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8 PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 T R E E S E R V I C E PR A I R I E GR O V E 4 7 9 - 6 0 1 - 5 5 9 1 4 7 9 - 8 4 6 - 43 3 3 SCOTTIE BORDELON NWA Democrat-Gazette SPRINGDALE — All Alejandro Ramirez wanted to do was lay on the mat. In a word, he was exhausted. His shaky arms were heavy, barely able to raise them. But he had another dual to get to. "I wasn't very good, but I was trying to hold my own against those guys," said Ramirez, who wrestles for Springdale Har-Ber in the 222-285 pound heayweight division. "One guy just manhandled me, I got off balance and tried to get up and I just couldn't do it." As with most things, though, wrestling became easier for Ramirez over time, and he found himself competing admirably against some of the state's best. He dropped roughly 20 pounds throughout the season, too, making him lighter on his already quick feet. at experience outside of football as a junior was beneficial for Ramirez, and it showed in the eyes of Har-Ber football coach Chris Wood. More than anything, he said, it progressed the 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman's mental game. "I think what wrestling brings to the table, when you get on the mat there's nobody else there. It's you," Wood said. "I think that really develops character, toughness and makes you fight through adversity. You can't just give up; everybody's watching you in that circle. at wrestling-football component goes hand-in-hand. I think it's made him a stronger player." Ramirez has led the charge in what has been a historic defensive season for the Wildcats. In Week 9, Har-Ber's 34-0 win against Van Buren gave it its fourth shutout win of the season – most in school history. Har-Ber then added a fih shutout last week at Rogers Heritage. e noseguard has totaled 32 tackles, 10 for loss, and four sacks as a senior on a defensive line with 30 tackles for loss on the season. He plays a role on the offensive side of the ball, too. In addition to being a dominant run-blocker in goalline situations, he caught a six-yard touchdown pass in Har-Ber's Week 1 win at Fort Smith Southside. "My goal was probably to score one on defense first, but it was a good time," he said with a laugh. "I saw no one was covering me, I stayed where I was and Grant found me. It was exciting. It was kind of crazy." But what separates Ramirez, Wood said, is his unwavering enegagement within a game. Inside the 5-yardline, Wood can easily find the defensive lineman standing amongst offensive coaches waiting for the green light. He's no stranger to ball-hawking skill players either. "is guy, he's going to track you down," said Wood, who enters the playoffs with 96 career wins at Har-Ber. "Whether its 30 yards downfield, he's going to find a way to make a play. I've enjoyed everything about him. He's got a servant's heart within the game of football. ose are just the little things." On Senior Night, Ramirez cherished the time spent with his family pre-game. And with Har-Ber's win vs. the Pointers, it assured one more home game, one he's very much eager for. "It's exciting for us and our fans because they get to come watch us at home," said Ramirez, who visited Navy on Oct. 28-29. "We have the opportunity to take it week by week since there's no bye." Aer helping Har-Ber wrap up a 7-win regular season at Heritage last week and earn a first-round matchup against Fort Smith Northside (3-7, 2-5 7A-Central) tonight, Ramirez verbally committed to Central Arkansas. Spending the last three years with Ramirez, Wood knows one thing for sure. "One day in a couple of years we're going to be reading all about Alejandro Ramirez out of Springdale Har-Ber." Senior Ramirez relentless in Har-Ber's run to postseason AT A GLANCE ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ SCHOOL Springdale Har-Ber CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-3 WEIGHT 280 POSITION Defensive tackle NOTABLE Leads Har-Ber with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. Ten tackles for loss are a single-season career high and four sacks tie a career best. … Caught his first career touchdown pass in Har-Ber's Week 1 win at Fort Smith Southside. … Has recorded five career pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and four blocked field goals/extra points. … Verball committed to Central Arkansas Nov. 3, choosing the Bears over offers from Arkansas State, Army, South Dakota State, Stephen F. Austin and others. … Two-time all-conference and all-state selection. … Guided Har-Ber to a school-record five shutout wins in the regular season. Springdale Har-Ber Wildcats (7-3) DATE OPPONENT RESULT Sept. 1 .................... at FS Southside .............................. W 48-35 Sept. 8 .................... at Jefferson City (Mo.).................. W 38-0 Sept. 15 ................. Jenks (Okla.) .................................... W 29-0 Sept. 22 ................. Rogers High .................................... W 49-0 Sept. 29 ................. at Springdale .................................. W 56-14 Oct. 6 ...................... at Bentonville ................................. L 24-21 Oct. 13 ................... Bentonville West ........................... L 37-19 Oct. 20 ................... at Fayetteville ................................. L 34-28 Oct. 27 ................... Van Buren ........................................ W 34-0 Nov. 3 ..................... at Rogers Heritage ........................ W 48-0 Nov. 10 ................... Fort Smith Northside ................... 7 p.m. CLASS 7A 479.751.4043 New Larger Shoowroom! Come Stop By! • Ceramic Tile • Porcelain Tile • Natural Stone Tile Come in and check out our HUGE Tile inventory!