The most thrilling weekend of 2024 GAC play was followed by three in-state lopsided results.
Harding bounced back with a bang following its first defeat in 25 games, while Ouachita Baptist – the squad that ended that streak – showed no emotional hangover as the Tigers rolled behind another strong defensive performance and their second-string quarterback.
Henderson State also got back in the win column with a convincing triumph on the heels of a disappointing showing in the Murphy USA Classic.
Edwards earns another Offensive Player of the Week
For the third time in 2024 and the ninth of his career, Bentonville’s Andrew Edwards was tabbed as the Great American Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week. In HSU’s 42-7 Homecoming win against Arkansas-Monticello, Edwards completed 26 of his 33 passes for 232 yards and 4 touchdowns, as well as rushed for 79 yards with a long of 54, his career best.
Edwards currently leads the GAC in completions (154), completion percentage (66.7), passing yards (1,856) and passing touchdowns (19).
Week 8 Results
Harding 49, Southern Arkansas 17
Henderson State 42, Arkansas-Monticello 7
Ouachita Baptist 38, Arkansas Tech 7
Top Performers
WR Jody Easter (McGehee), Henderson State, JR
Easter returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and also hauled in a 12-yard reception in HSU’s 42-7 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
WR Connor Flannigan (Fayetteville), Ouachita Baptist, SR
Flannigan led the Tigers with 90 yards on 8 receptions in OBU’s 38-7 win over Arkansas Tech. He also returned 3 punts for 64 yards with a long of 32.
RB Kendel Givens (Little Rock Christian), Ouachita Baptist, GR-SR
Givens led the Tigers with 87 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on 14 carries in OBU’s 38-7 win over Arkansas Tech.
LB Cam’Ron Holmes (Wynne), Arkansas Tech, R-JR
Holmes led the Wonder Boys with 9 total tackles, including 6 solo and 1 for loss, in Arkansas Tech’s 38-7 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
DB TJ Jasper (Sylvan Hills), Arkansas-Monticello, SO
Jasper collected 7 total tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and forced a fumble in UAM’s 42-7 loss to Henderson State.
ATH Braden Jay (Cabot), Harding, JR
Jay rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries, an average of 19.4 yards per tote, in Harding’s 49-7 win over Southern Arkansas.
DL Gary Lewis (Fordyce), Henderson State, SR
Lewis logged 6 total tackles, including 3 for loss with half a sack, in HSU’s 42-7 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
DL Jakobe Shell (Forrest City), Henderson State, R-SO
Shell collected 5 total tackles, including 2 sacks, in HSU’s 42-7 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
DB Derriun Thompson (Prescott), Henderson State, SR
Thompson led the Reddies with 9 total tackles, including 4 solo and 1 for loss, in HSU’s 42-7 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
Week 9 Schedule
Rankings based on D2Football.com’s poll.
Southern Nazarene at No. 5 Ouachita Baptist (Thurs., 6 p.m.)
Southeastern Okla. State at No. 7 Harding (Thurs., 7 p.m.)
East Central at Arkansas Tech 2 p.m.
Henderson State at Northwestern Okla. State 2 p.m.
Oklahoma Baptist at Arkansas-Monticello 2 p.m.
Southern Arkansas at Southwestern Okla. State 2 p.m.
* Note – This weekly report is exclusive to Arkansas-based GAC schools and native Arkansas prep players.
Cover photo Andrew Edwards courtesy of Henderson State 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.