title The 5A South boys’ golf championship could be a three-team race Wednesday when the tournament tees off on the Parks Course at the Hot Springs Country Club.El Dorado and Hot Springs Lakeside alon... September 20, 2022

Golf teams ready for postseason Parkers Chapel and Junction City will tee it off in the district golf tournament this week at Hope Country Club. The girls tournament will be held on Tuesday with the boys playing Wednesday.Tee time i... September 20, 2022

Defense shines against Wildcats El Dorado’s defense was salty in Friday’s 44-6 win over Greene County Tech. The Wildcats surrendered just 35 yards rushing, including 22 on one play. Take away the 22-yard run and the Eagl... September 18, 2022

Brazil to Smackover, not such a long trip Foreign exchange student Ingrid Reis left her hometown of Salvador, Bahia in Brazil with a population of 2.9 million people and moved to her new hometown of Smackover, population 1,758.Her two hometow... September 18, 2022

Wildcats beat Greene County Tech 44-6 El Dorado discovered a cure for its red zone woes on Friday. The Wildcats scored touchdowns from long range in a 44-6 victory over Greene County Tech at Memorial Stadium.The Wildcats improved to 1-2 o... September 16, 2022

El Dorado to host Greene County Tech El Dorado hosts new 6A East opponent Greene County Tech on Friday at Memorial Stadium. The defending state champion Wildcats enter the game with an 0-2 record and need a victory in the worst way.The E... September 16, 2022

Wildcats look to fix red zone woes El Dorado’s 27-23 loss at Marion last week saw the game end with the Wildcats at the Patriots’ 6-yard line after an incomplete pass into the end zone.That possession was one of three trips... September 14, 2022

Free spirit roams net for El Dorado If you were to ask Davin James, how’s the weather up there, El Dorado’s 6-foot-2 middle blocker would probably smile and say, it’s a sunny day.The perpetually happy senior is rarely ... September 13, 2022

Tabe fills key role for Lady Wildcats El Dorado volleyball coach Amber Reynolds described Daisy Tabe as sort of the “mom” on the team. A natural leader, Tabe probably has more life experiences than the average high school seni... September 11, 2022

Stars softball to open fall season The South Arkansas Community College softball program is gearing up for its fall season. Coach Beth Barcroft has seven playing dates scheduled, including one tournament.The fall season begins Tuesday,... September 11, 2022

Hot Springs edges Lady Wildcats in five-set thriller El Dorado’s volleyball team managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory Thursday, falling 3-2 to Hot Springs at Wildcat Arena.The Lady Wildcats (2-4) led 12-8 in the decisive fifth game. E... September 9, 2022

El Dorado set to open conference slate at Marion El Dorado opened its football season with a 39-21 loss to Camden Fairview last week so this week’s game was already important. But, Friday’s contest at Marion is also the conference opener... September 9, 2022

Extra time spent on golf paying off for Frisby Parkers Chapel’s Bella Frisby has shown she can play a multitude of sports at a high level. As a junior, she’s put a higher priority on golf and basketball.Basketball season hasn’t a... September 6, 2022

Lady Wildcats learning from tough losses El Dorado’s volleyball team started conference play last week against the top two teams in the 5A South. The Lady Wildcats, who were coming off their first win in nearly three years, got a bitte... September 5, 2022

Big plays, turnovers costly in El Dorado's loss Turnovers, big plays and special teams are usually key factors in early-season football games. That was the case in El Dorado’s 39-21 season-opening loss to Camden Fairview on Friday at Memorial... September 4, 2022

Fairview upends Wildcats Camden Fairview capitalized on El Dorado’s mistakes Friday, scoring 22 unanswered points in the second quarter en route to a 39-21 victory in the inaugural 7 South Showdown at Memorial Stadium.T... September 3, 2022

El Dorado ready for season opener against Camden Fairview 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 Stad... September 2, 2022

Vaughn ready to lead Cardinals against Wildcats El Dorado will kick off the football season Friday with a familiar opponent and an even more familiar head coach. Camden Fairview hired former Wildcat assistant Nick Vaughn to run its football program... September 1, 2022

Lakeside takes down Lady WIldcats 3-0 El Dorado ended a nearly three-year losing skid last week against Little Rock Hall. Dreams of a winning streak were dashed, however, as Hot Springs Lakeside proved too tough to handle and handed the L... August 31, 2022

Senior receiver brings speed to the position El Dorado receivers’ coach Ryan Theyard played cornerback at Jackson State from 2016-2019, graduating a year before NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders took over the program.Theyard understands the ... August 30, 2022

Ford looks to step up as leader in Cats' secondary El Dorado’s secondary has one familiar face in senior corner Bryson Boulden. The rest of the names in the starting lineup are new, including senior safety Jordan Ford.Ford has the task of replac... August 30, 2022

Wildcats' defense strong in benefit game Despite doing mostly controlled hitting in preseason practices, El Dorado’s defense had a good tackling performance in the benefit game against North Little Rock.Overall, defensive coordinator W... August 29, 2022

