Sports

On Nov. 23, the Mammoth Spring Bears (7-2) traveled to Eminence, Mo. for a non-conference game and returned home with a 30-point victory (67-37). Cole Young scored 21 points and Aidan Burns added 18. Burns also had seven assists. The Bears head into the break after winning seven games in a row...

On Nov. 28, the Thayer Bobcats (11-2) came up just short of advancing to the state championship game. Against the Windsor Greyhounds at home, the Bobcats, with 10 seconds remaining in the game, the Greyhounds blocked a field goal attempt that would have won the game for the Bobcats. ...

Turkey, dressing and football may be at the front of people’s thoughts during the Thanksgiving holiday, but the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has another tradition some people may want to take part in. The AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program is busy stocking rainbow trout in FCFP locations throughout the state. ...

On Nov. 21, the Thayer Bobcats (11-1) had a successful long road trip to South Callaway and brought home a 42-15 victory to advance in the playoffs to face the Windsor Greyhounds (13-0) at home on Nov. 28. The Bobcats got on the scoreboard first at the 5:07 mark in the first quarter on a run by quarterback Jayce Haven and let 7-0 after the extra point attempt was successful. ...

As voted by the coaches, the 2020 All-SCA Football Team has been announced. The Thayer Bobcats were well-represented on the teams. Thayer’s head coach, Billy Webber, was voted Coach of the Year. Jayce Haven, the Bobcats’ quarterback who missed five games due to injury, came back to lead the Bobcats into the playoffs, and was named Back of the Year...

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Pat Fitts announced Nov. 4, that he will retire from the AGFC effective June 30, 2021. He has been the agency’s director since replacing Jeff Crow on Jan. 1, 2018. Fitts is the agency’s 18th director in its 105-year history...

Williams Baptist cross country and track ink Mikey Larson to their 2020-21 signing class. Larson, a Sulphur Springs, Ark. native, prepped at Gravette High School. While there she became an AR 4A State Meet Record Holder in the 4x800 track event. She was also a two-time state champion in the 4x800 event.  ...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is offering a variety of options to have harvested deer tested for chronic wasting disease for free throughout the 2020-21 deer hunting season. This year, the AGFC will continue its extensive system of drop-off containers throughout the state, as well as its work with taxidermists and regional offices to pull samples for hunters and have them tested. ...

Even though many activities have changed in 2020, Arkansas is still an outdoorsman’s paradise. According to Arkansas law, all hunters are required to carry a valid Arkansas hunting license while hunting and must check all harvested deer within 12 hours...

The Highland Rebels have finished their season in what is likely the most unusual football season in recent memory. The 2020 season was in doubt from the start and questionable from week to week due to the COVID-19 virus. A season some would say it was difficult to establish any momentum because it was questionable if the next game would be played, or, in some cases, possibly a switch in opponents and a short period of time to prepare. ...

Area fans of Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Basketball can take another sneak peek at this year’s squad during a preseason scrimmage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the West Plains Civic Center. Admission will be free, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, seating will be limited, and social distancing and masking will be required throughout the event for everyone age 10 and above, university officials said. ...

Mammoth Spring Lady Bears beat Maynard 58-30 Megyn Upton led the Lady Bears with 18 points against the Maynard Tigers. Upton also grabbed 14 rebounds. Chevelle Graves added 14 points. Sara Crowe scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds. The Lady Bears were scheduled to play Hillcrest on Nov. 17, but that game has been postponed. The Lady Bears’ next game is to be announced later...

Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Howell, Bollinger and Franklin. Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 80,525 deer during the opening weekend of the November portion of the fall firearms deer season Nov. 14 and 15. Of the 80,525 deer harvested, 48,695 were antlered bucks, 6,867 were button bucks, and 24,963 were does...

The Hayti Indians came to Thayer on Aug. 28 for the Bobcats’ season opener and left with a two-point victory (30-28). It was a far different outcome when Hayti returned on Nov. 13 to play the Bobcats in the C1D1 Championship game, when the Bobcats beat the Indians soundly, 52-22, to move on in the Missouri State Championship Playoffs. ...

Thayer Bobcats (10-1 overall and 5-0 in conference) Defeat the Caruthersville Tigers (3-5 overall and 02 in district) in playoff action on Nov. 6 at Thayer 57-18. On Nov. 13, the Bobcats will play the Hayti Indians (11-0 overall and 2-0 in conference). Hayti handed the Bobcats their only loss (30-28) on Aug. 28 in the first game of the season. Hayti has scored 650 points while only permitting 180. Thayer has scored 435 points while permitting only 99 points to opponents...

The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team once again found its new assistant coach from the ranks of its alumni. Former setter Susannah Kelley (2014-2015) has been tapped to fill the role after serving as the campus’ graduate assistant of athletics during 2019 season. She replaces Briana Walsh, another Grizzly Volleyball alum, who took a position with Willard Middle School this past summer...

