By John R. Schirmer
News-Leader staff
For the Nashville Scrappers, the 2016 campaign was “a very successful year. We did a lot of good things. We won 26 games in a row before we lost” to Pea Ridge Nov. 18, according to Coach Mike Volarvich.
“We had a really good season. I’m disappointed in how it ended. That’s why you play. You have to be ready to play every week. That’s why you put on the uniform,” Volarvich said.
The Scrapper seniors compiled a record of 54-3 dating back to junior high. “There aren’t a lot of people who can say that. They should be proud,” Volarvich said.
For the recently completed season, “I’m really proud of the way we played in tight games,” Volarvich said. “The Ashdown and Robinson games showed a lot of character in our team and what the program is about.”
The Homecoming game with Joe T. Robinson “had two undefeated teams. Winning the game at the end showed perseverance and character,” Volarvich said. The Scrappers defeated Robinson 31-28 Oct. 7.
The next week, Nashville trailed 28-7 at the end of the first quarter but outscored Ashdown 49-23 the rest of the game for a 56-51 victory.
“The way that game was won had us down 21 twice and losing Trent [Harris} to injury. We fought through the adversity. Obviously, both of those were really big games,” Volarvich said.
As a team, the Scrappers averaged 53.7 points per game, “making us number 1 in the Arkansas Activities Association record book,” Volarvich said.
The Scrappers averaged 7.3 touchdowns per game, good for first place in the AAA records.
Nashville and Idabel, Okla., combined for 154 points, first in AAA records.
The Scrappers scored 88 touchdowns during the season, another AAA record.
Nashville rolled up 747 yards total offense against Idabel, a school record and fifth all-time in the AAA record book.
The Scrappers averaged 513 yards per game, seventh all-time for the AAA and first in school history.
Individually, “Darius Hopkins had a tremendous career,” Volarvich said. The senior running back scored 78 career rushing touchdowns, placing him seventh all-time in AAA records.
He had 41 rushing TDs this season, placing him third in AAA history.
His eight touchdowns against Idabel tied for second in AAA records.
Hopkins averaged 11.52 yards per rush, eighth in the AAA.
He had two 300-yard games, third all-time in AAA records.
Hopkins recorded nine 200-yard games, second in the AAA.
He had 24 100-yard games, also second in the AAA records.
Hopkins ran the ball 180 times for 2,073 yards this season, placing him second in school history behind Willie Hopson.
Tyler Hanson had “a really good year for a first-year varsity quarterback,” Volarvich said.
Hanson threw six touchdown passes during the first half at Fountain Lake, good for second in AAA records.
Five touchdown passes in one quarter ties him for first in the AAA.
Hanson completed 144 of 210 passes for a 68.5 percent completion rate. He passed for 2,551 yards, 32 touchdowns and had five interceptions.
Hanson’s passing placed him eighth all-time in school history. He is fifth in touchdown passes in school history.
Kicker Jose Hernandez was successful on 84 PATs during the season, second in AAA history. He made 13 PATs against Idabel, first in the AAA record book.
Overall, the Scrappers “built a good foundation,” Volarvich said.
Senior offensive lineman Kirby Adcock will graduate early, Volarvich said. He has verbally committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks and will join the team later this month as they practice for their upcoming Belk Bowl game against Virginia Tech. “He’ll be there for five practices,” Volarvich said.
Other seniors, including Hopkins and defender Hunter White, are being recruited. “They’re trying to find a place to call home,” according to Volarvich.
The Scrappers are working in the weight room until the Christmas break. Actually, “We never stop lifting,” Volarvich said.
The 14 juniors on the roster “are becoming seniors. We’re looking for our leadership guys. We’re looking for juniors to step up. We’ll see who will be our leaders.”
Spring conditioning will begin in January.