The final 5A-West football game of the season for Harrison lands on Senior Night at F.S. Garrison Stadium with the Goblins opposite Pea Ridge.
Harrison comes into the game with a 6-3 record and are 3-3 in conference play with the playoffs in sight. Pea Ridge comes into the contest with a 1-8 resume.
Goblin head football coach Joel Wells is not overlooking the Blackhawks.
“Pea Ridge has some very good skill players on the offensive side of the ball,” said Wells of the upcoming opponent. “They have a good sophomore quarterback, a good senior running back and two good senior receivers. They can be very explosive on offense.”
With Senior Night in the background at F.S. Garrison Stadium, the Goblins return to a field that they are 2-2 on this season. The first win was a 35-31 victory in the non-conference slate against Siloam Springs before a heartbreaking 36-35 loss against Farmington and a 45-21 debacle with Greenbrier. The Goblins’ last rumble at home was a Week 8 rout of Morrilton, 42-7.
The seniors will take the field for the last time in a Goblin uniform in front of the home crowd on Friday night and Wells respects all they’ve done for the Harrison program.
“These seniors have played in a lot of big football games over the last three years,” he commented on his seniors. “With a win on Friday, this group will have been involved in 29 wins in the last three seasons. This group has made a big impact on our program in a lot of ways. I hate that the injury bug hit us because I think this group has championship makeup and was very unfortunate in the conference race. I am proud of this group of 19 seniors and appreciate their contributions to Goblin football. We need to honor them with a win on Friday.”
The recipe for a win included some simple ingredients when the coach was asked about the keys to a victory.
“We just need to play Goblin football,” he answered. We will bring a big effort every night so that always gives us a chance to be successful. There are just very few opportunities left to play and we want to take advantage of them.”
The players on the team agree.
“Morale is good,” he commented. “We just work on the task that is front of us each week and prepare. We have had several things that we can't control happen to us this year but our players have handled it well and understand what we need to do each week.”
A big part of the adversity has been the health of the team and a fluctuating roster due to injuries. The coach noted that “we have several that will play but are not at 100%.” He also noted that senior Cy Madden would be back after being sidelined with an injury.
The final message from Wells was what he has been telling his team all week in practice.
“Honor the seniors,” he concluded. “This will be their last game at Goblin Stadium and it needs to be a positive one.”
Team members of the Harrison Goblins include: Beck Jones; Sloan Barrett; Cayden Luker; Brodey Gilliam; J. Henry Brandt; Phoenix Whitney; Brock Bardwell; Julian Vink; Brodey Burge; Kaden Quandt; Cylan Madden; Mason Ketterman; Caleb Brumley; Abe Estes; Dylan Schnidt; Logan Plumlee; Taggart Glidewell; Talon Stephens; Devin Peeler; Vann Richards; Christian Horton; Will Bryant; Aiden Brumley; Anthony Robinson; Dylan Block; Brady Dillon; Bentley Lemon; Alex Mills; Justice Iveson; Wallace Crowley; Braden Long; Caden Robertson; Jaydin Welsh; Tristan Thompson; Austin Miller; Maddox Peck; J.D. Baughman; Jordan Miller; Colin Klott; Hayden Allen; Jace Lineberger; Malyki Hilton; Elijah Lambert; Josh Farris; Kohen Phifer; Chris McInturf; Tanner Larson; Brandon Long; Jonathan Schaffer; Brock Simmons; Paul Hardman; Skyler Graves; Edgar Garcia; Derrick Rouse; Mickey Upton; Evan Dixon; Jace Bardin; Taylor Baker; Jayce Straub; Colin Eaton; Brekken Boswell; Hunter Boernson; Dayton Wilson; Conner Valentine; and Caden Hinson.
Joel Wells is the head coach and the assistant coaches include: Jacob Lisko; Greg Cross; Doug Cross; Dan Henderson; Evan Cowling; and Mandy Kisinger, trainer.
