Tide will open playoffs at Benton High

Hope is kindled.

The Minden High Crimson Tiders, who had lost six of their last seven games, rallied Friday night from an early deficit against Fair Park and walked away with a 31-7 regular season finale victory.

And with the win, the Tide was able to sew up a playoff spot that seemed all but impossible one week ago.

Perseverance pays dividends. Now up for the Tide is the Benton Tigers, who beat the Tide 49-20 earlier this season. Minden makes the playoffs with a 4-6 overall record.

As far as the game that got them to the playoffs, the Tide offense scored 31 unanswered points, and its defensive counterpart played suffocating football after giving up an early score to the Indians of Fair Park.

Tide senior quarterback T.Q. Mims led the way as he accounted for three of four Minden touchdowns, two with his arm and one with his nimble feet.

Mims, who surpassed the 2,000-yard mark for the season against the Indians, also closed out the regular season as Minden’s all-time leader in passing yardage.

The Tide fell behind early as Fair Park’s “Wild Indian” formation led to an early touchdown for the home team.

The formation popularized by the Arkansas Razorbacks, and now used by teams far and wide from Pop Warner to the NFL, features a running back lined up in the shotgun where the quarterback would normally be positioned.

On the snap, the player gets the ball and usually runs, but can throw when the defense is out of position.

It was Morris Claiborne leading the way for Fair Park as he led them on a long drive that culminated with his 34-yard touchdown jaunt.

Advantage Fair Park. The score at the end of one quarter was 7-0.

But it did not stay that way for long.

The Tide’s first points came early in the second quarter and courtesy of a 27-yard field goal by Tyler Bethea.

Minden took the lead for good a short while later following suffocating defensive play.

Needless to say, the “Wild Indian” nor any other Fair Park offensive scheme proved effective once Tide coaches made the needed adjustments.

Following a defensive stand and a 50 yard reception by Jarome Walton, the first Tide score came courtesy of a 13-yard strike from Mims to Will Holoman. The point after failed, but Minden was now in the lead for good at 9-7.

Thanks to an interception by Dantavion Harris, Minden got the ball back in short order and Mims found the endzone once more, this time with his feet.

The senior signal-caller took the ball on his own and scrambled for a 24 yard touchdown. A moment later, he hit Keith Oliver in the endzone for the two -point conversion and a 17-7 lead at the half.

The Fair Park offense was stymied much of the remaining game and when they were forced to punt, the Tide made them pay.

Midway through the third quarter, Jarome Walton took the Fair Park punt, dodged a couple of defenders, followed his blockers and raced 42 yards for the touchdown.

Minden was successful in its try for two, giving the visitors an insurmountable 25-7 lead.

Walton wasn’t done, however, as he and Mims connected for a 17 yard touchdown late in the quarter. The final score came on a fourth and long and followed a blocked punt by the Tide special teams unit.

RUSHING: Minden High School-Keith Oliver 11-32; Rodarrion Rogers 1-24; Jarome Walton 9-17; T. Q. Mims 12-5; Ryan Jones 1-4. Fair Park-Morris Claiborne 23-133; Demarcus Byrd 1-15; Kenneth Young 1-3; Desmon Hill 1-minus 2.

PASSING: Minden High School-T. Q. Mims 8-16-0-122. Fair Park-Morris Claiborne 20-38-2-229.

RECEIVING: Minden High School-Keith Oliver 3-29; Jarome Walton 2-56; Devondrick Crow 2-24; Will Holomon 1-13. Fair Park-Kendrick Smith 8-104; Demarcus Byrd 6-68; Reggie Alexander 3-28; Brandon Brown 2-11; Desmon Hill 1-18.

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