Wow, what a weekend it was.
Between Ouachita Baptist’s monumental win over Harding – which snapped a record 25-game win streak held by the previously top-ranked squad – plus Southern Arkansas walloping Henderson State in the Murphy USA Classic and Arkansas-Monticello snapping a three-game skid there was much more to process, than this probably-too-long sentence.
OBU rode a sensational defensive effort and a fourth quarter “Tiger Special” that scored the go-ahead touchdown to take down the defending national champions at Cliff Harris Stadium, while SAU’s Judd Barton earned the GAC Offensive Player of the Week after gashing the Reddie defense for 288 yards and 3 scores. Demilon Brown was not able to get a whole lot going through the air, but couldn’t be stopped on the ground en route to a 200-yard, 2 touchdown performance.
Another week of Natural State showdowns is ahead, most notably a Top 25 matchup between Harding and Southern Arkansas.
Week 7 Results
Ouachita Baptist 17, Harding 13
Southern Arkansas 42, Henderson State 19
Arkansas-Monticello 24, Arkansas Tech 13
Top Performers
K Jay Todd Baker (Magnolia), Southern Arkansas, SO
Baker averaged 61 yards on 7 kickoffs with 2 touchbacks in SAU’s 42-19 win over Henderson State in the Murphy USA Classic.
QB Demilon Brown (Rivercrest), Arkansas-Monticello, SR
Brown did all of his damage on the ground in UAM’s 24-13 win over Arkansas Tech, leading the Boll Weevils with 204 yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries.
DB Ty Dugger (Harding Academy), Harding, JR
Dugger collected 6 total tackles, including 4 solo, plus intercepted a pass and broke up another, in Harding’s 17-13 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
QB Andrew Edwards (Bentonville), Henderson State, R-JR
Despite being under duress for a large portion of the afternoon, Edwards completed 26 of 38 passes for 275 yards in HSU’s 42-19 loss to Southern Arkansas in the Murphy USA Classic.
WR Connor Flannigan (Fayetteville), Ouachita Baptist, SR
Flannigan led the Tigers with 62 receiving yards on 5 catches in OBU’s 17-13 win over Harding. Flannigan also tossed the go-ahead 4-yard pass to quarterback Eli Livingston.
RB Kendel Givens (Little Rock Christian), Ouachita Baptist, SR
Givens may not have lit up the stat sheet, finishing with 48 yards on 13 carries to lead the Tigers, but had a crucial first quarter touchdown in OBU’s 17-13 win over Harding.
DB Kenta Jones (Marion), Ouachita Baptist, SR
Jones logged 9 total tackles, including 4 solo and 1 for loss, plus forced a fumble and broke up a pass, in OBU’s 17-13 win over Harding.
RB Kadyn Roach (Magnolia), Southern Arkansas, SR
Roach rushed for 77 yards and 2 scores in SAU’s 42-19 win over Henderson State in the Murphy USA Classic.
RB Jariq Scales (Osceola), Southern Arkansas, SR
Scales rushed for 91 yards and a score on 11 carries in SAU’s 42-19 win over Henderson State in the Murphy USA Classic.
Week 8 Schedule
Rankings based on D2Football.com’s poll.
Arkansas-Monticello (3-4) at Henderson State (5-2) 1 p.m.
No. 7 Ouachita Baptist (7-0) at Arkansas Tech (4-3) 2 p.m.
No. 25 Southern Arkansas (6-1) at No. 8 Harding (6-1) 3 p.m.
* Note – This weekly report is exclusive to Arkansas-based GAC schools and native Arkansas prep players.
Cover photo via Ouachita Sports Digital Network
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.