WARRIORS CRUSH RHODES!

BY CHARLOTTE MILLER

The school-wide rivalry against Rhodes College has been ongoing for several years. The football game is one of the most highly anticipated sports events of the entire year. This year, the game took place at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The several million dollar stadium is the secondary home for the Arkansas Razorbacks and can seat over 50,000 fans making for a much different playing and viewing experience than our YoungWise Memorial Stadium.

Sophomore tight end Brayden Ward said that when he first arrived on campus, he had no clue about the rivalry, but stated, “it’s drilled within the tradition to want to beat Rhodes.” Senior running back Quentin Tolbert agreed saying that coming in, the rivalry wasn’t as big, but it was reignited after last year’s game. Hendrix had a crushing loss against the rivals last year and many upperclassmen players remembered the bell ringing and the Rhodes student section running onto the field to celebrate. Ward said that the team knew that they were not going to slip up this time and that the team’s mentality was completely different the week of the game.

“Everyone was a lot sharper, ready to go.” He stated that the importance of the rivalry in this game made the team, “a good mix between being nervous, but also extremely excited and giving us that edge.”

When asked if the hype over the game added pressure or made it more fun, Ward responded, “a bit of both.” He explained how the stadium provided a bigger stage allowing more family and a larger student section to come cheer on our Warriors. Tolbert stated that despite this being the first cold game of the year, there was an encouraging turnout. Both players agreed that there was a lot more excitement and it was nice to come back this year and play in a more homelike setting. Ward described War Memorial as a, “special place in Arkansas’ heart,” and getting to play there was a humbling opportunity that gave the players a sense of urgency to play their best. Tolbert described playing in War Memorial as, “a whole different atmosphere,” where, “everything is amped up.” Our warriors ended the game with an especially memorable win of 6-0, but Ward stated, “it really wasn’t an easy game from any aspect,” and explained how the teams were very evenly matched. Offense would move the ball and defense would stop them, making it difficult to gain an advantage on the field. Ward said there was a really good stalemate, but that this was one of the better “intense” games. He explained how you don’t have to score a lot of points for the game to be good. Ward applauded the Warriors on their great use of clock management and teamwork that helped win the game, but Brayden’s impressive 1415 yard catch was also one of the game stealing moments.

The Hendrix Warriors will go down in history for their amazing defeat of the Rhodes Lynxes… or at least until next year.