Buck James aims to take next step of getting undefeated Conway over Bryant hurdle

Conway has not defeated Bryant since November 2014

The final week of the football regular season got here in the blink of an eye, but the trade-off to that is having a surplus of must-watch games statewide. 

The most highly-anticipated matchup for the past three regular seasons has been the Week 10 matchup between 7A-Central foes Bryant and Conway, who are currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the SBLive Arkansas Top 25 rankings, but this year's showdown has an entirely new level of hype. 

Bryant (8-1, 6-0) has dominated the series over the past decade as winners of the past 10 meetings dating back to 2015 that includes two 7A semifinal matchups. Buck James was the head coach of the Hornets for nine of those victories over Conway (9-0, 6-0) and helped them win five consecutive state championships and 53 straight games against in-state opponents in that span. 

Conway is undefeated this season with Buck James at the helm. 

James flipped the Arkansas prep football world upside down when he announced his resignation on May 31 - to accept the same position at, of all places, Conway. 

As expected rumors quickly began spreading, but James was simply just looking for a new challenge. 

“It is just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” he said shortly after the hiring. “I love the kids, parents, administration and community at Bryant. Sometimes it is just better to move on. Nothing more than that. 

“It was nothing other than I needed change. People are trying to put things in my head or their head, but it is nobody’s fault.”

While Conway automatically became the 7A favorite for some with James' arrival, he acknowledged the program was already on solid footing.

"Too many people are making this about me and I am the only guy here that is new," James said. "I am just a rudder on the ship who is trying to make a living teaching kids the game of football and life. 

"This program was not broke by any means, they have been to the semifinals the past three years. Coach (Kenny) Smith, Coach (Clint) Ashcraft and Coach (Keith) Fimple, all those guys did a heck of a job. I have not done anything they have not done at this point, I am just trying to get the program to a different level."

James has always been known for aggressively attacking the weight room and that was one of the first things he made a point to improve, particularly with the younger players. 

"We did not have weights in the seventh and eighth grade program, the ninth grade program was very limited," James said. "We have had two groups every day coming in for morning workouts and another in the afternoon after school."

Buck James (left) took over at Conway from Keith Fimple (right), who took the Springdale School District athletic director job in late spring. (Photo by Jimmy Jones) 

Conway slipped past Bentonville on the road in the season opener 42-39, but has hardly been challenged since. Senior quarterback Donovyn Omolo and the Wampus Cat offense have averaged 48 points per game, and while that side of the ball has gotten its much-deserved credit, the defense has been just as impressive.

Excluding the 39 points surrendered against Bentonville, Conway has not allowed more than 17 points in any contest. Not too bad considering this unit had very few returning starters.

"Clayton Pankey, our defensive coordinator, and his staff have done a great job," James said. "I think getting those guys to buy in to what we are trying to do and try to get accomplished is a testament the kids and coaches."

When James took over at Bryant prior to the 2016 season, the Hornets were, like Conway, consistently in the playoffs but could not get over the hump. 

Buck James left Bryant with a 53-game in-state win streak and a run of five straight Class 7A state championships. (Photo by Jimmy Jones)

Conway has been close multiple times, including the aforementioned semifinal finishes from 2020-22, but it has been over half of a century (1967) since the Wampus Cats last won a state title and they have not reached the finals since 1993. 

"I feel like we are in a similar position to when we were trying to get over North Little Rock and it took three times," James said. "It is really just up to the kids on how fast they want to change it and accomplish their goals. Right now, we are nowhere near the program that Bryant's is, but we are trying to get there."

Considering all of the success Bryant reached under James' watch, he knows there will be some emotions involved but at the end of the day it is about the players on both sides.

"The game is going to be a lot of fun for the kids and will be a fun one to coach in," James said. "It is what high school football is all about and I know those (Bryant) kids better than the ones I know here. I know their moms and dads, all of their history. 

"This is what we get in coaching for. I got to touch a lot of lives over there and I get to touch some here. We are not through and are trying to get to a different level here to make it the best for our kids and our community." 

--Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR