CAMDEN — By JACKIE BEVILL
Staff writer
Bearden will play a regular season game against each other as the two teams will open District 8-2A play Friday night at Rogers Field. In recent years they have played pre-season scrimmage games with each other. The Redbugs hold a commanding 21-3-1 margin over the Bears in a series that started in 1952 through 1968. From 1969 through 1980 the two teams didn’t play each other, however they played eight games against each other that ended in 1988.
Fordyce will enter with a 1-2 record after defeating Monticello 41 to 12 Friday night, while Bearden will enter with an 0-2 record, after a 10 to 8 loss to Gurdon last week.
In Hooten’s Football magazine coaches poll the Redbugs are picked to finish second behind Junction City, while Bearden was picked fifth in the same poll. The Redbugs are coached by Tim Rodgers, and he has compiled an overall 64-35 record using a Wing-T offense and a 4-4 defense. Fordyce has eight offensive and nine defensive starters returning from last years team that finished with an 5-6 overall record losing to Elkins, 44 to 30 in a first round game of the state play-offs on the road. The Redbugs have an excellent sophomore quarterback in Jaheim Brown (6’0, 205, 3.6 GPA) , who started 11 games last year as a freshman. He scored 13 touchdowns last year. He has help in all-league running-back, Quartey Shelton and tailback Wanya Morris and fullback Gary Lewis. Their defense is led by JaRod Allen and De’arius Sledge along with Macaz Hardawy.
Bearden will try to improve in Coach Trey Outlaws offense and defense schemes in only their third game of the year.
Bearden will honor 1962 Bears Championship Team
Friday night the 1962 Bearden Bears District 7-B championship team will be recognized before the kick-off of the Fordyce game for their 6-0 conference and 9-2 overall record that year. The Bears were led by three All-State players in Mackie Chambliss, Billy Sulliven and John Garcia along with All district players Don Walthall, Lynn Jackson, Joe Weatherly, Jimmy Smith and three All State players listed above. The team was coached by Don Hubbard and George Burks, and they defeated Fordyce 33 to 13. Their two losses were to Lewisville and Fairview. Other players on their roster were; Ron Shelby, Eddie Nutt, Jerry Rowland, Jeff Lindsey, Sonny Nutt, Ray Sullivent, Bill Holmes, Norman Lee, Ronald House, Glen Ed Sullivan, David Holmes, Jerry Mosley, Danny Proctor, Ronnie Ramsay and Alan Anthony.
Jr. Bears defeat Strong
Jr. High Bears beat the Strong Jr. Bulldogs 20-14 in Jr. High football action last Thursday.