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EDITOR’S LETTER
The Salt Bowl has always held a very special place in my heart. I was a junior at Bryant High School in 2000 when the first “officially titled” Salt Bowl game was played. That year was not only a landmark beginning for the Bryant and Benton rivalry, but it was also a milestone year in my life as a teenager. It was the first year I was old enough to drive myself to school. I remember getting my first car, like it was yesterday. It was a 1992 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition. It was black with tan leather interior, a sunroof, tinted windows and newly installed CD player. It might not have been a new car, but it was MY car. We only lived about a quarter mile from the high school, so the room for error in my driving was slim-to-none…or so I thought. In early September, as I turned onto the main road in front of the school, I inadvertently took my eyes off the road for a split second. That glance lasted just long enough for me to cause a three-car pileup. Talk about bringing me “crashing” back down to earth! I barely had enough money scraped together to purchase the car, much less pay to have it fixed. Returning to the subject of the first-ever Salt Bowl, Bryant was having an undefeated season that year. My group of friends didn’t miss a game. As the season progressed I started designing custom, hand-drawn t-shirts that pictured the Hornet battling our opponent for that week. At that time, the Benton and Bryant game was always the final game each season. In 2000, the Hornets were 9-0 going into this much-anticipated match-up. For a battle of this magnitude, I had to step up my game. I designed a shirt depicting a pile of all the previously defeated mascots, along with a Hornet holding a panther by the tail. The caption read: “9 and 0, 1 to Go”. I had this shirt printed for myself and 50 of my friends. This game didn’t just end up being a big win for Bryant; it was also a big win for me. My shirt design gained so much attention that the school principal asked to purchase the shirt concept for the State Playoffs. He offered to pay me $500 for the design rights. That number just happened to be the exact dollar amount of my insurance deductible. Talk about a Salt Bowl miracle! I’m sure I’m just one of many, over the years, to share a special Salt Bowl memory. That’s the glory and the magic of this game. Your town. Your life. Your magazine.
2018 Volume 11, Issue 4
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Josh Elrod
jelrod@ignite-mediagroup.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Krystal Neuhofel krystal@salinecountylifestyles.com
CONTRIBUTORS Contributing Writers Charles Crowson Brent Davis Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, MD Ashley Leopoulos Marietta McClure Jillian McGehee Nate Olson Dr. Sam Taggart Contributing Photographers Lela & Lyla Photography Rick Nation Photography
IDEAS/COMMENTS If you have a story idea or comment, please email us at: feedback@salinecountylifestyles.com
ADVERTISING If you are interested in advertising in Saline County Lifestyles please email us at: info@ignite-mediagroup.com Saline County Lifestyles is published by:
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Articles should not be considered specific advice as circumstances vary per individual. Advertised products and/or services are not necessarily endorsed by Ignite Media Group.
JOSH ELROD Publisher & Editor
2 • Saline County Lifestyles
CONTENTS
04 12 16 24 30
Zac Wallace
Three J’s
Steve Sullivan
The Boys of Summer
Panther Preview
EVERY ISSUE Dr. Sam
Fitness Tips
Health Update
07 10 20
Saline County Lifestyles • 3
NOTABLE
Lifestyle
Z A K W A LLA CE
TAKING THE LEAD AND RUNNING WITH IT
Photo by Lela & Lyla Photography
4 • Saline County Lifestyles
As the Benton Panthers take on the Bryant Hornets for one of the most anticipated high school football games in the state (if not the most anticipated), the team’s most seasoned players lead their younger counterparts. They come to the bright lights and cheering crowds for the last time in their player capacities, with promising futures ahead. One of these respected leaders is Benton Panther running back Zak Wallace. While he may be quiet off the field, this 17-year-old takes the lead between those yard lines. The sport has helped Zak gain friends and attention on and off the field. He confidently enters his senior year at Benton High School with different colleges already interested in him. Zak’s football days were secured early on. Growing up in a big family, he joined his siblings when he was a fourth-grader to play in the Future Panthers program. “I looked up to my two older brothers and wanted to be
NOTABLE
like them, so I followed them on the football field,” Zak says. He also has two sisters, one older and one younger. Zak says he has gravitated toward football ever since he can remember. “We are a football family. I’ve always liked it and wanted to play.” In this Razorback country, he isn’t shy to admit that he is an Alabama fan, favoring college over professional football. Friends and fellowship are two aspects of the sport that Zak says he enjoys the most. “I like playing next to my friends. I’ve made most of my friends through football.” In addition, he notes, he enjoys hearing the sounds from the cheering crowds. “I like when everyone is watching and into the game, especially when we make big plays and the cheers are so loud.”