Confidence key for cover corner Pessimistic El Dorado football fans will note the loss of three-year starter Mario Ganter at cornerback. Optimistic fans will point out the return of senior Bryson Boulden.Boulden believes the Wildcat... August 29, 2022

El Dorado's defense looks to be in the zone this season Under new coordinator Wes Ables, El Dorado’s defense will feature a lot of new faces but will have a similar look as last season. One difference could be in the secondary, where the Wildcats pla... August 29, 2022

Lady Wildcats look to continue against Lakeside El Dorado’s volleyball girls had been searching for a victory for almost three years before they beat Little Rock Hall 3-0 last Tuesday. The question for the 1-1 Lady Wildcats - now what?El... August 28, 2022

Wildcats' Baker thrives as offense's center of attention In August of last year, Japhen Baker was fighting for playing time on El Dorado’s defense. A year later, the senior is expected to be a two-year starter at center.As one of two returning starter... August 28, 2022

Lady Cats top Hall, end losing skid The last time El Dorado won a varsity volleyball match, Donald Trump was president, gas was $2.56 per gallon and most folks had never heard of COVID 19.September 5, 2019, when the Lady Wildcats beat J... August 24, 2022

Magnolia downs Lady Cats in volleyball opener El Dorado opened its volleyball season with a 3-1 loss to Magnolia Monday at Wildcat Arena. After dropping the second game, the Lady Panthers pulled away to a 25-14, 23-25, 25-13, 25-18 non-conference... August 23, 2022

Volleyball season to start this week The fall sports schedule picks up the pace this week with a full slate of golf and tennis action while volleyball season begins for El Dorado and Smackover.The Lady Wildcats open the volleyball season... August 21, 2022

Former Dragon, Razorback excited to be on El Dorado's staff JaMario Bell joined El Dorado’s coaching staff a few weeks ago. The Junction City native has already made an impression. Bell will coach receivers and tight ends on the freshman team, tight ends... August 21, 2022

Reticent Wildcat a loud force on the field “I don’t know,” El Dorado senior Takoi Steward said when asked about his unusual first name. “I think they said my sister named me. Koi, the last three letters, is named for a ... August 21, 2022

Wildcats go toe-to-toe with North Little Rock El Dorado's benefit game against North Little Rock on Friday produced a mixed bag of positives and negatives. The first two quarters featured starters on both teams and ended with the 7A Charging ... August 20, 2022

El Dorado to host North Little Rock El Dorado’s dress rehearsal for the 2022 football season kicks off at 7 tonight at Memorial Stadium in a benefit game against North Little Rock.The Charging Wildcats advanced to the semifinals o... August 19, 2022

Walthall not just a golfer, she's also a champion Hope Walthall wasn’t always just a golfer.The El Dorado senior said she ran cross country for three years.“I quit cross country because golf is my main sport. I loved cross country but I p... August 16, 2022

Wildcats name starting QB for benefit game Senior Kolin Parker will be El Dorado’s starting quarterback in the Wildcats’ benefit football game Friday night. The announcement was made Tuesday by quarterbacks’ coach Matthew Nas... August 16, 2022

Hampton getting noticed on Hogs' defensive line Arkansas defensive line coach Deke Adams was assigned the task of creating depth up front this season with a new cast of characters. So far during training camp, the first-year coach has liked what he... August 16, 2022

Plummer eager to lead Wildcats’ ground attack El Dorado head coach Steven Jones announced the offense could be more of a ground attack this season. That’s music to the ears of senior tailback Shadarious Plummer, the MVP of last year’s... August 16, 2022

Green moves inside on Cats' offensive line El Dorado’s offensive line came on like gangbusters last season and ended up being a key cog in the most prolific offense in school history. The Wildcats return just two starters up front in Jap... August 14, 2022

By ground or air, Burns still a threat Senior DeAndra Burns, Jr., would be considered by many as the most dangerous offensive football player in Class 6A. The reigning state champion in the 100 meters, the wide receiver verbally committed ... August 14, 2022

New number, same role for Shelton El Dorado’s Danquez Shelton unveiled a new uniform number during the Wildcats’ football picture day. The senior linebacker wore No. 2 instead of the No. 30 he wore last season.“Numbe... August 13, 2022

El Dorado tennis to start on Thursday El Dorado is scheduled to open its high school tennis season on Thursday with a home match against Parkers Chapel and Texarkana.Coach Rex Hayes said his players practiced on their own over the summer.... August 13, 2022

Meet the Cats event wraps up El Dorado's week El Dorado put a bow on last week’s football practice with a Meet the Cats presentation Friday evening at Memorial Stadium. This took the place of the Purple-White scrimmage as all of the fall at... August 13, 2022

El Dorado’s Bonsall commits to Ouachita Baptist El Dorado’s Marleigh Bonsall announced on social media this week that she committed to play soccer at Ouachita Baptist University.Bonsall, who will be a senior this season, earned All-State hono... August 10, 2022

Stories by Tony Burns

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