Lcd fp2017 final web by Log Cabin Democrat

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 2017 Faulkner County Football Preview

UCA: Four former Wampus Cats now ‘Bearing down’ at UCA............................................PAGE 6 CONWAY: Clint Ashcraft: How he got here.......................................................................PAGE 9 GREENBRIER: Randy Tribble: How he got here............................................................PAGE 11 VILONIA: Ron Young: How he got here..........................................................................PAGE 13 MAYFLOWER: Todd Langrell: How he got here.............................................................PAGE 15

CONWAY CHRISTIAN: Justin Kramer: How he got here.............................................PAGE 17 UCA: Steve Campbell: How he got here.............................................................................PAGE 19 HENDRIX: Buck Buchanan: How he got here..................................................................PAGE 22 ARKANSAS: Conway’s Jackson has a bigger upside this year............................................PAGE 25

ARKANSAS: Hog’s Austin Allen eager to prove himself...................................................PAGE 26

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Four former Wampus Cats now regulars for UCA. (Bottom row): Brandon Cox, (Top row, from left): Matt Cummins, Breylin Smith and Austin Norris. David McCollum photo

Four former Wampus Cats now ‘Bearing down’ at UCA By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

The University of Central Arkansas football team is enhanced by the flavor of Wampus Cat. Four former Conway High standouts, the most in decades, are regulars on the

UCA team. Some overlap at Conway; some watched older players from junior high. Redshirt freshman quarterback Breylin Smith and freshman defensive linemen Austin Norris played together and are now roommates. Senior place-kicker Matt Cummins and wide receiver Brandon Cox were

teammates on a conference championship team. The four gathered during preseason camp to talk about each other and their experiences at Conway. They were challenged to evaluate each other.

He’s always been Mr. Reliable. When we didn’t get in the end zone, we always had that strong confidence he was gonna make his shots when we needed it. - Norris

“What I think a lot of people don’t know about Matt is how tough he really is. He played wide receiver in high school and at one point, he was my go-to receiver. And he works hard at his craft. He’s gonna do that because he knows the team needs him.” - Smith

About Cummins “He can kick. He was always two years younger. We used to go to games to watch Matt kick. We kind of babied Matt. When he made a kick to beat Catholic, you could have sworn it was a Super Bowl kick.” - Cox

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About cox “I remember hearing every day in watching film, ‘Brandon did this really good. You need to watch Brandon.’ I watched how he ran his routes and it inspired me to be like that. I was nowhere athletic as him but I tried to mimic what he did at receiver. I remember a game at Cabot, Brandon broke the kid off and made a one-handed catch almost effortless. I said, ‘Dang, that was cool.’ I haven’t seen anybody come through Conway as good as him in a long time.” - Cummins

“I always wanted to play with Brandon but never got to until now. His strong point has always been his knowledge of the game and how he thinks and processes information whether he’s running a route or blocking, he just knows where to be and when to be and you know he’s gonna make some type of play … He was one of the reasons I chose to wear No. 3 in high school. He was the guy and you wanted to be the guy. He was kinda like one of my idols growing up.” - Smith

“I always heard about No. 3 because coach (Clint) Ashcraft’s kids would wear a No. 3 jersey at the game. We heard great stories about him whether on the track or the gridiron. He’s always been a star and shines bright whatever he does.” - Norris

About Norris “We used to go to the high school games when I came back here (after transferring from Arkansas State). He played tight end. When he got here (UCA), he played d-line and you could just watch him explode off the ball. He’s dang near unblockable when he gets in that mindset and in that zone.” - Cox

“He’s a big man and a stud athlete. I was talking to guys I knew on other teams and they told me, ‘Big number 86, we’ve got to game plan around him. I knew he was going to mess up something on the offense. When he hit people, I felt sorry for the guy getting hit almost.” - Cummins

“We were always around each other growing up. He’s was a big factor in me coming here. We had algebra class together every day and we talked about it. Being my roommate, we are around each other a lot. He’s just a great person off the field. He’s funny, goofy and has a good heart and will go out of his way to help the people around him.” - Smith

“We’ve grown up together and it’s neat that we had such a great group and chemistry in high school and it’s carried over to UCA. He committed right after I did. It was kind of a package deal we talked about before. We thought we could do something special at UCA and now, we’re starting our legacy here. Just a great guy and my best friend.” - Norris

“Hell of an arm, a little faster than we thought he’d be. I can remember my junior year, we had a scout from Wake Forest come in to watch him. He didn’t ever step into the ball and threw it 40 yards easy. He kind of sat there and said, ‘He’s gonna be something.’ Breylin’s gonna do what Breylin’s gonna do. I think he has NFL talent even out of a smaller school.” - Cummins

About Smith “Breylin might be the best quarterback to come out of Conway High. His football IQ is high, tremendous He’s not afraid of any throw, can make any throw. He’s just a beautiful person and gets along with everybody. He’s definitely a special quarterback.” - Cox

FROM Coach Clint Ashcraft Now, it’s Conway coach Clint Ashcraft’s turn, the person at Conway High all players said was a major influence. Smith: “He’s got that ‘it’ factor and just that presence on the field. He was a coach on the field.” Norris: “You looked at him in the fieldhouse and weight room and he just stood out. He was the first guy in the weight room and the last to leave.”

Cummins: “Kids still talk about him and how he could kick. He was one of the best kickers in high school football but he put in the work doing it.” Cox: “He has a lot of talent. It was exciting to see what he was going to do on Friday night.” All are expecting to add to the dynamics at UCA after playing on some outstanding Conway teams.

“We are more than ready for the season,” said Cummins. “We have a good football team; we know we do.” WWW.THECABIN.NET 7

S T A C S U P REVIEW M P L A L W A B T Y 2017 FOO CONWA lance Quick Hits at a g

t Ashcraft Coach: Clin hool: 59-33 Sc Record at Central) : 4-8 (T4 7A nse Last Season nse, 7 defe fe of 7 : arters Returning st tiple Offense: Mul 4 3: se Defen rd: 17-25 Playoff reco

s 2016 result 0 ......... L 37-3 .................. . e. 8 al -3 gd 41 rin L Sp ......... o................ 16-7 ..L ... at Jonesbor ... ... .................. 0 Bentonville ........ L 23-2 ide ............ hs ut So ..L 38-7 ... at FS ... ... ... ... Rock ... North Little ...... W 37-14 .................. ... ... ot ab C at ...... L 28-21 .................. FS Northside .................... W 35-17 al ... 7 at LR Centr .......W 27-1 .................. lic ho at C ..L 21-7 ... LR ... ... ... ... ............ 0 at Bryant ... .......W 35-2 layoffs) ...... (p s -0 er 35 og L R ... at ) ...... lle (playoffs at Fayettevi

ule 2017 sched e at Springdal .................. o or sb ne Sept. 1 ...... Jo . ... .................. ... e ... ill 8 nv . to pt Se at Ben ................. ide* hs ut Sept. 15 ..... So FS ................ Sept. 22 ..... Little Rock* ....... at North ... . . 29 . Sept ...... Cabot* ... ... ... ............ * Oct. 6 ......... FS Northside ............. at ... * ... al tr 13 en . C ct O ...LR .................. holic* at C Oct. 20 ...... LR at ............... t* Oct. 27 ...... ......... Bryan .................. ... ... . . 3 . Nov

season hooten’s pre g in 7A nkin coaches ra Fort

Rock; 3. North Little ; 1. Bryant; 2. ay; 5. Cabot w on side; 4. C LR 8. ; lic ho Smith North at ide; 7. LR C 6. FS Souths Central

notable s already Ashcraft ha Coach Clint new fieldnefits of the seen the be facility, or do in t and season house/weigh e th ed early in which open t room was gh ei w d ol he last year. “T s bumping e had player so small, w things hapher and silly into each ot practice n ca e “W said. pened,” he , we can er th In bad wea every day. ng ki .” d keep wor go inside an

