For years, the cutest superhero in America was the fantastic beagle, Underdog, a lovable puppy with unimaginabe powers (from the “Underdog” comic book series). He faced a tough situation but came out on top in the end. They call these situations a Cinderella story, or of course, an Underdog tale.
The Ouachita Baptist Tigers, sitting at 6-4 on the season, aren’t your traditional Cinderella story. By winning last week, the Tigers clinched their ninth consecutive winning season, the longest winning streak of any college football team in the state. They aren’t struggling for their first win of the season, and they aren’t coming back after a brutal one-loss season. What they have gone through, though, is something just as disheartening.
Injuries have made every win difficult this season. Starting quarterback Austin Warford went down with an injury early, and it has taken the team a few games to get into the groove of things with a new starter. Star wideout Kevontae Pope also went down with an injury near the same time Warford had to be sidelined. Pope was not only an electric wide receiver, he was also a fantastic special teams ace. A few more dings along the way left the Tigers a little bruised and battered as the season went on.
So where does that leave us now? With the Battle of the Ravine game coming up quickly at the end of the week, Ouachita has to prepare to face a Reddie team, ranked #2 in the conference. This Reddie team has a great offense and an equally strong defense, and the Tigers definitely have their hands full. After a loss to the Reddies last year, though, Ouachita is ready to play with a chip on its shoulder.
This is where Ouachita comes in as a definite underdog. Compared to Henderson’s #2 ranking in the GAC, Ouachita is #4. With losses to Arkansas Monticello, Arkansas Tech, Harding and Southeastern Oklahoma State, Ouachita has seen its fair share of tough games, and this one is no exception.
On the flip side, Ouachita has shown an incredible penchant to score, and last week ran for several touchdowns against a formidable defense in Oklahoma Baptist University. Ouachita has put up 40+ points in a couple games this season, so if the game ends up being a shootout, Ouachita will be able to match Henderson’s solid offensive attack.
Ouachita’s defense has been plagued by inches all season long. It’s been solid defensive play throughout a game tripped up by a big play that ended up being the result of a missed shoelace tackle, tripping on the field, or just taking the wrong angle by a few tiny steps.
In the statistical lens, there is very little difference between the two teams, so outside of that, what could play in Ouachita’s favor? Ouachita plays at Henderson this year, which means that OBU students need to come out in droves.
Believe it or not, football games are more than just photo opportunities to show off your new purple polo or booties you got on sale. Over the past few years, OBU students have come out to the games in big numbers; what we need this year is for those numbers to be loud and proud for their team. Henderson is a great team, with fans that always give their all on the sideline. For the guys on the field, it can’t be overstated how much a cheering fan base can energize the team. At their home turf, we are sure to hear Reddie chants from beginning to end. Ouachita needs to take those chants and match them. We have the numbers to match the Reddie fans that will show up; now, we just need the passion.
OBU fans, as your sports editor, I ask you, I beg you, we need to walk across that street with Tiger Pride. From the first quarter till the last, y’all have to be louder than you have ever been before. The Tigers have a challenge in front of them. Henderson is a very good team, but we have something they don’t… Tigers.
By Ian Craft, sports editor