How many times do they have to get it wrong? For months, the media and pollsters have downplayed President Trump’s path to victory, and he has shown them time and again not to underestimate hard-working Americans. The President walked away election night having won Florida by three times his margin of victory in 2016. ...

The 2020 Williams Baptist Lady Eagles broke into the history books with their 113-38 win over the Baptist Bible College Patriots at Southerland-Mabee Center. Before today the most points scored in a game by the Lady Eagles was 105 against Harris-Stowe State on Feb. ...

Mammoth Spring Bears basketball away games scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 at Armorel have been rescheduled for Jan. 8, 2021. The Armorel game at home scheduled for Jan. 8 has been moved to Jan. 18. Tickets purchased for the cancelled game will be automatically refunded to your account/credit card. We are looking to schedule another game later in the week...

Lake Charles NOTE: A sustained drawdown is planned for Lake Charles beginning Nov. 15. Water from Lake Charles is released annually via a diversion ditch to flood greentree reservoirs at Shirey Bay Rainey Brake Wildlife Management Area for waterfowl hunting. ...

The Cross County (Cherry Valley) Thunderbirds selected to play a conference game rather than the Salem Greyhounds and forfeited the game with Salem. Cross County lost the home conference to the McCrory Jaguars 58-35. The Greyhounds record is now 6-3 overall and 2-2 in conference...

Izard County Cougars The Izard County Cougars have started the regular season 2-0. On Oct. 19, the Cougars defeated Pangburn in a home non-conference game by 12 points (87-75). On Oct. 29, Izard County defeated Bergman by 7 points (83-76). Viola Longhorns...

The Melbourne Bearkatz (6-2 overall and 2-2 in conference) traveled to Harmony Grove (Camden) and defeated the Hornets (4-4 overall and 2-1 in conference) 21-8. With approximately four minutes to go in the first quarter, Melbourne turned possession over on downs at the Harmony Grove 22-yard line. ...

Mark your calendar for this year’s winter trout fishing program. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) annual winter trout program will soon begin with an overall stocking of 6,860 rainbow trout in three southeast Missouri lakes -- Perryville’s Legion Lake, Jackson’s Rotary Lake and Farmington’s Giessing Lake...

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that hunters checked 2,127 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season, Oct. 1-31. Top harvest counties were Greene with 70 birds harvested, Maries with 58, and Franklin with 55...

Mammoth Spring Bears basketball away games scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 at Armorel have been rescheduled for Jan. 8, 2021. The Armorel game at home scheduled for Jan. 8 has been moved to Jan. 18. Tickets purchased for the cancelled game will be automatically refunded to your account/credit card. We are looking to schedule another game later in the week...

By Bob Mitchum On Oct. 30, in playoff action, the Thayer Bobcats (9-1 overall and 5-0 in district) defeated the Crystal City (1-8 overall and 0-1 in district) at Thayer 46-6 and advanced to the next round. The Bobcats scored a touchdown early in the first quarter. ...

With the exception of maybe hunter orange and a rifle, few pieces of equipment are more representative of the white-tailed deer hunting experience as a tree stand. When scouting out places to hunt on public land, most hunters are looking for that perfect place to hang a stand about 16- to 20-feet against a tree to give them an advantage over their target. ...

The Highland School District Cross Country, Junior girls, Junior boys and Senior boys were all, runner-ups in the conference Oct. 27.  Medalist: Junior Girls Izy Harmon Claire Himschoot Junior Boys Austin Wilson Cline Himschoot Sr. Boys (All Conference) ...

Lake Charles NOTE: A sustained drawdown is planned for Lake Charles beginning Nov. 15. Water from Lake Charles is released annually via a diversion ditch to flood greentree reservoirs at Shirey Bay Rainey Brake Wildlife Management Area for waterfowl hunting. ...

The rains are over thankfuly we had close to 7 inchs and the lake temperature dropped into the low 60’s. I did manage to get out on Wednesday and fish. I was fishing in Bennett’s Bayou and had 5 bites and caught 1 striper in a hour of fishing. The fish were in 23 to 29’ of water and my lines were set at 12’, I was using bigger baits and the stripers were smaller and having a hard time holding on but the one I did catch slammed the bait and it was a great fight. ...

On Oct. 30, the Gosnell Pirates (4-3 overall and 3-1 in conference) traveled to Cave City for a conference game and defeated the Cave City Cavemen (2-6 overall and 1-4 in conference) 46-8. Cave City has a 1-2 record at home and is 1-4 on the road. Cave City has scored 159 points and allowed 274...