8 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

One of the main concerns for Conway this season is to avoid the injury bug that spread like a virus last season. The Cats had 13 season-ending injuries and had to rotate three quarterbacks, finally salvaging a 6-6 season by winning three of their last five games. “The good thing is some of the young kids got experience they might not have had,” said coach Clint Ashcraft. “And our kids and coaches never quit and got to the playoffs after starting 0-5.” The Cats face a more balanced conference from top to bottom. “Bryant is the favorite and people talk about them revitalized but I don’t recall them being down; it’s not like they been terrible,” Ashcraft said. “[Fort Smith] Northside and Southside will be tough. North Little Rock should be one of the top teams in the state. I’m glad we don’t have to face Jarrod Barnes again but Cabot will still be tough and Catholic has one of the best backs in the state (Samy Johnson).” ON OFFENSE The Cats return two experienced quarterbacks. Senior Andrew Hreha passed for 246 yards before breaking his collarbone against Jonesboro. Junior Javonte Johnson was one of the fill-ins for the last six games. “Both are good quarterbacks and will play,” said Ashcraft. “Both have similar skills. Andrew is a little more mature and has a year more experience.”

Senior Michael George, who rushed for 643 yards last year, and senior Brennan Clark lead the running backs. Junior Cary McClain led the junior varsity in rushing. The receiver corps appeals solid with Joe Thomas, who caught 25 passes for 350 yards, Will Kennedy and Will McKenna. Thomas Cloyd, Nathan Turner, Keandra Clay and, Lance Rogers and L.J Hanberry are mainstays in the offensive line, which was battered by injuries last season. “Our offensive line is healthy and we hope to keep it that way,” said Ashcraft. ON DEFENSE “It’s a work in progress, a complete overhaul, in the line” said Ashcraft. “We’ve moved some guys around and there are a lot of new faces to work in. Our advantage this year is probably more speed and quickness. The key will be we have to be real good against teams that run up the middle.” Senior Eric Branch and junior Tyrell Grimes will man the ends. Cayge Carter and Kaine Aaron will be key leaders up front. “We lost our entire two-deep on the interior so that’s a big question mark,” said Ashcraft. Seniors Zach Freedle and DJ Fuller lead the linebacker corps. Kennedy, an all-conference safety last season and senior Darnell Washington are experienced leaders in the secondary. KEY GAMES The conference opener at North Little Rock will be a significant measuring stick. The conference finale at home against Bryant should have playoff implications.

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CLINT ASHCRAFT: How he got here By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Conway coach Clint Ashcraft, who is in his 10th season as the Wampus Cat coach, can point to the exact time he decided to become a coach. “I remember it vividly,” said the Watson Chapel native. “I was in the ninth grade and I knew who all the coaches were. I watched them and thought that was what I wanted to do and never wavered,” he said. After a highly successful stint as head coach at Siloam Springs, Ashcraft is 55-25

The Conway Wampus Cats emerge from their new practice facility Sept. 2, 2016, in their first game of the season. Andy Robertson photo

at Conway. “I learned a lot from the influence of my coaches,” said Ashcraft. “I learned about how to keep at what you’re doing even though it may not be working. “I’ve tried to emulate my coaches because I thought they were cool people.” What would Ashcraft be doing if he hadn’t gone into coaching? “I’ve always liked to work with a chainsaw,” he said. “I might have been a lumberjack, just working in the woods with a chainsaw.”

Conway tight end Jack Pillow scores the Wampus Cats’ lone touchdown in Conway’s 16-7 loss to Bentonville on Sept. 16, 2016. Andy Robertson photo

Conway quarterback Parker Teague looks for an open receiver in the Wampus Cats’ 16-7 loss to Bentonville on Sept. 16, 2016. Andy Robertson photo

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S R E H T N A EVIEW P R P R L L E I A B R T 017 FOO 2 GREENatB Quick Hits a glance dy Tribble Coach: Ran hool: 66-39 Sc Record at West) : 8-3 (T1 5A nse Last Season nse, 7 defe fe of 4 : arters Returning St read Offense: Sp 3 4: se en Def ord: 15-20 Playoff Rec

s 2016 result ...... W 54-33 .................. Beebe ......... ..... W 52-41 ... rings ......... 1 at Heber Sp ........ L 58-2 .................. W 41-34 .. at Benton ... ... ... ... ... ........... 7 at Maumelle ........ L 35-2 .................. ... . . 4 n -1 to 41 ril W or M ........ on .............. -43 48 W at Farmingt ... ... ... ............... Harrison ...... ......................W 36-8 ... e ill 8 sv rk la at C ........ L 49-2 .................. 7 -1 21 W Alma.......... ... ... .................. ... ... 4 ... -3 a 60 ni L ilo .. V ...... (playoffs) ... Forrest City

ule 2017 sched ...... at Beebe .................. Sept. 1 ...... eber Springs ............... H Sept. 8 ...... ..... Benton ... ... ... ... ......... Sept. 15 ..... Maumelle* ... .................. Sept. 22 ..... .at Morrilton* .................. * Sept. 29 ..... Farmington .. ... ............ * on ris ar H Oct. 6 ......... at . .................. ... ... e* ill 13 sv . ct rk O .. Cla .................. a* Oct. 20 ...... ......... at Alm ... ... ... ... ... a* ni ilo V t Oct. 27 ...... ....a .................. Nov. 2 ........

season hooten’s pre st ll in 5A-We o p s e h c a o c ier; 4.

