The Booneville Bearcats have won the last five meetings with the Ozark Hillbillies, marking the program’s third streak of five or better game winning streaks in the series that dates back to 1924 and covers 87 games.
As is the case with the meeting with year, each of those games was a nonconference game, therefore having no bearing on the playoffs. However, the Bearcats are bound for Class 4A for the next playing cycle and the game will possibly, if not likely, become one which will impact conference standings in 2026.
• Mascots: Booneville Bearcats; Ozark Hillbillies
• When: 7 pm, September 5, at Hillbilly Stadium in Ozark
• Series: Booneville leads 56-27-4 (0.667)
• Streak: Booneville has won last 5
• Last Meeting: Booneville 31 Ozark 17 on September 6, 2024
• First Meeting: Booneville 45 Ozark 0 on November 6, 1924
• Conference Affiliations: Booneville is 3A-1; Ozark is 4A-4
TODAY IN BEARCAT FOOTBALL HISTORY: There are two record breaking performances and the Bearcats are 8-0 all time in games documented to have been played on September 5.
On September 6, 1975 Kean Cunningham returned two punts for touchdowns before the Bearcats ran an offensive play in their season opener. He later returned the second half opening kickoff for a touchdown giving him 233 return yards. Cunningham scored a fourth touchdown offensively. The Bearcats beat Marshall that night 49-0.
On September 5, 1997 Davin Hicks ran for 268 yards in a 43-19 win over Charleston. The rushing total currently ranks sixth all time but at the time was the new standard, eclipsing Wayne Wells’ record of 248 yards from 1959. Wells’ mark is now 11th.
NOTES: The Bearcats are expected to be severely depleted after an offseason, and season opening game rash of injuries through which as man as a dozen players may not be available.
Highlights of last week’s game in Poteau, Okla., are sparse but Hayden Daniel – the third quarterback used and shown above – totaled 57 yards on eight carries, which included seeing his first varsity action under center.
THEME: The pep rally theme is Hawaiian.
