Panthers aware of Goblins' weapons

The Siloam Springs football team passed the first test of the season last week with a 38-21 victory at Pryor, Okla.

The next challenge will likely prove to be much more formidable.

The Harrison Goblins, ranked No. 5 in Class 5A by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, visit Panther Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday for Siloam Springs' first home game of the season.

The Goblins are 2-0 having blown out Pea Ridge 45-14 on Aug. 24 in Zero Week and then routing rival Mountain Home 56-7 last Friday.

"It's amplified," Siloam Springs coach Brandon Craig said. "They have 20 something seniors. They're returning a lot of kids that have played. They have really good talent and they're very big -- a physical team. We're going to have to match their physicality and be very smart and do things the right way."

Siloam Springs and Harrison have played each of the last four seasons with the Panthers winning in 2014 and 2015 and Harrison taking the last two in 2016 and 2017, including a 48-12 romp at F.S. Garrison Stadium last season.

Defensively the Goblins are very physical, Craig said, led by senior nose guard Hayden Vanderpool (6-foot, 290 pounds).

"Their nose guard is probably one of the best nose guards we'll see all season," Craig said. "I mean he's a great defensive lineman -- big, physical, tough, gets off the ball well."

Craig also has been impressed with the Goblins' middle linebackers Brooks Both (6-0, 228) and Bryant Ulrich (5-11, 190),

"They're thumpers," Craig said. "They do a good job of fitting their gaps. Then their secondary, their safeties are really good. They're really excellent right down the middle of the field on their defense."

Offensively, the Goblins are led by junior running back Gabe Huskey (5-11, 170), who was a preseason selection on "The List" of standout athletes in the area by Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Huskey rushed for 1,862 yards and 27 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 359 yards last season. This year he's off to a strong start with 207 rushing yards on 34 carries and three touchdowns and 298 receiving yards on 10 catches, including a 99-yard catch, and three touchdowns.

"He's a kid that's a playmaker for them," Craig said of Huskey. "He does a lot of things. They'll line him up at tailback, move him over and play him in the slot, line him up at wide receiver. They're going to do a lot with him and he's a big key. If we're going to be able to win the game we've got to slow him down."

Harrison junior quarterback Ben Johnson has completed 21 of 31 passes for 507 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.

The Panthers (1-0) meanwhile had 394 yards in their season opener at Pryor. Senior running back Kaiden Thrailkill rushed 18 times for 123 yards and scored three touchdowns. Quarterback Landon Ellis hit 7 of 12 passes for 139 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown to Primo Agbehi on the Panthers' first offensive play of the year.

Siloam Springs led 38-0 late in the third quarter before Pryor scored three touchdowns late.

When the team reconvened for film on Saturday morning, the discussion centered around continuing to develop its football I.Q., Craig said.

"Being able to adjust a little faster in the game instead of having to wait until halftime to make adjustments," he said. "We need our kids being able to recognize things a little faster on the field."

Though Craig has coached a spring game and a benefit game at Panther Stadium, he's looking forward to a first Friday night under the lights in Siloam Springs.

"First home game, two good teams that are going to take the field," he said. "I feel like it's going to be a battle. I feel like it's going to be fun to watch."