In a year full of disappointing differences, a positive change of Blytheville and Gosnell matching up on the gridiron will take place Friday night at Haley Field.
Both teams come into this contest following victories from last week over Dewitt and Trumann respectfully.
This matchup, however, is one many had circled on the schedule from the season’s beginning.
“People have been talking about this game since they saw the conferences,” Blytheville head coach Lance Stone said. “I know people are excited about it. They definitely have a good football team. It's going to be a good game, we’re glad we are going to have them at home.”
Gosnell head coach Lewis Earnest echoed Stone in realizing the talent on both sides and the effectiveness each team has enjoyed in recent weeks.
“I think we’re both playing well,” Gosnell head coach Lewis Earnest said. “They’re a good team and have some great players. I also feel like we’re starting to click on all cylinders too. Even in the Pocahontas loss, I feel like we played really well so it’s going to be a great game.”
For Blytheville, this game comes at one of their hottest points of the season so far. Junior quarterback Jeremiah Northern has thrown eight of his nine touchdown passes on the season in the past two games. Northern has also found success on the ground in those matchups, reaching over 100 yards rushing in each game.
Senior receiver Kylen Wells has also found a rhythm in each of the past two games, logging over six catches and over 100 receiving yards in both contests.
“They definitely have found a good rhythm offensively,” Stone said. “I think both of them are starting to see their potential and what they can do. They just have to keep staying focused and keep having good weeks.”
However, the Pirates are in the midst of a good offensive flow as well. Gosnell has scored over 30 points in each of their last three games. Junior running back Travelle Anderson has continued to find success this season, reaching over 200 yards on the ground twice this season.
Regaining some key players from injury on the defensive end has also given the Pirates an extra boost.
Both sides have battled the up and down nature of this season due to the effects of COVID-19.
In Gosnell’s case, taking the field without the leadership of their head coach has become one of this season’s hurdles.
“It’s terrible, I was out Friday night being quarantined,” Earnest said. “I don’t have it but I was in close contact. I don’t know when exactly I’ll be back. I may be back Friday but I’m having to miss all week of practice. But still, we’re thankful we’re getting to play some for the seniors this year. That’s the big thing, even one game is better than zero.”
One of the Chicks’ challenges has been facing constant cancellations and minimized time to game plan for some opponents.
“Last week was a good example of that,” Stone said. “You can prepare all week for one team and all of a sudden, you’re scrambling to find another game. You’re not even really focused on the game planning part, as much as just finding a game.”
Blytheville’s game with Highland was cancelled by the Rebels on Thursday, but the Chicks scrambled and picked up Dewitt to play Friday night, winning 30-6.
Nevertheless, both teams will look to stay in the will column Oct. 16 with kickoff set for 7 p.m.