McCollum's Column: Wampus Cats Now Have An Identifying Signature

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

That first-round playoff victory over Fayetteville was the first signature victory for coach Clint Ashcraft’s program at Conway High.

Signature meaning that we saw the distinct mark of improvement that Ashcraft has applied to the program. It resulted in a victory that hardly anybody saw coming.

Many thought the Wampus Cats has grown enough to make the game respectable.

This was a booster shot for the Conway program in several different respects.

• The Cats won a playoff game against a team that began the season near or at the top of many polls.

• They knocked out a good team from the 7A-West Conference, a conference that has dominated the playoffs in recent years.

• They won a playoff game on the road.

• They’ve now put together a winning streak even though it is just two games.

• They solidified themselves as an improved football team.

• They defeated a team coached by former University of Central Arkansas quarterback Daryl Patton, who has been a nemesis to Conway teams, particularly when he coached at Bryant.

Two other aspects are most important. Conway had a 17-point lead and lost it on the road, falling behind to a good team in the final minutes. Trailing 42-38 with the odds stacked against them, the Cats’ Xavier Acklin connected of a 52-yard pass play to Tristan Eddings with six seconds left for the winning touchdown.

Coming back to win in the final seconds is a good indication of character.

The Cats’ producing a big play when they had to is an indicator of perseverance, maturity — and ability.

Conway has come a long way since an intrasquad game last spring characterized by inconsistencies and blunders.

Ashcraft has kept plugging, often building his foundation a piece at a time. Consequently, the Cats kept plugging.

How far they have come is exemplified in Acklin, who took over with no experience in the system and has developed into one of the most dangerous playmakers in 7A. He’s gone from “somebody to get by with” to somebody who is respected and feared.

The victory earns the Cats a trip to Cabot. And it’s a Conway team that is a much bigger threat to Cabot than when the teams played earlier in the season.

And it’s somewhat of a free shot for the Cats. They are not supposed to be playing this deep in November. They’ve got the signature victory, one that puts a sweet topping on the season no matter what happens next.

What happens now amounts to how many helpings of dessert the Cats can devour.


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