Harding Academy, Searcy High head for football playoffs

Wildcats finish undefeated, look to playoffs. Riverview pounds England. Searcy falls to Mt. Home.

HARDING ACADEMY 46, ROSE BUD 20
ROSE BUD— Seth Keese and Tyler Gentry teamed for a pair of touchdown passes and Harding Academy ran its record to 10-0 and earned a first-round bye in Class 3A playoffs with a victory at Rose Bud.

The Wildcats, who finished 7-0 in the 2-3A Conference, led 16-0 after just two minutes of play. Included in Harding’s 39-0 first quarter lead were the two Keese to Gentry touchdowns and a Josh Spears field goal .

Rose Bud (1-9, 1-6) got two fourth quarter touchdown passes by Nick Cartwright.

RIVERVIEW 42, ENGLAND 22
ENGLAND — Maurice Alexander ran for 113 yards and a touchdown and Josh Roach added two rushing touchdowns to lead Riverview (6-4, 4-3 2-3A) over England.

Alexander scored on a 2-yard first quarter run. Roach broke an 8-8 tie early in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run, and Cole Butler’s 42-yard interception return gave Riverview a 22-14 halftime lead.

Roach added a second 10-yard scoring run and threw 42 yards to Eric Willis for a touchdown in the third quarter. Roach closed out Riverview’s scoring in the fourth quarter with a 54-yard touchdown pass to DeShawn Warren.

MOUNTAIN HOME 16, SEARCY 12
MOUNTAIN HOME — Tommy Feliccia ran 2 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to rally Mountain Home (5-4,-1, 3-4) past Searcy (4-6, 2-4) in the 6A-East Conference finale. Searcy built a 12-10 lead in the third quarter on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Dezmond Stegall to Bear Davidson and a 27-yard reception by Hayden Mercer. Feliccia’s go-ahead touchdown came with 5:19 remaining.

Mountain Home’s defense shut down Searcy in the fourth quarter, not allowing any yardage.

Mountain Home led 10-0 in the second quarter on a 26-yard field goal by Chris Armstead and a 14-yard touchdown pass from Damon Berry to Bryant Hancock

Lady Bisons close out regular season with a win at Quachita. Gulf South Tourney up next.

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Harding volleyball team battled back from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 over host team Ouachita Baptist Thursday in the final Gulf South Conference match of the season. Harding improves to 27-6 on the season and 11-1 in the GSC West Division.

Harding fell behind early in the first set and couldn’t rally back as Ouachita Baptist took set one, 25-18.

The Lady Bisons once again found themselves down in the second set as the OBU crowd rallied the Lady Tigers. Harding tried to battle back coming within one but the Lady Tigers defense didn’t allow it as the offense went on a 6-0 run to take the set, 25-17.

After the second set, Ouachita Baptist took a break from the action to honor their seniors. During the break Harding Head Coach Keith Giboney rallied his troops as they jumped out to take an 11-5 lead in set three. The Lady Bisons then went on a 10-1 run and didn’t look back taking the set, 25-12.

Ouachita Baptist looked to take home the win earlier in set four, jumping out to take a 4-1 lead. The Harding defense allowed the Lady Bison offense to go on a 10-2 run and take the set, 25-14.

The Lady Bisons only allowed the Lady Tigers five points in the fifth set as Harding took the set, 15-5. The Lady Tigers committed six errors in the set.

Harding was led by senior Manuela Nesheva who captured her tenth double-double on the season with 25 kills and a season high 15 digs. Nesheva also tied a season high four blocks in the match. Freshman Reagan Smith was the other Lady Bison in double-figures with 11 kills.

The Lady Bisons defense allowed Harding to rally back as junior Emily Tate led with 24 digs. Senior Sarah Phipps added 11 digs to the Harding total of 76.

Libby Merritt and Megan Askew led the Lady Tigers with ten kills apiece. Allison Frizzell led the OBU defense with 19 digs.

It was the fifth time this season, Harding had gone five sets. Despite going five sets the lead only switches hands two times.

The Lady Bisons will host the GSC tournament Nov. 13 and 14th. Harding will play Valdosta State in the first round at 7:30 p.m.

