Siloam Springs abuzz Panther pride swells for home playoff football game
Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008
When the Little Rock Christian buses and fans roll into Siloam Springs on U. S. Highway 412 for their firstround Class 5 A playoff football game against the Panthers tonight, there will be no doubt they’ve found the right town.
The IGA Super Center marquee reads, “ Go Panthers. Beat LRC. ”
The sign at the AAF automotive dealership a few doors down reads, “ Go Panthers, ” as do the marquees at the McDonald’s and several other businesses.
Even the car wash directly across South Holly Street from Glenn Black Stadium pledges its support for the Panthers.
Everywhere you look, there are reminders of the main event in Siloam Springs tonight.
Coach Clint Ashcraft’s gridiron troops have made the playoffs for a school-record fifth consecutive year, but tonight’s game is at home. And that’s been a long, long time coming.
“ We’d kind of gotten used to having to pack our bags and hit the road for the postseason, ” said Keith Berry, president of the Siloam Springs Football Boosters. “ It’s going to be different being the ones at home, doing the tailgating party and all the festivities for a change. ”
For a change is right.
Believe it or not, the last time Siloam Springs hosted a home playoff football game was 1987. Too put that in perspective, that was three years before the Panthers’ senior class was born.
And it’s been quite a ride getting to this day. Siloam Springs (8-2 ) rolled through the first seven weeks undefeated before dropping two consecutive games. Last week, the Panthers found themselves in jeopardy of not even making the postseason. But a 42-28 win over Harrison put the Panthers in the postseason.
“ The town is abuzz, ” Berry said. “ For years, we’ve been trying to build this (program ) up, and you’re starting to be able to see the community is on board. Look at all the signs around town and the windshields painted up on cars. ”
“ You don’t have to go too far to hear people talking about the Panthers, ” said Brian Lamb, manager at the IGA Super Center and president of the Siloam Springs Board of Education. “ I’ve seen a lot more spirit flags on cars lately. We normally put something up on the sign anytime they make the playoffs, but there’s a lot of excitement this time with it being at home. But you have to remember, it’s not just Panther football that has people talking. ”
Actually, some of the marquees along U. S. 412 may not necessarily be for the football team. The Lady Panther volleyball team recently wrapped up its fifth-consecutive state championship, while the boys and girls cross-country teams just finished first and fourth, respectively, at state. That, coupled with the boys basketball state championship last winter and the continued success of the football team and other athletic programs, has Siloam Springs hopping.
“ I’m seriously starting to think there’s something in the water, ” said Wayne Mays, president of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Further adding to the excitement around town is the fact that design plans for a new Siloam Springs High School campus are in. The community approved a millage earlier this year; the new school is scheduled to break ground this spring.
“ It’s a good time to be a Panther — a Siloam Springs resident in general, ” Berry said. “ For the football program, there were a lot of question marks heading into the season. A lot of big-time players graduated, and there were holes to fill. Then we got off to that great start, had a roller-coaster ride toward the end and ended up getting to host tonight’s game. I really think it’s been a great story. ”
While the town may be abuzz, Berry said the players have gone through the week “ business as usual. ”
“ That’s the most important thing, ” Berry said. “ They’ve gone about this week as just another game and don’t seem to be taking anything for granted. They know it’s going to be a tough one, and they’re not looking ahead. It’s good to see that focus, given the level of excitement they’re seeing and hearing around them. ”
The Panthers will, no doubt, hear that excitement echoing from the stands when they enter the stadium tonight.
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