ACADEMICS
SPORTS
CHARACTER
LETTERMAN MAGAZINE
THE END OF FOOTBALL?
LIFE COaCH - PATIENCE The Clash in the Ozarks The Connection of a Teenager
SETH BRUMLEY: EYE ON THE
STATE TITLE #GREATNESS #ROADTOTHEROCK
Everett Chevrolet would like to recognize the Rising Stars of the Springdale Bulldogs Marching Band.
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IN THE HUDDLE WITH TRANDON L. MOY -Playbook from the Editor in Chief Framework Enterprises, LLC was created after a humble idea rooted in passion became reality. The Letterman Society consists of individuals distinguished by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture/movement. Letterman Society’s primary objective is to promote academics and character through the outlet of high school sports and community initiatives. The first branch of the company was created on these principles, Letterman Magazine. In this issue we catch up with coaches and players in Northwest Arkansas for an in-depth glimpse of life on and off the field. We give our stance on “The End of High School Football” debate, which continues to gain nationwide momentum. The story of Denyse Collins is an inspiring one that shows with hard work and dedication anything is possible. Our first installment of the Letterman column “Life Coach” features Decatur Bulldogs Head Football Coach Shane Holland. I am grateful for the ongoing support and will ensure Letterman Magazine continues to provide the best high school sports content in Northwest Arkansas. Without God, family, friends, and community support none of this would be possible. Sincere thanks to my wife Jerrie Moy and the entire Letterman Team. 2014 will be full of surprises, so look for us at a game near you. “Be a Part of Greatness.”
Ready, Break!
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CONTENTS Editor in Chief:
Trandon Moy
Graphic Designer:
Jon Buckner
Marketing Analyst/Sales:
Demetrice Hill, Grace Vargas, Misty Brixey Co-Editor:
Jerrie Moy, Antonio Moy Contributing Editors:
Brandi Moreira, Olivia Wiley Photographers:
James Lovell, Justin Evans, Sai-en Gant (Lens Out Loud) Contributing Writers:
Tommy Tabler, Sergio Moreira, Brandy J. Flynn, Mark Dirienzo, Trandon Moy, Christopher Dudley Selection Committee Advisor:
Byron Jenkins
On The Cover:
Seth Brumley Pea Ridge Blackhawks Photo Credit: James Lovell
04 LEARNINGRX WANT THE MENTAL EDGE OF AN OLYMPIAN? 06 PRE-SEASON PICKS TEAMS TO WATCH 08 MAGNI TRAINING FOCUSING ON STRENGTH BUILDING 11 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT DENYSE COLLINS 13 THE END OF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL? THE GROWING ISSUE OF HEAD INJURIES 16 CONNECTION OF A TEENAGER BEING A TEENAGER IS HARD 18 LIFE COACH: PATIENCE PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE 20 FLASHBACK 2013 BENTONVILLE VS CABOT TITLE GAME 22 GAME OF THE WEEK HONORING THE GAME OF THE WEEK RECIPIENTS 24 SETH BRUMLEY EYE ON THE STATE TITLE 26 TEAM PREVIEWS A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TEAMS
WANT THE MENTAL EDGE OF AN OLYMPIAN?
Mental training opportunities abound
ou don’t need sports psychologists, personal athletic trainers, or controversial Speedos to get a confidence boost and mental edge similar to that of an Olympic athlete. Highquality mental training comes from a lot of different places – you just need to know where to look.
The Mental Edge Olympic athletes spend years trying to get it. Hundreds of books have been written on it. And coaches often say it’s the difference between winning and losing. It is the mental edge -- having the mental and emotional skills needed to excel. These skills generally include: concentration, focus, visualization, attention, goal setting, energy management, self-confidence, commitment, and poise under pressure. Olympic athletes spend years honing these skills, and go to great lengths: The U.S. Olympic women’s softball team has performed Navy SEAL training. The Chinese 4
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swim team practices yoga, is learning English, and spends hours in group problem-solving sessions. Others commit to biofeedback, hypnosis, and extremely strict routines to try to get mentally tough. However, the mental edge can come from a lot more common outlets.
Martial Arts It was Karate, that Judy Maddox turned to 20 years ago, after a doctor diagnosed her three boys with ADHD. “He told me to get them into a program that would help with focus and attention, and Karate helped immediately,” Maddox says. “It motivated them. They started paying attention, burning energy, and gaining confidence and self-control.” Maddox joined her boys in training, earned her black belt four years later, then opened her own Universal Kempo Karate center. Since then, she’s trained thousands of people and says she sees daily how martial arts help people build mental skills. “They learn how to visualize and imagine success. It teaches
by Suzanne Miltich
discipline, respect, focus. They’re learning how to control themselves, how to keep on task and ignore distractions. And it’s not just on the mat. Those skills spread to their home life, school, relationships and sports.”
Brain Training Hunter Milner got a surprising boost in sports while building his mental skills for academic growth. His mother Maria says she saw the changes almost immediately. “It not only helped him academically, but it also helped him in sports,” says Milner. “He’s a better basketball player now because of the training.” Hunter’s brain training was through LearningRx, a cognitive skills training company that specializes in building mental skills to make people smarter. “Our brain training absolutely helps in all areas of life,” says Dr. Suzanne Miltich of the Bentonville LearningRx brain training center. “We use it to improve focus, attention, memory, visual and auditory processing skills
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and even hand-eye coordination. Basically, our training builds better, faster more efficient brains, permanently. Of course that will help people become better athletes.”
“Another nearly universal side effect of our brain training is an extreme boost in selfconfidence,” says Tanya Mitchell, LearningRx Vice-President of Research. “That obviously will help athletes get the mental boost they need to thrive. Any Olympic athlete will tell you, confidence is key.”
