Pea Ridge defensive coordinator Lafe Caton has left the Blackhawk football program, taking a similar position in Brownsboro, Texas.
Caton's departure is good news for Farmington, which will travel to Pea Ridge in week three.
Describing Caton as a worthy opponent is something of an understatement. Caton has been the architect of at least two defeats fans of Cardinal football would like to forget. Except for the sportsmanship involved when tipping a hat to a quality opponent.
Containing Explosive Back
One of Caton's best defensive game plans came in the Blackhawks' 36-0 trouncing of Farmington on the Cardinals' home field Oct. 26, 2012. In that contest, the Blackhawks contained Farmington's stalwart runningback Spencer Boudrey.
For anyone not familiar with Boudrey, he concluded his high school career with a whopping 468 yards of offense, all from the line of scrimmage during the Cardinals' down-to-the-wire Nov. 9, 2012, 46-40, state football playoff loss at Newport. In that classic, Boudrey carried the football 25 times for 317 yards and caught 4 passes for 151 yards. Five times Boudrey scored a Farmington touchdown and each time the Cardinals tacked on a 2-point conversion.
That was what the 5-feet-10, 180-pound tailback, who bench pressed 300 pounds and ran the 40 in 4.5 was capable of but the Blackhawks never let him get going.
Defending Turnovers
Last season, Caton's defense allowed the Blackhawks to escape Sept. 16 with a 13-7 victory. Pea Ridge couldn't sustain drives against Farmington's defense. The Blackhawks were 0-6 on third-down conversions and held to 76 yards of total offense over the first two quarters. The Cardinals ran 28 plays to Pea Ridge's 22 in the first half. The Cardinals had 8 first downs to 6 for Pea Ridge and converted 4-of-8 third downs, but got into fourth down three times and only converted once.
Pea Ridge was still in the game because of Caton's defense. Pea Ridge held Farmington to 48 yards of offense in the first half, and nullified two turnovers.
Skyler Montez ran a pick back 40 yards to the Pea Ridge two. After a penalty, Javan Jowers took a quick-pitch left and scored an 8-yard touchdown run with 9:18 left in the second quarter. Farmington led 7-0 at the half.
Defensive Turnaround
Pea Ridge turned the game around -- thanks to Caton's defense. Pea Ridge tied the game at 7-7, and recovered an onside kick at the Cardinal 29. Pea Ridge drove to take a 13-7 lead with three minutes to go in the third period, but they had to fight to stay in front. Farmington remained one play away from potentially winning the game until a fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 40 seconds left.
The contest played at Farmington's Allen Holland Field was the first meeting between the two schools since Farmington left the 4A-1 Conference following the 2013-2014 school year. This year's rematch is Sept. 15 at Pea Ridge. Caton will not be missed by Farmington fans.
Coach's Biography
Caton was born in Tulsa, Okla., and grew up in Inola, Okla. He was one of six children, whose parents emphasized the importance of hard work, honesty, and service to God.
"Athletics and education were very important to our family. These are the same values that I have stressed in my home," Caton writes in a short biography posted on the Pea Ridge athletic website.
Caton and his wife Marla have been married for 31 years and have four children and four grandchildren. Teaching and coaching has been a major part of his life for 30 years. His coaching career has led the family to three different states and eight different school districts. He spent two years as a full-time children's minister while living in Texas.
"God has blessed me tremendously throughout my life in many different ways," Caton writes in his online bio.
He concludes with, "I hope to have a positive impact on all those that I come to know."
A quality opponent, indeed.
MARK HUMPHREY IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ENTERPRISE-LEADER.
Sports on 07/19/2017