Sunday, August 30, 2009

game week

Well Badger fans, it is now officially game week. Final preparations are being made as the Beebe Badgers will take on the Greenbrier Panthers this Friday night in the season opener for both teams. The junior high is getting geared up as they get ready to take on Pulaski Academy on Thursday. The weather is forecast to be clear and mild with a kickoff temperature of approximately 80 degrees. You can't ask for much better weather for a September 4th opener. Don't forget, you can listen to all the action, both live and delayed on NEARSports radio/Badger Sports Network.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Badger scrimmage

Well fans, if you went to the Beebe/Searcy scrimmage on Tuesday night, you saw a very competitive scrimmage. The Searcy Lions, who have won a combined three games since 2005, look much improved with new Head Coach Tim Harper. I was very impressed with the linebackers, who can really hit. Searcy has a sophomore quarterback who wore #7, who is extremely athletic. This young man can really make some plays. As far as the Beebe Badgers side of the scrimmage, I saw a lot of positive things. First of all, the quarterback position is in good hands with junior Scot Gowen. Scot did a good job with the handoffs and even occasionally running with the football. I was really impressed with junior linebacker Dalton Wallace. He absolutely flew to the football. I was also impressed with junior tight end/lineman Reece Totty. He made some nice plays on both sides of the ball. Spencer Forte did an outstanding job in the secondary. Also, Cody Lawson and Bradley Gann also made some excellent plays. If there was a score kept, Beebe would've won the scrimmage, but it was extremely competitive. There was an excellent crowd at Bro Erwin Stadium, especially on the visitor's side of the stadium. Now, its time to prepare for the season opener against Greenbrier.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Beebe Badgers v. Searcy Lions(scrimmage)

Well, football fans, its hard to believe that the season is less than two weeks away. Although the regular season starts next Friday, the Badgers will start things with their scrimmage against the Searcy Lions Tuesday night at Bro Erwin Stadium in Beebe. It will begin with the junior high scrimmage at 5:30 and then the senior high scrimmage will begin at approximately 7 PM. This is a new start for the Searcy football program as Tim Harper, long time Des Arc, begins his first year at Searcy as the Lions try to do something that they haven't done since 2003.........and that is to make the playoffs. That year, the Lions were actually 5-5-1. The last time Searcy had a non-losing season was 2002, which was their first year in the old AAAA East. That year, the Lions were 7-3, but lost out on a playoff spot due to points. Coach Harper is bringing his Shotgun Option to Searcy. Whether this new offensive system will work remains to be seen, but he has brought new life into the Searcy program. The Beebe coaches will be doing some evaulating themselves as they look to fill some positions after losing 15 seniors to graduation in May. One position that is set is the quarterback position as junior Scot Gowen is the unquestioned starter at that position. The Badgers have 45 players on their roster and all 45 will be key in the Badgers making the playoffs for a third year in a row. The weather is forecast to be clear and nice, not hot like it usually is in August. Hopefully, there will be a big crowd at Bro Erwin for this scrimmage. We'll see ya there!!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

2009 Beebe Senior High football roster


2009 Beebe Junior High(9th grade) football schedule

Date Opponent Time

9-3 @ Pulaski Academy 7 PM

9-10 Jacksonville* 7 PM

9-17 North Pulaski* 7 PM

9-24 @ CAC* 7 PM

10-1 @ P. Robinson 7 PM

10-8 Watson Chapel 7 PM

10-15 @ Oak Grove* 7 PM

10-22 Sylvan Hills 7 PM

10-29 White Hall 7 PM

Note= * denotes River City Conference North Division game
Conference championship game between North and South Division winners will be 11-3 at 7 PM

Friday, August 21, 2009

Two weeks

Well Badger fans, its hard to believe that Beebe Badger football starts two weeks from tonight!!! The Greenbrier Panthers come to town on September 4, but don't forget that next Tuesday, the Searcy Lions come to town for the preseason scrimmage against the Badgers at Bro Erwin Stadium. It starts with the junior high scrimmage starting at 5:30 with the senior high scrimmage beginning at approximately 7 PM.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Media Day 2009

Here I am on the left with All-State defensive back Spencer Forte(thanks to Lee McLane of The Beebe News for the picture)


Well, I attended my first Beebe High football Media Day as a broadcaster, and I have to say that for the most part, it was a smashing success. The sunny skies gave way to some cloudy skies that did threaten rain, but it never materialized. Despite a few technical glitches, I really believe that this Media Day was a success. It was a neat atmosphere, with coaches, parents, players, and other media around. It definitely had a bit of a small college feel to it. My first interviewee was Justin Shipp, Beebe High Athletic Trainer. Justin was there with his wonderful wife, Becky. Justin has been with Beebe since 2007 and now has an enlarged training area to work with, thanks to the expansion that was recently finished to the fieldhouse. Justin has worked very hard, not only to get that expansion, but also to train the kids that he works with. My personal opinion is that I hope he's around for a long time here at Beebe. The next person that I interviewed was senior defensive back Spencer Forte. I was extremely impressed, not only with how polite Spencer is, but how humble he is. As a junior, Spencer had 4 interceptions on his way to being named All-State. His cousin, Ty Forte, played with Cedric Cobbs at LR Fair in the late 90s and won a state championship. He then went on to play at Arkansas State. My next interviewee was junior quarterback Scot Gowen. Scot reminds me a lot of Tom Brady and not just because he also wears #12. Scot sounds a lot like Brady and has the same cool, confident demeanor that Brady has. Like Spencer, Scot is very polite and humble. Those two young men will do very good for themselves. Next was Beebe Senior High Head Football Coach John Shannon. Coach Shannon was very optimistic and very complimentary about his squad of 46 Badgers. He told me that their biggest strength was the skill players, especially the secondary. Last, but not least, was Beebe Junior High Head Coach Richard Clevinger. I know he was nervous, but I appreciated him talking to me. He feels that his backfield, which returns all three starters at halfback and fullback, is the strength of his team. He seemed more than optimistic about Beebe's chances of competing for the River City Conference North Division title. All in all, it was a good afternoon. I enjoyed myself and look forward to making this an annual event.