Greenbr Morrilton; 3. ; 1. Alma; 2. Farmington 6. Maumelle; 5. ; on ris ar H Clarksville. 7. Vilonia; 8.

notable Tribble has coach Randy Greenbrier g twist as an interestin experienced son, Zach, is H a coach. a father and r/QB coach to ive coordina ns ffe -o co is versity in Christian Uni e. In the at Kentucky at st hills of the the eastern te ar rback ocess of qu recruiting pr ger Tribble un yo e am, th , Carter’s Carter Burch am d Neal Burch encountere the most of e on d r, an older brothe Greenbrier terbacks in prolific quar ry-plagued had an inju history who g led to in th U. One career at SM Burcham is l ea N w no another and recruiting ceivers and the inside re Christian. ky at Kentuc coordinator 10 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Greenbrier, which has had a power offense in the Spread the last few years, will spread to more balance this season. “We’ve had more good running backs than we’ve had in awhile,” said coach Randy Tribble. The Panthers, 8-3 last season, shared the 5A-West championship with Morrilton, losing in the first round of the playoffs to Forrest City. “I like this group. It is really fun to work with,” he said. ON OFFENSE Tribble hopes senior quarterback Jeremy Kendall, who had a strong 7 on 7 campaign, will be the latest in a line of prolific Greenbrier quarterbacks. Spencer Sutterfield, Seth Howard, Tristan Rodriguez and Tanner Vinacco give the Panthers a deep mix at running back. “Hopefully, our ground game will take some pressure off the passing game,” Tribble said.

The Panthers have a strong, deep threat at receiver in Reese Hammontree and a veteran inside receiver in Grant Brown. Logan Beard is another threat at outside receiver. Joseph Shaw is a leader in the offensive line. “One-deep, I think we are pretty decent in the offensive line,” said Tribble. ON DEFENSE “We don’t have much depth at linebacker and on the front but I like our crew, onedeep, “ Tribble said. Christian Hogan is a force along the front. Several of the Panthers are set to go both ways, including Sutterfield, who can play every linebacker spot. Vinacco, Rodriguez and Shaw add to the depth at linebacker. Veterans Howard, Brown and Hammontree help give the Panthers a solid group on the back end. KEY GAMES The Panthers play at Morrilton early in the season, then close with road games at Alma and Vilonia.

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RANDY TRIBBLE: How he got here By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Randy Tribble’s mother saw it before he did. “She saw that I really like to work with young people,” Tribble said. By his second year at Harding University, he decided to become a coach.” His high school coach in Florida, Wyman Townsell, was a strong initial influence. “At Harding, Jerry Mote, my secondary coach, and John Prock (head coach) also meant a lot to me,” said Tribble, who later became the head coach at Harding before

Greenbrier wide receiver Alex Massey attempts to get around a Vilonia defender in the Panthers’ 21-17 win over the Eagles on Nov. 4, 2016. Andy Robertson photo

Greenbrier wide receiver Alex Massey gets his feet inbound for a touchdown in the Panthers’ 21-17 win over Vilonia on Nov. 4, 2016. Andy Robertson photo

moving into high school football at Greenbrier. He is 66-39 at Greenbrier. “When I was playing at Harding, I saw coaches who were really good men,” he said. “They used football as a vehicle to teach greater things. With what they did, apparently working with young people invaded my spirit.” What would if have done if he hadn’t gone into coaching? “My dad was into auto repair,” he said. “When I went to college, I thought I would go into business. If I weren’t coaching, I would have a hard time thinking about it, probably banking.”

Greenbrier wide receiver Brandon Thomas attempts to break a tackle from a Harrison defender in the Panthers’ 48-43 win over the Goblins on Oct. 14, 2016. Andy Robertson photo

The Greenbrier Panthers emerge to the field for the Panthers’ 48-43 win over the Harrison Goblins on Oct. 14, 2016. Andy Robertson photo WWW.THECABIN.NET 11

ES L G A E A I N VILO ce at a glan

REVIEW P L L A B T 2017 FOO Quick Hits

Young Coach: Ron hool: 5-5 Sc Record at West) 5-5 (6th 5A : nse on as Se Last nse, 3 defe fe of 6 arters: Returning St lit Back Veer Offense: Sp 2 4se Defen ord: 7-15 Playoff Rec

s 2016 result 4 .......W 42-1 Tech ......... -6 21 W ... Greene Co. ... ... .................. Pottsville ... ....W 24-20 .................. lle vi ne at Boo .....L 28-3 ... ... ... ............ at Alma ........ ... ... ....W 7-0 .................. Maumelle ... .......L 38-6 ... ... ... ............ at Harrison ...L 22-13 ... ... ................. Farmington ..........L 35-7 .................. at Morrilton .....W 39-21 ... ... ............... Clarksville .....L 21-17 r .................. at Greenbrie

ule 2017 sched en Co. Tech .......... at Gre Sept. 1 ...... at Pottsville .. .................. ... ... 8 . pt Se ... Booneville .................. a* Sept. 15 ..... ...........Alm ... ............... * le el m au Sept. 22 ..... M at .................. rison* ar H Sept. 29 ..... . ... ... ... ............ * Oct. 6 ......... Farmington ............... at ... ... n* to 13 ril . or ct O ..... M .................. ille* Oct. 20 ...... ........ Clarksv r* ... ... ... ... ... ie br en Oct. 27 ... re G .. .................. Nov. 2 ........

season hooten’s pre st ll in 5A-We coaches po r; ie 4.

Greenbr Morrilton; 3. ; 1. Alma; 2. Farmington 6. ; le el m Mau Harrison; 5. e ill 8. Clarksv 7. Vilonia;

notable e friend lost a longtim Ron Young ar with the ye is earlier th and mentor coach Ken son-Newman death of Car rved as an se ce on m he er. Sparks, Sparks, who nc prostate ca to t, an st si as the NAIA tied UCA in whose team way, won on C 1984 in d was title game in an tional titles II runnerfive NAIA na n io is iv D NCAA man. ew three times N nars at Carso eat gr e up in 37 ye there with th den ow B “He’s right up by ob B hes like that e us t college coac no rno an I do and Joe Pate . Sparks said ,” ly ht term lig

12 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Last season, Vilonia experienced the roller coaster of a learning curve for new coach Ron Young’s split-back veer offense. “I made an effort to marry my offense with parts of the existing system and the results were not good,” Young said. “This offense is not good partnered with others. But I think we laid a good foundation on both offense and defense.” The veer is a run-oriented option offense that puts a lot of pressure on decisionmaking by the quarterback and, in turn, puts pressure on decision-making by defenders. He claims the veer is extremely difficult to prepare for an opponent in a week. “Most teams run the spread and you can simulate the spread on the scout team. It is virtually impossible in two or three days to simulate the veer. “It’s a read offense that we leave one or two players unblocked. The defenders line up with no one blocking them, they have to make a decision. They may make some big plays, but we are counting on they eventually make a wrong decision. You have have to play assignment football and be disciplined in it.” ON OFFENSE Junior quarterback Jordan Britton will be

the trigger on offense. “He’s the natural quarterback for our offense,” Young said. “He understands what the veer means. He loves the offense. And he’s not afraid to stick his foot in the ground and go downhill in a hurry.” The Eagles, 5-5 a year ago, return all four running backs, all wiser in the intricacies of the veer. They are seniors Ben Duffy and Isaiah Rocha, Michael Morris and Ben Moreno. Senior Tyler Wertz is a big-play receiver. Ethan Gasaway, who started every game last year, is a vital cog in the line. ON DEFENSE The Eagles return only three starters, led by senior Christian Garner, junior Dayton DeBoard and senior Chandler Shearer with junior Devin James providing help on the interior. Triston Millegan, Cody Mitchell, Zeke Bell and Colton Bolin man the secondary. “We have an experienced secondary,” Young said. Bryce Garrison, one of the best kickers in 5A last season, must be replaced. “We are diligently searching,” Young said. KEY GAMES The conference against Alma at home will be a good measuring stick. The season finale against Greenbrier seems to always have playoff implications.

