Watson Chapel’s preparation for the 2024 high school football grind began in May, a few months later than others.
May is when Steven Heard was hired as the Wildcats’ head coach and athletic director. The Wildcats won once in nonconference play and forewent playing a 4A power for extra time to gear for 5A-Central Conference play.
The Wildcats (1-7, 0-6 in 5A-Central) have one last opportunity to score that conference victory, and they’ll have the chance at home Thursday against Jacksonville (1-8, 0-6), whose lone win came Sept. 6 against Lonoke, 8-7. Kickoff at Wildcat Stadium is at 7 p.m.
The winner will dodge the bottom of the 5A-Central standings. For Watson Chapel, a win will also end a 30-game losing streak in conference play, dating back to 2020.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Watson Chapel ended a 20-game overall losing streak Sept. 6 at Crossett, 19-7. Since then, the Wildcats have scored no more than 14 points and been outscored by an average of 34.3 points. Beebe defeated Watson Chapel 41-0 last week, and the Wildcats have yet to score a win in this three -game homestand.
Jacksonville lost 46-13 to a White Hall team that still has a chance to make the state playoffs, but the Titans have been painstakingly closer to victory in conference play. Two weeks ago at Beebe, they lost 18-14, and that followed a 17-0 defeat to Maumelle. Pine Bluff played three scoreless quarters at Jacksonville before scoring on offense and defense in a 15-0 victory on Sept. 27.