PEA RIDGE (KFSM)--In the 4A title game, Warren presents the toughest test to date for Stephen Neal and Pea Ridge. The Lumberjacks are 14-0 after a blowout win over previously unbeaten Prairie Grove in the semifinals last week.
"They're very athletic, very well coached, very dangerous football team, and their offense can strike really quick," said head coach Stephen Neal. "You can't find a weakness on that team, which would be a reason why they're in the state championship."
Scoring has come easy for the Blackhawks recently, but that may not be the case against the Warren defense. "Their corners, I know they like to hit a lot, they're very physical. And I know we're gonna have trouble getting outside cause of all their speed," receiver Hayden Holtgrewe said.
"They're a great defense, probably one of the best we've seen this year. They get good play from overall a lot of people," added quarterback Jakota Sainsbury.
But there's also a reason that Pea Ridge has made it to Little Rock, after a 13-1 season that includes a second round upset of #1 Nashville.
Coach Neal said, "I can't say enough how excited we are to play a program like Warren and to be able to be tested against the best. I told our kids, told our community that there's a reason we are in the state championship too, and that's because we're a very good football program"
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, I can't really explain the feeling," Sainsbury said.
Pea Ridge can win its first ever state championship on Friday night, when it takes on Warren at 7PM.