“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A LEADER, AND ESPECIALLY NOW BEING A SENIOR, I’M A LEADER. I TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE THE TEAM ON MY BACK IN HARD SITUATIONS.” This young athlete has accomplished several athletic feats – squatting over 400 pounds, benching over 300 pounds, running 4.55 in the 40-yard dash to name a few. With his tough build and accomplished athleticism, Zak expresses a thoughtful, calm and collected demeanor. And we’re reminded that even tough, strong young men get nervous. “At the beginning of each game, I always get nervous,” Zak says. He will step away from his friends, get quiet and focus inward to help ease his nerves and make it easier to go with the flow. “I pray and then get in touch with myself for about 15 minutes, to focus on myself and what I have to do.” The most important thing to remember is to have fun, Zak says. “I try to make myself have fun, stay calm and enjoy the
game and process. It helps to get those positive vibes flowing.” With those wise words, it’s no wonder that Zak is a leader on the field. “I’ve always been a leader, and especially now being a senior, I’m a leader. I take the responsibility to take the team on my back in hard situations.” People may be surprised to learn that Zak is quieter and more reserved off the field, he says. It’s also probably no wonder that Zak runs track in the off-season. When he’s not busy playing football or competing on the track, Zak enjoys regular teen hobbies, such as video games, working out and pick-up basketball with friends. In school his favorite subject his history, he says, because he likes learning about the past and learning about different cultures. When the lights go out on his high school football days, Zak plans to attend college somewhere for athletic training. He already has offers from places like Ouachita Baptist University, Missouri Western State, Army West Point and Arkansas Tech University. He has six offers now and hopes to have more come his way, he says, noting he looks forward to visiting them and making a decision early next year. “It would be good to get away and experience someplace different, but I won’t be too upset if I stay closer to home,” he says. As Zak considers the forthcoming year as his last as a Benton Panther, he ranks the Salt Bowl game among his favorite matchups. He scored five touchdowns in last year’s big game between Benton and
Lifestyle
the rival Bryant Hornets, and also earned All-State status for the season. “Bryant is good competition,” he says. A few of Zak’s cousins play for Bryant, so the competition is even more fun for this running back. The Salt Bowl grows each year – last year more than 30,000 people attended – and Zak says he loves that aspect of the anticipated game. “More people keep coming, and the crowds are getting bigger and the atmosphere is getting better,” Zak says. “It’s the only game in the state on that Saturday, and the hype is so much fun.” Jillian McGehee
Saline County Lifestyles • 5
6 • Saline County Lifestyles
Good day, I hope this note finds you well. Dear Friends, I truly hope I am not boring you with all my babble about marathons. I promise, this will be my last article about them. As I told you in an earlier letter, I had made up my mind that I wanted to finish one more marathon. In December of 2017, I made an attempt and it just wasn’t in the cards. When last we visited, I had changed my workout schedule and registered for the Arkansas Marathon in Little Rock this last spring. Luckily, the changes in my schedule had the desired effect. All of the aches and pains I had at Dallas disappeared. As the March 4th date approached, I will admit that I had a good deal of anxiety. Would I finish the race, or would I have to wait for another day? Had I waited too long to run my last marathon? This wasn’t much different than the first marathon almost thirty years ago. There is always the anticipation of wondering if you really can do it. There is the concern that you may have bitten off more than you could chew. The day before the marathon, Annette and I drove to Little Rock
and went to the Packet Pickup and Expo at the Little Rock Convention Center. It is important to remember that the marathon-running community in Arkansas has always been a reasonably small group. We all know each other, and even if we didn’t know each other’s names, we would acknowledge the other with a nod and a smile. There were thousands of people at the Expo, but I only recognized two people who could be called gray-hairs. A number of my friends were working the Expo, selling shoes and organizing people. The next morning, I lined up at the start line on a cool, rainy morning; everyone around me seemed so young. They were happy, excited and I suspect somewhat worried about the challenge before them. Most marathons have bands along the course; the desired purpose is to motivate the runners. When I started racing, most of the bands were rock-and-roll, country, folk and the occasional solo guitar player doing his best. For this run, most of the music was a homogenized form of hip-hop and all of the spectators were moving in rhythm with the music. I can say it didn’t do very much for me.
Based on the course, I could have dropped out at mile thirteen or mile eighteen; much to my surprise, I wasn’t tempted. At mile nineteen, we had a wonderful little rain shower that cooled down the radiators. From Rebsamen Park back to downtown was hard, but not impossible. For those of you who don’t know, the stretch from mile 16 to 26 is by far the hardest part of a marathon, but I knew without a doubt that this was my last marathon. I finished and was “tickled to death.” This was my last marathon, and it is fitting that it was in Little Rock. There were thousands of people running the streets of Little Rock and most were a lot younger than I. That is exciting, seeing others pick up the sport. Now, Annette has not completed all the 50 states in half-marathons; I guess I should support her in that effort. We will start in the fall. Have a good journey. Sam Dr. Sam Taggart is a retired doctor/ writer/ marathon runner in practice in Benton for the last 35 years. He recently published The Public’s Health: A narrative history of health and disease in Arkansas, published by the Arkansas Times. His two other books, With a Heavy Heart and We All Hear Voices are available at your local booksellers or online at Amazon.com.
