NEARsports.com - Corning Bobcats

**2008 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Corning	76	Opponent	209	W/L	Record	Conf.
Sep. 5	H	Corning	14	East Poinsett Co.	12	W	1-0
Sep. 12	A	Corning	0	Valley View	28	L	1-1
Sep. 19	H	Corning	6	Gosnell	40	L	1-2
Sep. 26	A	Corning	14	Earle	46	L	1-3	0-1
Oct. 3	A	Corning	22	Cave City	21	W	2-3	1-1
Oct. 10	H	Corning	7	Hoxie	34	L	2-4	1-2
Oct. 17	H	Corning	13	Harrisburg	28	L	2-5	1-3
Oct. 24	A	Corning		Manila
Oct. 31	A	Corning		Rivercrest
Nov. 6	H	Corning		Piggott

2007 Schedule

Date
H/A
Corning
300
Opponent
83

W/L
Record Conf

Aug.31
A
Corning
41
Rector
0

W

1-0

Sep. 7
H
Corning
35
East Prairie, MO
0

W

2-0

Sep. 14
H
Corning
36
Cross County
20

W

3-0

Sep. 21

Corning

OPEN

Sep. 28
A
Corning
37
Piggott
0

W

4-0

1-0

Oct. 5
H
Corning
45
Brinkley
13

W

5-0

2-0

Oct. 12
A
Corning
13
Hoxie
3

W

6-0

3-0

Oct. 19
A
Corning
42
East Poinsett Co.
0

W

7-0

4-0

Oct. 26
H
Corning
13
Barton
0

W fft

8-0

5-0

Nov. 2
A
Corning
13
Harrisburg
12

W

9-0

6-0

Nov.16
H
Corning
14
Lavaca
35

L

9-1

**2007 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Corning	300	Opponent	83	W/L	Record	Conf
Aug.31	A	Corning	41	Rector	0	W	1-0
Sep. 7	H	Corning	35	East Prairie, MO	0	W	2-0
Sep. 14	H	Corning	36	Cross County	20	W	3-0
Sep. 21		Corning		OPEN
Sep. 28	A	Corning	37	Piggott	0	W	4-0	1-0
Oct. 5	H	Corning	45	Brinkley	13	W	5-0	2-0
Oct. 12	A	Corning	13	Hoxie	3	W	6-0	3-0
Oct. 19	A	Corning	42	East Poinsett Co.	0	W	7-0	4-0
Oct. 26	H	Corning	13	Barton	0	W fft	8-0	5-0
Nov. 2	A	Corning	13	Harrisburg	12	W	9-0	6-0
Nov.16	H	Corning	14	Lavaca	35	L	9-1

2007 Archives

Corning's game-winning drive stuff of lore
November 6, 2007

By David Wallace
Hootens.com

CORNING - It's a march destined to take on its own nickname in Corning High history, ala "The Drive" of Denver Broncos' lore.

Corning (9-0, 6-0, 1st seed in 3-3A) drove 89 yards in 13 plays in the final 3:52 for the game-winning points in a 13-12 win over Harrisburg. Junior Jake Kegley (5-9, 185) completed the drive with a 1-yard plunge with 22 seconds left, and senior Matt Carpenter (6-1, 170) kicked the extra point for the win.

Even though Corning had no doubt it would be hosting a first-round playoff game, the dramatic finish secured the Bobcats' first undefeated season since 1973 and the first outright conference championship since 1985.

"Those things were a big deal to the kids," Coach Mark Smith says.

Corning's march was methodical, mostly done on the ground. Senior QB Matt Ryan (5-11, 160) hooked up with Mikey Curatolo (6-3, 180) for clutch passes of 25 and 20 yards to move the chains.

"We had no penalties to put us in long yardage," Smith says. "Most of the time in a situation like that, teams will panic. We just executed our offense and made the plays when we had to make them."

Smith says his teams have made other clutch drives, like the 75-yarder with five minutes left to win the game with Piggott, but last week's was "definitely one of the biggest drives Corning has ever had," Smith says.

The Bobcats now enjoy a week off before hosting the winner of Lavaca and Centerpoint.

