A message from the Coach:

Well, it is kind of hard to believe that it is all over!  Seems like we have a hard time putting our eleven best starters on the field for Lake Hamilton.  First time around it was the defensive backs/receivers group missing.  This time it was the defensive line/offensive line and a linebacker.  First game we play ok versus the run and not the pass.  Second time around, we play ok versus the pass and not the run.  We gave up our first punt block of the year where a starter was missing.  Offensively, we just couldn’t sustain anything for an entire drive.  On that night, the best team won.  Hard as I hate to say it about them, that was true. 

Over the course of the year, I really believe in time, these Seniors will look back and have many fond memories and accomplishments to be proud of.   Beating their Rival on one of our best games all year (Benton), winning Homecoming, and winning on Senior night.  Then, there was winning the first playoff game in 21 years.  I think those are accomplishments that will make them proud as the years go by.  It certainly gives our underclassmen a foundation to build from and shoot for!

We ended the year with 18 Seniors and 58 players overall.  Not where we want to be, but ten over where we were last year.  We had 31 ninth graders that we invited to move up for the last three weeks of the season.  Three went to basketball, three or four were hurt, and the rest traveled and practiced with us.  IF, we can keep all 31 of those guys in football, we will have a solid foundation to build off of.  Last year there were nine players that started at some position for the ninth grade that chose not to play football.  Hopefully, we can get some of these players back.  But, take that off of a squad and it cripples that class.  That is why we invited the ninth grade to move up and be on the High School Team the last weeks of the season. (Incidentally, Tad Daggett kicked a perfect onside kick that we recovered late in the Lake Hamilton game.)   For us to compete in this conference, (and throw in Bryant for next year), we need every available person!  Encourage anyone not playing, to come participate please.

I want to thank all the churches in the area that fed our team some wonderful pre-game meals.  We had seven local churches participate and do a magnificent job.  Thank you from the bottom of our heart.  They were (in no certain order) East Union Missionary Baptist Church East End, First Baptist Church Sheridan, Immanuel Baptist Church Sheridan, First Assembly of God Church Sheridan, First United Methodist Church Sheridan, First Landmark Baptist Church Sheridan, and Grace Fellowship Baptist Church Sheridan.  This was a great way for our players to get to know more of the community and vice-versa.  I thought that was outstanding.

Certainly, I want to thank our Administration, who gave us all the backing and support we could ever need to have a chance to be successful.  Our Superintendent, Dr. Brenda Haynes, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Doug West, Principal Rodney Williams, Assistant Principals Marilyn Williams and Terri Bone, and a very special thank you to our Athletic Director- Assistant Principal, and every other job required Mark Perkins.  Without Mark, we would have a hard time finding our way to the bus every week!

Our Touchdown Club, who always remains in the background, but is always there for support whenever called on.  Their friendship and help cannot be measured.  Ryan McIver and Gart Pitts, who do our stats during the game and keep up our web site.

To the parents of our players, I hope it has been a good experience for your sons.  We have tried to treat them as we would our own, sometimes with praise, sometimes with tough love.  But hopefully fair, and with the young man’s interest in mind foremost.

To On Yee our trainer, we could not have done our job without her.  And to our three Senior Water Girls who have worked tirelessly for two and three years; you don’t know what you mean to our team; Kasey Draper, Nikki Reynolds, and Linda Stafford.  To our two Sophomore Water Girls, Hannah Parsons and Payton Billingsley, you have some huge shoes to fill.  Our filmers, Ben Adams and Clayton Crutchfield, a special thank you for all your time and efforts that go unnoticed.

A group that never gets the credit they deserve, especially during football season, is our staff and their wives who have to sacrifice so much to put up with a coaches’ hours and still fill the role of mother, wife, worker, or whatever.  It takes a special woman to be a coaches’ wife!  Thank you.

We will check in equipment today and tomorrow before breaking for Thanksgiving.  Then it is back to the weights to get bigger, faster, stronger, and get ready for Little Rock Hall, our opener in 2012.  It is only 279 days away!  We are burning daylight!!

A very special Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless to everyone and their families.  I hope it is a very special time for you and your family.

And oh lest I forget, a special “Thank You” to our beloved team doctor, who also moon-lights as an official.  Thank you for your services and that half a yard of minus yardage versus LR McClellan!!

An announcement will be coming in the next few days about the Football Banquet as soon as it is cleared with the Administration.

Louis Campbell
Head Football Coach
Sheridan High School
700 West Vine Street
Sheridan, AR  72150
Office: 870-942-3137
Cell: 479-856-9746

GO JACKETS GO!!!!! GO STINGERS GO!!!!!