It was a crazy-busy sports week this past week and another wild one awaits this week for Siloam Springs athletics and John Brown University.
So here's what's on my mind.
• The Siloam Springs football team clinched a Class 6A playoff berth last Friday with a mercy-rule road win at Little Rock Hall. Not to downplay the accomplishment, but this result was expected. And really, ever since the Panthers defeated Sheridan 24-14 on Sept. 21, it was my take that there would have to be some monumental upsets to keep Siloam Springs out of the postseason.
Then, the Panthers went and won at Lake Hamilton on Oct. 12 and played El Dorado right to the wire the very next week.
If the math is right, Siloam Springs is still in the hunt for not only a home playoff game but possibly a No. 3 seed when it plays Russellville this week on senior night at Panther Stadium.
I won't get into the scenarios in this space, but the only way Siloam Springs winds up with a home playoff game -- with a No. 3 or No. 4 seed -- on Nov. 9 is to defeat Russellville by more than 10 points. If that doesn't happen, then it will be a long road trip, most likely to Northeast Arkansas.
• Friday is going to be a fun day for yours truly. As mentioned, there is a big-time football game at Panther Stadium on Friday night, but the day is going to start out in Hot Springs where the Panthers and Lady Panthers will be running in the Class 5A State Meet at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs.
Folks, I tell people all the time, the state track meet at Oaklawn is a spectacle that can only be described by being there. And I also have said you can't appreciate how big a horse race track is until you stand in the middle of it.
The added bonus is there is going to be a heck of a competition for the 5A girls state championship. Four-time defending champion Siloam Springs is going for its fifth straight with Vilonia breathing right down the Lady Panthers' necks, just like last week at the 5A-West Conference Meet, which the Lady Panthers won by two points.
• It was a great week of volleyball last week in Jonesboro. Of course, Jonesboro is where I got my start covering prep athletics in Arkansas, so it's always good to go back.
Siloam Springs had a fine showing in the tournament, winning its first game in sweeping fashion against Sylvan Hills and then defeating Mountain Home 3-2 in a classic five-game match. That win gave the Lady Panthers 20 wins on the year and a berth in the state semifinals where they were defeated by a really good Jonesboro team.
Oh yeah, that Jonesboro team? The Lady Golden Hurricane swept Greenwood 3-0 in the 5A state finals on Saturday in Hot Springs. Yep, that's the same Greenwood team that didn't drop a single set during 5A-West Conference play.
Also a big shout-out to Jonesboro High School's athletics department and athletics director David Daniel for putting on a fine tournament. It was very well run.
• Last but not least, on Saturday basketball season starts at John Brown University with the annual Toilet Paper Game. Season previews on both Golden Eagles teams can be found inside today's paper.
The women play Crowley's Ridge College at 5 p.m., followed by the men against Ecclesia at 7 p.m. The TP Game is always a fun event and seems to be growing in legend year by year. Get there early, stay late and have a great time.
-- 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 10/31/2018