Guided Visualization High school football coach Monte Gutowski agrees. “Positive thinking, having confidence in yourself, believing in your team’s ability to accomplish something, that’s half the battle,” says the new head coach. He relies on visualization and relaxation
techniques and may occasionally turn to the school district psychologist for help in teaching those skills. “So much of any sport is mental,” Gutowski says. “Anything you can do
to boost those abilities will help you become a better athlete.” And consider the story of Larry Fitzgerald, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals who owes his talent and football success to his…grandfather. Running Larry through a series of eye-hand coordination drills as a little boy helped him develop amazing visual perceptual skills. Thanks to his grandfather, Larry has an uncanny ability to calculate where the ball will go and put himself in place to catch it. This cognitive skill, developed at a young age with practice, repetition, and hard work, helps Larry ‘see with his brain’ and play
some great football. So if you want to be a better athlete by getting that mental edge, but you just can’t justify the sports hypnotist, brain scans,
or military training, look around. Great opportunities may be closer than you think. Many individuals are getting quality mental training right here in Northwest Arkansas. LearningRx brain training improves many of the skills Olympic athletes spend years perfecting: attention, focus, visualization, multi-tasking skills, auditory processing, hand-eye coordination, and more. Better cognitive skills translate into better academic ability, work performance, a big boost in selfconfidence, and the mental edge needed to perform better in school, sports and so many other areas of life.
To learn more about how brain training will help, visit www.learningrx.com or call the Bentonville LearningRx brain training center at 479-715-6870 LETTERMANMAGAZINE.COM
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LETTERMAN MAGAZINE PRE-SEASON TEAMS TO WATCH. Throughout the season we will rank the top 10 high school football programs in Arkansas.
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Bentonville - Arkansas takes aim at the Tigers who will be tuff to beat under the leadership of standout QB Kasey Ford. North Little Rock - K.J. Hill and the Wildcats are bigger, stronger and faster then every team in the state on paper. Pine Bluff - The Zebras are loaded with talent. Coach Bolding definitely has one of the best teams in Arkansas. Fayetteville - C.J. O’Grady leads a great group of skilled players that intend to make another run for a state title. Conway - Colton Jackson and company should combine to make the best offensive line in the state giving the Wampus Cats a strong push toward a state title. Cabot - Some things never change. Expect Jake Ferguson to keep the Panthers in every game. Northside - Nasty defensive line anchored by Daytrieon Dean and a host of talented athletes. Watch out for the Grizzlies. Har-Ber - Defense wins championships and the Wildcats have plenty! Warren - A group of talented Lumber Jacks load up for another trip to War Memorial Stadium. Greenwood - As long as the Bulldogs have the same system in place expect similar results.
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PIONEERS
Jared Cousins #22, Tucker Willett #1, Jared Allen #51, Dusty Haag #82
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LIONS
Media Day Senior Salute
Cody Robinson #44, Tyler Kerley #34, Jacob Taylor #78, Ryan Bolduc # 59, Shay Shimer # 39
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It is time to focus on Strength Building, Not Strength Testing for the Young Athlete by Keenan Lightner he 1-Rep Max is the unequivocal testing method in strength training. It sets individuals apart in the weight room and also provides a baseline number to use in designing strength training programs. Because of this, we often see high school athletic programs use 1-Rep Max testing as a method to implement consistent and manageable programs for large groups of athletes. There is an underlying problem here… and that is that testing for 1-Rep Maxes and subsequently building programs off the results steals valuable time away from the athlete in their efforts to get stronger. One might ask, “How can this be?” It is because the young athlete’s 1-Rep Max is not a true max. These individuals have not strength trained long enough to develop the neuromuscular efficiencies to tax their central nervous system (CNS) in such a way. It is much more important for young trainees to accumulate volume (reps) in their program to develop their CNS. Submaximal work provides an individual opportunity to perfect technique, build muscle, and get stronger all at the same time. The reason is that common strength programs for athletes encompass increases in weight (intensity) with a drop in volume in order to “peak” for a 1_Rep Max attempt. I have seen programs carry many different training blocks from 4-12 weeks in total with one goal in mind: to establish a new personal record, but these athletes cannot expect any higher than a 10-20 lb increase to their previous rep max on most programs structured in this way. The key for the strength coach is to set rep records for his/her athletes and calculate an estimated projected max in which to develop a program. The program will be focused on improving rep maxes each week on particular lifts on a weekly basis. To establish an 8
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estimated projected max, utilize the following equation I have found to be very accurate. Weight x Reps x .033 + Weight = Projected Max For example, Athlete 1 was tested on the bench press and obtained 6 reps with 165 pounds. Plug this into the equation ((165 X 6) x .033) + 165 = 200 pounds. Athlete 2 was tested with a 1=Rep Max achieved a 200 pound bench press. Both athletes were placed on separate programs. Athlete 1 on a weekly program focused on rep maxes while the Athlete 2 on an 8 week program in which the athlete will peak to a new 1-Rep max,
Athlete 1
-Projected max of 200 based on rep calculation -Weekly program focused on establishing and improving a 5 RM. Initial 5 RM goal calculated by taking 85% of projected max or 175 pounds.
