Game Preview: Des Arc Eagles @ Marked Tree Indians

With the 2A-2 conference race seeing a three-way tie at the top of the standings, the first match-up of two of those teams will happen this coming Friday at Don Lovell Memorial Field in Marked Tree as Des Arc (4-1, 2-0) comes to town. The Eagles are the defending conference champions.

The Indians are coming off a big 52-44 win over Earle this past Friday. TJ Hodges led the Indians in rushing with 181 yards and scored two touchdowns as Ken Carter completed 11 of 14 passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Ja'Kaymion Williams and Landon Lewis had interceptions for the Indians' defense. “Friday will be a totally different game. Des Arc will use a pounding ground game and they are pretty good at it. We'll need a good week of practice to get ready for them,” head coach Waylon Dunn said.

Des Arc's only loss came at the hands of Carlisle, who was in the 2A state championship game last year. The Eagles opened the season with a 36-34 overtime win over defending 2A state champion Hazen.

Ja'Kaymion Williams

Des Arc's head coach Brandon Barbaree was a one time assistant coach at Trumann and head football coach at Gosnell. “Marked Tree is a dangerous group. The Carter kid continues to be a play maker and they have speed all over the field. The defense is fast and physical, and will be even better if and when Jonah Walker returns.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to protect the ball and keep it away from them and then defensively prevent big plays. It should be a great game! Coach Dunn and Coach Wages do a tremendous job and it will be a battle,” Des Arc Coach Brandon Barbaree said.