Bastrop will make its long-awaited season debut under the bright lights Friday night, crossing the state line to play Dollarway. ESPNU will carry the game live from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Golden Lion Stadium. Kickoff time is set for 7:04 p.m.

TEAM ESPNU: Dave Ryan will handle the play-by-play, with Gus Ornstein providing color commentary and Sarah Kustok in charge of sideline reporting.

ON TV: This will mark the first appearance on an ESPN network for both the Rams and Cardinals.

Bastrop has experience in regionally televised games, having played Ruston twice on the Cox Sports Game of the Week. Showing no signs of stage fright, the Rams defeated Ruston 45-23 in 2005 and 46-14 in 2006.

“Obviously, playing on ESPN is a very positive thing for our school and our football program,” said Bastrop coach Brad Bradshaw. “The kids are really excited. They’re all trying to figure out how they’re going to make the Play of the Day.”

GETTING ANTSY: Bastrop, the three-time defending Class 4A state champion, is starting the season a week behind schedule. Last week’s game at Baton Rouge Istrouma was canceled due to Hurricane Gustav.

After practicing outdoors only one day last week — Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices were called off altogether — the Rams have been able to return to a normal schedule this week.

Bradshaw says the community, as well as the team, is getting antsy after the unexpected open date.

“I think everybody in town is ready to play a game,” Bradshaw said.

Of course, being ready to play doesn’t necessarily translate into playing well.

“As is always the case with the first ballgame, you never know how they are going to react,” Bradshaw said. “We have a lot of kids making their first start, and on top of that, it’s on national television.


“Conditioning is always a concern going into the first ballgame. Dollarway has already been through a whole game.”

As usual, special teams are a question mark as the first game approaches.

“You just never know about special teams because you can’t go live in practice,” Bradshaw said.

SCOUTING DHS: Dollarway, last year’s Arkansas Class 4A state runner-up, opened its season with a 23-14 loss to Central Arkansas Christian last week.

Led by Jesse Grandy, who plays quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback and returns kicks, the Cardinals feature a deep group of talented athletes at the skill positions.

Grandy returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in a 50-22 loss to the Rams last year.

“Grandy’s a player,” Bradshaw said.

Grandy has received scholarship offers from eight schools, including Arkansas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Running back Michael Willingham rushed for 2,300 yards in 2007, including a 10-carry, 100-yard effort vs. Bastrop.

Wide receiver Jay Hudson and tight end Vedric Wilson both had four receptions against CAC last week.

“The size of the tight end is a great concern,” Bradshaw said. “Normally, we try to match up with everybody personnel-wise. With Dollarway, you can’t do that because they don’t substitute personnel. All of their kids play so many different positions.”

Hudson shares time with Grandy at quarterback and sees double duty in the secondary.

First-year head coach Cortez Lee has implemented the spread attack.

Bradshaw says the Cardinals have improved noticeably on the defensive side of the ball since last season.

“If they come out in a five-man box like they did last week, we are absolutely going to have to be able to run the football,” Bradshaw said.

Linebacker Charlie Thompson is the Cardinals’ top defensive returnee. Wilson and Brent Bell, who transferred from White Oak and McGehee, respectively, have solidified the linebacker corps.

CARDINAL FACTS: By Louisiana figures, Dollarway is the equivalent of a Class 2A school. Both states are divided into seven classifications, but use different terminology. Louisiana runs from Class C through 5A, while Arkansas begins its classification at Class A and ends at 7A.

On the field, the Cardinals dress out 56 players, up from 33 last year.

Lee, an Oklahoma State alumnus, was promoted to the head coaching position when former coach George Shelton moved across town to Watson Chapel.

SCOUTING BHS: Senior Rueben Randle will make his third varsity start at quarterback, sandwiched around 28 consecutive starts at wide receiver.

With Randle taking over the controls of the Rams’ spread attack, Preston Coleman (10 receptions, 222 yards, 3 TDs in 2007) and Stanley Moore (10-180-1) are the top returning receivers.

Dwight Hawkins (100 carries, 607 yards, 11 TDs) returns at running back.

Center Trevor Rodgers and right guard Goldmon Moore are the veterans up front.

Outside linebacker Tai (Speedy) Alford, entering his fourth year as a starter, is the ringleader of the defense. Alford produced a team-high 114 tackles and six sacks as a junior.

Josh Downs and D.D. Jones give the Rams one of the most fearsome defensive tackle combinations in the country.

Other returnees include end D’Andre (Buck) Bradshaw, inside linebacker Romalis Whitmore and free safety RaDarrius Winston.

HOMECOMING: Bastrop offensive line coach Jackie Skipper and head freshmen coach Sedarrin Freeman both played their college football at UAPB.