Blasts from the past

Blasts from the past

Central hits Hamilton-Shultz for HOF events

WM School District Thus far the West Memphis offense is averaging an encouraging 38.5 points per game after the first two weeks of the season.

Much of the reason for that gaudy figure is due to the unit's opportunistic approach. They have turned three opposing turnovers on their own end of the field into touchdowns thus far.

The Blue Devils (2-0) hope that same approach follows them into the final week of the non-conference season when they host Little Rock Central, which a year ago was in the same classification and same conference as the Blue Devils, at 7 p.m.

Friday at Hamilton-Shultz Field.

Head coach Billy Elmore said he's been happy with the progress of his offense so far.

'We always feel like we're going to be able to run the ball,' said Elmore. 'And I like where we're at offensively, but I think we can throw the ball better than we threw it last week and even the week before that.

I think we had four drops last week and I think there were other times where guys were open and we didn't get them the ball.'

The Class 6A Blue Devils face a 2-0 Central team that has feasted on two new schools. The Tigers defeated Rogers Heritage 37-14 in week one and then easily took care of Bentonville West 31-14.

Central has won 10 of its last 14 games against West Memphis, but the Blue Devils won last year's game 21-14 on a quarterback throwback from Trevor Pagan to Kylin Whiting.

'(Central) is hard to read,' Elmore said. 'They're very athletic as they always are, but they're not real big.'

Central's top player is perhaps sophomore Oscar Adaway III, who was expected to play running back last season before injuring his ankle in week two against Fort Smith Northside.

Central's other top running back, Andre Bradley, 'improved as much as anyone in the spring' said Tiger head coach Ellis Register. Two of Bradley's cousins played in the NFL and his dad played at the University of Central Arkansas.

Defensively, Elmore said the Tigers like to 'bring a lot of heat at the quarterback.'

'If you can handle that it lends itself to some big plays,' Elmore added.

'They're defensive scheme is a little bit different than what we're used to seeing.

It's probably closer to what we do, but they walk more people up to the line of scrimmage than we do.'

Elmore also said Central will be the best team the Blue Devils have seen thus far.

'It'll be a big test for us, no question,' Elmore stated.

Friday night's game is also designated the Hall of Fame Game. There will be a longer break between the first and second quarters as public address announcer Chad Martin will announce the second class of inductees into the West Memphis Sports Hall of Fame.

The class includes Bill Kessinger, Grafton Moore, Jocelyn Love and the 1963 football Blue Devils.

Tonight at 6, the inductees will be honored with a ceremonial banquet at Southland Gaming and Racing.

By Billy Woods