Scrappers headed to Malvern Friday for semi-finals

By John R. Schirmer

Information-Chief workers

ELKINS – After trailing by as many as 21 factors in opposition to Elkins, the Nashville Scrappers fought again for a 63-62 win over the Elks Friday evening, Nov. 25, within the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs.

With the victory, the Scrappers have superior to this week’s semifinal recreation at Malvern. Kickoff is about for 7 p.m. Friday.

“I’m tremendous pleased with the way in which our youngsters fought and battled the entire 4 quarters,” Coach Mike Volarvich mentioned. “We would have liked all 4 to come back out on high.”

The Scrapper O-line “for the second week in a row graded out very excessive. They’re doing a very good job,” Volarvich mentioned.

“Sloan [Perrin] and Tre [Hopkins] had nice video games,” based on Volarvich. Perrin threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally ran for 172 yards, two touchdowns and two two-point conversion, together with the game-winner.

Hopkins had 32 carries for 273 yards and three TDs.

Dante Gillam and Toddrick Watson had landing catches of 54 and 76 yards, respectively. Watson caught the ultimate TD of the sport which arrange Perrin’s two-point conversion.

For the evening, the Scrappers rolled up 714 yards complete offense on 95 performs.

Offensively and defensively, “We had numerous very gritty performances,” Volarvich mentioned.

Kelvin Flowers led the workforce in tackles with 12. He additionally had two cross break-ups. “Kelvin did what he’s finished all 12 months,” based on Volarvich.

The Scrappers had “numerous miscues and several other busted coverages” on protection, Volarvich mentioned. “On numerous Elkins’ huge performs, they weren’t a matter of beating our guys however us being within the unsuitable space. Clearly, we’ll think about it.”

On particular groups, kicker Obed Aguilar “did an awesome job with onside kicks. He had three very recoverable onsides. Dante recovered two of them. These had been a deciding issue within the recreation, the onside kicks,” Volarvich mentioned.

The Scrappers after two of the recoveries.

Volarvich mentioned the teaching workers counts the onside kick recoveries as turnovers, giving Nashville a 5-1 benefit within the turnover margin.

Defensively, “We made an enormous cease on the finish. On third and eight, Elkins received seven yards. That was one of many performs of the sport” because the Scrappers compelled the Elks to punt.

“We got here up with a cease once we wanted it.”

The following possession for Nashville started with 20 seconds left within the recreation and 80 yards for the Scrappers to cowl. 

The primary play was a cross that resulted in a small acquire. From there, Perrin handed to Watson on “a play that we run on daily basis in apply. We needed to hurry up and play with nice tempo.”

Watson made the catch for a 76-yard landing to drag the Scrappers to inside one level at 62-61. “It was an awesome cross and an awesome catch. We run it on daily basis.”

The Scrappers went for the two-point conversion after Watson’s TD. “I by no means actually considered kicking” for a tie, Volarvich mentioned. “We got here up there to win the sport. We had the momentum. We’ve had ups and downs with PATs all 12 months. We had 714 yards offense. I felt good about getting three.”

The Elks referred to as day out after the Nashville landing. “After they got here again, that they had 12 males on the sphere,” Volarvich mentioned. “The half the space penalty labored out effectively.”

Volarvich mentioned the one query concerning the two-point try was which play to run. “We’ve had some success with various things. I wished to maintain the ball in Sloan’s palms with him operating behind our O-line.”

Perrin took the snap and ran for the profitable two-point conversion with six seconds left.

Elkins took the following kickoff and tried some laterals earlier than the clock ran out and the Scrappers pulled off the win.

Malvern

The victory at Elkins sends Nashville to the Class 4A semifinals at Malvern this Friday, Dec. 2.

The semis will embrace three groups from District 7-4A together with Nashville, Malvern and Arkadelphia. The Badgers will play at Harding Academy.

The Scrappers and Leopards met Oct. 28. Malvern got here out on high 48-34.

“Malvern is a workforce that we’re very conversant in,” Volarvich mentioned. “Clearly, they’ve had an awesome season with solely two losses.” The Leopards fell to district champion Arkadelphia and to Hernando, Miss.

“It was an thrilling recreation final time. We fell quick by 14. We had been within the recreation and had an opportunity to win. A few essential errors had been the turning level,” Volarvich mentioned. 

The Scrappers “are excited concerning the alternative to play,” based on Volarvich.

He appears to be like for each groups to proceed doing the issues they do greatest. “I don’t count on to see both workforce go too far out.”

Malvern defeated Warren 27-21 in time beyond regulation to advance to the semifinals.

“They did an excellent job coming again. They had been behind 21-0” at one level.

On the finish of regulation final week, the Leopards fumbled on the five-yardline, forcing the sport into time beyond regulation. They held the Lumberjacks in the beginning of OT, and Malvern then threw a landing cross on third and 10 to earn the win.

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