Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Our photographers will be at the two biggest games in Central Arkansas on Friday night, when No. 2-ranked Conway ventures into North Little Rock Stadium to tangle with the young but talented Charging Wildcats in a 7A-Central showdown, while Camden Fairview comes north for a 5A-Southwest clash with Central Arkansas Christian.

Conway, averaging more than 40 points per game in its first four contests in 2010, all wins, puts its No. 2 ranking in both the Natural State Top 10 and the ArkansasVarsity.com 7A coaches poll against a Charging Wildcats team that has had moments of explosiveness mixed with moments of head-scratching play.

"Inconsistent," North Little Rock defensive coordinator Larry Standley said earlier this week in describing the Wildcats' season so far. Starting the season in the Top 10, the Wildcats lost at Bentonville 45-0 and started sloppily against Little Rock Catholic the next week at War Memorial Stadium, only to score 45 points over the next two quarters to win easily. Five turnovers ruined another trip to Northwest Arkansas in a loss at Springdale, but the Wildcats rebounded at Russellville for a win to open 7A-Central play last week.

"I don't know what team showed up at Bentonville. That wasn't us," Standley said. But last week was more of what the Wildcats staff, under head coach Brad Bolding, expected in dealing with Russellville, a playoff team from a year ago.

Most of the inconsistency has to fall on North Little Rock counting on up to 15 sophomores on Friday nights. One of those, running back Altee Tenpenny had a big night against Catholic. Last week, it was a different back.

Conway, meanwhile, has maybe the most experienced lineup in 7A-Central and it's showing. Plus, getting all-purpose back Desmond Cox on the field after he missed all of 2009 has been a huge plus. Last week, Conway put one of the worst lickings on Cabot that the Panthers have absorbed in the past decade, 41-7 at John McConnell Stadium.

If North Little Rock doesn't stop the Conway Express, the Wampus Cats may cruise to the 7A-Central crown unblemished. Already, it's shaping up for a Conway machup against either Springdale Har-Ber or Bentonville in December for the 7A state title.

Mike Malham, whose Panthers lost in Week 3 to Har-Ber in Cabot 28-10 and then fell last week at Conway, said he saw little difference between the state's No. 1 and No. 2 teams. "Har-Ber might have better linemen, but where Har-Ber is better in the lines, Conway might be better in the skill positions."

No. 3-ranked Bentonville faces its biggest in-state test so far, journeying to Fort Smith Southside Friday night. The Rebels shocked then then-No. 1 Tigers last year in the same setting. The annual Purple Dog-Red Dog battle is also Friday night when Fayetteville and high-flying quarterback Brandon Allen visit Springdale. Rogers Heritage should have no trouble with city rival Rogers, and Har-Ber looks like it should handle a road trip to Fort Smith Northside, which is scoring points in great numbers with its passing game but is giving up gobs as well.

Little Rock Central's quest to end a  25-game losing streak continues with Russellville coming to Quigley-Cox Stadium. Malham's Cabot squad will try to right itself when it plays host to Little Rock Catholic.

Jacksonville, winners of three straight since opening with a 28-14 loss to Cabot in the First Security Kickoff Classic, entertains Jonesboro in the key 7A/6A-East contest, though Marion at West Memphis will also be worth noting.

Camden Fairview is No. 1 in 5A in another media poll and No. 3 in the ArkansasVarsity.com coaches poll, although the Cardinals' only loss came to 6A No. 1 El Dorado. CAC, meanwhile, went on the road and shocked one of the 5A-Southwest preseason contenders, Magnolia, 25-15 behind sophomore quarterback Dylan Sherril.