RISON - The Woodlawn Bears will have an opportunity to avenge one of the most heart-breaking losses in program history this Friday when they make the trip to Brockwell to face the Izard County Cougars. The junior teams kick off at 5 p.m. followed by the varsity teams at 7 p.m.
The last time the Bears made the 191-mile trip to Izard County High School it was in 2022 for the eight-man state semifinals. A trip to the first-ever eight-man state championship game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock was on the line.
Woodlawn rallied from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game but Izard County had a 25-yard touchdown pass as time expired to give the Cougars a 62-56 victory. Izard County ended up winning the eight-man state championship after that.
But that turned out to be the pinnacle of Izard County football history so far. The Cougars followed up their title with a 6-5 record, falling the first round of the playoffs.
Izard County then moved to 11-man for the next two-year athletic cycle, going 1-9 in 2024 and 3-7 last year. Two of those wins last year were by forfeit.
The Cougars come into Friday’s night matchup with a 2-0 record after knocking off Cave City, 26-22, last week and a 48-0 road win over Dermott to start the season.
Woodlawn Coach Doug Means said he believes Izard County will be “a step up” in talent compared to what the Bears have seen against South Side-Bee Branch and Rose Bud.
The Cougars return five starters on both offense and defense. Sophomore quarterback Kane Johnson, who played as a freshman, is expected to improve on last year’s performance while junior running back Beniah Spray can be a handful at 6-2, 200 lbs. with 4.6 speed, new Cougar Coach Carr Hill told Arkansas Football magazine.
Izard will also have some size up front with three linemen ranging from 250 to 280 lbs.
Means said Johnson is an efficient passer and can also run. He said the Cougars’ top receiver, James Down, has excellent hands. “That kid can …