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RON YOUNG: How he got here

The Eagles rush onto the field before the 21-6 win over Pottsville on Sept. 9, 2016. Andy Robertson photo

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Ron Young was quarterback on a state championship team at Hot Springs High School. He always considered himself a coach on the field, so coaching was a natural for him. “I was a student of the game since high

school,” he said. “The seeds were planted there. “Going into coaching seemed like a natural fit for me.” In addition to serving as a youth minister at one point, he’s been coaching more than 20 years, 10 as a head coach in high schools in Texas and Tennessee. He also served as a quarterback coach and assistant to the legendary Ken Sparks at Carson-Newman University.

“I consider him on the level of the great coaches in the game,” Young said. “I learned a lot about the veer offense from him. He coached that 36 years and won a lot of championships.” When the Vilonia job opened up, the challenge and community had a lot of appeal. “My system of coaching fits well with these type of kids,” he said. “I like kids with a strong work ethic.”

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S E L G A E REVIEW P R L L E A B W T 2017 FOO MAYFLO Quick Hits at a glance

Langrell Coach: Todd ol: 18-17 ho Sc Record at -2) : 6-5 (4th 3A nse Last Season nse, 7 defe fe of 6 arters: Returning St read Offense: Sp 2 4: se Defen ord: 11-22 Playoff Rec

s 2016 result 7 ........ L 48-2 .................. 40-0 W . CAC ........... ... ... ... ............... Perryville ..... ..... W 48-24 .................. ... ow el ig at B .... W 46-42 ... ... ... ............ 2 at Barton ... ... ... ... L 35-1 .................. -0 ob 13 Kn d W . al B ...... .................. -22 at Rose Bud ........... L 39 ... y. m de ca -20 41 L .. Harding A ... ge ............... W 56-16 at Cedar Rid ... ... ... ... ... ......... Episcopal ... ........ W 21-6 .................. a -8 nn ia ar M at .......... L 29 (playoffs) ... at Newport

ule 2017 sched m) orial Stadiu C (War Mem yville rr Pe Aug. 29.CA at . ... ............... Sept. 8 ...... ....... Bigelow .................. ... . . 15 . Sept ........ Barton* ... ... ............ Sept. 22 ..... Bald Knob* ................ at ... . . * 29 . pt Se .. Rose Bud .................. my* de ca Oct. 6 ......... A ng di .... at Har * Oct. 13 ...... Cedar Ridge ................. ... ... 20 . scopal* pi Oct E at .. ... ............ Oct. 27 ...... ............ Lee* .................. ... ... . . 2 . ov N

season hooten’s prein 3A-2 ll coaches po ob; 3.

Bald Kn Academy; 2. 1. Harding er; 5. Mariw flo ay M 4. ; Cedar Ridge ton; 8. Rose ar B 7. ; scopal anna; 6. Epi Bud

notable eason workof one pres At the end ers saw flower play out, the May Langrell dd To up and ing part busses pull m for a swim took the team R Center. “They’ve HPE at the UCA long and all summer been after it them with to surprise we wanted ngrell said. La ,” different something

14 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Mayflower coach Todd Langrell thinks the Eagles can become a conference title contender and beyond this season. They are coming off a 6-5 season with a 3A playoff loss to Newport. “I think we can be pretty good,” he said. “The kids are working hard and come to work every day with a smile on their face. We have a good junior-senior class and we’re doing what we want them to do.” The Eagles will be one of the first teams to open in Arkansas, taking on Central Arkansas Christian on Tuesday in the Buzz Kickoff Classic. ON OFFENSE Sean Harris is a two-year starter at quarterback and passed for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. “And he’s one of our hardest workers,” said Langrell. “When he’s out there running bleachers, you can see the strain on his face.” The offense will revolve around back Deon Simmons (5-7, 155), who rushed for 1,591 yards and scored 18 touchdowns last season. “He’s really something special,” said Langrell. Deon’s twin brother, Keon, has big play capability at wide receiver. Austin Butler is a three-year starter at

center. Other experienced players up front are Daniel Sutton, Dalton Beal and Jordan Teas. ON DEFENSE Triston Capel anchors things up front at noseguard. All-conference linebacker Taylor Hudson was the leading tackler a year ago. Keon Simmons and Houston Cochran are the leading cornerbacks, while Dylan Brown and Drake Wilkerson seem solid at safety. “We have great backups,” Langrell said. “We have created some depth in the secondary.” KEY GAMES The opener against CAC will be a good measuring stick. The Oct. 13 game at perennial favorite Harding Academy will be critical. As far as the conference, Langrell realizes it starts with the perennial power. “You always have to go through Harding Academy,” he said. “Bald Knob won it last year but lost some key players. Harding Academy is always there. “But I think we are capable, with some breaks of being right in there” The Eagles open Tuesday against Central Arkansas Christian at War Memorial Stadium. “It’ll be a good test right off the bat about where we are.”

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Todd Langrell: How he got here By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Todd Langrell felt the coaching bug in the ninth grade at Fuller Junior High in Little Rock. “I played football, basketball, baseball and ran track,” he said. “Sports was always something I loved doing.” He played basketball at UCA, sort of. “I was on the green team, not the purple or the gray,” he said with a chuckle “I didn’t contribute much, but I learned a lot.” He served as student assistant to legendary coach Don Dyer. As he got into coaching, he coached under George Jones at Mayflower, Bobby Tiner at Pulaski Oak Grove and Randy Tribble

Mayflower quarterback Sean Harris throws a pass at practice Aug. 22 at George Jones Field at Patrick Stadium. Andy Robertson photo

at Greenbrier before returning to his alma mater. “That’s more than 100 years of experience; that a lot of knowledge and it rubbed off on me,” he said. “They were old-school coaches. I learned kids want to be disciplined and want you to treat them fairly.” He has coached football, basketball and baseball after cutting his teeth in basketball coaching under Dyer. “Football is easier to coach,” he said. “In football, you can coach one guy to make the correct decision. In basketball, everyone has to learn to make decisions. That’s tough in modern basketball, which a lot of it is getting the ball to one guy and having him take it to the hoop. “I like to coach decision-making.”