Athlete 2 -1-Rep Max of 200 pounds in the bench press -8-Week program to establish a new 1-Rep Max -Estimated increase 10-20 lbs. If Athlete 1 improves their 5RM by 2.5lbs each week, he/she will have put 20 pounds on their 5RM and finish with 195 x 5 reps. you now have a new projected max of 230 pounds. Now let’s say Athlete 2 had a great 8 week program and was able to achieve 230 pounds as a 1-Rep Max. They likely spent the last 2-3 weeks reducing the volume while increasing
the intensity of each exercise. The two athletes have achieved an equivalent amount of strength, which would leave one to believe that the programs are equally as effective. Both have achieved the same objectives, which was to get stronger over eight weeks but there is a significant difference between the two. Athlete 1 has performed a significantly larger amount of reps. More time spent on practicing the technical mastery of the lifts, and more time spent building up work capacity. Whether in the weight room, field or court, repetitions are what ingrains skill into an athlete. Practice makes perfect, pure and simple. The bottom line is no one cares about 1-Rep Maxes during a game. The real focus should be on determining if all the time spent in the weight room adequately transferred into sport specific skill. And this can be accomplished without programs based on 1-Rep Maxes. Let your athletes focus on strength building and the results will speak for themselves. This past summer I had the opportunity to give a presentation to some local area coaches in which I explained a different approach to strength training the young athlete. I suggested that 1-Rep Max testing for strength is not needed in the context of high school athletics. This raised some questions amongst the group, because handling large amounts of student athletes with limited coaching staff often requires baseline strength testing in order to establish consistency and continuity within a weight room. Strength testing for a 1-Rep Max and building programs off of the outcome limits a young athlete’s opportunity for progress because it bases all work weights and percentages off a one single session of testing, during which the athlete could be distracted, sleep deprived or just having a bad day.
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HERITAGE
WAR EAGLES
Forrest Ward #39, Brandon White #22, Josh Quails #10, Brandon Gates #7
Media Day Senior Salute
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ROGERS
MOUNTIES Media Day Senior Salute
Ty Galyean #25, Bryce Bray #73, Zack Wary #5, Brandon Workman #29, Austin Hughes #51, Zane Bush #50
SPRINGDALE
BULLDOGS
Austin Jarrett #59, Brayden Mayo # 10, Neal Parson #47, Terry Mounce # 16, Josiah Wymer #88
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LINCOLN
WOLVES Media Day Senior Salute
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Dalton Simmons #10, Drew Harris #2, Brandon Crew-Venegas #5, Colton Barnum #11
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Community Spotlight
Denyse Collins, Benton County JDC, Director Phoenix. I received my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration (2006), Master of Business Administration (2008), and Master of Science in Psychology (2011). I am currently nearing the end of my second year at Grand Canyon University in the Ph.D. program for Psychology. Needless to say, I am firm believer in education and the continuation of education. After leaving Texas, I moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas and began employment at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center in August 2000. After 10 wonderful years, I was hired at the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center as Assistant Director and then promoted in June of this year to Director.
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was born two and one-half months premature at Wadley Regional Hospital in Texarkana, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Collins of Foreman, Arkansas. The doctor and nurses told my parents to prepare for the worst because I would not be leaving the hospital alive. According to them, I would not make it through my first night. Forty years later with a child of my own, I am alive and loving life. I graduated with honors from Ashdown High School in 1992. I immediately headed to college at Southern Arkansas University, majoring in Computer Information Systems. While there, I became a member of the Iota Xi chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated in 1993. After three years, I determined that computer programming was not a big interest of mine, so I left SAU and attended Texarkana Community College to become a certified Correctional Officer for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division. During the five and one-half years with TDCJID, I worked at the Gurney Transfer Unit, Mark W. Michael Unit, and Barry B. Telford Unit (maximum security institutions for adult males). I decided after five years that I was ready to go back to school. So, I attended Cossatot Community College-University of Arkansas and transferred to University of
From maximum security adult males to juveniles, I came to a conclusion during my experience within the adult institutional division that most adults are already walking the paths that they have prepared and set in motion for the rest of their lives. Because so many of them tend to make the best out of their ‘bad’ situations, they have all resolved to accept their confinement as their way of life for the rest of their lives. It was then I decided that my efforts, time, and mentoring would best serve those who still had a chance to make better choices in life. In my hometown, one of the churches that I attended (St. Matthews Baptist in Foreman, AR) began a summer and after-school CAPP program (Community Alternative Prevention Program) through the award of grant and locally donated funds. The purpose of this community volunteer program was to provide positive structure and mentoring to youth in hopes of helping to occupy their time positively and educationally that would or could otherwise be used to commit delinquent acts. To set my wheels in motion and make good use of my efforts, I became a volunteer mentor with the CAPP program. I participated in the following areas: tutoring during the after-school tutorial initiative; teaching youth how to plant and harvest the CAPP garden (all harvested crops were given to the senior citizens in the community); chaperoning youth during field trips and nursing home visits; teaching during the Summer Reading Program, and delivering meals from the church to the elderly within the community.
time to assist the CAPP program whenever needed. After moving to Fayetteville, I became a member of Mission Boulevard Baptist Church (MBBC). This church is also the home to Fayetteville Christian School. Because I wanted to continue my efforts of being a positive mentor, I volunteered time to assist the school. I worked in the lunchroom for a number of years, substituted in classes, and have been head coach to their Pee-Wee boys’ and Junior High boys’ basketball teams. Whether in the community or at work, I enjoy my time when it is most occupied with making some positive difference (no matter how great or small) in a youth’s life. Children are not fortunate enough to be able to pick and choose some of the most influential situations they find themselves in; for that reason, I try to ensure that I help them see the good and positive in their negative situations. In my mind, regardless of whether we as adults may feel that they are not listening, it is that positive reinforcement that will stand out most in their minds when it is continuously provided. Yes, children must be held accountable for their own actions and negative decisions; however, they should also be given a positive outlook and options to further ensure that they will be able to make a more informed and sound decision in the event other similar situations arise. It is my sincere hope and goal to become a certified life coach (especifically for youth) in the very near future. I would then like to start a non-profit organization that would allow me to further mentor and assist youth in constructing and reconstructing that positive path that they truly desire to walk.
