Hobbs believes Springdale’s 5-0 start is testament to hard work during gridiron rebuild
BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON
SPRINGDALE – It’s been a challenging process for Brett Hobbs to rebuild the historical Springdale football program, but it’s been a labour of love for the former Red Bulldogs alum.
After winning just 4 of its first 32 games in its first three years under Hobbs, Springdale (5-0, 2-0 in 7A-West) is unbeaten and riding a rave of optimism into Friday night’s home clash with crosstown rival Har-Ber (1-4, 1-1).
A former Springdale standout that played collegiately at Arkansas Tech, Hobbs is obviously happy to see the results of his team’s hard work come pay off.
“It says a lot about these kids and our coaches because it has been difficult, but we’ve stayed with the process and the kids have really bought in to what we are doing,” Hobbs said.
“They have changed the culture here at Springdale and it has been a little bit of a process, but they have hung in there and believed in us and believed in each other and that is what it is all about.”
It is the first time that Springdale has started 5-0 since 2005, a squad led by legendary head coach Jarrell Williams and one that had five high major Division I signees.
The 2005 team went undefeated and won the Class 7A state title with a 54-20 win over West Memphis while also being dubbed by many as the best Arkansas high school team in history.
“We’ve had what has been probably our best support from the fans this year and we are hearing from a lot of alumni, who were also very supportive during the tough times,” Hobbs said. “They were saying ‘hang in there, we believe in you this and that.’
“They have been texting me, calling me. When Springdale football is going good, it is exciting and I think is great for the state as well.”
“So it is really good to see all that hard work starting to pay off.”
Hobbs, who took over as interim and later full-time head coach in 2021 when Zac Clark left for Searcy, had been the Springdale defensive coordinator since 2016.
He previously coached at Van Buren for five years and one season for Charleston.
“Hopefully this is the end game for me as far as Springdale High School,” Hobbs said. “This is the job I always wanted and I have been blessed to have former coach Jarrell Williams come to every game and a lot of the practices. To see him showing his support and believing in us is a huge deal as well.”
Springdale moved to 5-0 last Friday night with a hard-fought 28-24 win at Bentonville West.
It was the first close game the Red Bulldogs had encountered this season after wins over Little Rock Central (49-21), at Van Buren (49-28), Tulsa Bishop Kelly (37-7) and Rogers Heritage (48-20).
Senior quarterback Jack Pounders plunged into the end zone from a yard out to give Springdale a lead over Bentonville West midway through the fourth quarter and then the defense made that hold up.
“That’s what we talked about – how we are going to be challenged in conference play and we are going to have to win some close games,” Hobbs said. “That is something that we have been really been preaching and hoping we could do, but had not had that situation just yet.”
Har-Ber has won 16 of the 18 all-time meetings between the schools – including a 41-24 victory last season.
Hobbs expects a great effort from Har-Ber, who notched its first win of the season last Friday with a 63-39 home victory over Rogers Heritage.
“Whenever they spilt the high school, Har-Ber has had some pretty good success, especially right after we split,” Hobbs said. “It is really big for our city and one of those rivalry games where you can throw the records out the window.
“We know we are going to see their best effort and get the best shot and that we will have to play hard. Friday night will be an exciting night and I am glad we have it at our place this year.”
Pounders, a childhood cancer survivor, is one of seven returning starters on offense and five on defense that is now part of a veteran football team finally seeing success.
“So he knows what it is to overcome adversity and get through tough times so he gets it,” Hobbs said. “He has started the last three years and took some lumps, but has come back great.
“Not only is he a great leader, but he is extremely tough and just a football player and extremely smart and when the game is on the line, we want the ball in his hands.”
Photo courtesy of Springdale athletics
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