Wampus Cats Hope to Carry Over Momentum from Latest Win

Monday, September 21, 2009

Conway's 45-0 win over Benton on Friday night may have done more for the future than the present.

The victory was the first of the season and the first in the Clint Ashcraft era, so that no doubt had an immediate impact. However, Ashcraft hopes the Cats are in for the long haul.

“I hope this kind of makes the fire burn brighter inside them,” Ashcraft said. “Hopefully, this will give them more drive.”

Conway had little trouble driving Friday night. The Cats’ offense boosted many totals in the statistical category over the first two games.

Entering their Week 3 matchup with the Panthers, the Cats had 449 yards of offense. Friday night they gained 417.

Of that two-game total, 253 yards came on the ground. Led by Jemarkus Harmon’s 136, Conway rushed for 298 in the victory. The ground game also produced just one touchdown before Friday’s win. Five were scored against Benton, highlighted by Harmon’s three.

That helped show Ashcraft tangible evidence that the young Cats have improved. Such improvement started up front, exactly where the first-year CHS coach had hoped.

“The offensive line executed really well,” Ashcraft said. “In the first two games, we were having trouble with our blocks. We did a good job (Friday) getting a hat on someone and opening holes.”

As a result, the ground game took off.

“It gives me a lot of confidence when the o-line is blocking good,” Harmon said. “They gave me good holes, and I was able to pick up good yardage.”

And picking up yardage was just what Conway needed. With 7A-Central Conference play looming, such an accomplishment could prove large.

“This can help us gain confidence,” Ashcraft said. “Our offense really needed a shot in the arm.”

Even more on the positive side, the Cats have been consistent in progressing in their new system.

“We’re learning each week and improving,” Harmon said. “We did some good things out there.”

Scoring all of its points in the first half, Conway found itself in a position it had not been accustomed to in recent seasons. The Cats were able to take a large lead into the locker room. The second-half response was another area Ashcraft was able to find satisfaction in.

“What I was glad to see was when the kids got a chance, they went for the knockout and didn’t let up,” Ashcraft said,

That continued fight will be key as conference opponents now await the Cats, beginning with Cabot next week. But that’s not necessarily anything to feel bad about.

“Coach Ashcraft will get them rolling,” Benton coach Steve Quinn said. “It’s just a matter of time.”


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