Homecoming a Chance for Mustangs to Nail Down State Playoff Berth

Friday, October 23, 2009

It’s homecoming for the Forrest City Mustangs Friday, and it’s a chance for the team to solidify a state playoff spot.

Forrest City, 6-1 and 4-0, will host Nettleton, 1-6, 0-4, for the 5A-East Conference game at Sam Smith Stadium.

Four conference win are more than likely enough to get into the Class 5A state playoffs, but five wins would assure the team of postseason play.

A first or second-place finish in the conference would allow the Mustangs the opportunity to host a first-round playoff game — something Forrest City has not done since 1990.

The Mustangs come into the game riding a six-game win streak and holding down sole possession of first place in the East.

While tonight’s matchup against Nettleton would appear to be an easy seventh straight win for the Mustangs, Head Coach Rich Trail sees it differently.

“We still have to put together two complete halves of football,” Trail said earlier this week. “We’ve had good first halves and good second halves, but not in the same game.”

Case in point, last week’s game at Paragould.

The Rams led 33-19 at the half, but Forrest City scored almost at will during the second half which carried the team to a 53-39 win.

“Our defense stepped up in the second half and played much better than they did in the first half,” Trail said.

In three of the six victories, the Mustangs have rallied in the second half to get the win.

Trailing 24-6 against Marion, the Mustangs put together a huge second half to claim a 38-27 win.

In a back-and-forth battle at Helena-West Helena, the Mustangs were able to score late and then turned to their defense as they held off the Cougars 31-27.

The Mustang defense had another strong showing in the team’s 6-0 win over Batesville.

This week, the Mustangs have worked to correct some of the minor miscues made against Paragould last week.

“We watched a lot of film and we’re just trying to stay focused,” Trail said. “We just want to polish up some areas and be ready for Nettleton.”

And as for it being the homecoming game tonight, it should be noted that the Forrest City seniors have never lost one.

As sophomores, they defeated Marion, and last year as juniors they defeated Paragould.

“These seniors want to go out having never lost a homecoming game,” Trail added. “That’s important to them, and it would be great for them to be able to accomplish that.”

Homecoming festivities will begin at 6:45 p.m., and kickoff for the game will be 7:30 p.m.


Click here for more east Arkansas news and sports from the Times-Herald