It was then I decided that my efforts, time, and mentoring would best serve those who still had a chance to make better choices in life.
During my visits home, I still volunteer LETTERMANMAGAZINE.COM
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SILOAM SPRINGS
PANTHERS
J.C. Everett #59, Chandler Gregory #85, Mitchell Dolezal #34, Brian Harmon #50, Daryn Ketcher# 73
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FARMINGTON
Micheal Ryan #67
CARDINALS Media Day Senior Salute
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The End of High School Football? by Sergio Moreira
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t this time we are all familiar with the growing issue of head injuries and concussions among football players, even at the high school level. Recently, rumors have surfaced in regard to the end of high school football. How could this be for Americas national past time? Each year the National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl is one of the highest rated events on television in the United States, but before we say that this could never happen to football, let’s take a trip down memory lane. In the 1980s, the big three included baseball, boxing, and horse racing. Today, only baseball ranks as one of the nation’s most popular mainstream sports. Times have changed and so has the entertainment industry. As a child I would sit and watch nine innings of baseball and think nothing of it. Nowadays, I cannot sit through an entire football game without looking at my smartphone or flipping through the channels LETTERMANMAGAZINE.COM
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to see what else is on the television. So who is to say that in 10-20 years, fans won’t start looking at football as barbaric, outdated, or something for the simple minded. Kind of the way some look at professional wrestling, which is still proclaiming to be a legitimate sport. The death of football would have to include more than everyone losing interest, but the dangers of concussions and head injuries may be just what the doctor ordered. Many former NFL players have filed lawsuits against the league attempting to link head injuries with psychological issues, which is starting to make NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell nervous. If these allegations hold up in court many referees and coaches may retire because they would not want to risk being named in a lawsuit. Another dilemma is insurance companies may began requiring schools that participate in tackle football increase their policies because of liability issues. How many smaller schools here in Arkansas could afford such demands? How many schools would just stay away? Recently, Kurt Warner, former Arizona Cardinal and St. Louis Rams Super Bowl Champion Quarterback who led St. Louis to an NFL championship, stated he would not let his son play football for fear of him being injured. As a parent, if you turned on the television and witnessed a former championship quarterback state he is not
letting his child play the sport that made him millions of dollars, would you risk your child’s health? In the 1950s, cigarette smoking was considered by many to be safe. If you attempt to light a cigarette in McDonalds or a hospital like many did back then you could face ridicule and in some cases criminal charges. How many of us remember not wearing a seat belt in a car or sitting in car seat as a child? On the other hand how many of us would risk the safety of our loved ones today by not using one? The American Journal of Sports Medicine reports, In the United States (US), an estimated 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually. Sports are second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of concussions. Football has the most reported concussions followed by hockey. Although we look at football today as the mighty Goliath that is played in every high school and college, what would happen if high schools stopped playing because of fear of litigation? What happens when the talent supply dries up? A domino effect would mean that colleges start using inferior talent and recruiting standards are lowered. Subsequently, the NFL would began lowering their standards and become a shadow of what it once was. How many of you remember the replacement players who played half the season during the 1989 NFL strike? How
did it affect attendance and viewership? What would it be like to watch a season of replacement players? Would football just vanish after a few seasons? If football is a target what sport would be next? The American Journal of Sports Medicine reports that concussions or rampant in females who play soccer averaging (8.2%, n= 159). Female soccer has double the amount of concussions than their male counterparts. Another sport that could be placed in the forefront is boys wrestling. Studies show (5.8%, n= 112) have reported concussions.
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If football vanishes, every other sport would be put under a microscope. Where would it end? Rules may change but to what extent? The NFL made some changes and fans were highly upset. Players are paid a substantial amount of money to dress out and play a game where contact is a must and encouraged. Soon we could be watching tennis or golf on Sundays, which is not a bad situation for some people. I know what you’re saying right now: “The end of football? Yea, right. This is all speculation and no one would ever think about taking away football, but crazier things have happened in the world of sports. I would suggest enjoying football while it’s here because it may or may not be gone tomorrow.
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4301 Pleasant Crossing Blvd, Rogers, AR 72758 Phone: 479-621-0990 Fax: 479-621-0945
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BLACKHAWKS
Trent Ramsey #7, Jack Rapp #3, Jarin Sainbury #18, Logan Rose #24
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BULLDOGS Media Day Senior Salute
Trey Kyle #88, Matt Lee #50, Mario Urguidi #22
REMEMBER THE TIMES:
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THE CONNECTION OF A TEENAGER BY BRANDY J. FLYNN eing a teenager is hard! It is actually the most dysfunctional stage of a human’s life. It is a stage where a person is no longer a child but is nowhere near an adult. It is the stage in everyone’s life where many are trying to figure out who they are. It is the time where the careless mistakes are made and the beginnings of hard lessons are being learned. When one transitions from a teenager and evolves into an adult, it is the path that was taken to become the adult that is represented today. Now whether that path was a great one or a horrible one, often times it is forgotten. It is especially forgotten when dealing with teenagers. Some adults often feel out of touch when they are trying to connect with teenagers because both parties are on separate levels of thinking. Adults are always speaking about how this generation of teenagers is the lost generation but adults must ask themselves “what are we doing to save the lost generation?” You see that is a question that no one wants to ask themselves. The finger is constantly being pointed at the teens but overlooks that three fingers are being pointed back. Adults are focused on their own lives and they often forget those who are coming behind them and need the proper guidance in their life to stay on the right path. The media should not be the role models in our teens’ lives and adults should not get upset when teens start displaying the negative behaviors that they see. They need some type of order in their lives that will give them the time and the mental capacity to identify with issues and the development that teens are going through. It is often stated that teens do not have anything to stress over, that all they have to do is go to school and gain an education. One reason why adults say that is because they have their own adult issues to deal with and gaining an education is not one. Another reason is because adults look at teen’s issues and look at their own and feel that their issues are more valid to stress over than an issue that a teen had to deal with. What adults have to realize is that yes teens do have issues to deal with and it consists of more than gaining 16
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Adults must remember that when dealing with teens, they were once teens themselves...
