Panthers brace for Wolves' run game

Bud Sullins/Special to the Herald-Leader A host of Siloam Springs defenders wrap up Greenwood's Luke Leonard during last Friday's homecoming game at Panther Stadium. Siloam Springs travels to Lake Hamilton this Friday for a 6A-West Conference game.
Bud Sullins/Special to the Herald-Leader A host of Siloam Springs defenders wrap up Greenwood's Luke Leonard during last Friday's homecoming game at Panther Stadium. Siloam Springs travels to Lake Hamilton this Friday for a 6A-West Conference game.

Siloam Springs' run defense will get tested in a big way Friday when the Panthers travel to Lake Hamilton for a 6A-West Conference game.

The Wolves are averaging nearly 345 rushing yards per game out of their Wing T offense.

6A-West Conference football standings

Overall Conf.

Team W-L W-L

Benton 5-1 3-0

Greenwood 5-1 3-0

El Dorado 3-3 2-1

Russellville 4-2 2-1

Lake Hamilton 4-2 1-2

Siloam Springs 3-3 1-2

LR Hall 1-5 0-3

Sheridan 1-5 0-3

Last Friday’s results

Greenwood 42, Siloam Springs 7

Benton 49, LR Hall 0

Russellville 28, Lake Hamilton 14

El Dorado 31, Sheridan 17

This week’s games

Siloam Springs at Lake Hamilton

Benton at El Dorado

LR Hall at Sheridan

Russellville at Greenwood

Week 7

Siloam Springs at Lake Hamilton

Kickoff^7 p.m. Friday

Where^Wolf Stadium

Broadcast^Siloam Springs High School Athletics on YouTube

Records^Siloam Springs, 3-3, 1-2 6A-West

^Lake Hamilton, 4-2, 1-2 6A-West

Stopping the run, however, is one of the strengths of the Siloam Springs' defense, which is giving up a little more than 130 yards per game on the ground.

"I think our defense is built more as a run-stopping defense," said Siloam Springs coach Brandon Craig. "I think it suits us. Now getting off blocks, reading our kids, those are things we have to do each week to be successful."

The Wolves are led by junior running back Malik Brewer (5-10, 172), who's carried the ball 78 times for 745 yards and scored eight touchdowns. In a 28-14 loss against Russellville last week, Brewer had 25 carries for 200 yards.

In additon to Brewer, junior Dealond Lewis has 52 carries for 388 yards, sophomore Carlos Brewer has 41 carries for 353 yards and junior Braden Braughton 21 carries for 293 yards.

"What it's going to boil down to defensively is making sure we're discplined," Craig said. "Are we where we need to be to stop their run game?"

The Wolves can also throw the ball.

Sophomore quarterback Layne Warrick has completed 20 of 41 passes for 451 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Senior Kadin Kemp is Lake Hamilton's top receiver with nine catches for 148 yards.

Defensivley, Lake Hamilton will defend the Panthers out of a 4-2-5 defense, led by senior defensive end Ray Hamp.

"He's probably one of the best pass rushers we've seen all year," Craig said. "He's a strong, physical kid that can turn the corner."

The Panthers are averaging around 288 yards of offense per game with more than 170 yards of that in the running game, led by senior running back Kaiden Thrailkill with 153 carries for 822 yards and eight touchdowns.

"We have a consistent kid there," Craig said of Thrailkill, who had four straight 100-yard games to start the season but has been limited to just 130 yards combined in the last two games. "He's going to get yards no matter who we're playing. He's been able to continue to make yards in those tough games. He's in great shape and physically where he should be."

In the passing game, senior quarterback Landon Ellis has completed 57 of 125 passes for 701 yards five touchdowns and six interceptions.

Junior Gage Weaver leads the Panthers with 16 catches for 201 yards, while senior Spenser Pippin has caught 13 passes for 132 yards, all in the last three games.

Senior Primo Agbehi has given the Panthers a big play threat with four catches for 144 yards and three touchdowns, including a 53-yard scoring strike last weekend against Greenwood.

"We have to have more ability to throw the ball more consistently and loosen up defenses," Craig said. "We've had opportunities. We have to be more precise in our passing game."

The Panthers have also received a special teams boost in the last two games from sophomore punter Colin Evers, who has 10 punts for 444 yards, an average of 44.4 yards per punt. In the game against Greenwood, Evers had five punts for 246 yards for an average of 49.2 yards per punt, including a long punt of 61 yards.

"We're really happy with Colin," Craig said. "He's a sophomore that stepped up in big game situation and just did a fabulous job of punting the football."

Sports on 10/10/2018