Just about everything went as expected in the final week of September for Arkansas-based GAC squads.
Many expected top-ranked and defending national champion Harding to take care of business in a Top 20 matchup against Henderson State, but likely no one projected the Bisons to have the game in hand by the end of the first quarter. Harding rolled to another lopsided shutout win while also winning its 23rd-consecutive game, surpassing the 1963-65 Razorbacks for the state record for longest win streak.
Ouachita Baptist is the other remaining unbeaten GAC team alongside Harding following a big home victory at Cliff Harris Stadium, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Saturday.
Southern Arkansas rebounded from its first loss of the season with an impressive road victory over Arkansas Tech as the Wonder Boys are now on a two-game skid.
Jay named GAC Offensive Player of the Week
Harding do-it-all slotback Braden Jay was named the Great American Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week after scoring 3 touchdowns on only 4 carries for 162 yards (40.5 yards per carry) in the Bisons’ record-setting 66-0 win over Henderson State last Saturday.
Through four games, Jay leads the Bisons with 313 yards on only 14 carries, an incredible average of 22.4 yards a pop, with 5 touchdowns. Jay has also hauled in 2 passes for 91 yards, both of which went for touchdowns, plus two kickoff returns for 44 yards. Jay was also named the GAC’s Special Teams Player of the Week in early October of last year.
Week 4 Results
No. 1 Harding 66 No. 17 Henderson State 0
No. 16 Ouachita Baptist 49 Arkansas-Monticello 14
Southern Arkansas 38 Arkansas Tech 7
Top Performers
QB Demilon Brown (Rivercrest), Arkansas-Monticello, Senior
Brown passed for both of UAM’s touchdowns while completing 21 of 27 passes for 213 yards in the Boll Weevils’ 49-14 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
DB Josiah Johnson (Pulaski Academy), Ouachita Baptist, Senior
Johnson logged 9 total tackles, including 6 solo, in OBU’s 49-14 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
DL Gary Lewis (Fordyce), Henderson State, R. JR
Lewis led the Reddies with 10 total tackles, including 7 solo, in HSU’s 66-0 loss to Harding.
QB Eli Livingston (Batesville), Ouachita Baptist, Senior
Livingston compiled 211 yards of offense (156 passing, 55 rushing) and 2 touchdowns while completing 13 of 17 passes in OBU’s 49-14 win over Arkansas-Monticello.
K/P Logan Tymeson (Bentonville), Arkansas Tech, Sophomore
Tymeson averaged 64 yards on 2 kickoffs with 1 touchback, along with a 41.2-yard punting average with a long of 52 and pinned 2 inside the 20-yard line, in ATU’s 38-7 loss to Southern Arkansas.
Week 5 Schedule
Oklahoma Baptist (1-3) at Henderson State (3-1) 1 p.m.
No. 1 Harding (4-0) at Southwestern Okla. State (2-2) 2 p.m.
No. 14 Ouachita Baptist (4-0) at Southeastern Okla. State (2-2) 2 p.m.
Arkansas-Monticello (2-2) at East Central (Okla.) (0-4) 3 p.m.
Arkansas Tech (2-2) at Northwestern Okla. State (1-3) 3 p.m.
Southern Nazarene (Okla.) (0-4) at Southern Arkansas (3-1) 6 p.m.
* Note – This weekly report is exclusive to Arkansas-based GAC schools and native Arkansas prep players.
Cover photo by the Great American Conference
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.