20 Sep 2017 Roach, Bulldogs face showdown with Harding Academy

by Levi Gilbert

Week 4 is when the real season starts. Despite an uneven non-conference performance, Rhett Roach and the Bald Knob Bulldogs are ready to defend their 2-3A title. 

“As a team, we have set our goal towards advancing several rounds into the playoffs,” Roach said. “Personally, I hope to help my team have a successful season.” 

Roach, a senior wide receiver/defensive back for the Bulldogs, was selected to this year’s 501 Football Team — 25 players representing all 11 counties of the 501. The team, sponsored by Conway Ortho and Sports Medicine, Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank, boasts the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the field. Roach was nominated by his head coach, Randy Johnson.

“Rhett is a hard worker on the field every day,” Johnson wrote in his nomination. “The attitude he brings to practice makes his teammates better, and that, in turn, makes him a great leader for us. Rhett is a very talented football player. We look for him to have a large role on defense just as he did last year. He will more than likely play a large amount of snaps on offense as well.”

The Bulldogs gave fans an all-timer of a season in 2016. The Bulldogs knocked off the 2015 3A champion Harding Academy Wildcats in the 2-3A opener last fall on their way to an undefeated regular season. Bald Knob travels to Harding Academy to open 2-3A play this Friday. 

“This game will set the tone for the rest of the season,” Roach said. “On the field, I believe it is important for me to live in the moment and not take any opportunity for granted.”

Roach is an active athlete at Bald Knob; he also competes in golf, baseball and track for the Bulldogs. “Outside of sports, I enjoy hunting and fishing with friends and family,” Roach said.

And Roach is even more active off the field for the Bald Knob community. 

“Rhett is extremely active in his youth group at Highway Church of Christ,” Johnson said. “He is always working with them on service projects in the community. Rhett is also extremely active in student council and serves as our president. Rhett has a 4.0 GPA. He is a great leader on and off the field for our high school. He is very much appreciated for his work ethic by teachers all over our campus.”

Roach participates in several extracurricular activities at Bald Knob High, including Beta Club, Spanish Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Through his role in Student Council, Roach volunteers at the Searcy Humane Society every month. 

Bald Knob (1-2) travels to Harding Academy at 7 p.m. Friday.