4A Game of the Week: Lonoke vs. Harding Academy

Nolan Pope

September 27, 2022 @ 09:42 AM

Coming into this interconference matchup, both teams are off to great starts this week. Harding Academy sits king of 4A currently with Lonoke sitting at the number 13 spot. I think going into the game that it will be the better defense wins the game. Both teams like t mix things up in the run and passing game but ultimately can the other defense stop it?   The offensive line game is crucial this game for Lonoke coming into this matchup. Leading the offensive line is [player_tooltip player_id='149538' first='Chauncey' last='Johnson']. Johnson is coming off a great start to the season. He's a dominate blocker that has speed to be that dominate tackle on the line.   At QB for Lonoke is [player_tooltip player_id='149574' first='Bradon' last='Allen']. Allen is an explosive passer with great mobility and vision. He is just a junior this season and has plenty of room to grow and develop as the season goes on. I would put him as a definite mobile quarterback. He has the speed to break away and the pocket awareness in the backfield. I look for him to have solid connections all night with [player_tooltip player_id='133157' first='Landon' last='Jones'] at wide receiver. Jones is quick fast and tall and, I think, will expose some of the passing defense by Harding Academy.   On the defensive side of the ball, I look for [player_tooltip player_id='385136' first='Drelyn' last='Clay'] to have a great game at linebacker. In his senior year he's already proven to be one of the better linebackers in the state so far. I think he's definitely a great player all around with good awareness and speed to go along with his vision. He has good play recognition on the field. I look for him to have a great game against Harding Academy.   Now for the flip side of the ball for Harding Academy. For the Wildcats I'm looking for the defense to win this game. If they have the ability to stop the passing game for Lonoke I think they'll walk out with a win, but, if not, I believe Lonoke walks out with a win over the number one team in 4A.   One of the players I'm looking forward for a big game on the defensive side of the ball is, Safety, Kennedy Rush. Rush is defiantly a run support safety, which he's great at. He's a great player with some head hunting speed and knows how to defend the pass as well. I look to him to stop part of the running game against Lonoke.   On the offensive side of the ball for the Wildcats, I'm highlighting [player_tooltip player_id='249965' first='Landon' last='Koch']. Koch is one of the many playmakers for Harding Academy. Landon is a very shifty player against one on one playing ability. I think he will be one of the key players going into the game this coming Friday.   In the trenches you have a monster of an offensive lineman, Josh Luallen. Josh is a dude when he plays ball. When he pulls and kicks he blows everything out of the water. As an offensive line fan, I'll most definitely look for him to make some holes in the line and dominate Lonoke's defense.   At quarterback for the Wildcats you have Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='250016' first='Owen' last='Miller']. When you talk about solid passers, he needs to be on your board as one of those. So far, this season alone, he's already slung the ball around for over 1,000 yards so far. He's on track to have a break out season as one of the better quarterbacks in the state, in my own opinion.   This Friday night is crucial for both teams. If Lonoke is looking for a big time win then this is the win they need to boost their momentum for the rest of the season. I do think they have a good chance to pull it out, but I think Harding Academy is a great football team with phenomenal players that can ball out across the board. I look forward to watching this game play out the Friday.

Coming into this interconference matchup, both teams are off to great starts this week. Harding Academy sits king of 4A currently with Lonoke sitting at the number 13 spot. I think going into the game that it will be the better defense wins the game. Both teams like t mix things up in the run and passing game but ultimately can the other defense stop it?