Mayflower running back Deon Simmons looks for a hole to run through at practice Aug. 22 at George Jones Field at Patrick Stadium. Andy Robertson photo WWW.THECABIN.NET 15

ES L G A E N A I T S I REVIEW P R L H L A C B T Y 2017 FOO CONWA Quick Hits at a glance in Kramer Coach: Just hool: 0-0 Sc Record at -5) : 9-3 (3rd 2A nse Last Season nse, 4 defe fe of 6 : arters Returning St tiple Offense: Mul 5 24: se Defen ord 6-9 Playoff Rec

s 2016 result 2 ...... W 48-1 .................. ... 0 al -2 op 41 sc W pi E ....... iew ............ 35-0 W . Mountain V ... ... ... ... ............ at Rose Bud ...... W 42-0 .................. ... ... ... . . n Poye ..... L 44-24 ... ... ... ............ at Hector ... ..... L 63-21 ... .................. ... . . 0 nd la ng E ....... W 36-3 .................. 49-0 W . at Quitman ... ... ... ning Star at Cutter Mor ................... W 62-26 ... e ov C t ne ... W 45-0 Mag .................. ... ... ... . . . W 28-22 Bigelow ... ... (playoffs) ... 9 at Bearden ... ...... L 41-2 a (playoffs) at Mount Id

ule 2017 sched ville (UCA) .............. Dan w Aug. 28 ...... ountain Vie ...........at M e Bud os Sept. 8 ...... R . ... ... ... ............ Sept. 15 ..... .... at Poyen* .................. ... . . r* 22 . pt Se ........ Hecto ... ... ... ......... nd* la ng E Sept. 29 ..... t .a ... ............... Oct. 6 ......... .. Quitman* .................. ... ... ... 13 . Oct ning Star* or M r te ...... Cut Oct. 20 ...... net Cove* ag ............ at M ... * ... 27 . ct O ..at Bigelow .................. Nov. 2 ........

seaon hooten’s pre 2A-5 in ll coaches po ; 3.

Christian 2. Conway ; 1. England; 5. Quitman e; ov C t agne elow; 8. ig Hector; 4. M B 7. ; ar ning St 6. Cutter Mor n ye Po

notable en, Justin ars at DeQue into After four ye ck ba t ge ted to an iti Kramer wan is hr C a private coaching at arson, C n so Ja d calle school. He orked with ho he had w CCS’ CEO w a reference r Christian fo k oc R ttl Li at Carson said Oklahoma. for a job in ening. “We op S had an hold on, CC l Arkansas ots in centra ro e m so have her and the g led to anot er said. and one thin am Kr ked out,” or w re he b jo in Conway.” “We love it

16 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Justin Kramer, who coached 11 years at Little Rock Christian and four at DeQueen, has experienced the usual knowns and unknowns after taking over in March at Conway Christian for Michael Carter, who moved to Episcopal Collegiate. “I think we have a good team,” he said. “But I’m used to 5A. I don’t know how we compare to other 2A schools.” Although the terminology is similar to what Carter used, there are differences. The Eagles will use more two-back sets. “We want to run a few plays a lot of different ways,” Kramer said. “I’ve tried to meet the players halfway as far as terminology and what we do. We put a lot of responsibility on players making decisions on the field and they seem to be enjoying that.” Kramer considers it a strength that the Eagles don’t have any one go-to player. “We are really balanced,” he said. “We have good backs, receivers, quarterback and some good linemen.” ON OFFENSE Kramer considers junior Jacob Wood, who passed for 3,037 yards and 35 touchdowns last season, a blend of the two best quarter-

backs he has coached. “He a leader with a high IQ,” he said. “He can do damage when he leaves the pocket and he can throw the deep ball. He has lots of athletic talent but he has the work ethic you want. He watches three times the amount of film as anybody.” Kramer considers he has three solid running backs in senior Luke Gates (868 yards last season), senior Winston Strawn and sophomore Wyatt Lawrence. Junior Nick Scherrey, junior Jessie Dather and junior Brandon Shaw are top receivers. Seniors Nathan Burrow, Brett Callaway and J.P. Dolan are leaders in the offensive line. ON DEFENSE He has made few changes on defense. “Andrew Roberson (defensive coordinator) has been here on staff and I have no problem with what he is doing. I told him to go with it.” Dawson James is solid at tackle with Strawn leading the linebacking corps. Gates and Matthew Dent, Scherrey and Lawrence solid on the back end. KEY GAMES Road games against defending 2A champion England and conference favorite Magnet Cove.

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JUSTIN KRAMER: How he got here By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Justin Kramer knew he wanted to coach by junior high when he and his best friend, also a coach, would spend time talking football. “We’d sit in class drawing plays; we had no idea what we were doing but we did it,” Kramer said with a laugh. After graduating from Henderson State and serving as a volunteer coach at Bryant, he said he felt a call to be a youth pastor and moved to northern California to pursue that. “I never felt comfortable,” he said. “I just felt something was not right.” He moved back to Arkansas and served as an assistant head coach and eventually coached junior and senior high football, basketball and baseball for $11,500 a year. “That was big because I was delivering Little

Conway Christian running back Will Jackson looks for holes to run through at the Eagles’ practice Aug. 12 at Mission Field in Conway. Andy Robertson photo

Caesars Pizza at the time,” he laughed. He then went to Little Rock Christian as a junior high coach and was planning to move to Fayetteville to coach with former Bryant coach Daryl Patton. On the last day of school that year, his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and spent two and a half years taking chemo and radiation treatments. “Through that experience, that’s when it really seeped in I was in the right profession,” he said. “In a situation like that, you have to be highly relationship oriented. People and families were so good to us.” His daughter, now a 10th-grade cheerleader at Conway Christian, has been healthy for 13 years. Kramer still tears up when describing it. “From that point (his daughter getting sick), I never looked back,” he said. “I’ve always loved what I’m doing.”

Conway Christian running back Winston Strawn takes the ball through the defense at the Eagles’ practice Aug. 12 at Mission Field in Conway. Andy Robertson photo

Conway Christian running back Luke Gates runs away from defender Bennett Pascoe in the open field at the Eagles’ practice Aug. 12 at Mission Field in Conway. Andy Robertson photo WWW.THECABIN.NET 17

