The Harding Academy Wildcats football team is a dominant force in the world of sports this year. With a 15-0 record for the 2012-13 football season, the Wildcats won the Arkansas AAA state championship 49-45 over the Glen Rose Beavers. The dominance has continued into their men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The women finished their season 21-9 with a one-point loss to the Mountain View Lady Yellow Jackets. However, the men continue to handle their season well.
The Wildcats are currently 22-5 in the season with an 8-0 conference record. The Wildcats are ranked 25th in the state of Arkansas and are currently on a 20-game winning streak.
After beating the Hoxie Mustangs 66-45 in the first round of state playoffs, the Wildcats moved on to play the West Fork Tigers in round two.
On Friday, March 1, during their game against the Tigers, the Wildcats led by 15 points with a score of 30-15 at the end of the first half. By the end of the game there was no question who was going to win; the Wildcats beat the West Fork Tigers 64-37. Will Francis had 21 points in the victory.
Harding Academy goes on to play the Jessieville Lions in the state championship semi-final round. The game took place on March 2. This is only the second time in Harding Academy history that the Wildcats have made it this far in the tournament. The first time was last year, in the 2011-12 season when the Wildcats lost 69-59 in the semi-final round to eventual 3A Arkansas Athletic Association champions the Earle Bulldogs. The Harding Wildcats are led by senior Francis, who was named the “Most Valuable Player” as the quarterback for the Wildcat football team.
Will Francis has signed to Harding University to play basketball. Other signees to Harding include Anna-Grace Kirkman and Mary-Margaret Kirkman for women’s soccer and Trent Finley for men’s baseball.