Lady Bisons Take Gulf South West VB Title

SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team sealed there seventh Gulf South Conference West Division title Tuesday as they defeated Henderson State, 3-1. With the win, Harding will host the 2009 GSC Tournament Nov., 13 and 14. Harding improves to 26-5 on the season and 10-1 in the GSC West Division.

Both teams battled for control in the first set. Henderson State took a 17-16 lead on two Harding attack errors but the Lady Bisons fought back to take a 21-19 lead. The Lady Bisons closed out the set on three straight kills to take the set, 25-22.

With the second set tied 3-3, Henderson State went on a 9-0 run to take a 12-3 lead and didn’t look back taking the set, 25-15. The Lady Bisons only had seven kills in the set.

Both teams battled for the lead in the third set, before Harding went on a 5-0 to take a 21-16 lead. Harding only allowed Henderson State to score one more point as the Lady Bisons took the set, 25-17.

Henderson State jumped out to an 11-6 lead early in set three but the Lady Bisons slowly battled their way back in it, coming to within two of the Lady Reddies. Henderson State jumped back on top taking a 18-13 lead but the Rhodes Rowdies rallied the Lady Bisons as they went on a 8-0 run to take a 21-18 lead. Harding had four straight points to take the set, 25-19.

Playing their last regular season home game, the Harding seniors led the Lady Bisons on the night. Senior Manuela Nesheva, reigning GSC West Division Player of the Week, led Harding with a season high 28 kills and 11 digs. It was the ninth time this season Nesheva has had double-double and the 36th time in her career. Fellow senior Sarah Phipps was the other Lady Bison in double-figures kills with 12.

The Harding defense was led by junior Emily Tate who had 26 digs in the match. Amber Parker added 17 digs to the Lady Bison total of 77.

Henderson State also had two players in double-figure kills, leading the way was Robin Law who had 15. GSC kills leader Tatiana Kuhn added 13 kills. GSC digs leader Bethany Wright led the Lady Reddies defense with 24 digs in the match.

Henderson State had 10 blocks in the match.

The match was tied 27 times, 11 in both the first and third sets. The lead also changed hands 11 times.

Harding recognized three seniors after the match, Nesheva, Phipps, and Samantha Anderson for their dedication and Harding work.

The Lady Bisons will play their final GSC match in Arkadelphia, Ark., Thursday facing Ouachita Baptist at 7 p.m.

World’s Best Lemon Icebox Pie!

Searcy, circa 1955: According to the ad on the back of this postcard, Roberson’s Rendezvous Restaurant in the White County seat of Searcy, was “Duncan Hines Recommended — AAA Approved.” It boasted “Private Dining Rooms, ‘Best Food in the World,’ Free Parking, Air Conditioned, Antiques and Gifts.”

Searcy Teams Get Halloween Treats

NO. 3 HARDING ACADEMY 47, BRINKLEY 20

SEARCY — Seth Keese was 11 of 21 passing for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns as Harding Academy (9-0, 6-0) beat Brinkley ( 2-7, 2-4) in 2-3A play.

Harding Academy’s Tyler Gentry had three receptions for 90 yards. David Brooker was Harding Academy’s leading rusher with seven carries for 44 yards. Josh Spears caught one pass for 35 yards and made good on a 42 yd field goal and kicked two extra points.

Brinkley’s Elvynn Bailey had 16 carries for 156 yards.

RIVERVIEW 22, BARTON 20

SEARCY — Grafton Harrell threw for two scores and ran for a third as Riverview made 22 first-quarter points stand up for the victory.

Harrell scored on a 6-yard run less than two minutes into the game. He followed that up in the quarter with a 29-yard scoring pass to Broderick McGahee and a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ben Overstreet.

Barton fell short when a two-point conversion attempt with 43 seconds left in the game failed.

SEARCY 45, LR HALL 0

SEARCY — Searcy held Little Rock Hall to 11 total yards in 40 plays and 2 first downs. Desmond Stegall scored three touchdowns for Searcy, and Hayden Mercer, Jacob Mowrer and Jacob Higgins also had touchdowns.

Lady Bisons Bump UAM, 3-1

SEARCY – The Harding volleyball team moved one step closer to a West Division title Thursday after defeating Arkansas-Monticello in Gulf South Conference action, 3-1. Harding stays in first place in the West Division and improves to 25-6 on the season, 9-1 in the GSC West Division.