good grades at school. Adults must realize that the issues that teens are going through are age appropriate issues. That is why it is very important that teens have someone that they can be open and honest with and not judged about. Of course we love for that to be the parents, but how realistic is that? Usually that backfires in one of two ways: either the parent is too concerned on being a friend or the parent is not ready to hear what the teen has to say and uses it against them when something comes up. Teens also need someone who
they can talk to, not someone who will talk at them. You know the ones who tell them what they should do and what they shouldn’t do. Instead, they need someone to ask why they do the things they do. Teens are very creative when it comes to see if someone is really trustworthy of sharing their most inner secrets. They always give a test to see what the outcome and response will be. If the adult becomes judgmental and begins to over react, that is a sign for the teen that this is not the adult to speak with. If the adult displays empathy and shares stories
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about their teen life that are relative, then the teen is more prone to talk to that adult about anything that they feel pressing. Adults must remember that when dealing with teens, they were once teens themselves, they dealt with real life issues, and they didn’t always have someone in their corner to help them with their decisions. With this in mind, we will be better at guiding our youth to be on the right path and mold them to be upright citizens so that they can pass along the characteristics to those that come behind them.
hen the word patience is mentioned in a conversation it is frequently connected to the conventional saying “patience is a virtue.” Coach Shane Holland of The Decatur Bulldogs echoed the exact words when describing patience, relating it as “something that is important for my players to have”. “They have to keep working hard and put in the time and their opportunity will come.” Coach Holland’s words are true many people find patience to be a hard concept to accept. This can be a challenge when you believe your ability is capable of making a difference. When I think of patience a clock comes to mind symbolizing the time it takes to reach the goals we set in life. Time is the ultimate scarcity. Each task we complete within a span of a day is centered on seconds and minutes. I have found that life has its own clock and does
not always consider our plans. Sometimes, situations in life do not unfold exactly how we anticipate. It is up to us to remain steadfast in working towards our goals for when the right opportunity appears. If you accept this theory as a norm of life, then it is possible to make patience a friend instead of an enemy. For example, instead of replaying a lost opportunity over and over in your mind, use your time wisely to progress your standing in sports, the classroom, or the workplace. There is always room for improvement and growth. Don’t take my word for it consider nature’s example of patience, the olive tree. It takes almost seven seasons for the olive tree to bear its first harvest. They can live for several centuries, and remain productive for as long as they are pruned correctly and regularly. From a sports perspective, it took Aaron Rodgers three years before he became the Green Bay Packers starting quarterback and
The Life Coach: by Christopher Dudley
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an eventual Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. He patiently sat behind the aging future Hall of Famer, Brett Favre, that was not the least bit interested in giving up his starting position to his young predecessor but Rodgers ultimately persevered. Or consider the bright lights of Hollywood and take a peek into the life of David Seidler, a British playwright and film and television writer. He pursued a pet project script for years while also battling cancer. At the tender age of seventy years old David Seidler became the oldest person to win Best Original Screenplay for “The King’s Speech”. Life works on its own time and the objective is to remain patient and ready for when your number is called. Remaining eager to develop and advance your purpose in life is the key. Patience is a virtue; learn to make it your friend! Until next time keep the faith!
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” R G E T AME PLA R A U Q H T N: “5
ZAXBY’S
®
Stop by one of these Zaxby’s locations after the game and try our indescribably good Chicken Fingerz™, Wings, Sandwiches, Zalads and more. All our food is fresh, flavorful and always prepared at order. ®
3510 S.E. J St. • Bentonville • 479.254.9565 3251 N. College Ave. • Fayetteville • 479.935.4575 1670 W. 6th St. • Fayetteville • 479.575.9171 190 N. Progress Ave. • Siloam Springs • 479.238.1305 400 S. Thompson St. • Springdale • 479.750.3740
Each restaurant independently owned and operated. © 2013 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby’s,” “Chicken Fingerz” and “Zalads” are trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.
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Flashback TO THE 2013 TITLE GAME LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (War Memorial Stadium)
fter coming up short the past two years, Bentonville captured the Class 7A state championship with a 39-28 victory over Cabot. Kasey Ford, selected as the game’s most valuable player, completed 11 of 18 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns for the Tigers (11-2), who overcame a 14-10 first-half deficit. Bentonville lost to conference rival Fayetteville in both the 2011 and 2012 title games, as the Bulldogs ruined the Tigers’ perfect seasons. This time, Bentonville ruined Cabot’s perfect year. Bentonville, in the finals for the fourth consecutive year, made sure the 7A-West held 20
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onto the state title for a ninth consecutive season. Cabot held the lead at halftime on the strength of its power running game. The Panthers also completed all five of their pass attempts in the first half, including a leaping, twisting reception by Jacob Ferguson for 22 yards to the Bentonville 1 yard line. Launius scored on the next play and Cabot led 14-10. Bennett Moehring booted a 31-yard field goal on the final play of the half to make it 14-13. The Tigers scored on the opening possession of the second half and never trailed again, with Hekili Keliiliki plowing in from a yard out on fourth down for a 20-14 Bentonville lead.
