WOODLAWN - Midway through the first quarter, it looked as though Brinkley’s stranglehold on Woodlawn was going to continue as the Tigers used a surprise passing game to take an early two-score lead over the Bears.
But Woodlawn made some adjustments, both offensively and defensively, and the Bears scored 20 unanswered points to pull ahead 20-12 by halftime. The game, however, was called before the third quarter could officially get underway due to inclement weather.
Both teams had come back onto the field to start the second half when a lightning flash to the east of the Carl Jones Sports Complex prompted game officials to force both teams inside for a 30-minute lightning delay.
Eventually, rain began to fall and Meyer said a Brinkley school administrator decided to call the game since weather radar indicated heavier rain was on its way. Since there was not a play run in the third quarter, Meyer said it will not be recorded as an official game by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). Woodlawn was set to receive the second half kickoff.
While the final score does not go on the official record books, that still did not dampen spirits inside the Bears’ locker room after the game was called. They were celebrating that they finally had come out on top over a team that was 4-0 against them over the past three years.
“I know this means the world to them,” Meyer said. “They have worked their tails off.”
It certainly didn’t look there would be any cause for celebra‐tion in the Woodlawn locker room early on as Brinkley came out slinging the football, taking advantage of their size and speed advantage.
Meyer admitted it came as a surprise to them.
“From what we had seen, they were 80 percent run if not 88 percent run or more,” he said. “But we adjusted there midway through the first quarter and got a big interception, a couple dropped big passes and a turnover, and (tha...
To access content, please login or purchase a subscription.