The Arkansas side of the GAC continues to have Oklahoma’s number now over halfway through the 2024 season.
Southern Arkansas kicked off Week 6 on Thursday with a dominant victory, while four of the five other Natural State teams got the job done.
Defending national champion and top-ranked Harding pitched its third shutout of the season, while Ouachita blanked its first opponent after holding three of its first five to single digits. The Bisons travel to Cliff Harris Stadium this weekend for a highly-anticipated showdown with the Tigers.
There is also an important matchup in El Dorado for the Murphy USA Classic as Southern Arkansas welcomes Henderson State, who both sit at 5-1 overall.
It has gone from bad to worse for Arkansas-Monticello as the Boll Weevils have now dropped four straight contests following a shutout loss on homecoming after starting 2-0.
Dugger Named Defensive Player of the Week
For the second time in 2024, Harding junior defensive back Ty Dugger has been selected as the Great American Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week. Dugger logged 3 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and returned an interception 83 yards for a score in the Bisons’ 62-0 win over Northeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday.
On the season, the 2023 first team All-GAC selection is Harding’s fourth-leading tackler with 14 total, including 10 solo and 3.5 for loss, as well as returning 2 of his 3 interceptions for touchdowns.
Week 6 Results
Southern Arkansas 65, Oklahoma Baptist 10 (Thurs.)
No. 1 Harding 62, Northwestern Okla. State 0
No. 12 Ouachita Baptist 40, East Central 0
Henderson State 48, Southern Nazarene 21
Arkansas Tech 29, Southwestern Okla. State 19
Southeastern Okla. State 27, Arkansas-Monticello 0
Top Performers
K Jay Todd Baker (Magnolia), Southern Arkansas, SO
Baker averaged 56.1 yards on 11 kickoffs, including 4 touchbacks, in SAU’s 65-10 win over Oklahoma Baptist.
QB Andrew Edwards (Bentonville), Henderson State, R-JR
Edwards completed 19 of 29 passes for 244 yards and 4 touchdowns in HSU’s 48-21 win over Southern Nazarene.
WR Connor Flannigan (Fayetteville), Ouachita Baptist, SR
Flannigan led the Tigers with 80 yards on 8 receptions in OBU’s 40-0 win over East Central. He also returned 3 punts for 26 yards.
ATH Braden Jay (Cabot), Harding, JR
Jay totaled 99 yards of offense (45 rushing, 54 receiving) on only 4 touches in Harding’s 62-0 win over Northwestern Okla. State.
RB Andrew Miller (Harding Academy), Harding, SO
Miller led the Bisons with 107 yards on 11 carries in Harding’s 62-0 win over Northwestern Okla. State.
LB Jordan Owens (North Little Rock), Henderson State, R-JR
Owens led the Reddies with 5 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in HSU’s 48-21 win over Southern Nazarene.
RB Jariq Scales (Osceola), Southern Arkansas, SR
Scales led the Muleriders with 80 yards on 12 carries, and scored 2 touchdowns in SAU’s 65-10 win over Oklahoma Baptist.
LB Jyrin Steward (El Dorado), Arkansas Tech, JR
Steward assisted on 7 tackles and returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown
in ATU’s 29-19 win over Southwestern Okla.
DL Catrell Wallace (Bryant), Henderson State, JR
Wallace returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown, plus logged 3 tackles, in HSU’s 48-21 win over Southern Nazarene.
K Lucas Wilbur (Benton), Ouachita Baptist, R-FR
Wilbur averaged 62.5 yards on 2 kickoffs, including 1 touchback, in OBU’s 40-0 win over East Central.
RB Deuce Wise (Fort Smith Northside), Arkansas Tech, JR
Wise led the Wonder Boys with 166 yards on 20 carries in ATU’s 29-19 win over Southwestern Okla.
Week 7 Schedule
Southern Arkansas (5-1) at Henderson State (5-1) 2 p.m.
Arkansas Tech (4-2) at Arkansas-Monticello (2-4) 4 p.m.
No. 1 Harding (6-0) at No. 11 Ouachita Baptist (6-0) 7 p.m.
* Note – This weekly report is exclusive to Arkansas-based GAC schools and native Arkansas prep players.
Cover photo courtesy of Harding University Athletics
Kyle Sutherland is a journalist and podcast host (Arkansas Preps Weekly) for The Natural State Sports Network. His written work has been featured in outlets including the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Best of Arkansas Sports and Hooten’s Arkansas Football. He is also the color commentator for 103.7 The Buzz’s high school football Game of the Week. Email Kyle at kyle@naturalstatesports.com.