‘Pep Rally with a Purpose’ event at H.G.

— By PATRIC FLANNIGAN

Sports editor

If the Harmony Grove football team's efforts in preparing meals for the less fortunate on Tuesday is any indication of its efforts on the football field, there's a good chance Chad Hooten's - Hooten's Arkansas Football - preseason prediction of H.G. competing for a state title will come true.

On Tuesday, H.G. football coaches and players, cheerleaders and band members did their part to prepare more than 15,600 meals in less than 45 minutes for local food pantries during the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield "Pep Rally with a Purpose" event that was held at the Harmony Grove United Methodist Church. ABCBS teamed with the Hooten's Kickoff Classic in 2016. The Pack Shack of Rogers provided the meals for the "Feed the Funnel" portion of the event. The meals will be delivered to food pantries located at the Maul Road Church of Christ, Fairview United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church.

After preparing meals, the participants were treated to barbecue before going outside to enjoy a community pep rally.

During the pep rally, Chad Hooten spoke highly of the H.G. School District and community. He explained that since starting the Kickoff Classic in 2000, 23 teams that have participated went on to compete for state titles. Hooten said that he and his brother, Chris, thought about a team that would be able to live up to season expectations ,and H.G. came to mind.

"We know the Hornets had a record-setting season last year," Hooten said while holding the Kickoff Classic Trophy in his hands. "This year, we are predicting that the Hornets are going to take that next step past the semi-finals and be playing for a state title this year!"

ABCBS then presented a $1,500 check to the H.G.S.D.

Harmony Grove is one of eight teams selected to participate in the 2017 Kickoff Classic and will play Smackover at Southern Arkansas University on Aug. 29. More teams selected to participate are from Conway, Danville, Hamburg, Hampton, Prescott and Pea Ridge.

“This is arguably the best lineup of teams in the event’s 18-year history,” Hooten said via press release. “The eight participating teams combined for 84 wins last year. All eight advanced in the playoffs, and three made it to the state championship game. Not only will all eight teams get to start this season in grand style at college stadiums, Arkansas Blue Cross will enable the players, cheerleaders and band members to help their communities while having a lot of fun before the games.”

“The heartbeat of our company is serving Arkansans,” said Jason Treece, regional executive for Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “This is the second year for Arkansas Blue Cross to sponsor the Kickoff Classic and we couldn’t be happier to be supporting the teams and the towns where they live with Pep Rallies with a Purpose events. Because our state is ranked second in the nation in the number of people facing food insecurity, we are reaching out in advance of the games and making a deeper investment in the Arkansas communities where these students, coaches, teachers and administrators, parents and other folks live, learn, work and play."

“We appreciate Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield affirming youth across the state and being involved in a positive activity like high school football,” said Hooten.

The 2017 Kickoff Classic schedule is as follows:

Monday, August 28 at UCA

• Pea Ridge vs. Hamburg (5:30 p.m.)

• Danville vs. Conway Christian (7:30 p.m.)

Tuesday, August 29 at SAU

• Camden Harmony Grove vs. Smackover (5:30 p.m.)

• Hampton vs. Prescott (7:30 p.m.)

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