The 97th edition of the Battle of the Ravine was spotlighted on College GameDay to kick off Saturday’s football slate and the matchup, to no surprise, fully lived up to the expectations as Ouachita walked across Highway 67 and notched its seventh victory in the previous eight matchups in the heralded series.
The Tigers will be one of two Arkansas-based GAC programs in the 28-team NCAA Division II Playoff field that was announced on Sunday evening. They will travel to play Central Oklahoma, while defending national champion Harding – whose lone loss is to OBU – is headed to Carnie Smith Stadium, famously known as ‘The Jungle’, to take on Pittsburg (Kan.) State. The Bisons took care of Arkansas Tech on senior day at First Security Stadium Saturday.
Arkansas-Monticello’s Demilon Brown set a school record in his final game with the Boll Weevils, but it was not enough as UAM allowed 24 first quarter points to rival Southern Arkansas and the Muleriders cruised to a convincing victory in the 99th chapter of the Battle of the Timberlands.
Week 11 Results
Harding 57, Arkansas Tech 27
Ouachita Baptist 27, Henderson State 20
Southern Arkansas 54, Arkansas-Monticello 22
Top Performers
K Jay Todd Baker (Magnolia), Southern Arkansas, SO
Baker averaged 59.4 yards on 8 kickoffs with 3 touchbacks in SAU’s 54-22 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
QB Demilon Brown (Rivercrest), Arkansas-Monticello, SR
Despite it being a losing effort, Brown capped an impressive career with a 160-yard, 3 touchdown performance in UAM’s 54-22 loss to Southern Arkansas. Brown also set the school record for the most rushing touchdowns in a career with 37.
DB Kolbi Crawford (Bentonville), Henderson State, R-JR
Crawford collected 7 total tackles, including 5 solo, plus broke up 2 passes and intercepted one, in HSU’s 27-20 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
QB Andrew Edwards (Bentonville), Henderson State, R-JR
Edwards completed 23 of 40 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown, plus rushed for 30 yards and a score, in HSU’s 27-20 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
DB Mario Ganter Jr. (El Dorado), Ouachita Baptist, JR
Gantar Jr. logged 6 total tackles and returned an interception for 39 yards in OBU’s 27-20 win over Henderson State.
RB Kendel Givens (Little Rock Christian), Ouachita Baptist, SR
Givens led the Tigers with 112 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns in OBU’s 27-20 win over Henderson State.
Jordan Jackson (White Hall), Arkansas Tech, R-SO
Jackson led the Wonder Boys with 102 receiving yards on 6 receptions in ATU’s 57-27 loss to Harding.
ATH Braden Jay (Cabot), Harding, JR
Jay led the Bisons with 104 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 7 attempts in Harding’s 57-27 win over Arkansas Tech.
QB Eli Livingston (Batesville), Ouachita Baptist, SR
Livingston compiled 245 yards of offense (161 passing, 84 rushing) and scored 3 touchdowns in OBU’s 27-20 win over Henderson State.
LB Jordan Owens (North Little Rock), Henderson State, R-JR
Owens led the Reddies with 10 total tackles, including 6 solo, in HSU’s 27-20 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
RB Kadyn Roach (Magnolia), Southern Arkansas, SR
Roach led the Muleriders with 174 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 carries in SAU’s 54-22 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
Games This Week
Division II Playoffs, Super Region III
Rankings based on D2Football.com’s poll.
No. 5 Harding (10-1) at No. 8 Pittsburg (Kan.) State (8-2)
No. 11 Ouachita Baptist (10-1) at No. 7 Central Oklahoma (10-1)
* Note – This weekly report is exclusive to Arkansas-based GAC schools and native Arkansas prep players.
Cover photo courtesy of Ouachita Baptist University
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.