Corning stays unbeaten with 13-3 road win over Hoxie
October 12, 2007

By David Grim
NEARsports.com

HOXIE - The Corning Bobcats won a defensive struggle over the Hoxie Mustangs here Friday night, 13-3, to remain unbeaten in 3A-3 conference play.

James Peterson scored both of the game's only touchdowns for the Bobcats. Peterson got two 1-yard touchdowns in the first and second quarters to help Corning (6-0, 3-0) take sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

Hoxie (6-1, 3-1) averted the shutout when Brad Cook kicked a 25-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

"These kids deserve so much credit," Corning head coach Mark Smith said of his Bobcats. "They go 100 miles an hour on every snap. They never give up. They just play aggressive football."

"Hoxie deserves a lot of credit," continued Smith. "They've got a really good team."

"We didn't play like we are capable of playing," said Hoxie head coach Tom Sears. "I'm not taking anything away from the job Corning did. We had the opportunity to make plays and we just didn't do it."

Defense was the theme of the night. Corning gained 208 total yards while Hoxie tallied 166.

Both quarterbacks threw for just over 100 yards. Corning's Matt Ryan completed 3 of 4 passes for 109 yards, while Hoxie's Houston Hancock went 7 of 19 for 106 yards.

Tyler Thompson led all ball carriers with 89 yards on 8 carries for the Mustangs.

Hoxie vs. Corning just stink on stink
October 11, 2007

By David Wallace
Hootens.com

HOXIE - The key to the 3-3A showdown between Hoxie (6-0, 3-0) and Corning (5-0, 2-0) could be ball control. At least that's the way Hoxie coach Tom Sears sees it.

"They're very big," Sears says. "We're pretty good size ourselves. Whoever controls the line of scrimmage will have the advantage."

Hoxie is not known for a ball-control offense, but Sears says the Mustangs need to "maintain the ball" and "control some drives" to keep the ball away from Corning's ground-eating running game. "If they get the lead and get you on your heels, it's a hard time getting the ball back," Sears says.

Hoxie's offensive guards are smaller than the rest of its linemen (185 and 175) by design. The Mustangs trap and pull often. Sears thinks his team will be quicker along the front line than Corning.

The series has been even the last few years, propelling this matchup to rivalry status. Hoxie leads 4-3 in this decade. One of the better games during that stretch saw Corning come back from a 22-0 deficit to win 28-22 in 2003.

Corning not cool, just 4-0
October 2, 2007

By David Wallace
Hootens.com

CORNING - If style points factored into team records, Corning would not be 4-0. By Coach Mark Smith's own admission, the Bobcats do nothing flashy, particularly on offense where they grind out yardage in a two-tight end, Dead T set.

"What we are is a farm community with a lot of hard-working kids who play extremely hard," Smith says.

Corning may be the slowest team ever to average 37.3 points. Smith estimates senior running back James Peterson (5-11, 190), the fastest Bobcat, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.85. Peterson has 580 yards in four games and 12 TDs. He got four in each of three games. Last Friday in the Bobcats' 37-0 blowout of Piggott, Peterson broke a 51 yarder among his four TDs and rushed for 129 yards.

Senior QB Matt Ryan (5-11, 160) has completed only four of 11 passes all year, but Smith swears they work on passing a lot in practice. He says no opponents have forced them out of their between-the-tackles attack.

Smith credits an improved offensive line. It jumped from an average per-man weight of 190-200 last year to 240-250 this year. Senior W.D. Burns (6-0, 240) is a three-year starter at center. Senior left tackle Matt Smith (5-10, 220) started there last year.

Corning has given up 20 points this year, all of them scored by Cross County week 3.

Both of Corning's alternating noseguards, senior Jason Briney and junior Nathan Hayes, measure 6-2, 350. Smith calls senior Mike Curatolo (6-3, 180) and junior Trent Edwards (6-3, 210), his defensive ends, "really good." He also spotlights his two returning defensive tackle starters, senior Matt Carpenter (6-1, 255) and junior Jake McDonald (6-3, 275).

A forfeit by Barton left Corning with only four home games. That means Friday's game with Brinkley will have to serve as both homecoming and senior night because it's the last scheduled home game of the season.