Saline County Lifestyles • 7
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Saline County Lifestyles • 9
ACTIVE
Lifestyle
FITNESS TIPS Non-Scale Victories
By Marietta McClure, Head Trainer, McClure Fitness
Most of the clients who walk through the doors of McClure fitness are trying to get fit. 75% of the time, that means attempting to lose weight, whether it be 5 pounds or 75 pounds. I get stuck in a fitness bubble where I concentrate all my energy on helping folks lose weight and burn as many calories as possible. However, I also try to encourage my people to celebrate “non-scale victories” also. These are victories that are a direct result of habitual exercise that the scale cannot measure. Non-scale victories can be anything from getting off diabetes or blood pressure medicine, doing a real push- or pull-up for the first time, keeping up with family on an active vacation like Disney World, buying smaller clothes, sleeping better and gaining confidence. All of these victories are visible. You can step inside the gym doors and see that real pushup, you can log onto Facebook and see the picture of Susie in her new, slim shorts, chasing her sons at Disney. These are real, concrete things that don’t take imagination. But not everything is that concrete, that black and white. Sometimes, the biggest nonscale victory is an emotional one. Sometimes, the physical work our bodies can do will literally not only change the 10 • Saline County Lifestyles
outside…but also the inside. We all know that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins and boosts serotonin and dopamine. These are chemicals that trigger a positive feeling in the body; basically, they make you happy and act as your body’s natural anti-depressants. One in ten people in the United States struggles with depression, and exercise is a proven and effective way to help treat the condition. Maybe you are the one who struggles with depression or maybe you have someone in your life who struggles. If you have someone in your life who does struggle with depression or anxiety, whether it is mild or severe, you need to learn how exercise can help so that you can help them. Maybe it will get you exercising, too! 1. Start out slowly. You can go for a walk or jog outside, or do an online workout video for 10-15 minutes. Just do exercise two or three times a week for a month, each time trying to add a couple more minutes. Work towards a goal, like running for 30 minutes or trying a group fitness class. 2. Ask some folks in your life to be accountability partners for you; tell them your exercise goals and check in with them at least once a week. Maybe they even live nearby and can meet you to exercise.
Specifically ask an accountability partner to kindly force you to exercise on the days when you are feeling especially down or overwhelmed. Going for a walk with this person and talking about your day could be exactly what you need. If you are the accountability partner, do your job to encourage and motivate your friend toward goals; don’t allow excuses. 3. Set non-physical goals, like working out three times a week, hitting your daily water intake or talking to your accountability partner. If you need to clean up your diet, consider removing one bad food every couple of weeks: soda, processed sugar, white bread, etc. You can also use a food journal to learn what foods are healthy. My Fitness Pal is a free app that is easy to use and will provide calorie and nutrition information. 4. If you are trying to lose (or gain) weight, resist weighing yourself except once a month. The scale is not a motivator. It does not define you. A better way to track your progress is to measure or take monthly pictures. While you might cringe at the first picture, you will slowly become proud of your progress as you continue to work towards your goals. 5. Exercise even when you don’t feel like it. Those are the times you need it the most!
6. Try yoga. The meditative element and breathing techniques that you will learn can prove incredibly effective at helping calm the mind. 7. Celebrate all victories! Remind yourself constantly that you are striving for progress, not perfection. Back to our non-scale victories - for those who struggle with depression and anxiety, exercise can give you your life back. It can return you to you. You will gain confidence and self-esteem. Those are victories
well worth striving towards. Disclaimer: I am not a physician. My intention in writing this article is to encourage those struggling with depression to experiment treating their condition with exercise. I am not suggesting that anyone quit taking anti-depressants. You might always need a combination of medications, and I simply suggest that life might be brighter if you get out and move your body! ď Ž
Saline County Lifestyles • 11
NOTABLE
Lifestyle
TH REE J ’ S
BIG EXPECTATIONS, BROAD SHOULDERS
Photo by Lela & Lyla Photography
12 • Saline County Lifestyles
NOTABLE
Expectations for the Benton Panthers are high entering this 2018 season. With more than 100 players expected on the team, coupled with more experience than the program has seen in years, Head Coach Brad Harris appears to have this team primed and ready for a shot at a 6A State Championship. “Football is important again, and we think we have a pretty talented team this year,” he said. “I know that it’s only on paper right now, but we like what we have a lot.” The Panthers look to be charged offensively by returning running back Zak Wallace, slot receiver Gavin Wells and wide receiver Michael Allison. “There’s a lot of talent there, a lot of options with what those guys can do,” Coach Harris said. But, to use a classic football phrase, “it all starts at the point of attack,” and for that, Coach Harris will rely heavily on his three returning senior lineman – center Josh George (6’3”, 305 lbs), left tackle Jenson White (6’4”, 295 lbs) and right tackle James Durling (6’6”, 325 lbs)… The Three J’s. “It’s great for these three young men,” Harris said. “They’ve played their entire high school career together and will be finishing it together this year. It’s not something you see all the time, three players of this caliber coming through Benton together.” Many consider Josh George one of the key leaders for the program. Coach Harris describes him as the most well-rounded of his returning starters, who has made significant strides in the weight room, adding needed strength headed into his senior season. For Josh, though, pursing football is a bit of a family tradition, and being a Benton Panther was something he always dreamed of. “My father is a football coach, and I’ve been playing since first grade,” he said. “When other kids were getting bedtime stories, my dad and I were breaking down film. This is something I’ve always known as one of the great loves of my life. “My whole life, I always said, ‘I can’t wait to be a Panther.’ Now
this is my last season in Benton and it’s crazy to think about. I try not to think about it. I just focus on getting stronger and better.” Flanked to Josh’s left is senior tackle Jenson White, a player Coach Harris praises for coming a long way in a short period of time. “He’s a kid who has a lot of upside. He was tall and lanky when he was younger but has really developed over the years,” he said. “Of the three, he’s probably the most athletic. He has great flexibility and ability to move from side to side, which is impressive for someone his size.”
