Win Friday night or season is over
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, November 4, 2026
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ALMA — The Harrison Goblin have backed themselves into a corner.
Friday night the team had a chance to take the lead for a playoff spot in the Class 5A State Football Playoffs, but a flat first half on Friday night allowed Alma to move into the third seed from the 5A-West.
Alma defeated Harrison, 32-26.
It was Harrison’s last regular season road trip of the year.
Harrison now has to win on Friday night to go to the playoffs. Both teams have league records of 3-3 heading into their game this week.
The winner moves on with the season while the loser ends the season.
Against Alma, the Goblins gave up two touchdowns in the last minutes of the first half. They couldn’t overcome those plays.
Harrison was leading, 9-6, when Alma scored the first touchdown.
Now with a 12-9 lead, Alma scored to close out the first half and went into the locker room leading, 19-9.
Harrison got the ball to begin the second half. A big third down play early in the drive led to a Harrison score.
The Harrison momentum lasted only 12 seconds.
Alma took the kickoff and returned it for a touchdown and a double digit lead.
After both teams had a fruitless possession, Harrison made another drive that resulted in points.
After Harrison pulled within, 26-23, the Goblin defense did its job.
Getting the ball back, Harrison was moving down the field but a halfback pass was intercepted.
Alma scored again leaving the Goblins with a big mountain to climb trailing, 32-23, with a little more than three minutes left.
Harrison moved the ball down the field and got into the red zone.The Goblins were attempting a fourth down play, but a false stop moved the team back yards.
Truett Bardwell, who was perfect on three point after attempts, delivered a 29-yard field goal for Harrison to pull the Goblins within six.
Alma couldn’t eat up the entire clock, so Harrison had one last chance.
The Goblin offense could not finish the contest with a score.
Whoever wins the Friday contest at Harrison will hit the road the following week. As the No. 4 seed, the team will play the team that won the 5A-South.
Currently, there is a tie for first place in the league between Camden Fairview and Hot Springs Lakeside. Camden Fairview beat Lakeside in their meeting earlier this season. There are two teams, Pine Bluff and Texarkana that are only a game back. Camden plays White Hall and Lakeside plays Hot Springs. Pine Bluff plays Magnolia, who only has one league win on the season the Texarkana meets 5A-South winless DeQueen.
There are several scenarios that could play out after Friday night’s games are over.
Harrison will celebrate Senior Night on Friday before the Morrilton game. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
