Magnolia has had some big challenges over the years when it comes to football season openers, but not many compare to what it will face this year.
On Tuesday, first-year head coach Mark King will lead the Panthers onto Southern Arkansas University’s Rip Powell Field against the Warren Lumberjacks.
“Not only will it be hot on that turf at Wilkins Stadium, but we’re going against a Warren team that’s almost always a title contender,” said King. “We have to be at our best and up for the challenge.”
Kickoff between the Panthers and Lumberjacks is set for 5:30 p.m. The second game in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kickoff Classic will be between Rison and Prescott at 7:30 p.m.
The Lumberjacks have won seven district conference titles and are favored to win their eighth this season in the 8-4A Conference. They have played in three of the past five Class 4A state championship games.
“It’s going to be a big test to see where we are early,” said King. Magnolia last outright conference title was in 1994.
According to Fearlessfriday.com, this will be the first meeting between the Panthers and Lumberjacks on the gridiron.
A year ago, Warren reeled off eight straight victories before injuries set in and they lost in the second round of the playoffs.
According to Hooten’s, the Lumberjacks are the fifth-ranked team overall in Class 4A this season and will be led by running back Vincent Steppes, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards last season.
Warren head coach Bo Hembree called Steppes the team’s bell cow.
“We’ll hand it to him 25 times a game and let him work,” said Hembree.
Upfront, the Lumberjacks will be led by three-year starting center Mark Hairston but will probably rely on sophomore Riley Cornish to call the signals from the quarterback position. Senior J.J. Hampton anchors the defense at noseguard.
After the season-opener against Warren, the Panthers will continue their nonconference schedule against two other 8-4A opponents. They will host Crossett on Sept. 6 and Monticello Sept. 13 before having an open date on Sept. 20.
The Eagles, who fell 24-6 to the Panthers last season, have been tagged finish sixth in their league standings.
After winning only two games in 2018 they are expected to be better this season behind senior quarterback Juston Stokes, who passed 1,565 yards and 15 TDs in 2018.
Crossett also has experience along the offensive line, led by senior tackle and three-year starter Chris Brisby as well as junior guard Gabe Jordan. Two more seniors and another junior complete the package up front.
Defensively, college prospect Deraymond Herman led the team in tackles last year. Senior safety Kantrel Williams was second on the teams in tackles.
Magnolia also had an easy time defeating Monticello by a score of 42-6 last year, but new coach Randy Harvey is hoping to reverse the Billies’ winless 2018 season.
He’s hoping that some renewed enthusiasm and improved depth will result in some victories. The Billies have three options as to who with be their signal-caller. Though Monticello lack experience, they will be much faster and quicker than a year ago.