Following a Cabot fumble near midfield, Ford found Chris Scroggins for a 19-yard touchdown on third-and-12. As the Panthers moved the ball again, Launius coughed it up at the Bentonville 22. Ford passed to Scroggins for 19 yards before hitting Jimmie Jackson for a 44-yard score and a 32-14 lead. The Panthers, trying to win their first state title since 2000, got within 32-21 on Launius’ 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, but Bentonville recovered an onside kick and Keliiliki capped it with an 18-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2 with less than two minutes left. The championship is Bentonville’s fourth in 13 years in the state’s largest classification.
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GAME OF THE WEEK
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Colby Isbell #90 Rogers Heritage War Eagles
Carson Scott #57 Rogers Heritage War Eagles
Micheal Ingram #11 Farmington Cardinals
Justice Hobbs #4 Farmington Cardinals
MEDIA DAY PHOTO BOOTH Josh Blew #33 Farmington Cardinals
Morgan Lewis #65 Farmington Cardinals
Terry Kell #21 Decatur Bulldogs
Ray Haisman #30 Decatur Bulldogs
Jon Brown #23 Gentry Pioneers
Donny Lemonds #59 Gravette Lions
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by Tommy Tabler
SETHEYEBRUMLEY ON THE STATE TITLE
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ver the past few seasons, the Pea Ridge Blackhawks have developed an impressive chemistry that should present itself during the 2014 season. The Blackhawks will have an experienced quarterback coming back and the win total should benefit from this fact. The 2013 season for the Blackhawks was summed up in two words: “close losses.” Folks that follow Arkansas high school football know that when you have a talented, experienced quarterback returning, the odds of winning greatly increase. Seth Brumley recently moved to Northwest Arkansas from Quapaw, Oklahoma. Seth has football genetics; his grandfather was an AllAmerican high school football player and received a scholarship from the University of Oklahoma. Unfortunately, Brumley suffered a dislocated knee cap that required distal patella realignment surgery, which caused him to miss his entire freshman year of football. Brumley was determined to get back on the field and showed great perseverance while he was in therapy for 8 months. Brumley has all the tools to explode on the scene this season. Seth’s size (6’2” 210lbs) allows him to see over opposing defenses and his speed/ mobility (4.56 - 40) enables him to escape
pressure easily. However, Brumley has also shown that he is not afraid to stand in the pocket and take the hit to buy time as a play to develops, then complete the pass. After reviewing some highlight film I was highly impressed with his accuracy and the zip he puts on the ball. Brumley shows good command of the huddle and displays great maturity with his defensive reads before the ball is snapped. Brumley is just as solid on the baseball diamond (pitcher/centerfield) as he is on the football field, so people can see him in the fall and spring for the Blackhawks. His main goal for this year is a playoff berth that could eventually lead to a state title. The 4-A conference is not an easy one to call home. There are many talented teams in the 4-A West and each one has high hopes of claiming conference superiority come November. The Farmington Cardinals, Gentry Pioneers, and Prairie Grove Tigers will all present different challenges for Brumley and the Blackhawks. Farmington is never an easy game no matter who and where they play. Last year, Gentry proved that they could be very tough to beat. The Pioneers also won the inaugural Clash in the Ozarks against Gravette. Winning tends to inspire more winning and the Pioneers understand this fact.
The Prairie Grove-Pea Ridge matchup is one of the better battles in Northwest Arkansas to watch on a Friday night and I would highly recommend catching it this year. Pea Ridge should be in every game. Brumley will use everything in his tool box to keep the Blackhawks in the game. I would expect Pea Ridge to compete for the 4-A West Conference title. The small school battles in Arkansas on Friday nights are always more than worth the price of admission and one of the first teams I will watch firsthand this year will be the Blackhawks and their quarterback Seth Brumley. Off the field, Brumley enjoys fishing, training his hunting lab Chelle, and focusing on academics. He believes achievement inside the classroom is the key to unlock success. Brumley would like to become a physical therapist when his playing days are over and there is no doubt he has a bright future ahead of him. You may catch him eating his favorite food steak fajitas while spending time with his mother Kimberly Carnes-Brumley, girlfriend Kaylee, and two older sisters Kaitlyn and LoraLeigh. We look forward to watching him play this season and remember the 2014 season will be here before anyone can blink!
panthers Siloam Springs has been the school that had the steepest learning curve when they moved up into the 7-A Conference. Most observers would consider the 2013 season to be a rough one for Siloam Springs but I consider it to be something to build upon. The first game of the season Siloam Springs played traditional powerhouse Shiloh Christian which resulted in a 35-35 tie. Siloam led most of the game but Shiloh was able to get in the end zone late in the game to tie it up. Siloam got the first win of the season against a scrappy Gravette team 24-14. Siloam would go on to play well in the state playoffs defeating Searcy 26-21 but fell the next week against Pine Bluff 35-7. Siloam Springs has proven over the past two seasons that they are capable of making some noise, so look for an improved record this year.
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Coach: Bryan Ross Record at School: 18-34-1 ’13 Record: 3-8-1 ’13 Conf. Finish: 7th Returning Starters: 6/6 Playoff Record: 4-14 Last Appearance: 2013
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Cardinals The Farmington Cardinals 2013 season led them to another state playoff appearance. The Cardinals started off the season strong with an impressive win against a talented Huntsville team. Farmington is a young team and Coach Mike Adams mixed in some talented individuals such as sophomore running back Justice Hobbs who rushed for 501 yards and should be key a player for the Cardinals as they look to build on the 2013 season. The most impressive win of the season for the scrappy Cardinals was a 28-0 win over the West Fork Tigers. Farmington may have fallen in the 2013 State Playoffs but the Cardinals faithful should look forward to a very solid 2014 season.
