Elysian Fields + Arp Clash in Rematch From Regular-Season Encounter

Class 2A Division II Region III
Semifinal

Elysian Fields Yellow Jackets (9-3)
vs.
Arp Tigers (9-2)

7:30 p.m. Saturday
Bulldog Stadium, Carthage

Coaches
Elysian Fields: Eric King
Arp: Dale Irwin

Road to Regionals

Elysian Fields

• Bi-district: def. Winona, 67-54
• Area: def. Deweyville, 24-22

Arp

• Bi-district: bye
• Area: def. Crawford, 53-28

Next week: Winner plays Hughes Springs or Centerville in a 2A Division II Region III final.

Playmakers

Elysian Fields

• QB Trevor Spear, Sr., 5-11, 185 (88 of 141, 1,667 yards, 21 TDs, 4 INTs; 120 carries, 954 yards, 18 TDs)
• RB Tanner Davis, Jr., 5-11, 185 (139 carries, 938 yards, 6 TDs; 5 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD)
• WR Nathan Hall, Sr., 5-10, 175 (21 catches, 449 yards, 7 TDs)
• WR Christian Smith, Sr., 6-2, 185 (18 catches, 417 yards, 5 TDs; 8 carries, 148 yards, 2 TDs)
• LB Bruce Woods, Sr., 5-11, 180 (127 tackles, 9 sacks, 5 QB pressures, 1 forced fumble, 2 recoveries, 1 INT)

Arp

• ATH Michael Roberson, Sr.
• RB Mikechell Potts, Sr.
• QB Chase Bonner, Jr.
• RB Marcalas Johnson, Soph.
• LB John Hawkins, Jr.

Just the facts

• Arp and Elysian Fields previously met in the playoffs in the 2007 state quarterfinals, which was won at the end by Elysian Fields, 19-13, on a last-second heave to the end zone.
• Elysian Fields has won eight of its last nine since a 43-13 setback against on Arp on Sept. 14. Over that time span, the 'Jackets have outscored the opposition, 358-195.
• The Yellow Jackets average 378 yards per game, but are putting up more than 416 per game in the playoffs.
• Arp is on a similar hot streak, winning seven straight since a 33-13 loss to Troup in its non-district finale on Sept. 21. Over the last seven games, the Tigers are outscoring opponents on average, 50-15.
• The Tigers are 81-37 during head coach Dale Irwin's 10-year tenure at Arp. They have made the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons.
• In Arp's regular-season win over Elysian FIelds, the Tigers rolled up 402 yards of offense, 285 of which came on the ground.

Key matchup: Arp running game vs. Elysian Fields defensive front. The Tigers have burned teams all season long with their speed in the backfield. During the regular season, the trio of Michael Roberson, Mikechell Potts and Marcalas Johnson combined for 3,514 total yards of offense, 2,506 of which was rushing. The Tigers were at it again last week against Crawford. Potts and Johnson each rushed for 140 yards, while Roberson had three of Arp's eight total touchdowns. Elysian Fields' defense has struggled to contain the running game in each of its playoff wins thus far. Against Winona, the 'Jackets allowed 403 rushing yards and 304 to Deweyville last

week. The EF defense will need to tighten up its defense at the line of scrimmage to keep Arp's explosive playmakers in front of them. Once the Tigers' speedy backs get through the first wave of defenders, they're difficult to chase down.

Don't be surprised if: This game is much more competitive than the regular-season encounter. Elysian Fields quarterback Trevor Spear struggled in the first meeting, totaling just 117 yards. Spear's been a completely different player of late. He passed for more than 300 yards and four TDs in EF's playoff opener, and rushed for more than 100 yards and three scores last week. Spear's development as a dual-threat quarterback has made the biggest difference for Elysian Fields since the beginning of the season.