INSURANCE INSIGHT

Hey Coach…What’s the Play?? By Dennia Beard, State Farm Insurance

Right now, I just love to play, period! This isn’t business as usual for us, but it’s also a moment in time when the work we’re doing is most critical. I am so grateful for my essential team and the big work they are doing. My list of worries right now—like yours, I am sure—is long: from my own children, parents, family, and friends, to you and your safety. I hope you are staying secure, sheltered in place, stocked with toilet paper, and healthy during these absolutely unprecedented, wild, chaotic, terrifying times.

Now, back to the story.

Imagine for a moment that you are the head football coach of a very successful football team. You achieve a high level of performance on and off the field. You compete with yourself only, not other teams. Your strategy is to find a team that takes an honest interest in the wellbeing of your objectives and stay focused on the mission: to win.

An insurance company can be your winning team. You should expect nothing less than an insurance agency’s best performance on and off the field. Consider this: the agent is your quarterback. She’s the face of the organization and ultimately will determine how good or bad your team will be during any particular season of your life.

She knows the responsibilities of every player out on the field with her. The offensive line (customer relationship managers) make sure you have annual reviews to ensure your policies are up-todate, and get you everything you need from an insurance agency in a prompt and friendly manner.

Your offensive line can also be your defensive line. When choosing an insurance agency (team), understand that you are choosing risk advisors. They should be able to utilize their expertise to assess the stakes of financial decisions for their customers and together develop a strategy to minimize risks.

Here is a quick example of a risk that commonly goes unidentified. There is a customer, a college professor. While he is driving home one day it starts to rain. He pulls up to the red light because he wants to make a right turn on red. He looks left, like we all do and as he pulls out, he fails to see the guy running, trying to get out of the rain. The professor runs right into him. $900,000 later, the last medical bill is finally paid.

Fortunately for the professor, one year earlier his insurance agency had recommended he have a liability umbrella policy. His insurance company paid the entire claim. There isn’t a day that goes by that he sees us and doesn’t thank us. Had he not had that policy in place, his life would have surely suffered.

I would like to identify seven other major risks you need to TACKLE before it is too late:

Medical Insurance

Major medical procedures can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars. Consider your potentially high deductibles as well. Is there an affordable policy that will fit your budget while also helping you manage these costs?

Disability Insurance

You must protect your paycheck. If you became sick or hurt and couldn’t work, would your job continue to pay your income? This is one fewer worry with a shortor long-term disability policy.

Life insurance

What if something happened to you with permanent consequences? Do you have group life insurance at work? What about life insurance that you own? How much do you have? We all presume we are going to remain healthy as we get older. I would encourage you to consider taking action sooner rather than later.

YOUR OFFENSIVE LINE CAN ALSO BE YOUR DEFENSIVE LINE. WHEN CHOOSING AN INSURANCE AGENCY (TEAM), UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE CHOOSING RISK ADVISORS.

Retirement Money

What if you get to age 65 and determine that you don’t have enough money to retire? Would you rather find that out today or 27 years from now? It is wise to put a plan together now.

Aging Parents

Are you willing to pay out-ofpocket for your aging parent’s care long-term? Would you rather own an insurance policy that pays it for you?

Home Insurance

Like auto, homeowners insurance isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. This is not just because it protects your home and possessions against damage or theft. Virtually all mortgage companies require the fair value of the property to be insured. You need to understand the basic levels of coverage that exist and how they impact your risk and your rate.

Auto Insurance

To make the best decisions about purchasing auto insurance coverage, you’ll want to understand what’s covered, what’s not covered and what’s optional. In addition to understanding types of coverage, you’ll also want to consider coverage amounts.

Whew. That is a lot of information, right?

This is why you hire the right team to stand beside you throughout the winning/losing seasons of your life. Your insurance company should be a little different from the others. They should be a little better than the rest. They should always put your needs first and attend every practice. They should be willing to do the dirty work.

Hire the right team and they will win for you. They will prepare you for anything so you don’t have to worry about big financial losses. They will make plays, call shots, and carry the ball all the way down the field in all kinds of conditions, because your success is their success. Go team! 

Dennia Beard, Agent

1408 Military Road Benton, AR 72015 501-778-6066 www.insurebenton.com

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A SOLID WASTE DISTRICT

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BENTON

When Brad Harris came to Benton in 2014 as the defensive coordinator, the program was making its ascent under former Coach, and current athletic director, Scott Neathery.

With Harris at the helm since 2016, the Panthers have firmly staked their claim as one of the top programs in Class 6A. Benton begins the 2020 campaign looking for its third straight state title berth and back-to-back conference crowns.

“We have had two really good years back-to-back,” Harris said. “A lot of people would be really frustrated not winning, and I wish we had won, but we have set a standard at Benton. Our kids expect to go to the playoffs, and they expect to play for state championships. We had two really good senior classes that graduated. We are really excited for this year and to see what this group can do.”

Harris saw the momentum of last year’s run continue into the offseason, but some of that was halted with the 11-week hiatus created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I felt really good going into March,” said Harris, whose team lost 28-27 to Searcy in the 6A State Championship game last fall. “That’s when we are really able to get faster and stronger. We’ve come back well [in June and July], and that’s been good. I am excited how we have responded after the 11 weeks.”