“THEY’VE PLAYED THEIR ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER TOGETHER AND WILL BE FINISHING IT TOGETHER THIS YEAR. IT’S NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE ALL THE TIME, THREE PLAYERS OF THIS CALIBER COMING THROUGH BENTON TOGETHER.” Jenson was injured early during the 2017 year, so coming into his final season he sees this as an opportunity to end his high school career on his terms. “This is it,” he said. “I’m going to go out there and give it everything I have. We’ve got some big goals for this season, and I’m going to do all I can to help us get there.” At right tackle is James Durling. He’s the largest of Benton’s Three J’s. He’s one of the team’s quiet leaders, and that’s something he’s more than happy with. “Yeah, I’m a pretty quiet person. I think Coach Harris and my teammates would say that,” he said. “I do my best to lead by example and let my playing do all of the talking for me. “Football has been a very important
Lifestyle
part of my life. It’s taught me how to push through and overcome challenges, not just on the field but off of it as well.” Challenges will certainly present themselves early and often for the Panthers. Navigating their way through a difficult schedule in the 6A West and non-conference games with Arkadelphia and Cabot will be a tall task. However, it all starts Aug. 25 in front of 30,000 fans at War Memorial Stadium and The Salt Bowl against the Bryant Hornets. “The atmosphere is amazing,” said Jenson White. “The nerves are real when you first walk on the field and the game kicks off. After that, you just settle in and play the best you can.” “Last year was my first year to really play, and I grew to understand the importance of the hype that came with it,” said James Durling. “I remember being completely drained last year when it was over.” “The Salt Bowl means everything, and we’re due a win,” said Josh George. “Not a lot of kids can say they played in front of 35,000 people. It’s a special game and an atmosphere you don’t get anywhere else in Arkansas.” Each of Coach Harris’ Three J’s is already planning for life after Panther football. Josh and James have received scholarship offers to play in college, with more expected. Jenson says a future in football may not be for him. His focus, right now, is on college at either Arkansas or Ole Miss where he intends to study to be an orthodontist. “I’ve always been fascinated by the practice and like the idea of doing something that combines science and being hands-on,” he said. There are some high expectations behind the size and experience of Josh George, Jenson White and James Durling. It’s a challenge they’re ready for and a heavy burden that doesn’t seem to be too much for their broad shoulders. Now, just go play… Charles Crowson
Saline County Lifestyles • 13
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Saline County Lifestyles • 15
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Lifestyle
STEVE SULLIVAN: FATHER OF
The feeling is electric - the roaring fans, the fight song filling the air and the exhilarating thrill of watching your team score a touchdown. Every fall, there is something special in the air when a community comes together to cheer on the high school football team, and that magic is what keeps KATV Sports Director Steve “Sully” Sullivan loving every minute of high school football. Growing up in Framington, Massachusetts just outside of Boston, Steve was one of six children and was the only one with a passion for sports. Some of his earliest memories include standing in front of the family’s single television giving play-by-plays of a game for a quick laugh. Steve’s motivation to learn his multiplication tables in elementary school sprang partly from a desire to ensure that his own baseball stats were accurate. In high school, Steve played baseball, and his team made it to the state finals, where they were 16 • Saline County Lifestyles
runners-up his junior year. When the time came to select a college, Steve chose Arkansas State University (ASU), sight unseen. He wanted two things out of college - an excellent journalism program and a school close to a racetrack for his greyhound, Keentwister. His dog secured one win at Southland Park Gaming and Racing. After the victory, Steve decided to leave the racing world behind and focus his energy on his studies. When he wasn’t studying or attending class, you could find Steve on campus with his intramural team, The 4th Flush. This independent athletic group was comprised of “a bunch of All-state guys,” says Steve. “Anyone who attended ASU at that time would remember how good we were. We played all kinds of games.” Steve credits the people and the relationships he made in college for making Arkansas feel like home. “There were a lot of good people who
supported me in the community,” says Steve. “It’s hard to name just one. I had so many good friends.” After graduation, Steve made Arkansas his home away from home.
