DE QUEEN, Ark. – When the De Queen Leopards needed a spark, junior running back Landen Wise answered the call. Coach Drew Dykes praised Wise for stepping up after two of the team’s primary backs were sidelined, noting that Wise produced what may be the best game of his high‑school career.
Offensive explosion
Wise carried the ball 30 times for an astonishing 344 yards and four touchdowns in the Leopards’ 35‑13 victory over the Hope Bobcats. Three of those scores came on runs of at least 45 yards, including long bursts of 69, 80 and 45 yards. The fourth touchdown was a short 9‑yard plunge. In the first two games of the season, Wise had already amassed 50 carries for 533 yards and seven rushing touchdowns, underscoring his emerging dominance on the field.
Impact on both sides of the ball
Beyond his offensive heroics, Wise proved valuable on defense and special teams. He recorded several tackles and snagged an interception, one of four the Leopards secured in the 22‑point win. On special teams, Wise punted twice, averaging 37.7 yards per punt, with one kick landing inside the 20‑yard line, giving De Queen favorable field position.
Coach’s praise and future outlook
“We have three great backs, and two went down,” Dykes said. “Landen stepped up and had a career game.” Dykes added that Wise’s offseason dedication paid off, noting the player added over 20 pounds while becoming faster. “He is a great kid and a joy to be around every day,” the coach said, expressing pride in Wise’s work ethic and character.
The Leopards sit at 1‑1 this season and will host Ashdown on Friday, looking to build on Wise’s standout performance.
Honorable mention
Quarterback DJ Jefferson of Nashville earned an honorable mention after leading the Scrappers to a 54‑34 win over Arkansas High. Jefferson completed 16 of 22 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 58 yards and two scores on 13 carries. He has helped the Scrappers achieve a 3‑0 start, finishing the season to date with 34 completions on 50 attempts for 693 yards, seven passing touchdowns, 130 rushing yards and two rushing scores.
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Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
