It's been nearly two months since we've had a Timeout column in the Herald-Leader -- Oct. 5 to be exact. That's how busy it's been lately up until the recent Thanksgiving break.
November was so jammed-pack that it's already over.
So here's an opportunity for me to throw out some hallmarks over the last couple of months.
• Congratulations on a great career to longtime Siloam Springs volleyball head coach Rose Cheek-Willis. The Lady Panthers celebrated Cheek-Willis' career with a brief ceremony in October and things officially came to end later that month when eventual Class 6A state champion Jonesboro ended the Lady Panthers' season at the state tournament in Lake Hamilton.
In the Herald-Leader, we ran a couple of stories in recognition of her career as well, but as I told Rose personally, there's nothing that we can write, print or publish that would give justice to the career she's had in Siloam Springs or for what she's done for high school girls volleyball in Arkansas. Congratulations coach!
• Another big congratulations goes out to the Siloam Springs girls cross country team for winning its third straight state title on Nov. 12 in Hot Springs. I attended the state meet this year for the first time in 12 years of covering high school sports in the Natural State. I'm definitely a fan of how this meet is run at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. Confession first though, prior to the state meet, I had never been to Oaklawn Park. I was blown away by how big the race track is. You see these horse race tracks on TV and they don't look big, but in person it is very impressive.
Back to the Lady Panthers though, they were outstanding at the state meet. If there was any nervousness or apprehension about defending their state titles, it didn't show up and they've got a third straight title to show for it. Oh, and there's a great shot for a fourth straight next season. Just about every one of the top runners are back.
• A little more than two years ago, in November of 2014, a senior-laden Siloam Springs football team traveled down to Russellville and destroyed the Cyclones with a mercy-rule victory to punch a postseason ticket.
Two years later and the sophomores on that Russellville team are now seniors and playing for a 6A state championship. Russellville (11-1) will get a rematch with Greenwood (12-0) in the 6A finals at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Russellville's only loss of the season came at Greenwood 27-24. Greenwood jumped out to a 21-3 lead in that game and held off the Cyclones in the second half. Greenwood should probably be favored Saturday, but as Siloam Springs people know well, don't ever count out Billy Dawson. The former Panther coach has done a remarkable job at Russellville.
-- 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 11/30/2016