CAMDEN — This year's homecoming opponent won't be an easy one for the Harmony Grove Hornets
The Hornets welcome the Fouke Panthers to Bill Banning Football Field today as the team aims to continue what has been the best start to a season since 2010 - which lead to a playoff birth before a one-point second round loss to that year's eventual state champion Rivercrest on their home field.
Fouke enters the contest at 3-2 having loss to two teams ranked within the top five of the 3A; 40-0 on the road against #1 Smackover and 35-13 against #5 Fordyce. 32-20 and finished the season 7-5 after winning its first playoff game in the school's history.
Junior quarterback Landon Gonzalez stands 6-3 and weights 165 pounds. Gonzalez made his varsity debut in his team's 32-20 victory over the Hornets last year. Fouke went on to finish the season 7-5 and win its first playoff game in the school's history.
The team returns 17 starters and runs a multiple I on offense. Among those returning is running back Jarrett Easley, (6-0, 4.6 speed) and fullback Adam Roberts, (5-9 155). Jonathan Whiles (6-0, 180) who also plays on the offensive line, will play at one of the Panther's defensive end positions.
The 4-1 Hornets shouldn't be intimidated because of they have compiled an impressive resume themselves. The Hornets' lone loss came on the road against 2A #1 ranked Rison, 29-20. The team was able to keep the game close through adversity and an injury to all-conference and D-1 recruited quarterback C.J. Parham.
The team was able to bounce back with a 69-point performance in its win over McGehee the following week.
Harmony Grove enters tonight's contest coming off of a 27 point fourth quarter in its 40-24 win against Genoa Central. Last week, the team trailed Genoa Central 17-13 in the fourth quarter before a big kick-off return from Cameron Venzant helped the Hornet's take the lead. After falling behind again, Devin Venzant powered the Hornets' rushing attack to recapture the lead at 27-24. The Hornet defense would then go on to force and recover two Genoa Central fumbles that put the Hornets offense in great field position and score in the game's closing minutes.
The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. tonight following the pre-game homecoming activities scheduled for 7 p.m.