**2007 Archives**
Corning's game-winning drive stuff of lore November 6, 2007 By David Wallace Hootens.com CORNING - It's a march destined to take on its own nickname in Corning High history, ala "The Drive" of Denver Broncos' lore. Corning (9-0, 6-0, 1st seed in 3-3A) drove 89 yards in 13 plays in the final 3:52 for the game-winning points in a 13-12 win over Harrisburg. Junior Jake Kegley (5-9, 185) completed the drive with a 1-yard plunge with 22 seconds left, and senior Matt Carpenter (6-1, 170) kicked the extra point for the win. Even though Corning had no doubt it would be hosting a first-round playoff game, the dramatic finish secured the Bobcats' first undefeated season since 1973 and the first outright conference championship since 1985. "Those things were a big deal to the kids," Coach Mark Smith says. Corning's march was methodical, mostly done on the ground. Senior QB Matt Ryan (5-11, 160) hooked up with Mikey Curatolo (6-3, 180) for clutch passes of 25 and 20 yards to move the chains. "We had no penalties to put us in long yardage," Smith says. "Most of the time in a situation like that, teams will panic. We just executed our offense and made the plays when we had to make them." Smith says his teams have made other clutch drives, like the 75-yarder with five minutes left to win the game with Piggott, but last week's was "definitely one of the biggest drives Corning has ever had," Smith says. The Bobcats now enjoy a week off before hosting the winner of Lavaca and Centerpoint.
Corning stays unbeaten with 13-3 road win over Hoxie October 12, 2007 By David Grim NEARsports.com HOXIE - The Corning Bobcats won a defensive struggle over the Hoxie Mustangs here Friday night, 13-3, to remain unbeaten in 3A-3 conference play. James Peterson scored both of the game's only touchdowns for the Bobcats. Peterson got two 1-yard touchdowns in the first and second quarters to help Corning (6-0, 3-0) take sole possession of first place in the conference standings. Hoxie (6-1, 3-1) averted the shutout when Brad Cook kicked a 25-yard field goal late in the third quarter. "These kids deserve so much credit," Corning head coach Mark Smith said of his Bobcats. "They go 100 miles an hour on every snap. They never give up. They just play aggressive football." "Hoxie deserves a lot of credit," continued Smith. "They've got a really good team." "We didn't play like we are capable of playing," said Hoxie head coach Tom Sears. "I'm not taking anything away from the job Corning did. We had the opportunity to make plays and we just didn't do it." Defense was the theme of the night. Corning gained 208 total yards while Hoxie tallied 166. Both quarterbacks threw for just over 100 yards. Corning's Matt Ryan completed 3 of 4 passes for 109 yards, while Hoxie's Houston Hancock went 7 of 19 for 106 yards. Tyler Thompson led all ball carriers with 89 yards on 8 carries for the Mustangs.
Hoxie vs. Corning just stink on stink October 11, 2007 By David Wallace Hootens.com HOXIE - The key to the 3-3A showdown between Hoxie (6-0, 3-0) and Corning (5-0, 2-0) could be ball control. At least that's the way Hoxie coach Tom Sears sees it. "They're very big," Sears says. "We're pretty good size ourselves. Whoever controls the line of scrimmage will have the advantage." Hoxie is not known for a ball-control offense, but Sears says the Mustangs need to "maintain the ball" and "control some drives" to keep the ball away from Corning's ground-eating running game. "If they get the lead and get you on your heels, it's a hard time getting the ball back," Sears says. Hoxie's offensive guards are smaller than the rest of its linemen (185 and 175) by design. The Mustangs trap and pull often. Sears thinks his team will be quicker along the front line than Corning. The series has been even the last few years, propelling this matchup to rivalry status. Hoxie leads 4-3 in this decade. One of the better games during that stretch saw Corning come back from a 22-0 deficit to win 28-22 in 2003.
Corning not cool, just 4-0 October 2, 2007 By David Wallace Hootens.com CORNING - If style points factored into team records, Corning would not be 4-0. By Coach Mark Smith's own admission, the Bobcats do nothing flashy, particularly on offense where they grind out yardage in a two-tight end, Dead T set. "What we are is a farm community with a lot of hard-working kids who play extremely hard," Smith says. Corning may be the slowest team ever to average 37.3 points. Smith estimates senior running back James Peterson (5-11, 190), the fastest Bobcat, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.85. Peterson has 580 yards in four games and 12 TDs. He got four in each of three games. Last Friday in the Bobcats' 37-0 blowout of Piggott, Peterson broke a 51 yarder among his four TDs and rushed for 129 yards. Senior QB Matt Ryan (5-11, 160) has completed only four of 11 passes all year, but Smith swears they work on passing a lot in practice. He says no opponents have forced them out of their between-the-tackles attack. Smith credits an improved offensive line. It jumped from an average per-man weight of 190-200 last year to 240-250 this year. Senior W.D. Burns (6-0, 240) is a three-year starter at center. Senior left tackle Matt Smith (5-10, 220) started there last year. Corning has given up 20 points this year, all of them scored by Cross County week 3. Both of Corning's alternating noseguards, senior Jason Briney and junior Nathan Hayes, measure 6-2, 350. Smith calls senior Mike Curatolo (6-3, 180) and junior Trent Edwards (6-3, 210), his defensive ends, "really good." He also spotlights his two returning defensive tackle starters, senior Matt Carpenter (6-1, 255) and junior Jake McDonald (6-3, 275). A forfeit by Barton left Corning with only four home games. That means Friday's game with Brinkley will have to serve as both homecoming and senior night because it's the last scheduled home game of the season.