Harding started out strong in the first set going up 4-0 but Arkansas-Monticello quickly tied the set at 4-4. Three attack errors by the Lady Bisons let the Cotton Blossoms take a 7-6 lead. UAM went on an 8-1 run to go up 17-15 and didn’t look back, taking the first set, 25-23. After the first set, each team had a .000 hitting percentage. Between the two teams 18 errors were committed.

In the second set, Harding again jumped out to a take an early lead but UAM once again battled their way back in it, tying the set 13-13. The Lady Bisons went on a 4-0 run and didn’t allow the Cotton Blossoms to get any closer than one, taking the set, 25-21.

The Lady Bisons started out the gate in a hurry in the third set, jumping out to a 6-1 run. The Cotton Blossoms tried to mount a comeback but the Harding defense didn’t allow it as the Lady Bisons took the set, 25-18.

Arkansas-Monticello looked to tie the match at two sets apiece in the fourth set taking a 4-0 lead but Harding quickly went on an 8-0 run to lead 8-4. UAM mounted a comeback going on a 6-0 run to take a 13-11 lead. Harding took back the lead going up 20-16 and didn’t look back, taking the set 25-19.

Freshman setter Amber Schinzing led the Lady Bisons with 42 assists and 14 digs to capture her first career double-double. The Lady Bisons looked to the seniors in the match as Manuela Nesheva had 25 kills, Samantha Anderson had 10 kills and Sarah Phipps had 13 digs for Harding. Junior Emily Tate continued to lead the Lady Bisons on defense digging 21 balls. It was the ninth time this season Tate has had over 20 digs in a match.

The Cotton Blossoms didn’t have any player in double-figure kills on the night but had three players with nine kills. Sara Kindred was one of the three and she also had a team high 18 digs. Stephanie Hatten had 17 digs for UAM.

Harding is back in action Tuesday, hosting Henderson State next Tuesday at 7 p.m., in a crucial GSC matchup. Before the match the Lady Bisons will be honoring the 2009 seniors.

Lady Bisons sweep CBU

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Harding volleyball team completed the sweep of Christian Brothers Tuesday 3-0 in Gulf South Conference action. The Lady Bisons improve to 24-6 on the season and 8-1 in the GSC West Division.

The Lady Bisons got a quick start out of the gate, taking an 11-2 lead in the first set. The Lady Bucs battled their way back to come within four but the Harding took the set, 25-19.

Harding fell behind early in the second set, trailing 5-1 but a Lady Bisons 10-2 run took the lead back. CBU pulled within two but Harding quickly went on an 8-0 run and took the set, 25-17.

The two teams battled for the lead in the third set until Harding broke away on a 6-2 run going up 16-10. The Lady Bucs tried to mount a comeback but the Lady Bisons offense put the match away on three straight points, taking the set 25-17.

Harding had 12 service aces in the match, tying a season high. Junior Emily Tate and senior Manuela Nesheva both contributed four aces for the Lady Bisons.

The Lady Bisons were led offensively by Nesheva who had 11 kills in the match. Tate led the defense with 16 digs.

Hanna Orendorff led the Lady Bucs with 10 kills.

Harding is back in action Thursday hosting Arkansas-Monticello, who is currently second behind the Lady Bisons in the GSC West Division, at 7 p.m., in the Rhodes Field House.

Harding Harriers Gather Gold

Bisons – Hoover, AL—Harding University successfully defended its Gulf South Conference Men’s Cross Country Championship on Saturday at Veteran’s Park in Hoover, Alabama.

HU topped the 11-team field with 31 points, capturing its ninth overall Conference crown. West Georgia posted its highest finish since 2005, placing second with 68 points, while Alabama-Huntsville followed at third-place (73). West Florida (125) and Southern Arkansas (135) rounded out the Top Five, followed by Christian Brothers (6th, 168) and West Alabama (7th, 183). Completing the field were Valdosta State (8th, 205), Henderson State (9th, 236), North Alabama (10th, 249) and Arkansas-Monticello (11th, 355).

Harding placed four runners in the top six, led by Daniel Kirwa who became the first runner since 2003 to repeat as the GSC Individual Medalist via a time of 25:47. HU’s Philip Biwott finished second (25:55), followed by UAH’s Josh Moshier (26:17) and HSU’s Gabriel Ghioca (26:24). Harding duo Manase Busienei (26:32) and Reese Jackson (26:33) ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.