STEVE FONDLY REMEMBERS HIS FIRST SALT BOWL EXPERIENCE. THE YEAR WAS 1985, AND BEFORE THE FAMOUS RIVALRY WAS NAMED THE SALT BOWL IT WAS KNOWN AS THE SALINE COUNTY SHOOTOUT - A RIVALRY DOMINATED BY BENTON. Steve fondly remembers his first Salt Bowl experience. The year was 1985, and before the famous rivalry was named the Salt Bowl it was known as the Saline County Shootout - a rivalry dominated by Benton. Impressively,
he can remember the key figures of the night including former Benton High School football coach, Dwight Fite. While he could not remember who won the game that year, the winners are not the most important detail for Steve; the palpable passion on display at the game is what sticks out in his memory. “The buildup and the excitement is what I remember most,” says Steve. “It’s a friendly but fierce rivalry. It was a fun game for me to cover.” From that moment on, he was hooked. “We cover the Salt Bowl every year,” says Steve. “It’s the best rivalry in central Arkansas, and in terms of attendance, the best rivalry in the state. You get to know the coaches and the teams, and you are invested in the rivalry.” Most Arkansans know Steve from his infamous “Friday Night Touchdown” highlights every Friday night in the fall on KATV. Since 1999, he’s missed only one Friday night. Saline County Lifestyles • 17
“My passion is high school football,” says Steve. “In Massachusetts it wasn’t that big, but here in Arkansas, communities get wrapped up in their high school football team. I always approach every Friday night broadcast like it’s game time. For some of these kids, it’s the only time they’ll get on television. It’s a fun night. I make it a point to do my best to get all the names right and convey the excitement of that night. The older I get, the more I treasure it; I’m not sure how long I’ll be doing this.” For Steve, even after more than 30 years of covering high school football highlights, the games have never lost their thrilling allure. “It’s more passion than work,” says Steve. “At KATV it’s a team effort on Friday nights getting the players together. We want to have the best representation of the highlights of that game. I enjoy covering high school sports more. I can relate more to the coaches who are grinding out there, and it’s the last time these students get to play as kids. It becomes business once they play in college.” The 2018 Salt Bowl will take place on Saturday, August 25 at War Memorial Stadium with a 7 p.m. kick off. This year’s theme is “Saturday Night Lights,” inspired by the book, movie and television show, “Friday Night Lights.” This year, for his 33rd Salt Bowl, Steve has been selected as the honorary coin-tosser. “I am thrilled and honored for them to think of me,” says Steve. “I’ll be covering the game that night as well.” “Sully is known to all as ‘Mr. High School Football,” says Shane Broadway, Salt Bowl committee member. “‘Friday Night Touchdowns’ hosted by ‘Sully’ has been a must watch for players and families across the state of Arkansas. He has always been a big supporter of the Salt Bowl, and we are honored that we get to say ‘Thank You’ to Steve Sullivan at this year’s game.” Ashley Leopoulos
18 • Saline County Lifestyles
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HEALTHY
Lifestyle
HEALTH UPDATE Meniscus Tears of the Knee By Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, MD Meniscus tears are one of the most common injuries seen in knees. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tissue made of fibrocartilage that sits within the knee. There are actually two menisci (plural of meniscus) in each knee. One is located between the femur and tibia on the inside or medial side of the knee, and one is located between the femur and tibia on the outside or lateral side of the knee. Meniscus tears can occur at any age. These tears can occur in athletes or weekend warriors, or in those who aren’t active or are elderly. The meniscus has several functions within the knee. The fibrocartilage structure functions as a shock absorber and reduces stress across the knee joint. The wedge-shaped nature of the meniscus assists to spread out force distribution across the joint. It acts as a passive stabilizer of knee motion and limits extreme flexion and extension of the knee. According to studies back in the 1990’s, the annual incidence of meniscus tears is 60-70 per 100,000 people. They more commonly occur in males than females. Often, they are associated with other injuries of the knee but they can occur in isolation. About 1/3 of all meniscus tears are associated with ACL injuries. Meniscus injuries can occur acutely with twisting, direct contact, hyperflexion, or hyperextension 20 • Saline County Lifestyles
injuries of the knee. However, you can also have meniscus tears that develop more chronically due to arthritis or other degenerative processes of the knee. This second group of meniscus tears is called degenerative. Older individuals are more likely to have degenerative tears. As we age, the meniscus fibrocartilage weakens and wears thin. Worn tissue is more prone to injury. Sometimes, with weakened meniscus tissue, a simple twist of the knee that doesn’t seem like a big deal is enough to tear the meniscus.
THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS INCLUDE PAIN ALONG THE INJURED SIDE OF THE KNEE, STIFFNESS, PAIN WITH HYPERFLEXION/ HYPEREXTENSION, SWELLING, CATCHING OR POPPING OF THE KNEE, THE SENSATION OF THE KNEE WANTING TO GIVE WAY OR FEELING UNSTABLE. If you have been unlucky enough to tear your meniscus, your symptoms will depend on whether you have torn the medial (inside meniscus) or lateral (outside meniscus). Whichever side was injured will usually be painful. You may have felt or heard a “pop” initially. Most people can still walk on
their injured knee. The most common symptoms include pain along the injured side of the knee, stiffness, pain with hyperflexion/hyperextension, swelling, catching or popping of the knee, the sensation of the knee wanting to give way or feeling unstable. You also may not have full range of motion with flexion or extension. If you feel any of these symptoms, it is important to see your family doctor or an orthopedic surgeon so your knee can be examined. Physical examination is very helpful to doctors in trying to determine if there is a meniscus tear, but sometimes imaging is also needed. X-rays assess if there are any loose bodies or arthritic changes within the knee. The meniscus does not show up on X-rays, so they can’t confirm tears, but they still are an important tool in assessing the knee. Often MRI’s are used to actually see the meniscus and whether there is a tear of the meniscus. If you are found to have a meniscus tear, it is important to see an orthopedic surgeon so they can talk with you about both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. For acute injuries, RICE treatment is often initiated. This includes Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. In addition, non-steroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
HEALTHY
can be very effective for relieving pain and decreasing swelling. NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen, in addition to several prescription medications. Occasionally, steroid injections are also administered to decrease inflammation in a knee with a known or suspected meniscus tear. These injections can also relieve pain and inflammation. However, one should discuss these shots with an orthopedic surgeon, as the shots are not particularly healthy for the cartilage in the knee. Another newer treatment is an injection called PRP (platelet-rich plasma). For this shot, a patient has some blood removed. The growth and healing factors are then concentrated from the blood and re-injected into the knee. If symptoms are not improving with NSAIDs, rest, and other previously mentioned treatments, your doctor may suggest surgical treatment. Usually surgery can be done through a minimally invasive approach that includes 2 or 3 small incisions, each less than 1 cm in length. Depending on the tear pattern, the timing of surgery after the injury, and their ability to limit activity, some meniscal tears can be fixed surgically. Surgeons can also still treat tears that cannot be fixed by removing a small portion of the meniscus where the tear occurs, to bring the remaining meniscus tissue back to stable edges. This is called a partial meniscectomy. In other cases, where the tears are very large and patients are younger, meniscal transplantation can be sometimes performed using cadaver tissue. These options should be discussed with a qualified orthopedic surgeon. ď Ž
Lifestyles
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THE BOYS OF SUMMER TAKE THEIR PLACE IN THE SUN
Several years ago, Panthers football moved from the venerable C.W. Lewis Stadium in downtown Benton to a new venue adjacent the high school. While C.W. Lewis held a special place in the hearts and minds of decades of loyalists, the time had come to begin a new era of tradition. Now the time has come for the boys of summer to step up to the plate. Many people in Benton can remember a time when high school baseball in the city did not exist as part of the district sports program. Players joined the American Legion program with teams sponsored by local businesses. But when the opportunity for athletes to earn a letter in baseball came, just as the football players had had for decades, the program started with games at Bernard Holland Park. In 2002, that all changed when Panther Field was opened next to the Cook Fieldhouse on the back edge of the high school campus. To Mark Balisterri, head coach for the high school baseball team, 24 • Saline County Lifestyles
moving home games to the campus grounds made sense. As a result, the team had a new home, one that has served the players well. “Our current field is one of the top fields in the state,” says Balisterri. “It definitely needs some repair and updates, but allin-all, it’s one of the finest.” As the new sports complex began to take shape, the soccer, track and girls’ softball teams, in addition to football, each gained new environments on which to sharpen their skills. But first, we must go back to 2007. A master plan for a new sports complex was developed, condensing the fields for all outdoor sports to one location. In 2009, the girls’ softball team needed a field and the first part of the sports complex was completed. Shortly afterward, the football stadium, which also is the location for soccer and track, was opened. An indoor training facility was also built. The area became one of the finest complexes in the state. On May 14 of this year, the
school board approved a plan to finally add the last piece of the sports puzzle by contracting with Nabholz Construction to build the baseball field. “Our new field will set the bar for Arkansas high school baseball,” says Balisterri. “Everything about it is going to be top-notch. There won’t be another high school stadium that will come close.” The stadium is currently under construction next to the girls’ softball field at the sports complex just off Algood Street, and is expected to be completed by the opening of the baseball season in 2019. It will feature a design that fits with that of the other fields, and will give the appearance that it has been there all along. But this isn’t your ordinary diamond. “Our facility will feature the newest and best turf,” says Balisterri. “We will have covered bleachers and dressing rooms in our dugouts. I feel that with the addition of the new baseball field, we will have one of the best sports complexes in the state, if not the best.”
