Cornhole at the Cross

Locals getting together for some friendly competition

ralphhardin@gmail.com You might know it as bean-bag toss, dummy boards, doghouse, sacks, beans, beanbag, bag-o or some other silly name, but around these parts, it’s known as cornhole.

And for many, it’s just something to do during the backyard barbecue, like many are enjoying today, this Labor Day holiday.

But for Justin Craven, it’s a chance to do something that lets him get a taste of what his life was like before the accident.

In February 2015, Craven’s life was changed forever. While driving back from Nashville to Memphis, Craven was in a near-fatal crash after he veered across the highway and hit an 18-wheeler, destroying the SUV he was driving.

The crash left him in a coma for two weeks, and he is still working to overcome the physical toll the events took on his body.

Before the wreck, Craven was a very athletic young man in his mid-20s, playing softball, volleyball, and even spending time as an amateur MMA fighter.

But following that fateful night, he was very limited physically. He has found a way to turn what could be a lifelong negative and turn it into something positive.

Since that time, after hundreds of hours of rehab and a lifestyle change, Craven, a veteran and a West Memphis native, has made sharing his testimony on the consequences of drinking and driving to anyone who will listen his mission. He has taken that message to local and regional churches, rallies, conventions and schools.

This past spring, he shared that message with Marion High School seniors ahead of their prom.

And now, he’s getting a chance to engage in an activity that allows him to get back into the competitive spirit. “I’ve always been super competitive,” said Craven, as he watched the bags fly during night two of the first week of Cornhole at the Cross, a cornhole league he and longtime bud David Copeland put together. “So, I’m taking this very seriously. It’s fun, but it’s also a competition, and it’s something I can do. It’s something anyone can do.”

Cornhole at the Cross is held twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at Cross Community Church, on Highway 77 just north of Marion. Craven and Copeland put out feelers for anyone interested in playing in a league and got a big response.

“We ended up with 24 teams,” he said. “I think it’s great. We’re having fun. I had to do something, you know? I’ve tried to get back out there and to the things I used to, but my body can’t do what I want it to. I’ll see a ball coming at me and in my mind I know I need to do this and this, but my body just doesn’t do it.”

For the uninitiated, cornhole is a recreational game (some might even call it a sport) in which players (individual one-on-one, or teams, usually of two) take turns throwing bags of plastic resin (or bean bags) at a raised platform (the board) with a hole in the far end. A bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the board scores 1 point. Play continues until a team or player reaches or exceeds the score of 21 by means of cancellation scoring (there are many variations, of course, but this is the standard). Sort of like horseshoes, if you’re more familiar with that particular pastime.

And the players in the inaugural Cornhole at the Cross league are all about it. Players, men and women, younger folks and older ones too, are in the league. There are couples, father/son combos, and just buddies out for a good time.

Oh, and the cash prize!

It’s an eight-week season, with league games on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of September, with a league-ending postseason playoff to determine a champion.

They are even providing a snack bar and child care for those who need it.

Not needing it was Copeland, who played while tossing bags with his left hand and holding his baby girl in the other, possibly serving as a substitute counter-weight, as many cornholers are used to playing with a beer in their non-throwing hand.

“No beers,” said Craven.

“And nobodies cussed yet, so it’s been a pretty good first week.”

“We had a great time Tuesday night but I see that we need to practice every day,” said Cathy Thompson, who plays with her husband Martin.

“You can’t need as much practice as me and Mom,” said Ashley Lucas. “We scored a total of 8 points in six games!”

But, as Craven said, “Its all about fellowship and good times! Practice makes perfect.

That’s what the season is for is to get everyone ready for the tournament!”

Craven said if all goes well and there’s continued interest, he’ll put on another league early next year, possibly in February. In the meantime, he’s also inviting folks to be a part of another cornhole event, a tournament on Sept. 14, as part of the annual Run for Dunn Poker Run for the Fallen Riders Fund. It’s at 152 Legion Rd., in West Memphis and is being hosted by 40 et 8 Voiture 1521.

“Come on out,” he said. “Throw some with us and have some fun!”