Sports

Scrappers return home, focus on Bearcats October 2, 2009 - No reporter cited

Dewayne Holloway
Sports Editor

NASHVILLE – Coach Billy Dawson and his Nashville Scrappers will return home after a long three game road trip Friday night to face a determined Mena Bearcats team, who are still looking for their first win of the season.

The Scrappers are in a tenuous position this week. Coming off a big 35-16 win at DeQueen last week, many might be tempted to overlook the winless Bearcats, but Dawson is aware of the importance of playing one game at a time.

“We’ve got to put last week behind us and get ready for Mena,” Dawson stated when asked about preparing for this week’s game.

The Bearcats will present a different look for the Scrappers’ defense this week, with first year coach Jeff Weaver converting the Bearcats to a spread offense.
“Mena will throw the ball every down,” Dawson said about the new offensive style at Mena. He went on to say that it will help them prepare for Ashdown two
weeks from now.

The Scrapper defense will have to put pressure on the quarterback every play.

Dawson said that Nashville’s front seven have done a good job shutting up the middle thus far with the line backing corps leading the way.

Outside linebacker, Brett Little leads the team in tackles with 46 for the season. He has an astounding 34 unassisted tackles on the season, recording 16 of them against DeQueen last week.

Nick Hopkins has 34 tackles from the other outside linebacker position with 25 tackles of the solo variety.

Anthony Smelser has 27 tackles from the inside linebacker position, as well as three fumble recoveries.

Josh Wiley has also played well as a defensive tackle, recording 18 tackles, five for a loss, one sack and three hurries in the first four games.

Robert Johnson has 17 tackles, six for a loss, and three sacks. Geremy Hammond has 15 tackles and three sacks as well.

The passing style of Mena will allow the Scrappers’ defensive backs to make some big plays.

“We have to make sure we get the tackle after the catch,” Dawson remarked. “We have to play well in space,”

Cody Ray leads the defensive backs with 20 tackles, 19 of which were unassisted.

Erin Adams has 13 tackles, followed by Scott Lucas and Trais Marshall with 12 each.

Lucas has 11 unassisted tackles, while Marshall has nine.

The Scrapper offense has depended a little more on the run this season than in years past, but the running backs have been up to the task. Nashville has carried the ball 150 times as a team for 783 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The running game has featured seven different running backs, but two backs have emerged as the leaders on the ground, Devencio Hawthorne and Anthony Smelser.

Hawthorne had 51 carries for 366 yards to lead the Scrappers in yardage, averaging 7.18 yards a carry and three touchdowns. Hawthorne runs well in space and has the longest run from scrimmage thus far for the Scrappers with a 50 yard run against Hope.

Smelser also has 51 carries, gaining 230 yards while scoring nine touchdowns for Nashville. Smelser is the perfect example of an iron man football player, shining on both sides of the line.

Marshall has accumulated 118 yards on 14 carries averaging 8.43 yards per game and Shawn Kennedy has seven carries for 40 yards, a 5.71 yards per game average.

Cole Moore had a good game against DeQueen last week, throwing the ball 25 times and completing 16 of them for 241 yards and a touchdown.

Dawson said that Moore made a giant step in the right direction last week as a quarterback.

On the season, Moore has completed 42 of 79 passes for 631 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Moore is doing a good job reading opposing coverage and finding the open man.

Paul Morrow leads the team with 225 yards on 14 receptions over four games and one touchdown.

Allen Adams caught eight passes last week at DeQueen to tie Morrow with 14 receptions, gaining 182 yards for the season.

Erin Adams had a 75 yard reception last week for a touchdown, raising his total to 81 yards on two catches.

Reggie Wright has seven catches for 77 yards and Hopkins has two for 42 yards.

Alphonso Puente has delivered on special teams, hitting 17 of 20 PATs this season and one field goal for 37 yards.

Nashville will host the Mena Bearcats Friday with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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