This is my sixth season covering Siloam Springs football, and in my tenure covering the Panthers, there are a handful of games that stand out as "classics."
Of course there's the 2010 win, 38-31, against Greenwood that will no doubt top my list and that of many of you as well. It snapped a 16-year losing streak to the Bulldogs, and was all-around a terrific night for anyone associated with the Siloam Springs program.
And last year's 30-27 overtime win at Alma has to rank up there as well as among the very best.
On that night, the Panthers made the trip to Airedale Stadium, punched the Airedales in the mouth and took an early 17-7 lead. Almost predictably, watched Alma storm back to take a lead of 27-20, but in the fourth quarter the Panthers tied the game and overcame an inadvertent whistle by the officials to win 30-27 in overtime.
I could spend an entire column writing about the overtime session, the inadvertent whistle and Parker Baldwin's interception that sealed the deal. But the real significance is it was a game that Siloam Springs found a way to win, on the road, facing adversity against a tradition-rich team in a game that had huge playoff implications.
It was a game that in previous seasons had not gone the Panthers' way.
So now we're one year removed from that night in Alma and the Airedales are making the return trip to Panther Stadium with quite a bit on the line for both teams.
It's not a make or break win for Siloam Springs, but a victory against the Class 6A Airedales will certainly put the Panthers in a favorable position heading into their final two 6A games against Greenwood and Russellville.
A loss to Alma on Friday would mean the Panthers would have to win at least one of those final two games against the Bulldogs or Cyclones.
Both teams are 3-1, having both lost to Class 7A schools. Siloam Springs lost to Conway last week, while the Airedales lost to Fort Smith Southside in the Hooten's Kickoff Classic in the first week of the season.
Alma picked up a big 27-16 road win against Little Rock Catholic in War Memorial Stadium last week. The Airedales also have home wins against Springdale (17-7) and Harrison (45-21).
Siloam Springs put up a fight in a loss at Conway, but it came with a price as several Panthers went down with injuries.
A big, loud, home crowd will help Friday night, but the Panthers have to be ready to play if they're going to make it two straight against Alma.
-- Graham Thomas is the managing editor for the Herald-Leader. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Sports on 09/30/2015