Rounding out the list of All-GSC First Team finishers was UWG’s Dan Moffit (7th, 26:33), Alabama-Huntsville’s Will Rodgers (8th, 26:43), West Georiga’s Robert Fensterer (26:44) and UWF’s Eddie Pagan (26:47). Fensterer garnered GSC Freshman of the Year laurels as the highest freshman finisher.

Second Team All-GSC honors went to the 11th through 20th place finishers: UAH’s Stevie Dolan (11th, 26:49); UWG’s Jake Hudson (12th, 26:50); CBU’s Nate Spears (13th, 26:57); UNA’s Hirbo Hirbo (14th, 26:59); West Georgia’s Shawn Mathews (15th, 27:00); UWA’s Jonathan Sellers (16th, 27:03), HU’s Justin Kutter (17th, 27:04); UAH’s Samson Too (18th, 27:07); West Florida’s Jared Black (19th, 27:15) and Harding’s Ryan Johnson (20th, 27:16).

Lady Bisons – Hoover, AL—Harding University tied a Gulf South Conference Women’s Cross Country record on Saturday, winning its fifth consecutive league Title at Veteran’s Park in Hoover, AL.

HU’s 22-point total was the best mark in the Conference event since the Lady Bisons posted 19 points in 2006. The Championship also upped Harding’s all-time leading total to eight.

Second-place West Florida (85) also made headlines, earning its highest finish since winning the event in 1996. Arkansas Tech (109) and West Georgia (119) each repeated last year’s efforts, while West Alabama (160) completed the Top Five thanks to its highest-ever finish.

Rounding out the Top 10 was No. 6 Alabama-Huntsville (1163), Valdosta State (188), Ouachita Baptist (246), North Alabama (255) and Southern Arkansas (263). Completing the 14-team results was No. 11 Henderson State (265) followed by Delta State (276), Christian Brothers (349) and Arkansas-Monticello (372).

Harding led the way individually, placing five runners in the Top 10. Katy Grant jumped from seventh-place last year to first-place in 2009, earning GSC Individual Medalist honors with a time of 18:40. ATU’s Bailee Miller showed why she was a five-time GSC Runner of the Week, coming in at second-place (18:42) and earning the GSC Freshman of the Year award. Third through fifth-place were provided by the Lady Bisons: Esther Kosgei (19:00), Gladys Kimtai (19:01) and Rysper Sirma (19:15). Wrapping up the First Team was UWF’s Bailee Hedstrom (6th, 19:27), HU’s Mary Samoei (7th, 19:36), UWA’s Carolyn Mancuso (8th, 19:45) and Harding duo Naomi Landecker (9th, 19:52) and Laura Lovett (10th, 19:54).

Second Team All-GSC accolades went to the 11th through 20th place finishers: VSU’s Angelina Horne (11th, 19:57); UWG’s Megan Jacobs (12th, 19:57); Arkansas Tech’s Mellissa Pollreis (13th, 19:58); UNA’s Teresa Hea (14th, 20:04); SAU’s Michaela Krcova (15th, 20:07); HU’s Gosia Hightower (16th, 20:12); UAH’s Gwen Kyser (17th, 20:13); UWG’s Briana Crawford (18th, 20:19) and UWF duo Kelbe Beck (19th, 20:19) and Megan Steinocher (20th, 20:24).

NO. 4 HARDING ACADEMY 34, RIVERVIEW 6

SEARCY — Seth Keese ran for three touchdowns and passed for another to lead No. 4 Harding Academy (8-0, 5-0 2-3A).

Keese ran for 102 yards on 9 carries and completed 15 of 18 passes for 221 yards. He opened the scoring with a 6-yard run 2:30 into the game. He followed that with a 39-yard scoring pass to Tyler Gentry with just under a minute left in the quarter.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats sandwiched scoring runs of 19 and 4 yards by Keese around an 8-yard touchdown run by David Brooker.

Wildcat kicker Josh Spears made good on 4 of 5 extra points and kept the Raiders deep in their own territory with his 6 kickoffs.

Riverview, which fell to 2-3 in conference play, scored on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Eric Willis to Ben Overstreet with 1:41 left in the game.