AWM hopes to remember November
AWM hopes to remember November
Quarterback question highlights Texarkana meeting
WM School District Playoff football returns to West Memphis Friday night.
November has historically been a month to remember in Blue Devil history. From former head coach Lanny Dauksch never losing a first-round game to his three consecutive trips to the state championship games.
From Dauksch's predecessor Grafton Moore making yearly trips to the postseason with the likes of Nakita Robertson, James White, Charles Stackhouse, Nat Haston and D'Arrius Howard to state title game appearances in 1982 and '84.
November has, over the years, been a thrilling month for the local grid squad. And it returns to Hamilton-Shultz Field for the first time since 2012 on Friday night as the Blue Devils take on Texarkana in a Class 6A first-round game.
'We feel like we've made progressive steps along the way,' said West Memphis head coach Billy Elmore, whose 2015 team made the Class 7A playoffs and traveled to Fayetteville for a first-round game.
Now, it's time for the Blue Devils to host.
'In the playoffs, it takes men to beat men,' Elmore added. 'We enjoy playing in front of our fans, and our crowd will be fired up. Playoff football is back in West Memphis where it should be, and that's a sign of where the program is going.'
Texarkana (3-7) is the sixth-place finisher in the 6A-West Conference and the Razorbacks, under fifth-year head coach Todd Ledford, have won only 19 of their past 55 games.
But Elmore said Texarkana's speed is the real deal.
'Their speed is really good and they've got good athletes at the skill positions,' the Blue Devil chief stated. 'It's hard to tell, though, because there's no common opponent. They've had their struggles this year, but they are very capable of beating you.'
To claim a first-round victory, the Blue Devils (6-4) must turn the page on last week's 14-7 loss at Mountain Home.
'We didn't let the players watch that film. In fact, we as a coaching staff didn't even watch the film,' Elmore said. 'You just move on and prepare for Texarkana.'
Elmore said his team's inconsistency this year has been a bit perplexing, but he also said, 'Although we've played like we could lose to any 6A team this year, we've also played like we could beat any 6A team this year.'
In last week's game at Mountain Home, junior starting quarterback Amaurius Stinnett tweaked his knee that required surgery late last season.
Elmore listed Stinnett as 'questionable' for Texarkana.
Which means back-up Michael Troxler, also a junior, would step in. Troxler has exhibited a calm demeanor and a capable hand when he's been forced into action.
'If we go with Michael, everybody has full confidence in him,' Elmore said. 'I don't think anybody's afraid to send Michael out in key situations. As each day goes by we get more confidence in him.'
By Billy Woods