**2006 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Corning	224	Opponent	145	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 1	H	Corning	48	Rector	7	W	1-0
Sep. 8	A	Corning	35	East Prairie, MO	13	W	2-0
Sep. 15	A	Corning	14	Cross County	28	L	2-1
Sep. 22	A	Corning	33	Hughes	12	W	3-1	1-0
Sep. 29	H	Corning	18	Piggott	14	W	4-1	2-0
Oct. 6	A	Corning	17	Brinkley	6	W	5-1	3-0
Oct. 13	H	Corning	14	Hoxie	7	W	6-1	4-0
Oct. 20	H	Corning	35	East Poinsett Co.	0	W	7-1	5-0
Oct. 27	A	Corning	0	Barton	14	L	7-2	5-1
Nov. 2	H	Corning	6	Harrisburg	16	L	7-3	5-2
Nov.10	A	Corning	14	Hector	28	L	7-4

**2005 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Corning	193	Opponent	166	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 2	A	Corning	43	Rector	0	W	1-0
Sep. 9	A	Corning	47	Chaffee, MO	6	W	2-0
Sep. 16	H	Corning	22	Malden, MO	22	T	2-0-1
Sep. 23	H	Corning	24	Yellville-Summit	7	W	3-0-1	1-0
Sep. 30	H	Corning	8	Newport	35	L	3-1-1	1-1
Oct. 7	A	Corning	6	Pocahontas	21	L	3-2-1	1-2
Oct. 14	H	Corning	22	Heber Springs	12	W	4-2-1	2-2
Oct. 21	A	Corning	6	Highland	23	L	4-3-1	2-3
Oct. 28	H	Corning	8	Mountain View	13	L	4-4-1	2-4
Nov. 3	A	Corning	7	Hoxie	27	L	4-5-1	2-5

**2004 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Corning	137	Opponent	159	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 3		Corning		OPEN
Sep. 10	H	Corning	36	Chaffee, MO	0	W	1-0
Sep. 17	A	Corning	20	Malden, MO	6	W	2-0
Sep. 24	A	Corning	12	Yellville-Summit	28	L	2-1	0-1
Oct. 1	A	Corning	0	Newport	35	L	2-2	0-2
Oct. 8	H	Corning	7	Pocahontas	31	L	2-3	0-3
Oct. 15	A	Corning	27	Heber Springs	0	L	3-3	1-3
Oct. 22	H	Corning	7	Highland	23	L	3-4	1-4
Oct. 29	A	Corning	21	Mountain View	8	W	4-4	2-4
Nov. 4	H	Corning	7	Hoxie	28	L	4-5	3-4

