ARKADELPHIA -- On an offense known for finishing drives with touchdowns, Henderson State freshman Houston Ray got to help his team with his leg.
The Reddies' place kicker was accurate on all three of his field goals and all five of his extra points, keeping them on top in a 44-27 victory Saturday at East Central (Okla.). For his efforts, Ray was named the Great American Conference special teams player of the week Monday.
Adding one more weapon to an already-dangerous Henderson scoring machine, Ray has been solid for the 4-0 Reddies, atop the GAC standings at 3-0. He is 7 of 8 on field goals and ranks second among Division II kickers with 43 points.
The other GAC weekly winners were Southern Arkansas quarterback Si Blackshire for his six touchdown passes against Northwestern Oklahoma State and Arkansas-Monticello defensive back Mike Early for his two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
* In Monday's American Football Coaches Association poll, Henderson remains seventh in the country, riding a 27-game regular-season winning streak. Harding moved up one spot to 15th after shutting out Southern Nazarene 58-0 Saturday, and Ouachita Baptist is receiving five votes.
UCA's Wilson wins
special teams honor
CONWAY -- Central Arkansas sophomore kick returner Jatavious Wilson was named the Southland Conference special teams player of the week Monday for setting up touchdown drives leading to a 52-18 victory over Nicholls State on Saturday at Estes Stadium.
Wilson had three returns totaling 103 yards. His long was a 78-yard return that set up a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Howard to Courtney Whitehead early in the third quarter, answering Nicholls' interception return for a score and setting into motion 28 straight points.
UCA (2-3, 1-0) travels to Stephen F. Austin on Saturday.
HS volleyball:
Pulaski Academy-FL
FOUNTAIN LAKE -- The Fountain Lake Lady Cobras took the first set off traditionally strong Class 5A Pulaski Academy before falling to the Bruins 16-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-21 Monday night at Bass Gymnasium.
Pearl Lee led the Lady Cobras (10-3) with 12 kills. Pulaski Academy's junior varsity won the night's first match 25-23, 25-14.
Fountain Lake travels to Mena today for a battle for sole possession of first place in the 4A-7 conference.
Sports on 09/30/2014