Farmington Cardinals 5A West
Coach: Mike Adams Record at School: 75-47-1 ’13 Record: 6-4-1 ’13 Conf. Finish 3rd (tie 1-4A) Returning: 6/5 Playoff Record: 21-23 Last Appearance: 2013
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PIONEERS The 2013 season was an interesting one for the Gentry Pioneers. Gentry had a stronger season in 2013 than they have had in recent years. Gentry opened the season with an impressive performance against West Fork, by the end of the fourth quarter, Gentry would shut out the Tigers 30-0. The second week of the season Gentry came up eight points short to Charleston. The game that would have the most impact on the season for Gentry was the Letterman Magazine Clash in the Ozarks against Gravette. Over the past four seasons, Gravette had taken it to Gentry but the 2013 Pioneers were a tougher team to handle. The first Clash in the Ozarks was a back- and -forth slugfest and with the 21-19 victory Gentry set the stage for a strong close to the season. Gentry would close the season beating traditional powerhouse Ozark 28-20 but fell to Star City 56-24 in the playoffs. Overall, the 2013 season was a success and Gentry fans should be excited for the 2014 season.
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Coach: Brian Little Record at School: 25-47 ’13 Record: 6-5 ’13 Conf. Finish: 3rd (tie) Returning Starters: 7/8 Playoff Record: 4-16 Last Appearance: 2013
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LIONS The Gravette Lions had a more difficult 2013 season than what many sports writers thought they would, but they still had some bright moments. Gravette played one of the more tough schedules than folks familiar with Arkansas football are used to. The second week of the season Gravette played eventual state champion Booneville. Gravette played the Bearcats better than many teams did during the season but fell 41-24. During the middle portion of the season Gravette would put some strong efforts against Siloam Springs and Gentry at the Clash in the Ozarks. The Lions’ best performance of the season was against Pea Ridge, crushing them 26-12, a win that the Lions will use to fuel them toward the 2014 season. Gravette fans should look to the 2014 season being a stronger one with a good chance for a playoff run if things align right.
Gravette Lions 1-4A Coach: Bill Harrelson Record at School: 58-35 ’13 Record: 3-8 ’13 Conf Finish: 5th Returning Starters: 3/3 Playoff Record: 10-16 Last Appearance: 2013
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BLACKHAWKS The Pea Ridge Blackhawks had a tough 2013 season which contained some tough one-possession losses. Pea Ridge was present in just about every game with two of the closer games being against Prairie Grove and Ozark. The Farmington game is solid rivalry game every year and the 2013 season was no different. Pea Ridge was able to take control of the game early and did not look back in a good performance winning 26-7. Pea Ridge would show that as a team, the Blackhawks could play a complete game by thrashing Greenland 48-12. Pea Ridge was able to establish that the future should be bright in 2014 with some talented players on defense. Look for a winning season in 2014 for the Blackhawks under the leadership of Seth Brumley.
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Coach: Tony Travis Record at School: 18-34 ’13 Record: 3-7 ’13 Conf. Finish: 7th (tie) Returning Starters: 4/5 Playoff Record: 5-14 Last Appearance: 2012
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BULLDOGS The Decatur Bulldogs were a team that went through some trial in the 2013 season while experiencing growing pains. Decatur was a very young team but showed some talent in its youth. Bulldog fans need to keep an eye out for Allen Castaneda. Castaneda plays running back and outside linebacker for the Bulldogs. Castaneda rushed for over 960 yards last season. On the defensive side of the ball he made 78 tackles with and interception and 5 fumble recoveries. Decatur started out with a thrashing of Hector in week two of the season but seemed to have trouble building on the season. Look for a young team to grow up in 2014 and surprise some people. Decatur will bounce back so Bulldog fans get ready.
Decatur Bulldogs 4-2A Coach: Shane Holland Record at School: 9-22 ’13 Record 2-8 ’13 Conf. Finish: 8th Returning Starters: 5/4 Playoff Record: 4-7 Last Appearance: 2012
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WOLVES The Lincoln Wolves and Coach Brad Harris were the most improved football team in the state of Arkansas for the 2013 season. Lincoln opened their season in dominating fashion against Westville with Lincoln winning that game 45-6. From the start of the season, the Lincoln defense suffocated the opponents’ offense. The Lincoln defense allowed no points against Dover in what turned into a 71-0 throttling. The first three games of the 2013 season, the Wolves only allowed a total of twelve points in what turned into a solid season. Lincoln would go on to make a solid run in the playoffs defeating Malvern and traditional state powerhouse Nashville before falling to eventual state champions Booneville. Look for continued improvement in the 2014 season for the Wolves under new head coach Scott Davenport.
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Coach: Scott Davenport Record at School: 0-0 ’13 Record: 11-2 ’13 Conf Finish: 2nd Returning Startes: 3/4 Playoff Record: 2-3 Last Appearance: 2013
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BULLDOGS The Springdale Bulldogs sit in the middle of the 7-A West Conference. They blend a mix of power and speed that caused Tulsa Central and Batesville trouble and led to solid victories over both teams. In the middle portion of the season, the Bulldogs hit a few roadblocks but continued to play strong football against tough teams in Bixby and Rogers. In the traditional rivalry game, Fayetteville overwhelmed Springdale with a strong offense. Fayetteville defense also kept the Springdale offense off balance and caused the Bulldogs problems the whole game. Springdale would show the mettle they have with two straight wins against Siloam Springs and Van Buren. To close the season the Bulldogs went through the toughest stretch of the entire year and closed with 3 straight losses to Rogers Heritage, Bentonville, and Springdale Har-Ber. Look for a 2014 rebound in the state’s toughest conference for the Springdale Bulldogs.
