LITTLE ROCK — For the first time in school history, the Hazen Hornets football team is a state champion.
The Hornets routed the Carlisle Bison 44-6 on Friday to win the Class 2A state championship at War Memorial Stadium. With the win, Hazen ends the season at 13-0. Carlisle ends its season at 11-2 with both losses coming to Hazen.
“This has been a great experience … this community has waited a long time for something like this to happen,” Hazen coach Joe Besancon said. “I’m just truly blessed to be a part of it. I’m just proud of my kids. They did a wonderful job today.”
Hazen forced Carlisle into six turnovers with one being a turning point in a close game
and Hazen’s Landon Adkins recovered the ball at the Hazen 31.
That led to King throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Schlenker with 8:21 left in the first half, making the score 18-6.
Carlisle’s next drive ended with another lost fumble, which was recovered by Anderson. Six plays later, Anderson scored on a nine-yard run with 4:49 left to make the score 24-6.
Carlisle’s next possession ended when Hazen’s Josh Dawson intercepted Jones and returned it 41 yards to the Carlisle 4. Hazen’s Kolton Tosh then scored on a four-yard run to give the Hornets a 30-6 halftime lead.
The Hornets scored two touchdowns in the second half.
The Bison turned the ball over on downs to
big.
“When you’re playing a team like Carlisle, who can take that ball and drive it down your throat, you’ve got to create opportunities,” he said. “Our defense did a really good job of forcing some turnovers. Then, offensively, we were able to turn those into points.”
Carlisle coach Caleb Shock said he was disappointed in the outcome of the game.
“When you are playing in this [title game], you want to win,” he said. “There is no consolation prize that makes it OK for not coming up with a win.
“I am proud of our young men for getting here. We were a team that was 1-10 last year, and we played for a state championship today against a very good Hazen team. They showed why they’ve
been the No. 1 team in the state all year. We just didn’t do what we needed to do to get it done.”
Hazen finished with 459 yards of total offense. Anderson led the Hornets with 134 yards rushing on only seven carries. Tosh had 106 yards on only five carries.
King completed 11 of 17 passes for 208 yards. Dawson caught five passes for 78 yards. Schlenker had three receptions for 102 yards.
Carlisle finished with 383 yards. Jason Sullivan, the state’s alltime touchdown leader for a season with 45, rushed for 156 yards on 28 carries. Jones had 44 yards on 14 carries.
Jones completed 9 of 17 passes for 131 yards. David Hayes caught four passes for 72 yards.
Gabe Boyle and Devin Cooney each caught two
passes.
Collin Kee led the Hazen defense with 14 tackles. Cam Johnson had 13 tackles. Adkins had nine. Anderson and King had seven apiece.
Jones and Luke Petrus had five tackles each. Preston Parker, Lawson Petrus, Elliott and Ethan Foster had four tackles each. Parker also had an interception.
For Besancon, the state-title victory over Carlisle was sweet.
“It’s going to give bragging rights for a long time,” he said. “Credit goes to Carlisle. They went 1-10 last year. They turned around and won 11 football games this year. A lot of credit goes to their kids and their coaching staff.
“To beat your rival for your first one [championship] will always be special.”
early.
Hazen led 6-0 on a 64yard pass from Luke King to Justin Schlenker with 6:04 left in the first quarter.
Carlisle tied the game at 6-6 on a 46-yard pass from Holden Jones with 4:24 left in the first quarter.
Hazen reclaimed the lead on the next play from scrimmage when game MVP Braylan Anderson ran 52 yards for a touchdown.
Carlisle misplayed the ensuing kickoff, taking over at its own 1. The Bison then put together a great drive, moving the ball to the Hazen 28 when Jones fumbled,
start the second half. Hazen pushed the lead to 38-6 on a 67-yard run by Anderson with 9:53 left in the third quarter. King then threw to Tosh for the two-point conversion.
Carlisle drove inside the Hazen 20 again and fumbled again. Anderson forced Carlisle’s Kayleb Elliott to fumble with Brance Williams recovering at the Hazen 12. Three plays later, Tosh scored on a one-yard run two plays after he rumbled 84 yards to the Carlisle 4.
Besancon said his team’s defense getting so many takeaways was
Clara June
Isbell Bednar
We are saddened to announce the loss of a beautiful lady, beautiful mother, and beautiful wife, Clara June Isbell Bednar of Slovak. She was born to Hazel and Henry Isbell and grew up in Hazen.
Clara June married James S. Bednar, her husband for 63 years and she had two sons, James & Randall. She was a member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church and an asset to her community. Clara June was a loving and kind mother, but she would not hesitate to give you her opinion and stand up for what she thought.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Tommy Isbell. Clara June is survived by her husband, James S. Bednar; two sons, James Bednar (Doug Mitchell) and Randall Bednar (Christy); one grandson, Alex Bednar and wife, Hannah; two greatgrandchildren, Abby and Ava; one brother, Larry Isbell and several nieces and nephews.
As you read this, please turn to the ones you love and tell them you love them for even a long life is too short.
George Rudolph Huggs
George Rudolph Huggs, Jr., was born August 17, 1950 to George and Elsie Todd Huggs. He
passed from this life on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Rudy is survived by two sons, Anthony Huggs and Andrew Huggs; brother, Wendell Huggs; sister, Shelia (Greg) Renner all of Carlisle and granddaughter Destiney Huggs of Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elsie Huggs; sister, Glenda Cheryl Huggs; son, Michael Huggs and nephew, B.J. Billings.
