Camden Fairview set to host Magnolia Panthers on Friday

— After a tough one-point loss at home, the Camden Fairview Cardinals (2-3, 1-1) will aim to get back on the right track.

The Cardinals will host long-time 5A rivals in the Magnolia Panthers (2-3, 0-2) at 7 p.m. on Friday night in a game that has high stakes for both teams.

For the Cardinals, its an opportunity to stay in the top half of the conference standings and, for the Panthers, it’s an opportunity to get even with Cardinals in conference standings.

C.F. holds the advantage in terms of meetings, winning 12 out of the last 19 times the two teams have squared off. The last time the Cardinals loss to Magnolia was on the road in 2016. C.F. has beaten Magnolia the last two years by an average of 12 points.

Last year’s meeting was a sloppy one in terms of penalties with more than 50 flags thrown between both teams. However, the Cardinals had a big night, racking up over 600 yards in total offense — 350 on the ground — to win 38-20.

Magnolia has a new coach in Mark King and he has installed a revamped run offense similar to the one he used when he won the 2A sate title with the Foreman Gators in 2017. The Panthers are one of the more experienced teams in the conference, returning 13 of its 22 starters on offense and defense. In fact, four of its eight returning starters are on the line to lead the Panther’s flexbone attack.

Braelyn Beasley helms at quarterback and has explosive speed and athleticism. Robert Mack and fullback DeMarco Walker (6-1, 215) will both see a lot of carries.

On defense, the Panthers are led by nose guard Travasio Pearson in the 3-4 alignment.

Magnolia is averaging around 29 points per game but is allowing 32 points per game. The team has also struggled with turnovers, having fumbled the ball a combined 10 times over its last two outings.

The Cardinals enter Friday’s game after losing by an extra point to Texarkana last week, 27-26. CF found themselves down 20-6 at the half before taking a 26-20 lead with 5 minutes left in the game.

Conference standings

Arkansas High… 2-0

Hot Springs… 2-0

McClellan… 1-1

Camden Fairview… 1-1

Lakeside… 1-1

Magnolia… 0-2

Magnolia… 0-2

De Queen… 0-2

Upcoming Events