S R A E B A C U t a glance a

REVIEW P L L A B T 2017 FOO Quick Hits

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s 2016 result ..... W 56-13 tist ............ Houston Bap ...... L 35-29 .................. Samford ...... ... W 24-10 ... ... ... e rn Stat Northweste ... W 28-23 ... ... State ...... 7 at Arkansas ...... W 58-2 hristian ...... W 35-0 .. at Abilene C ... ... ... ... State ... at McNeese ..... W 22-12 .................. ... ... 0 ... ar m La ...... W 45-1 ana ............ -14 35 W at SE Louisi .. ... ... F. Austin ... 4 at Stephen ...... W 31-2 .................. ... ... lls 39-23 L .. Nicho ... ... . . e ston Stat at Sam Hou 4 (playoffs) ........ W 31-2 e at St s oi in Ill ..... L 31-14 ashington ... at Eastern W (playoffs)

ule 2017 sched e Kansas Stat ..............at State y ra Sept. 2 ...... ur M at .............. Sept. 9 ...... Louisiana* ................ SE on State* ... . . 16 . pt Se st ou H m ...... Sa t* Sept. 30 ..... ston Baptis ...... at Hou * tin us A F. Oct. 7 ......... n ......... Stephe State* rn Oct. 14 ...... te es w th .. at Nor Oct. 21 ...... eese State* ............. McN ... ... 28 . Oct . at Lamar* ... ... ... ... ......... Nov. 4 ........ ate Word* rn ca ....... at In Nov. 11 ........ Christian* ........Abilene Nov. 18 ........

s poll slc coache Mc2. UCA; 3. ston State; ichN 5. a; 1. Sam Hou an si 4. SE Loui e; at ; 8. ar St m se La ee N ; 7. hen F. Austin Baptist; on olls; 6. Step st ou H istian; 9. . Incarnate Abilene Chr rn State; 11 te es w th or N 10. Word

notable Bears’ vicell said the Steve Campb sas State last year as rkan tory over A r a 10-game renaline” fo a “shot of ad point to that n ak. “We ca re st ng ni in w he said. “We plishment,” as an accom r place. We ei th team at nference beat an FCS co a l team and beat a bow champion.”

18 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

After a 10-3 season, a victory over Arkansas State and reaching the second round of the NCAA FCA playoffs, the University of Central Arkansas Bears are hoping for bigger steps. “I think we have a good football team,” said coach Steve Campbell. “We know where we need to get to after last year and we’re not far away. We’re gonna need for players who have been in different roles to step up but I see a hunger in this team from last year’s experience.” The Bears will find out where they are in a hurry, opening at Kansas State, then opening conference play with traditional powers Southeastern Louisiana and Sam Houston State. On OFFENSE It starts with senior quarterback Hayden Hildebrand, a full or part-time starter for three years who passed for 3,051 yards and 19 touchdowns. He’ll operate behind an experienced offensive line in Micah Parten, Gilberto Garcia, Stockton Mallett, John Cook and Cade Camp. The backfield has some power backs in Carlos Blackman, Keshawn Ledet and Jarvis Cooper and has added speed in redshirt freshman Kierre Crossley and Cedric Berry.

The receiving corps lost key elements in Desmond Smith and Jatavious Wilson but appears to have reloaded with veterans Roman Gordon, Brandon Cox, Jakari Dillard and several promising young players, such as freshman Brandon Myers, to give the Bears probably the most depth in several years. ON DEFENSE The rotation up front has playmakers in Chris Chambers, Chris Terrell, Cardell Best, Eric Jackson. Austin Norris will get a baptism of fire at noseguard. George Odum appears one of the best linebackers in FCS. Cornerback Tre Smith is the leader in the secondary. The kicking game returns intact. KEY GAMES September home matchups with Southeastern Louisiana and Sam Houston State. “Opening with Kansas State definitely adds some urgency to what we are doing,’ said Campbell. “Because the one thing you do know about Kansas State is, they are not going to beat themselves. That’s been their MO since Coach (Bill) Snyder has been there. We know how good they’re going to be. They are a very physical football team so you have to try to match that. They will test your manhood early. So we’ve got to be physically ready to match up. We have to work toward that from Day 1.’

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STEVE CAMPBELL: How he got here

By David McCollum Log Cabin Staff Writer

Steve Campbell’s career has been a thrill ride through small communities. He grew up near Pensacola, Fla., where most people worked at St. Regis paper mill or a Monsanto chemical plant. His wife grew up 2 miles down the road. His dad and her mom worked out at the paper mill. Her dad and several of his family worked at St. Regis. Life in the small community revolved around Tate High School, which imbedded sports into his psyche from the beginning. So much that his daughter is named Tate after the high school. “Friday nights, the whole town shut down to watch Tate High School play,” he said. “I remember when I was 3 or 4 years old going to Tate games and just liking football and watching the cheerleaders, the band, the whole thing.” He idolized Carl Madison, Tate’s coach for 45 years and one of the most successful coaches in Florida high school history. He initially played for Southeastern, La., until it shut down the program after his sophomore year. He transferred to Troy (Ala.), where he was part of a national championship team his senior year. He served as a graduate assistant at Auburn under Pat Dye, had assistant’s stints at Delta State and Nicholls (when current LSU

19 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

coach Ed Orgeron and former UCA assistant and Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Mark Hudspeth were on staff. He later became head coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College. He also served as an assistant at Middle Tennessee State and Mississippi State and, as a head coach at Delta State, leading the Statesmen to a Division II national title. He eventually became head coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Biloxi. “I was tired of moving at the time,” he said. “I was back home on the Mississippi Gulf coast, we had some great football teams, my wife was cheerleader coach and I was not looking to leave.” Then, the UCA job opened up. “At UCA and Conway, I saw a community like I’d grown up in that loved athletics and all things that surrounded it,” he said as he begins his fourth season. “We have loved every minute of it.”

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20 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

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S R O I R R A W X REVIEW I P R L L D A B N T E H 17 FOO at a glance

Quick Hits

k Buchanan Coach: Buc hool: 32- 18 Sc Record at hern Athletic 7-3, 5-3 Sout : on as Se Last (4th SAA) nse Association nse, 5 defe arters: 1 offe St ng ni ur et R read Offense: Sp 4 Defense: 3-

s 2016 result 3 ....... W 55-2 .................. 4 -1 49 W Austin ........ .. ... .................. 42-14 W at Lyon ........ .. ... ... ... ............... at Millsaps ..... W 35-28 .................. ... ... 4 ... e tr en C n ..... W 47-1 am-Souther -14 24 L at Birmingh .. ... ... ............... Berry............ ................... W 52-28 ... ... ... . . 4 go ca Chi ........ L 55-5 .................. 6 -4 49 L at Rhodes .. ... ... .................. ... ... 4 . . -1 U h 62 as W . W ...... .................. Sewanee ...

