Siloam Springs hopes being back in Panther Stadium on Friday will be a much-needed shot in the arm.
The Panthers host Alma at 7 p.m. Friday in an important match-up of 6A teams from the 7A/6A-Central Conference. The game is the first of three 6A games the Panthers will play that determine their postseason fate.
So far, Siloam Springs is 2-0 in its new stadium with wins over Rogers and Claremore, Okla.
"Hopefully we're going to develop a real home field mentality where we don't lose at home," said Panthers head coach Bryan Ross. "That's where we need to get to. We're off to a 2-0 start, so hopefully we can continue that. Hopefully people don't want to come here and play."
The Panthers (3-1, 0-1) are coming off a 38-24 loss to Conway that saw several starters go down with injuries, and some of those players may not be able to play in Friday's game against the Airedales.
Senior defensive lineman Kris Green is likely out after suffering a left knee injury, as is senior linebacker Gus Wright, who suffered a concussion early in the Conway game.
Senior Matt Downing was taken off the field on a stretcher in the Conway game after suffering a stinger injury, but he was released from the hospital later that night and his status for Friday's game is uncertain.
Junior linebacker Kalen Seftner also was injured Friday, but it appears he'll be ready to go this week.
"Alma isn't going to feel sorry for us," Ross said. "Bottom line is if you're going to be a great team, then you have to find a way to overcome adversity. It's next man up. If you're a team then the next guy who's been preparing has got to step in. It's the same expectations. We expect the same out of you as we would the guy in front of you."
The Airedales are coming off a 27-16 road win against Little Rock Catholic at War Memorial Stadium last week. The Airedales lost to Fort Smith Southside 35-19 in the Hooten's Kickoff Classic -- a game they led 19-0 in the first half. Alma bounced back with a 17-7 win against Springdale and a 45-21 win against Harrison.
Junior quarterback Noah Dotson leads the Airedales offensively with 746 passing yards and 201 rushing yards. The Airedales will also play senior Alex Beneux some at quarterback.
Landon Brigance leads the Airedales in rushing with 286 rushing yards on 41 carries, while senior Heath Friddle has 17 catches for 277 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Airedales are allowing 316.5 yards per game.
"They're a little bit different defensively this year," Ross said. "They're a lot more multiple, stunting and blitzing a little more than what we've seen in years past. But they're going to be well-coached and play hard. It's going to come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. We've got to cut down on our mental mistakes. We're still making too many mental mistakes. You can't have that."
Siloam Springs counters offensively with senior quarterback Jordan Norberg who has completed 54 of 96 passes for 543 yards. Senior Ricky Hughes is second in the conference in rushing with 77 carries for 433 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Coby Roach leads the Panthers in receiving with 14 catches for 152 yards.
Defensively, the Panthers lead the conference with 227.5 yards allowed per game, despite giving up a season-high 437 yards to Conway.
"It should be a good ballgame," Ross said. "I think the last several Siloam-Alma games have been good football games. I wouldn't expect anything different this week."
NOTES: Siloam Springs defeated Alma 30-27 in overtime at Airedale Stadium last year, a win that helped the Panthers secure a first-round home game in the Class 6A playoffs. ... In the other 6A game, Greenwood (4-0, 1-0) plays at Russellville (1-3, 0-1).
Sports on 09/30/2015