Many of the state's best high school football teams have the week off as the state playoffs get underway, but Shiloh Christian coach Jeff Conaway is happy his team isn't one of them.
The Class 4A Region 1 Saints, who are 9-1 overall and winners of their last seven games, feature Arkansas linebacker commit Kaden Henley and will start defense of their state title Friday at 7 p.m. when they host Cave City, which is 6-4.
The Cavemen won their final three games to make the playoffs.
"Believe it or not, I don't like having a bye," Conaway said. "I feel like there is too many obstacles trying to stop and slow down and then pick back up. I think once you've got momentum that it is easier to play and maintain and play that game than sit out one.
"I don't know if everybody agrees with my philosophy on that, but given the chance to choose whether we play or have a bye, we're playing unless you have injured players."
Henley has been a leader for this year's Saints, who are going into the playoffs fresh off consecutive blowout wins over Elkins, Gravette and Huntsville.
"He is going to go down as one of the most influential players that we have ever had in our program," Conaway said. "It is easy to be able to tell where he leads on the field, and most people who keep up with him know he is a leader in the weight room, the classroom, on the field and everywhere he goes."
"But this happened (Wednesday). I got a text from one of the sophomore dads saying that he got up early in the morning and heard his son talking to somebody on the phone about which passage in the book of Psalms that he needs to read next. It was Kaden holding this kid accountable.
"He has definitely learned how to lead in all areas, but most of all he has led us spiritually."
Henley has 92 tackles this season, 16 for lost yardage, 2 sacks, 3 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery on defense.
Offensively he has also chipped in 14 carries for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns, caught 12 passes for 212 yards and 4 more scores, and returned 2 kickoffs for 98 yards and 1 touchdown.
For good measure, he has added 14 pancake blocks.
Henley is part of a senior class that was on a 14-1 team last season that won its final 11 games, culminating in a 58-20 victory over Rivercrest in the 4A state championship game.
"We have been very pleased with how our defending state championship team has made themselves into their own team this year," Conaway said. "We certainly didn't want to try and carry over any of last year's success, and instead just stayed focused on our team this season.
"Our seniors this year have done a great job with that and not being complacent and continued to have that hungry attitude about them. That is probably one of the things I am most proud of."