I The road to War: Part 1 xecute, execute, execute." These were the most commonly heard words from Coach Bill Barden, and that was exactly what the Harding Academy Wildcats did in the 1985 football season, all the way to the state championship game in Little Rock. Coming off a disappointing loss in the quarter-finals to Cross County in 1984, the Cats carne back with determination in their eyes and War Memorial Stadium in their hearts. The Cats defeated their first two opponents, both double A teams, and were excited to be undefeated at the end of the pre-season play. They made the long trip to Murfreesboro, a new opponent. At halftime the Cats trailed 20-3, and it looked like it could be a long game and an even longer season. But critical thoughts were quickly smothered by a renewed Wildcat team who rolled over Murfreesboro in the second half to win the game 23-20. The next two games were not quite as challenging to the Cats, who ran over West Memphis Christian and De Valls Bluff. The tough part of conference play began. The first conference opportunity was a new addition to the already tough SA Central conference. Des Arc had been class AA until the 1985 season when they were made a class A team by the new standards. With a bit of fear and nervousness, but an abundance of determination, the Cats took the field and the game, 36-14. Flying high, they defeated C.A.C. 7-0 at Homecoming in a mudpit the following week. The next week physical strength as well as emotional involvement would prove to be necessary to defeat Harding Academy's arch-rival, the Hazen Hornets. The game proved to be a battle between Harding and Hazen. Hazen scored first on a punt return by Corey Penn. It was 7-0. But on the next play, tailback Tim Smith broke for a 70-yard touchdown and the score stood at 7-7. On the first play of the second quarter, quarterback Brad Altman hit tightend Jayson Boyd for a 45-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, but Harding then led with a score of 13-7. Hazen then struck back to make the score 13-13 at the half. The second half was a defensive struggle. Finally, with time running out, Altman hit his other tightend, Keith Olree for six, and Harding won with a final score of 19-13, insuring them a spot in the state play-offs. The next week, Harding suffered their only loss of the year in regular season to Pulaski Academy. Parkin was the first play-off foe, but with consistent play, the Cats won 13-0. Then, a chance to make a two-year dream come true surfaced for the Senior Cats. Two years before, when Harding won state, they suffered one loss to Barton. The loss had been avenged the next year, but not in the play-offs. Now the Cats won with the strongest goal-line defensive stand in Harding's history. The Barton team ran four plays inside the two-yard line, but were unable to get the winning score. The Cats held onto their winning score of 7-6. The next week, emotions played an important role, because once agai'n, Harding's opponent was Hazen, who returned for a second swat on Harding's turf. Harding took an early lead on a field goal which held until the third quarter when Boyd caught a pass from Altman to seal the victory 10-0. For the second time in three years, the Cats were on the road to 'The War." Huddle group. The senior high football t~am sh.ows their team .u.nity b,;fore and after a game by jo,~ning together for battle cries .. ~orerunning the game, pep rallies supply the needed mcentme for the tradztzonal Beat the Ho~nets on three , and after the game, the famzlzar chant of "Take State" filled the air each week. - photos by ]on Dugger and Brent Baldwm. Continuing support. Lisa Pelkey and Vam?sa Diles encourage the students and parents to help support the Wildcats before the Vilonia game. Throughout the season, the cheerleaders artd pep club stimulated the excitement and expectations of all; as a result , the school and community backed the Wildcats throughout the entire season. - photo by John Radcliffe. Senior High Football 317 I I ----- - - -
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