GOBLINS PLAY ON WEEK 0

There is a no phrase that will be thrown around this season in Arkansas high school football. “Week 0” will be heard in reference to a new opportunity for football teams to be played to start the season. The Arkansas Activities Association approved a measure that would allow member schools to play a week earlier in the season. The reasoning behind the move was to give opportunities for Arkansas schools to play out of state competition. Each school that participates in Week 0 will have to take a week off before the beginning of the conference season which is Week 4 or Sept. 21. Moving the schedule a week early is something that Harrison coach Joel Wells says fits well with his team. “I love Week 0,” he said. “Five weeks of practice is too long without a game.” As the high school game has progressed in summer with team camps, 7-on-7 tournaments and other programs that high schools can participate, the need for the long start time before the season is becoming obsolete. “We have plenty of time to prepare,” said Wells. “I am use to only three weeks in Missouri before the first game.” Proponents of the new early start point to conditioning for the players before beginning the physical sport. “It’s not the 1980s,” joked the coach. “These kids have been working out, running, and lifting all summer. Conditioning is not an issue.” Starting a week early means that the Goblins will have to take a week off before conference play starts. “I am unsure about the bye,” said Wells. “If you are playing well, you don’t want a bye. If you have a few injuries then the bye could work in your favor.” Harrison will play at F.S. Garrison Stadium on Friday night opposite Pea Ridge. Both teams comes into the new season after deep runs in the state tournament last season. The Blackhawks were a semifinalist last season in Class 4A while the Goblins were in the Elite Eight in Class 5A. There are 89 schools that are playing in Week 0 out of the 205 high schools that play football in Arkansas.

GOBLINS PLAY ON WEEK 0

JEFF BRASEL

Harrison Daily | 8/27/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Harrison Athletics