On Oct. 30, the Westside (Jonesboro) Warriors (3-6 overall and 2-4 in conference) won a home conference game against the Highland Rebels 34-14. The Rebels record now stands at 2-5 overall and 1-3 in conference. For Highland, Joe Child was the leading tackler with 5 unassisted tackles and 4 assists for a total of 9 tackles with one tackle for a loss. ...

They may be synonymous with Halloween because of their spooky appearance, but bats play a critical role in the health and economy of Arkansas. Help the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission celebrate Bat Week this week in honor of all the benefits bats bring...

The use of bait, including grain or other feed to attract deer or turkeys, while hunting is prohibited. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters to be aware of baiting regulations during the fall deer and turkey hunting seasons. The use of bait, including grain or other feed placed or scattered to attract deer or turkey, while hunting is illegal. The regulations are in place to help limit the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and to ensure fair chase...

The Thayer Bobcats (7-1 overall and 5-0 in District) defeated the Mountain Grove Panthers (3-6 overall and 2-5 in District) on Oct. 23 to advance into the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) playoffs. The Bobcats and the Panthers were tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. Thayer added a touchdown and extra point and led at halftime 14-7...

Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation as the ninth Justice on a now full Supreme Court represents the culmination of a process begun over one month ago. Her nomination, subsequent vetting and hearing before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee and confirmation on the Floor of the United States Senate highlights a process in which she answered two straight 10 hour days of countless questioning as well as answers she provided in writing to an additional 430 questions submitted by Senators. ...

Many people from Missouri and beyond are getting ready for their favorite way to enjoy fall—hunting on their national forest lands.  Mark Twain National Forest provides a million and a half acres for these activities. Hunting regulations for Missouri are set by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in the Wildlife Code; and those rules govern hunting activities on the Forest as well.  To learn more about the regulations for this season, please visit the MDC 2020Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, available online.. ...

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer four separate classes during a one-day clinic for women demonstrating the fundamentals of handgun ownership on Oct. 24, from 8 - 9:30 a.m., from 10 - 11:30 a.m., from 1 - 2:30 p.m., and from 3 - 4:30 p.m. at Big Piney Sportsman Club in Houston...

On Oct. 16, the Thayer Bobcats (6-1) traveled to Festus to play the St. Pius X Lancers (3-5). St. Pius X kicked off to Thayer to start the game. Thayer fumbled the football but managed to recover. The Bobcats scored a touchdown in the first quarter on a Jackson Willison one-yard run, and Kale Willison kicked the extra point. Thayer led at quarter end 7-0...

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) recently announced 41 Williams Baptist University student-athletes have been named as Scholar Athletes for the 2019-20 school year. In addition, the Eagles had 11 teams recognized as NAIA Scholar teams...

Centennial Bank would like to recognize Highland Rebels Lillyan Stites and Ryen Hale as Players of the Week for the past two weeks of volleyball season. We’re proud of our Rebels.

Star of the Week, 2 Game Score Plus Handicap: Archie Matheny, 217. Matheny is also the yearly tournament winner. Congratulations, Archie Matheny! Oct. 12 game winners: Pit 1: Garner, 98 Pit 2: Matheny and Lofquist, 202 Pit 3: Watts and Brooks, 171 Pit 4: Harbin and Yanke, 182...

As the temperatures drop and the leaves change color, the thoughts of most Arkansans turn to the pursuit of deer, ducks, squirrels and other game. Fishing is put on the back burner, but the changing seasons and dropping temperatures will spur the fish of Arkansas into a feeding frenzy that can lead to some of the best angling days of the year...

This pass week we saw a major cool down of Norfork. This week with the predicted rain we should see a push up the creeks by the stripers to find schooling bait and cold water. I fished both Bennett’s Bayou and above the Missouri line both places are holding fish but only one Missouri has the most consistent bite. ...

The Highland Rebels are scheduled to be back in action on Oct. 23 against Cave City at home in a conference game. The Rebels last played on Oct. 2 when they lost to Trumann 34-8 in an away conference game. Highland enters the game with a record of 1-4. Cave City comes into the game with a record of 2-4, after winning a home conference game against Westside (Jonesboro) 22-19 on Oct. 16...

On Oct. 16, the Cave City Cavemen (2-4) were victorious in a home conference game against the Westside (Jonesboro) Warriors (2-5) by a final score of 22-19. In a come-from-behind win, Cave City scored late in the fourth quarter to beat Westside and recorded the Cavemen’s second victory of the season...

Arkansas Wildlife, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s award-winning television show, is back with new segments and episodes just in time for fall and hunting seasons. The 13-episode Fall 2020 season started this past weekend and concludes Dec. 27...

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the release of the newly created Arkansas Feral Hog Handbook, a guide to resources available in Arkansas to assist with feral hog control and eradication. The handbook includes contact information, websites and brief explanations of the resources offered by state and federal agencies and other entities...