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

ule 2017 sched ............ Lyon .................. Sept. 2 ...... xas Lutheran Te .. ... ......... e* Sept. 9 ...... .....at Centr .................. * tin us A ... Sept. 16 ..... ...... .................. wanee* Sept. 23 ..... Se at ... ... ............ Sept. 30 ..... -Southern* .. Birmingham ... * ... ... 7 . ct O ...... at Berry .................. (GA)* ity Oct. 14 ...... in Tr at ............... s* Oct. 28 ...... .......Rhode .................. ... ... . . 4 . illsaps* M Nov . ... ... ... ............ Nov. 11........

notable hanan won h Buck Buc Hendrix coac Bonanza on a Big Bass $12,000 in summer. He st la s River the Arkansa d landing a se ner just mis rt a pa s hi d an given them would have lunker that e. $50 first priz

It’s like Hendrix is starting over from the revival of the program four years ago. The Warriors lost 28 seniors from a 7-3 team that averaged more than 600 yards and 45.6 points per game. “We have a chance to build on the culture,” said coach Buck Buchanan. “It’s like year one and two here. We are young and not much is expected of us. Let’s go prove everybody wrong again. We have a lot of talent with a lot of time left on their time clock here. Now, it’s time for them to step up.” The Warriors start with a 100-plus roster, more than double the amount when the program was revived four years ago. ON OFFENSE “We were good statistically last year,” Buchan said. “We had enough offense to win games. Turnovers as crucial times hurt us. Eliminating that is an area of focus this season.” Sophomore Miles Thompson, who passed for 698 yards and six touchdowns a year ago as a backup to Seth Peters, is poised to take over at quarterback. Mason Millsap is the top running back who has big shoes to fill after the gradua-

tion of Dayton Winn, who is now playing professionally in Denmark. “Mason is a great back who hasn’t had a lot of opportunities,” said Buchanan. Nate Hodapp and Ben Luedtke are veteran receivers who are playmakers. Sophomore Michael Spainhour of Greenbrier is working into the mix. Senior Sam Struebing is a special player in the offensive line. He has played every offensive line position in a single game plus tight end and H-back. ON DEFENSE The biggest change is David Batson will shift from the offensive line to defensive coordinator after Reid Heim, who had been the coordinator for four years, moved away because his wife got a outstanding job opportunities. There is also rebuilding in personnel. Senior Jake Brantley is a two-time allleague selection at linebacker. Senior Kody Smith, a three-year starter at safety, moves to outside linebacker. Free safety Michael Kramer s the leader on the backside with brothers Chad and Corey McGonigal. KEY GAMES Road games at Centre in October and Berry in December. WWW.THECABIN.NET 21

BUCK BUCHANAN: How he got here

By David McCollum

Log Cabin Staff Writer

Buchanan hails from a family of educators. “Dad didn’t want me to be a farmer and Mom didn’t want me to teach,” he said. “My first job at Louisiana College, I was mowing grass and teaching, so I did a mixture of both.” As a college player at Austin College, he planned to go to law school. “The coaches I played for inspired me,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave football.” He also was influenced by his high school coach, Marty Criswell. “He was one of those

22 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

guys who would put his hand on your shoulder and would make you believe you were the most important person that day. It was not a bad coaching demeanor.” He learned about relationships, which he thinks is a key to coaching. “I played on the defensive line (at Austin College) at 170 pounds,” he said. “Some people had faith in me.” His coaching style is blend of those who coached him. “Through those guys (his previous coaches) and what they did for me, I’m giving back,” he said. What would he do if he hadn’t gone into coaching? “When I interviewed for this job, I had decided that if I didn’t get it, I would become a professional fisherman.” One of the main attractions about Buchanan to Hendrix

officials is that he played and had coached in Division III football, which does not allow athletic scholarships. “I went to high school with players who got Division I scholarships,” he said. “A lot of them did not have good experiences. I had a great experience. I want this experience to be a great experience for the players when they look back on it.” He doesn’t believe in redshirting players. “There Is no stashing of players who come here,” he said. “It’s come here four years — play, graduate in four years, go to grad school, med school, whatever. “Every once in awhile, if a guy has a medical redshirt or he happens to be in one of our grad programs in business or accounting, we will get a guy like that or if he wants to stay and help us coach but we don’t have fifth-year players.”

Seth Peters (left) and Dayton Winn (right), two of Buchanan’s initial recruits, became two of the best players in NCAA Division III are are now starring for professional teams in Europe. Hendrix sports information photo

S K C A B R O Z RA S A REVIEW S P N L L A A B K T R A 017 FOO

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at a glance

Quick Hits

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notable his first a will coach n, Bret Bielem his wife, Je d an e H d. da , a lla as rie B on , seas ughter rents of a da at became pa rn bo . She was this summer . m 4:44 a.

By Nate Allen

Special to the Log Cabin Democrat

FAYETTEVILLE - Eight months into 2017 the Arkansas Razorbacks say they’ve been inspired to eradicate the hangover still tasting vile from the November and December of 2016. “I feel like after those losses everybody on the team doesn’t want to feel that no more,” Arkansas sophomore defensive end McTelvin “Sosa” Agim said. “That’s really been our motivation since January.” But until they play some games before they can erase the stigma ending what could have been a 9-4 season at 7-6. They sagged to 7-6 because their last two games they lost 24-7 and 24-0 halftime leads in 28-24 and 35-24 losses in Columbia, Mo., to SEC bottom-feeder Missouri and at the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. to Virginia Tech. ON OFFENSE Senior Austin Allen should be one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC and brings both stability and big-play ability. Arkansas’ biggest offensive problem last season was a young, offensive line starting too many not ready for prime time players now the better for their experience, Bielema, offensive coordinator Dan Enos and offensive line coach Kurt Anderson concur. “A night and day difference,” Enos said. So with senior Preseason First-Team AllSEC Ragnow anchoring at center, the staff believes that guards Hjalte Froholdt and Dumas’ Johnny Gibson and tackles Colton Jackson of Conway and Brian Wallace, all rookie starters last season. Sophomore Devwah Whaley, 602 yards on 110 carries spelling Rawleigh Williams last season, assumed the No. 1 role when Williams was briefly immobilized and carted off the field the final spring practice. Bielema has fingers crossed that his lone returning receiver of consequence last

season, senior Jared Cornelius, has healed from the back injury sidelining him from the 105-man roster until the roster expansion with the Aug. 21 start of fall semester classes. ON DEFENSE Last year’s defense was too often more boiled than well-oiled. An inability to stop the run, particularly against running quarterbacks, led Bielema to change the defensive base from a 4-3 to a 3-4 and change defensive coordinators elevating Paul Rhoads, the former Iowa State head coach and last year strictly the secondary’s coach, to coordinator while continuing to coach the secondary. Obviously it would help if their best linebacker, junior two-year starting inside weakside ‘backer Dre Greenlaw, fully recovers from twice breaking his foot in 2016. With Greenlaw limited, redshirt freshman Grant Morgan of Greenwood established himself as a go-to reserve both at the weakside Will and Mike middle linebacker that starts sophomore De’Jon “Scoota” Harris. Playing only three defensive linemen instead of four automatically increases big man depth, Rhoads said. They like their starters with predicted for stardom out of high school Agim at end and senior Bijhon Jackson of El Dorado at nose guard backed by Star City’s Austin Capps with sophomore T.J. Smith emerged at the other end. Arkansas’ pass defense, struggling in 2015 but better than its rushing defense in 2016, returns six quality first-teamers in safeties Santos Ramirez, De’Andre Coley and Pine Bluff Dollarway’s Josh Liddell and cornerbacks Ryan Pulley, one of the SEC’s best, Henre Toliver and Kevin Richardson. KEY GAMES A Sept. 9 home game against TCU will tell a lot. The Hogs have Alabama and LSU both on the road. WWW.THECABIN.NET 23