Rudy believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was a businessman from a very young age. He mowed yards and would take Shelia and Wendell to his aunt Evelyn’s so she could babysit them while he worked. Rudy bought his first gas station at age 17 while still in high school. His other Carlisle endeavors included the skating rink and a movie theater. Rudy bought several gas stations and motels over the years. He had video games in many arcades across several states for a time. He worked for Kmart management and he was a top representative for Tommy Hilfiger.
Throughout his life he maintained a grueling work schedule and typically slept only 4 to 6 hours a night. Over the
By Lisa MillsAt the November 28th Des Arc School Board meeting, the board’s annual re-organization began by electing new officers. Jordan Smith was elected President, Charlie Brown was elected Vice-President and Brent Calhoun was elected Secretary. Johnny Reidhar was elected as the voting delegate for the 2022 ASBA conference in December.
Superintendent Sherrell told the board that the Des Arc Police Department will begin issuing citations to any student caught vaping. Any student seen vaping will be referred to the School Resource Officer who will contact the Police Department. The board agreed with this action. Sherrell also reported that current district enrollment is 628.
Sherrell was proud to
last few years, he had been driving for Lyft and Uber.
Funeral services for Rudy were held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, December 5, 2022 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Carlisle. Visitation was held from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M., prior to the service. Interment was in the Oakland Cemetery in De Valls Bluff.
Rose Ann McLaughlin
Rose Ann McLaughlin went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
She was born Rose Ann Wangler on April 11, 1942 to John and Anna Hartman Wangler in Fort Worth, Texas.
She was valedictorian of her senior class and achieved one of the highest scores ever on the CPA exam in the state of Texas. A member of Mensa for over 40 years, Rose Ann was a very loving and kind daughter, mother, and wife.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gordon F. McLaughlin and a brother, Ray Wangler. She is survived by her children, Terri Newsom and Lisa (Niles) Austin all of Romance,
announce that the State school report card showed high growth in Math, ELA and overall growth for DAES and high growth in Math for DAHS. Des Arc was one of only two districts in the Southeast region to receive all A’s.
The board approved a motion to approve a $2,000 stipend to Deanie Sherrell for the position of Eschool Coordinator.
The board voted to cancel the December board meeting unless an unexpected issue arises requiring a meeting.
Attending the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Marc Sherrell, High School Principal B. J. Paschal, Elementary Principal Cheryl Holland, District Treasurer Natasha Richards and board members Billy Hinson, Jordan Smith, Johnny Reidhar, Charlie Brown, T. J. English, Drew Widener and Brent Calhoun.
Arkansas and Chuck Newsom of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two grandsons, Wesley Austin of Grand Forks, North Dakota and Robby Newsom of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; brother, Fr. Leonard Wangler of Subiaco, Arkansas and brother, Ron (Marie) Wangler of Arlington, Texas.
Rose Ann lived in Fort Worth until her retirement as a Certified Public Accountant at which time she moved to Romance, Arkansas to be closer to family. She was a quiet, reserved, beautiful lady inside and out, who loved reading and owls. She shared her great sense of humor with those around her. She passed on that quick wit and humor to her middle daughter, Lisa, along with a love for animals. To her son, Chuck, she gave her genes of good looks and sense of duty to country. Her oldest daughter, Terri, received her gift of responsibleness and putting others first.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 7, 2022 in the chapel of Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas.
The Hazen City Council met in a special meeting on Monday, November 28, to discuss end of the year bonuses for city employees. Only Councilman Steve Chlapecka was absent.
Mayor David Hardke told the council that due to rising healthcare costs coming for the city employees in 2023, he was proposing a 3% bonus to be given this December.
The reason for the increase in the city’s health insurance is due to the upgrading of the city from Class 4 to Class 5 with a $500 deductible. The change was made because the amount of claims paid out by the Municipal Health Benefit Program was far short of the amount of premiums paid into the program by the city, resulting in a 160.10% loss for the program.
The new rate will increase the premiums for those employees on the family plan by $105.50 each month.
One way to help the employees, according to Hardke, is to give all employees a one-time
DAHS Alumni hold banquet...
The Des Arc Alumni Association recently held its annual Alumni Banquet. The Association has been in existence since the 50’s. It’s always been a tradition to meet the Saturday after Thanksgiving. There was no banquet in 2020 because of Covid, but the tradition was continued in 2021. Pictured above are some of the attendees.
Chad Edwards and sister Rachel Huggins sang several songs to entertain the group. (Rita Dobson photos.)
bonus. Councilman Taylor suggested that the bonus be 5%, which is 2% over the 3% bonus that has been budgeted. When asked, Hardke said, “We have the money for it.” He added, “This shows we are mindful of their (the employees’) situations.”
The city has been trying to bring up the salary levels to a level comparable to that of other cities.
The council members
expressed concern about keeping present employees from leaving the city’s employ.
The council members all agreed that if the city could afford it, the bonus should be 5% and passed the motion. The money for the bonuses will come from the water, sewer, and police department funds, along with money from contingency funds and possibly other city accounts.
Policy Advocacy; Karly Woodall and Dekota Hunt - Food Innovations; Zachary Hill - Repurpose and Redesign.