WOODLAWN - If the preseason coaches poll is any indication, the eight-man South Conference championship could be decided this Friday night when the top-ranked Strong Bulldogs visit the Woodlawn Bears.The junior high teams will play at 5 p.m. followed by the varsity teams at 7 p.m. at the Carl Jones Sports Complex.Strong and Woodlawn were picked to finish first and second, respectively, in the South Conference according to Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine's preseason projections.The Bulldogs finished the 2023 season undefeated, and were expected to make a run at their second eight-man state title before the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) ruled that Strong had used an ineligible player and the 'Dogs had to forfeit all their games, thereby eliminating them from the playoffs.Strong Coach Jason Porter told Hooten's before the season that they felt they were the best team in eight-man football last season, and the fact they had to miss the playoffs has provided them with extra motivation to prove their case this season.The Bulldogs will be visiting Woodlawn for what will only be their second game of the season. Strong did not play a non-conference schedule, and had its first game of the year last week with a 52-0 romp over Dermott to move to 1-0 overall and in conference play.Meanwhile, the Bears are coming off a couple of shutout victories themselves. After dropping a non-conference road game at Midland (26-0) that saw several players hurt, Woodlawn has bounced back with blowout wins over Guy-Perkins (58-0) and Augusta (40-0). Neither of those games went into the second half as both opponents opted to end the game before the conclusion of the second quarter.Count Bears Coach Zach Meyer among those who believe the Bulldogs are deserving of their no. 1 ranking. "They are a complete team," he said.Meyer described Strong as a team with lots of speed and athleticism combined with some size as well. ...
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