Thunderbirds put up battle, finally bow to No. 3 Cardinals

KINGDOM CITY - Almost. Nearly. Just about. Means absolutely nothing in the win-loss column.

North Callaway gave undefeated Tipton all it could handle for the better part of three quarters Friday night, but in the end the state-ranked Cardinals - more specifically, junior running back Dallas Peoples - eluded the Thunderbirds' grasp.

Peoples punished North Callaway's defense for 262 yards rushing and four scores, as well as a touchdown catch, and Tipton eventually swatted down the Thunderbirds' upset bid in pulling away for a 50-26 victory.

The Cardinals - ranked No. 3 in Class 1 - are now 5-0 after Friday night's victory. Tipton has not lost a regular-season game since dropping its 2006 opener.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.