Monday, August 17, 2009

2009 Beebe High Cross Country schedule

Date Destination Team
Tuesday, Sept. 8 Heber Springs Jr. and Sr.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 Bryant Jr. and Sr.
Saturday, Sept. 19 Conway Jr. and Sr.
Thursday, Sept. 24 Batesville Jr.... and Sr.
Tuesday, Sept. 28 Searcy Sr. High Only
Thursday, Oct. 8 Cabot Sr. High Only
Saturday, Oct 17 Race for the Cure Jr. and Sr.
Thursday, Oct. 22 Guy Perkins Jr. and Sr.
Saturday, Oct. 31 Cabot Jr. High Only
Saturday, Nov. 7 State @ Mt. Home Sr. High Only

Thanks to Cari Allen-Hickey, BHS Cross Country Coach for providing me with the schedule

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Interesting facts

Well, I learned some interesting facts while at the saturday football practice. I was visiting with Steve Gowen, who is the father of Beebe QB Scot Gowen, and I learned some interesting things. Steve, who graduated from BHS in 1982, played under former Beebe coaches Doug Scheel and Mickey Billingsley. He was a QB himself. He and I talked about some of the history of the Beebe program during the late 1970's and early 1980's. For example, in 1979, the Badgers finished 8-2 and were conference runner ups, however, at that time, only 8 teams went to the playoffs from each classification and those were conference champs. The two losses that Beebe had were to McCrory and Pulaski Oak Grove, who coincidentially, played for the AA state championship that same year. Also, in 1980, the Badgers were co-champs of the 2AA South, however, they did get to go to the playoffs. After defeating Corning in an epic three overtime thriller, the Badgers faced Greenbrier, a team they had blown out earlier in the year. However, the quarterfinals of the AA playoffs were a different story as the Panthers ended the Badgers season 16-7. Doug Scheel would end up leaving Beebe for Booneville where he helped lead the Bearcats to a state championship while there. Going back to Scot, I saw some nice things out of the junior at practice. Not only is he a good leader, but he's also a good punter. The Badgers worked on special teams today. I also had the pleasure of talking to Scot for a few minutes after practice today. He is a very polite, confident young man. I bet if you ask most coaches, those are the qualities that they are looking for in a quarterback. Another interesting fact I learned today, and the reason for this post, is that Steve and Scot Gowen may be the first ever father/son to play quarterback at Beebe. I was very impressed with Steve and his excellent memory, especially on specific plays and players. All that goes to prove that you learn something new every day.

2009 Beebe High Football schedule

Date Opponent Kickoff time
8-25 Searcy(scrim.) 7PM
9-4 v. Greenbrier 7PM
9-11 @ Lonoke 7PM
9-18 v. Vilonia 7PM
9-25 @ Crossett* 7PM
10-2 v. N. Pulaski * 7PM Homecoming 2009
10-9 @ Monticello*7PM
10-16 v. McClellan* 7PM
10-23 @ LR Mills* 7PM
10-30 v. WhiteHall* 7PM Senior Night 2009
11-5 @ S. Hills* 7PM Thursday game at Sylvan Hills

*= 5A Southeast Conference game

Thursday, August 13, 2009

More information on Media Day and NEARSports.com

I know that I haven't posted in a while. I am getting over a sinus infection, so it has slowed me down, however, I am better and very excited about the upcoming Media Day. Not only will I be there on Media Day, which is on Tuesday, August 18, but Greg Miller, President and Owner of NEARSports.com(www.nearsports.com), will also be there. Also, NEARSports.com's photographer will be there to take pictures. Also, some big news as far as the Badger Sports Network's website on NEARSports. It is now somewhat operational. Go to the radio affilates link on NEARSports.com and click on Badger Sports Network. There are some pictures and a little information. It is not complete yet, but it is getting there.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

More on Media Day 2009

I just wanted to quickly add that I will be available to attend Media Day 2009, which will begin at 3 Pm on August 18 and will be held at the Pruitt Fieldhouse on the campus of the Beebe Public Schools. Greg Miller and myself will do player and coach interviews and we will have a photographer there to take pictures. I will post more about Media Day later.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

30 days to kickoff

Well friends, its hard to believe that it is now 30 days to the kickoff, at least as far as the Badgers are concerned, of the 2009 season. Things are going to get busier as the season gets closer. Two-a-days have already started and I will be attending the Saturday practice(which should probably start about 6 am). Media Day will be two weeks from today and the scrimmage against Searcy, which will be at Bro Erwin Stadium, is three weeks from today. I am very excited not only about the season drawing closer, but getting back in the press box. Stay tuned for more posts.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Beebe Badger Media Day

Hi there! Well, it looks like that NEARSports/Badger Sports Network will be covering Media Day 2009, which will be August 18 at 3 PM. I'll have more details later, but it looks like we'll be doing some player and coaches interviews. It should be a great day and will be a great way to introduce NEARSports to the Badger family. More details in the coming days.