LITTLE ROCK – After splitting the previous couple of contests, two of Arkansas prep football’s top teams will take the field in possibly the state’s most highly-anticipated non-conference matchup of 2024.
Two-time defending Class 5A state champion Parkview Magnet (2-0) hosts 7A juggernaut Bryant (2-0) on Friday night at War Memorial Stadium.
The central Arkansas powerhouses started the current series in 2022 as the Hornets took that one 20-10, while the Patriots escaped with a one-point triumph last fall. Parkview’s victory snapped Bryant’s – a five-time defending 7A champion at the time – 54-game win streak against in-state competition.
The game will be streamed on the Patriots Sports Network as well as carried on 103.7 The Buzz.
All Three Phases
Parkview took a 21-14 advantage in last year’s game with 4:51 remaining in the first half and never relinquished the lead.
Though there were 699 yards of combined offense – Bryant had 406 of that – and plenty of big defensive stops, the key play for Parkview came on special teams. With about a 1:30 left in the first half and leading by a single point, Parkview responded to a Bryant score when Jermaine Penny reeled off an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Bryant later scored a little over two minutes into the second half, but the Patriot defense clamped down from there and sealed the 28-27 win.
“At the end of the day they played on every level, plus they executed and played the most sound football,” Bryant Coach Quad Sanders said. “Our guys learned that if you don’t play sound football then you are not going to beat a good team, it does not matter the classification.”
Along with being Parkview’s head coach, Brad Bolding also oversees the special teams units.
“When you have two teams like us and Bryant who are pretty well-matched then you better have your special teams in order because that is probably where you can win the game,” he said. “I coach all of our special teams and take it very serious. It will be interesting to see how they prepare for us special teams wise because I feel that is something we are really good at.”
Senior kicker Salomon Aguilar has been an unheralded weapon for the Patriots as a three-year starter. Aguilar connected on first half field goals of 31, 25, and 39 yards, respectively, last week against Maumelle, along with hitting all six of his extra point attempts.
In the season opener at Melissa (Texas), Bolding opted to gamble in certain situations and has since taken a different approach.
“I told Saloman that I am not going to leave points on the field again,” Bolding said. “I did that against Melissa when it was fourth and three, I should’ve kicked the field goal, and that’s on me. I told the offensive staff that we would be kicking field goals [last week] and he gave us some momentum going into halftime when we had the [9-0] lead.”
Plenty To Account For
Bryant and Parkview did not get where they are only because they are sharp in multiple areas of the game, but each also features college talent at every level.
For Parkview, it starts with senior four-star Oklahoma commit Omarion Robinson. It would be quicker to list the positions Robinson has not played for the Patriots as he has been everywhere from his natural spot in the defensive backfield, plus on offense as a wide receiver, running back and backup quarterback. Robinson is also a major part of what Parkview does on its aforementioned special teams as the starting punter, along with being an elite returner and holds field goal attempts.
Offensively, Robinson’s classmate and Kansas State commit Monterrio Elston causes problems both in the running and passing game, while Arkansas commit Cam Settles is also a two-way contributor.
“They have somebody dangerous in every place,” Quad Sanders said. “You look at their defense and you have to know where No. 2 (Robinson) is. When you’re on defense you have to look where 27 (Settles) and 1 (Elston) is. Then on special teams who do you want to kick it to?
“This is fun to me and I think this is why we play,” Sanders said. “These kind of games get you ready for everything.”
Arkansas commit and Joe T. Robinson transfer Quentin Murphy leads the Patriots offense and showed improvement throwing the ball against Maumelle after a shaky start in Texas.
“Quentin is starting to get really comfortable and that is a good thing for us,” Bolding said. “He was kind of sporadic in the Melissa game, but is really coming along. The guy can fly so we are almost utilizing him as a second running back because he is also strong and physical. His passes are really starting to go in the direction we want them to and that has to do with him mentally.”
While Bryant may not have the amount of players who have the national recognition Parkview does, there is still a surplus of proven skill.
The senior duo of quarterback Jordan Walker and running back Myron Thrash, both Ouachita Baptist commits, have a lot of varsity snaps under their belt and are off to great starts. Walker has completed 60% of his passes and Thrash is averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Senior Karter Ratliff and fast rising junior Kamauri Austin have combined for nearly 400 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while seniors Eli Hill (game-high 8 tackles including 3 for loss against Parkview in 2023) and Nick Miller have been steady performers for the Bryant defense. Jonathan Frost transferred back from Maumelle to Bryant for his senior season and has already effectively contributed in multiple areas.
Finally, finishing up with special teams, the Hornets have a rarity at kicker – depth. Senior Jackson Cook had a great junior campaign and has connected on 12 of 13 extra points attempts thus far, along with a 25-yard field goal, while junior Grayson King also contributes.
(Cover photo by Jimmy Jones)
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.