Ken McLemore

HOPE – The Hope High School Bobcats took the field at Hammons Stadium here Aug. 17 in a three-way benefit game that was moved from Fouke and added Dierks, showing promise for the 2021 gridiron season.

“We’re very happy with where we are at this point, but we still have a lot of improving to do to be ready for Little Rock Mills on August 27,” Bobcat Head Coach/Athletic Director Phillip Turner said.

Senior quarterback Amorrion Dempsey brought his running skills back against Dierks in the first of two one-quarter contests.

“Amorrion gave us a glimpse of his playmaking ability as he ran in a 27-yard touchdown versus Dierks,” Turner said.

The Cats were edged 7-6 by an Outlaw offense that was new to them, he said.

“The players had to adjust to an offense they don’t get to see often versus Dierks, but the effort from our guys was there,” Turner said. “I thought our offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage. We were very impressed with them.”

Hope caught fire against Fouke with a three-touchdown blitz for a 21-0 win.

“Tyler Patterson led the offense versus Fouke and three for three touchdowns,” Turner said. “He has the potential to be a good player for us.”

Defensively, the Cats had a mixed night, Turner said.

“The defense was still finding itself during the scrimmage versus Dierks, but they came alive versus Fouke and dominated them the entire quarter,” he said. 

Offensively, KD Gulley broke through the Panther defense on a tough run from the right side of the line and went against the grain for a 20-plus yard TD, while Donavan Jones pulled in a short pass in the flat and cut cross-country for 80 yards and the TD to highlight the night.

Defensively, Kameron Blanchett came across the field to stop a sure touchdown run from a Panther pass on the left side and put the receiver on the ground with a decisive take-down tackle that stunned the Fouke offense.

The Cats take on Little Rock Mills in the season non-conference home opener Aug. 27 at Hammons Stadium at 7 p.m.