The change from a grass field to one of sports turf has its perks. Balisterri looks forward to the transition. “Having all turf is definitely the most interesting part of the new field. This gives us a big advantage by not losing any practice or games unless it is actually raining. I also feel it will be a place that not only our players and our athletic department will be proud of, but the whole community will be proud of this facility.” Athletic Director Scott Neathery says that everything in the original school master plan for facilities is taking shape. In addition to the new baseball field, a new transportation facility is under construction. Also, the former baseball field will provide much needed space for growth of academic facilities on the main campus in the years to come. The district faces the challenge of a growing city with limited land available upon which to prepare for the needs of students, a point District Superintendent Mike Skelton echoes. Other projects on the planning board are adding junior high classrooms, expanding the high school band building, remodeling the Cook Fieldhouse classroom facilities, and remodeling and expanding the district’s dining and kitchen spaces. In an earlier interview, Neathery said, “It is very rewarding to see that our top-notch facilities mirror our exceptional teachers, students and patrons, who help produce a high-quality educational institution, as well as a high-quality athletic program in Benton.” Skelton notes that the support of the Benton community is the key to this growth, and couldn’t happen without it. “It will aid us in carrying out the vision and the mission that have been set forth for meeting the needs of our students and community,” Skelton said. When the field is finished, the “diamond” will find a new setting in the crown of Arkansas high school sports. Brent Davis
Saline County Lifestyles • 25
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B E NT O N TE AM PR E V I EW In the four seasons Coach Brad Harris has been a part of the Benton program, it has ascended to new heights. In his first season as defensive coordinator in 2014, the Panthers earned a trip to the Class 6A state title game. Benton racked up nine wins a year later with eight in his debut as head coach in 2016 and seven last year after only winning a combined thirteen games from 2011-13. However, the one thing missing from Benton’s resume is a win over county rival Bryant. The two teams tied in 2014, but Benton hasn’t beaten the Hornets since 2005, when they won the Salt Bowl and a playoff game at C.W. Lewis Stadium, the former home of the Panthers. “Nobody asks me how we are going to be this year, they just ask me how we are going to do against Bryant,” Harris said. “For some of those oldtimers, a win in the Salt Bowl would be bigger than a state championship. “It is a big game for us because our kids know their kids well, being so close. We know we can go on and have a good season if we lose; it is a nonconference game. But I would love to see what it does to our season if we win this game. I think our support would be even better the rest of the season, and the momentum of a win would carry over. It would be a big win.”
OFFENSE Three quarterbacks with experience return for the Panthers, but Harris hopes junior all-conference honoree Gavin Wells can stay at his natural receiver position this year. Wells moved from receiver to quarterback last year when senior Colen Morrow (6’, 160 lbs.) tore his ACL Week 4 against Russellville and was lost for the season. Before the injury, Morrow was 60 of 82 for 733 yards and three touchdowns, and had run for 187 yards. 30 • Saline County Lifestyles
Photo by Rick Nation Photography
Junior Payton Hudgins (5’11”, 175 lbs.) broke his collarbone in August but returned to start four games. Hudgins (4.6 speed) passed for 471 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 172 yards and a score. Hudgins amassed 220 total yards and three TDs in a 38-19 win against Texarkana and showed his versatility with a 45-yard touchdown reception in a playoff loss to West Memphis. Morrow hurt his shoulder during baseball season, so he didn’t go through spring drills or any 7-on-7 work through the dead period in early July. He should be at full strength when practice begins and will battle Hudgins for the starting spot. Harris said if Morrow wins the quarterback job, the athletic Hudgins will move to receiver. Whoever is under center will have a reliable option to hand the ball. Senior runningback Zak Wallace (6’, 200 lbs.) will start for the second year. Last fall, Wallace enjoyed breakout season rushing for 1,489 yards with 21 touchdowns. He set the tone early with 175 yards, five rushing touchdowns and five catches for 75 yards in a loss to rival Bryant in the season-opening Salt Bowl. Junior D’Anthony Harper (5’7”, 185 lbs.) saw some time last season at receiver but will relieve Wallace with a change of pace and may appear with him in the backfield at the same time. Harper (450-pound squat, 285-pound bench press, 275-pound power clean) ran for a 12-yard touchdown against Sheridan and caught a 26-yard pass for a score against Jacksonville last fall. Wells led the Panthers in passing with 907 yards and eight TDs, but Harris said he would only play quarterback this year in an emergency. This will allow him to improve on the 423 yards receiving and three touchdowns he totaled last year. He was also third on the team in rushing with 360 yards and two TDs. With Wells splitting time at quarterback, senior Michael Allison (6’2”, 170 lbs.) led the Panthers in receiving in 2017 with 507 yards and three touchdowns. Allison (4.7