24 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

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Conway’s Jackson has a bigger upside this year

By Nate Allen

Special to the Log Cabin Democrat

FAYETTEVILLE — Last year, Conway’s Colton Jackson had the quick feet of a SEC starting right offensive tackle but not the confidence, strength and savvy to keep starting beyond the season’s first three games. This year it appears Jackson has it all. Barring injury, it’s obvious that Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema, offensive coordinator Dan Enos and offensive line coach Kurt Anderson expect the third-year sophomore left tackle to start the Aug. 31 season opener against Florida A&M in Little Rock and throughout the season. Last year’s struggles have the former Wampus Cat clawing to come back. The left tackle protects right-handed quarterback Austin Allen’s blind side. So naturally, the Arkansas staff wanted its most experienced tackle, 2016 senior four-year starter Dan Skipper on the left and break in

then redshirt freshman rookie Jackson on the right. Skipper has graduated to Dallas Cowboys free agency freeing Jackson to go left with 2016’s last nine games starter Brian Wallace returned to right tackle. “It’s a lot different,” Jackson said of his confidence moving right to left. “I feel more comfortable being at left tackle than I was at right tackle. I’ve been playing left tackle since I was in sixth grade so it’s just comfortable for me. It’s more my strong suit.” Demoted last season after three games, Jackson never pouted and strengthened his resolve to improve and strengthen his game. “ I just feel a lot smarter,” Jackson. “The game slows down since I’ve been in my playbook. Like knowing the philosophy of the game.” And having the muscle to back it up at 6-5, 298. “I’m a lot stronger,” Jackson said after spending much of the summer in strength

coach Ben Herbert’s weight room. “The experience, knowledge and strength makes the difference.” So does rebounding from the adversity that comes with losing the starting job attained before he was ready. “Mainly just the mental toughness going through stuff like that,” Jackson said. “Not giving up, just pushing forward and turning a negative into a positive and just being tough.” Lack of offensive line depth left the staff no choice but starting Jackson and Hjalte Froholdt on the line before their time. Jackson doesn’t blame the circumstances. “ I’m not going to put any blame on anybody but myself,” Jackson said. “You have to be ready, you’re only a snap away. Obviously I wasn’t ready at the time. I think overall I could have done a better job.” There was no doubt he did a better job in the spring. While still a work in progress, Jackson continues improving in preseason camp. “Colton’s first couple of days were really good,” Anderson said. “That first day we put pads on, he did not have a great practice. Myself and Coach Enos were kind of on him and he’s really responded. He had a good week of practice His pass sets have been superb which is what you want on the left side.” Bielema calls Jackson “light on his feet,” a huge asset for the left tackle inevitably on an island against the opposition’s best speedrushing defensive end. Anderson concurs. “His athleticism has always been his strong suit,” Anderson said. “But you can throw athleticism out the window if you are going to play over the top of your toes. So we talk about posture and playing the full six to eight seconds and I think he’s done a nice job. He wants you to coach him hard.” Anderson says he has to watch himself because Jackson so wants to please that he gets too hard on himself if coached too hard. “His lack of true experience shows sometimes when a mistake is made and it’s about moving on from that mistake and not letting one mistake snowball into another,” Anderson said. “But he’s getting much better in that regard. He shows flashes at times where he can be as dominant with his athleticism as any left tackle in this conference.” WWW.THECABIN.NET 25

S K C A B R O Z EVIEW R A P R L L S A B A T 2017 FOO ARKANS Hogs’ Austin Allen eager to prove himself

By KURT VOIGT AP Sports Writer FAYETTEVILLE — Believe it or not, Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen is the Southeastern Conference’s leading returner in passing efficiency from a season ago. It all added up to being picked as the preseason third-team All-SEC quarterback — behind Alabama’s Jalen Hurts and Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald. Coach Bret Bielema has a pretty good idea about the reason for the lack of hype over his senior quarterback. The Razorbacks 26 LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT / FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2017

“A lot of (the attention) is just winning; his numbers are better or comparable than a lot of people,” Bielema said.

finished 7-6 last season, the first time in Bielema’s first four seasons that the school hadn’t improved its win total. Leaving an even more disappointing impression was how the Razorbacks lost their last two games, with defeats to lowly Missouri and Virginia Tech coming after epic second-half collapses. None of that changes how talented Allen is, at least in the eyes of Bielema. Not when he believes the 6-foot-1, 215-pound signal caller is worthy of much more attention after throwing for 3,618 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first season as a starter a year ago.

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Bielema has even gone so far as to use the lack of attention as motivation for Allen, giving him the stats of other top returning college quarterbacks — who he believes are receiving much more of the “national spotlight” — and comparing their numbers. “A lot of (the attention) is just winning; his numbers are better or comparable than a lot of people,” Bielema said. “There’s a lot of guys that haven’t fired a shot who are getting a lot of hype.” As with most any situation, both on and off the field dating to his prep days at nearby Fayetteville High School, Allen shrugs off any perceived slight — though he appreciates his coach’s effort. “Of course, you see it, but it doesn’t bother me,” Allen said. “I can’t worry about what someone from the West Coast or anyone else thinks. I know what I’m doing, and I know what it takes to play well.” Allen played well early last season, including four touchdowns in an overtime win at TCU. He later threw for a career-best 400 yards in a 49-30 loss to Alabama, though he also threw three of his 15 interceptions for the season in the game. Several of his

interceptions were the result of pressure felt behind an offensive line that allowed an eyepopping 35 sacks last season, tied for 103rd in the country.

“Austin’s competing against all the other quarterbacks in the SEC; he’s not competing against anybody here,” Bielema said. “He’s really learned that for us to get where we want to be, he’s got to do that.” Despite that pressure, and some struggles for two games after injuring his right knee is

a loss at Auburn, Allen still finished 29th in the country in passing efficiency. Only Mississippi’s Chad Kelly was better in the SEC. “As he’s shown, he’s got the talent and got the arm,” senior center Frank Ragnow said. “He might not be tall enough or whatever, but he’s shown that he can do whatever he wants.” Bielema tried his best to present Allen as being in a quarterback competition a year ago, but even he couldn’t publicly deny his talent for long — naming Allen the starter during the spring. This year, there’s no question about Allen’s status as one of the best quarterbacks Arkansas has had since entering the SEC. He showed his potential while effortlessly completing 19 of 23 passes for 304 yards in a half against the Razorbacks’ second-team defense on Saturday, and Bielema can’t wait for Allen to show the rest of the country what it’s been missing this preseason. “Austin’s competing against all the other quarterbacks in the SEC; he’s not competing against anybody here,” Bielema said. “He’s really learned that for us to get where we want to be, he’s got to do that.”