springdale bulldogs 7A West
Coach: Shane Patrick Record at School: 18-24 ‘13 Record: 5-5 ‘13 Conf. Finish: 5th (tie) Returning: 5/6 Playoff Record: 34-25 Last Appearance: 2011
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MOUNTIES The Rogers Mounties went through an up and down season in 2013. The Mounties started off by destroying Mountain Home 47-0 and the very next week doing the same to Tahlequah 41-6. The Mounties would face some tough challenges against Fayetteville and Bentonville falling to both of those teams. In what many consider to be the best game of the season against Springdale Har-Ber, the Mounties won an impressive shootout 59-42. Rogers would go on to post a win against Heritage but lost a heartbreaker in the playoffs to Fort Smith Southside. The Mounties posted a solid 7-4 record in the 2013 season and that should give the folks in Rogers something to look forward to in 2014.
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Coach: Shawn Flannigan Record at School: 15-27 ’13 Record: 7-4 ’13 Conf. Finish: 4th Returning Starters: 0/4 Playoff Record: 5-7 Last Appearance: 2013
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WAR EAGLES Rogers Heritage has shown improvement each year and the 2013 season was no different. Heritage opened the season with a difficult loss to Fort Smith Southside. Heritage would bounce back the very next week with an impressive victory against Fort Smith Northside. Quarterback Josh Qualls kept the War Eagles offense on track against Harrison and Siloam Springs, putting up 52 points against Harrison and 42 more against Siloam Springs in what would be the most impressive performances of the season. Heritage is a program on the rise, which became clear against Bentonville in a hard hitting affair. Heritage would lose to Bentonville 13-10 but they gave Bentonville the most fight of any team during the 2013 regular season. Heritage fell in the playoffs to North Little Rock but the 2013 season will be one that the War Eagles can build on going into 2014.
heritage war eagles 7a west
Coach: Perry Escalante Record at School: 29-36 ‘13 Record: 5-6 ‘13 Conf. Finish: 5th (tie) Returning: 5/4 Playoff Record: 1-4 Last Appearance: 2013
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TIGERS The Bentonville Tigers are the defending state champions in the 7-A conference. The Tigers tend to improve throughout the season into the harsh cold temperatures during the playoffs. The Tigers recovered from a few tough losses early in the season against Kansas City Rockhurst, Trinity Euless, and Broken Arrow. The Trinity Euless game was a wakeup call for the Tigers and they began to turn things around. Led by a strong offensive line and one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the state - junior Kasey Ford - the Tigers should have another strong season in 2014. The fans are watching and many believe Bentonville has the talent for a repeat. The 7-A conference is a tough one. Teams like Cabot, North Little Rock, and Fayetteville intend to put a stop to Bentonville’s dominance.
Bentonville Tigers 7A West
Coach: Barry Lunney Record at School: 88-21 ’13 Record: 11-2 ’13 Conf. Finish 1st Returning Starters: 5/4 Playoff Record: 22-10 Last Appearance: 2013 (State Champs)
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Photo Credit: James Lovell
purple dogs The Fayetteville Purple Dogs have their share of playoff runs, which have usually led to a state title. What surprised most Fayetteville fans last year was a early exit in the state playoffs after facing Little Rock Central. Unfinished business has become a phrase that has been associated with the coming 2014 season. The Purple Dogs in 2013 had some impressive victories with wins over Warren, Jefferson City, Mo, and Springdale. This season Fayetteville wants to avoid a late season collapse like last year when the Purple Dogs fell against Bentonville, Springdale Har-Ber, and Little Rock Central. Will C.J. O’Grady and company achieve the goals that come with being a state power in 2014? A lot of unanswered questions will come to light Week 2 against North Little Rock. They surely have the talent to make another deep playoff run and it should be a solid season for Fayetteville High School.
Fayetteville purple dogs 7A West
Coach: Daryl Patton Record at School: 93-38-2 ’13 Record: 8-3 ’13 Conf. Finish: 2nd (tie) Returning Starters: 6/7 Playoff Record: 22-18 Last Appearance: 2013
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Photo Credit: James Lovell
SAINTS The 2014 season will be a year of transition for the Shiloh Christian Saints. New head football coach and athletic director Jeff Conaway comes to Shiloh from Greene County Tech in Paragould, Arkansas. The Saints fans are looking for another playoff berth and have a wealth of talent starting with players like Matt Solomon. The Saints had a few good wins during the 2013 season defeating Broken Bow High School out of Oklahoma and Harrison. Shiloh has an impressive history and would like to build on their legacy in 2014. Can the Saints do it? We will know soon enough.
wildcats Springdale Har-Ber impressed quite a few people last season. HarBer was able to defeat a couple great teams such as Missouri power Webb City and Fayetteville. The Wildcats made a bit of noise in the state playoffs after beating Little Rock Catholic in the first round before falling to Conway in the second round. Returning for the Wildcats this season is Rickey Dobbins who should anchor the defensive line and emerge quickly as a star for the Wildcats. The 7-A conference is loaded as always but the Wildcats have the talent to compete with anyone.
Shiloh Christian saints 1-4A
Coach: Jeff Conaway Record: 0-0 ’13 Record: 6-4-1 ’13 Conf. Finish: 3rd (5A West) Returning Starters: 7/5 Playoff Record: 54-12 Last Appearance: 2013
Photo Credit: James Lovell
HAR-ber wildcats 7a west
Coach: Chris Wood Record at School: 67-31 ’13 Record: 8-4 ’13 Conf. Finish: 2nd (tie) Returning Starters: 1/6 Playoff Record: 12-6 Last Appearance: 2013
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