speed) boasts a 4.0 GPA and a 30 ACT score. He racked up four catches for 58 yards against Greenwood. Senior Garrett Body (6’, 165 lbs.) will fill an outside receiver spot after moving to Benton from Newport last December. Body caught 21 passes for 236 yards and three TDs for the Greyhounds. Junior Braxton Slaughter (6’, 180 lbs.) will see more playing time after missing half of last season with multiple injuries. Slaughter has a “tight-end type body” with 4.7 speed. Harris is excited about the veteran offensive line corps. Senior Josh George (6’3”, 305 lbs.) moved from center to guard because of an injury but returns to center for his final prep season. The studious George (3.5 GPA) “understands blocking schemes” and has caught the eyes of college scouts. Senior Jenson White (6’4”, 295 lbs.) uses his flexibility to stand out at left tackle. Senior right tackle James Durling (6’6”, 300 lbs.) squats 495 pounds and bench-presses 285 pounds. Senior Henry Hicks (5’10”, 251 lbs.), who bench presses 340 pounds and squats 500 pounds, will see time inside. Junior Austin Jones (6’1”, 260 lbs.) is well-versed at all five line positions and bench-presses 330 pounds. Senior soccer player Garrett Eason (6’, 200 lbs.) looks more like a linebacker than a kicker/punter. Eason (295-pound bench press, 310-pound power clean) picked up the punting duties in the offseason and is at full strength after a soccer injury.
DEFENSE Three seniors return to anchor the defensive line. Robert Lankford (5’10”, 275 lbs.) managed 30 tackles and 2.5 sacks in the middle last fall. Lankford is a powerhouse, squatting 415 pounds and bench-pressing 385 pounds. Senior end Ty Neathery (6’2”, 230 lbs.), the son of Benton athletic director and former Coach Scott
Neathery, totaled 35 tackles including seven for loss with 4.5 sacks. Neathery (4.7 speed) squats 525 pounds and bench-presses 335 pounds. Classmate Dylan Ferguson (6’3”, 220 lbs.; 4.8 speed) mans the other end spot. Ferguson missed most of last season with a broken arm. Junior Traevion Maxwell (6’, 240 lbs.) tries his hand at end after “outgrowing” the runningback position. Classmate Caleb Kauffman (6’1”, 245 lbs.) adds depth on the line. Senior middle linebacker Kyvin Carroll (5’11”, 230 lbs.) was a welcome addition after transferring from Central Arkansas Christian last fall. Carroll (4.7 speed) racked up more than 80 tackles including 16 tackles for loss last fall. Carroll bench-presses 320 pounds and power cleans 310 pounds. Junior Sean Thornton (5’10”, 200 lbs.) lines up inside after notching 22 tackles in 2017. Junior Bryce Golleher (5’9”, 220 lbs.) also lines up on the outside. Senior Zach Parker (5’11”, 208 lbs.) “has been a role player at linebacker but will have a chance to start.” Senior Cam Ross (6’, 215 lbs.) returns at the rover (linebacker/safety hybrid) position. Ross (4.6 speed) racked up 85 tackles and recorded three interceptions including a 27yard touchdown return against Little Rock Parkview in 2017. Senior Devin Griffin (5’10”, 160 lbs.; 4.6 speed) is back to full speed after missing most of last year with a broken collarbone. Classmate Kelby Caffrey (5’11”, 175 lbs.) is aggressive at the other corner spot and can play safety in the nickel package. Senior Terry Jones (5’9”, 180 lbs.; 4.6 speed) saw most of his time on the junior varsity squad last season but will contribute at cornerback this fall. Junior Dylan Burnham (6’, 170 lbs.), Colin Yandell (6’, 210 lbs.) and Carter Hutchinson (6’, 190 lbs.) are versatile and add depth in the secondary. Nate Olson Saline County Lifestyles • 31
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GO PANTHERS! The only thing more important than winning is winning together. At ACDI, we know that teamwork is the greatest strength in a thriving community and we are proud to call Saline County our home.
2018 BENTON PANTHER FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT PLACE AUG 25 BRYANT (Salt Bowl)
WAR MEM (Away)
AUG 31 @ Arkadelphia
AWAY
TIME 7:00 PM 7:00 PM
SEPT 14 Cabot HOME 7:00 PM SEPT 21 @ Russellville*
AWAY
7:00 PM
SEPT 28 Siloam Springs* HOME 7:00 PM OCT 5
@ Hall* AWAY 7:00 PM
OCT 12 El Dorado* (Homecoming) HOME
7:00 PM
OCT 19 @ Greenwood* AWAY 7:00 PM OCT 26 Lake Hamilton* (Sr. Night) HOME NOV 2
7:00 PM
@ Sheridan* AWAY 7:00 PM
*Denotes Conference Play WAR MEM=War Memorial Stadium
COURTESY OF: