Chris Murray: Hendrix Football – Warriors Staying Competitive at Midpoint

 

Hendrix Football running on field

CONWAY – As Hendrix College enters the second half of its first varsity football season in 53 years one thing is clear – the Warriors are already competitive in Division III.

Through five games, Hendrix football is 2-3 overall, and has lost both of its Southern Athletic Conference games. Its most recent loss was a bitter one – falling 45-41 Saturday to Washington University at home. The Warriors completed a pass to the Washington U. 1 on the game’s final play. That marked the team’s first home loss, following the memorable 46-44 win over Westminster to open the season, and a 48-29 victory over Southwestern (Texas) on Sept. 28.

“They wanted it to be an exciting brand of football,” Hendrix coach Buck Buchanan said with a laugh. “We’ve kept them in the seats until the end. It is a tough way to lose, but I don’t fear a hangover because our guys have tremendous focus. That’s a significant part of our character. We challenged them to not be a yard short. Our guys were hurt badly by the loss. That’s a good sign.”

Hendrix’s two conference losses both came on the road – 35-32 to Birmingham Southern on Sept. 14, and 48-37 to Millsaps on Oct. 5. The Warriors were in both games, against deeper, more physical and more experienced teams. Their Spread offense has been very effective, and that has been a necessity

“I think we’re where we thought we could be, but we’re probably ahead of where we thought we would be,” Buchanan said. “We’ve obviously made some mistakes and others have capitalized. With the way we’ve played the last couple weeks, we try to score and not make it a physical ball game.

“At Millsaps it got into a physical game and we couldn’t stand in there. Our whole goal against Wash-U was to put pressure on them to make the plays, and we did what we wanted to do. We didn’t play terribly, but we got pushed around a little bit. If we can win 7-0 we’ll take it, but it we need to score 50, we’ll score 50.”

After the initial buzz of the opening weekend, with an overflow crowd, improbable comeback win and general excitement surrounding the campus, one might have expected a letdown from the Warriors, but that has not been the case.

“We’ve maintained our focus of taking it a game at a time and get better every chance we get,” Buchanan said. “We still have standing room only crowds. When you play well, people like to see you play. We do have a tendency for the dramatic. There’s nothing more I could ask of (the team). They’ve given everything they could give.”

Up until last week, the Warriors had been fortunate to avoid significant injuries, but quarterback Seth Peters was knocked out of the Washington U. game with a knee injury. Tanner Frye stepped in and guided the offense to multiple scores. Peters, who had been torching opposing defenses, is not expected to play this week while awaiting results from an MRI.

“We have had no real attrition,” Buchanan said. “We have a couple guys who are out, but for the most part we have all our guys. We’ve been fortunate, and I think we’re in good shape because we play all the time. We have low numbers and we may battle injuries as the season goes on. The great thing about it is, we have a guy where we don’t adjust on offense. We’re counting on Tanner being the guy.”

Other standouts in the first half of the season include versatile running back/return man Dayton Winn, and deep pool of receivers, including Spencer Smith, Casey Caton and Travus McMahon.

“We’re getting a great effort by all our receivers,” Buchanan said. “They don’t drop balls. It’s hard to brag on one because they all do really good job.”

Against Washington U., Buchanan said, “Grey Stanton had his best game. He’s really coming on strong as the outside linebacker/defensive end we thought he could be. (Safety) Caleb Shannon, he makes plays all over the field. “

Hendrix football returns to Young-Wise Memorial Stadium on Saturday, when it hosts Berry College at 1 p.m. Like Hendrix, Berry is in its first season of football. Unlike the Warriors, the Vikings have struggled, posting an 0-5 record, while being held to seven or fewer points four times.

“They’re going to be focused and ready to play,” Buchanan said. “I think they have struggled with consistency this year, more so than us. I think it’s going to be a good matchup. They have good players, but I’m glad we’re playing at home.”

 

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