**2003 Schedule**
Date	H/A	Corning	230	Opponent	140	W/L	Record	Conf
Sep. 5	A	Corning	30	Rector	8	W	1-0
Sep. 12	H	Corning	47	Chaffee, MO	6	W	2-0
Sep. 19	A	Corning	34	Piggott	0	W	3-0
Sep. 26	H	Corning	14	Yellville-Summit	20	L	3-1	0-1
Oct. 3	H	Corning	14	Newport	15	L	3-2	0-2
Oct. 10	A	Corning	0	Pocahontas	27	L	3-3	0-3
Oct. 17	H	Corning	35	Heber Springs	0	W	4-3	1-3
Oct. 24	A	Corning	8	Highland	7	W	5-3	2-3
Oct. 31	H	Corning	20	Mountain View	35	L	5-4	2-4
Nov. 6	A	Corning	28	Hoxie	22	W	6-4	3-4

**2003 Archived Stories**
Corning removes Hoxie from playoff picture November 6, 2003 By David Grim NEARsports.com HOXIE - The Corning Bobcats played the spoiler role here Thursday night, defeating the Hoxie Mustangs, 28-22, and knocking them out of contention for the Class AAA playoffs. Though the Mustangs still had a mathematical shot, Yellville-Summitt added the final nail to the coffin by beating Mountain View, 34-8. The Bobcats (6-4, 3-4) knew coming into the game they had no shot at a playoff berth. That didn't stop them from pulling out all the stops. "This team has played hard, and fought back, and never given up all season long," said Corning coach Mark Smith. "They've just played hard every down." "I'd rather win six games in a season and not make the playoffs, than only win four games and get in," Smith continued. "I'm very, very proud of this team." Corning got on the board first early in the opening quarter on a three yard touchdown run from running back Andy Earls. Earls added the two ponit conversion to give the Bobcats the 8-0 lead. Hoxie (6-4, 3-4) followed with a run of 22 unanswered points. Mustang quarterback Brett Shrable tossed a 12 yard touchdown pass to Steven Tyler. Shrable called his own number on the two point try and tied the score, 8-8, with 2:50 left in the first quarter. Shrable took the credit for the next Mustang score as well, running in from two yards out. A fake PAT failed, leving the score 14-8 early in the second stanza. Shrable padded what seemed to be a stable lead with a 59 yard touchdown bomb to Mike Shirley with 4:29 left in the half. Chris Coats ran in what would be the Mustangs' last two points, making the score 22-8. The Bobcats returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 24 yard line, and wasted no time working on the 14 point deficit. On the following play from scrimmage, Cory Godwin sprinted 76 yards to cut into the Mustang lead, 22-14. The Mustangs, attempting to put another touchdown on the scoreboard before intermission, drove to the Corning 30. That's where Bobcat cornerback Josh Leverton picked off a Shrable pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. With 17 seconds left before halftime, Corning had cut the Hoxie lead to just two points, 22-20. The Bobcats got their winning touchdown on an 18 play, 89 yard drive that ate up most of the third quarter and bled into the fourth. Zach Prater capped the drive with a four yard touchdown run. Godwin threw a halfback pass to Leverton for the two point conversion, setting the final score at 28-22. "We just let it slip away from us," said Hoxie coach Tom Sears. "They got us with big plays before halftime and took that momentum into the second half. The better team won tonight." Godwin led the Bobcats' rushing attack with 167 yards on 18 carries. Shrable gained 136 yards on 22 carries for the Mustangs. With Hoxie out of the playoff picture, Mountain View takes the fourth seed from the 2AAA conference, following their loss to Yellville-Summitt.

Date	Corning	143	Opponent	209	W/L	Record	Conference
Sep. 6	Corning	22	Rector	0	W	1-0	0-0
Sep. 13	Corning	40	Chaffee, MO	25	W	2-0	0-0
Sep. 20	Corning	8	Piggott	0	W	3-0	0-0
Sep. 27	Corning	6	Yellville-Summit	35	L	3-1	0-1
Oct. 4	Corning	8	Newport	42	L	3-2	0-2
Oct. 11	Corning	0	Pocahontas	33	L	3-3	0-3
Oct. 18	Corning	16	Heber Springs	8	W	4-3	1-3
Oct. 25	Corning	8	Highland	21	L	4-4	1-4
Nov. 1	Corning	7	Mountain View	45	L	4-5	1-5
Nov. 8	Corning	28	Hoxie	0	W	5-5	2-5