All of Benton’s talented starting receiving corps from 2019 graduated, but Harris is optimistic about the passing game, since senior veteran quarterback Garrett Brown (6-1, 195) returns. Brown was inserted into the lineup midway through his sophomore year due to the starter’s injury and has already passed for over 5,000 yards for his career.

“He’s racked up a number of wins and experience, and I am pretty pumped to watch him grow as a senior,” Harris said.

Junior Gianni Vannucci (6-1, 180) is a hard-hitting free safety but is also a dual-threat quarterback dating back to when he started there in junior high. He will serve as the backup. Sophomore Jack Woolbright (5-9, 155) reminds Harris of Brown when he was that age. Seeing how his brother Jaden, a former Benton player and Arkansas State baseball commit, developed physically through this career has Harris encouraged that the younger Woolbright will grow as well.

Junior running back Casey Johnson (6-0, 185) was thrust into the starting role last season the final week of the season into the playoffs because of injury. He managed to rack up 900 yards and should total many more this year as the featured back.

“He has a chance to be really good,” Harris said. “He reminds us a lot of Zak Wallace [former Benton star running back]. He may even be a step faster. We like how Casey runs, and he has gotten even better during the pandemic. He has worked hard and loves football.”

Senior Michael Jefferson (5-8, 175) returns to the squad after being ineligible last season. Harris said the team missed Jefferson and that his speed and elusiveness is a good change of pace to Johnson’s hard-running style.

Junior basketball player Cameron Harris (6-3, 190) should add some bigplay capability to a depleted receiving corps. Harris didn’t play football until last year because of two meniscus tears in his knees during basketball. He started to show progress recovering from the injury last year around midseason, the coach said. He made a pivotal touchdown catch in the semifinal playoff win against West Memphis.

“He is going to be really good. He’s got a lot of upside,” the coach said.

Speedy Andre Lane (5-10, 190) “looks like a running back playing

TEAM PREVIEW

receiver,” Harris said. Lane looks to take over the slot role diminutive former star Gavin Wells thrived in.

Senior Jordan Parham (6-1, 210) fills the tight end/H-back position. Harris said his soft hands and ability to catch the ball over the middle make him a quality possession receiver.

Senior Tristan Hawkins (6-2, 190) is a star pitcher on the baseball team and committed to UALR over the summer. He hasn’t played football but decided to play his senior year and should see snaps behind Parham.

Senior Donovan McGee (5-9, 170) comes to Benton after playing the past two years at Bossier City (La.) Airline High School. “We are learning about him, but he is explosive with 4.6 speed and physical. He will push for snaps.”

Harris said the offensive line “will be a mixture of seven or eight guys.”

Seniors Colby Reeves (5-11, 275), Kyrie Watkins (5-11, 290) and Garrett Davis (6-1, 250) have cemented starting spots, but they may not play where they did a season ago. Reeves started at center and Watkins and Davis at the tackles.

Senior David Hassman (6-4, 270) was a junior varsity player a year ago, but a growth spurt last year with a productive offseason caught Harris’ attention. Hassman could start at one of the tackles, with Watkins or Davis moving to guard, Harris said.

Walker Davis (6-3, 275), Garrett Davis’ younger brother, dominated junior high competition in 2019. Harris said he is agile enough to play guard but tall enough he may play tackle.

Junior Christian Evans (6-2, 220) saw snaps as an undersized guard in JV games in 2019. Harris said what he lacks in size he makes up for with intelligence and leverage.

Senior soccer player Bryan Araujo (5- 10, 210) made a habit of drilling kickoffs into the end zone last fall and nailed a 41-yard field goal earning all-conference honors. Araujo may also handle the punting duties this fall as well.

“We are excited to have him back. He is big with a strong leg,” Harris said.

The defensive line will rely on inexperienced returners at the end spots. Senior Terrence Hall (6-2, 230) is a leading contender at end after playing JV the past two seasons. Classmate Hayden Purdy (6-3, 250) saw some varsity snaps last fall. Senior Mason Simmons (5-11, 235) moves from running back to end, seeking more snaps.

Watkins, the returning offensive line starter, will see double duty at end. “He would be our best defensive linemen, but we need him on the offensive line,” Harris said. “We try not to play our players both ways until they are seniors and comfortable.”

Senior Justin Walker (6-1, 285) impressed last season as a run stopper and returns at nose guard. Harris calls junior wrestler Conner Jewell (5-8, 225) “a little fire hydrant” who will see snaps behind Walker.

Senior Gavin Davis (5-9, 220) saw significant playing time in the middle in 2019 and is a prime candidate to start there this year. Junior Beau Wright (6-0, 190) put himself into a position for increased snaps with an intense workout regimen in the offseason that included cross fit. Harris said he power cleaned 325 pounds in March before the pandemic.

Sophomore Jake Jones (5-10, 185), a promising baseball prospect, was “the emotional leader” on the junior high squad last fall Harris said. Harris said if he can carry over that effort to the varsity level, he will see snaps in 2020.

Senior cornerback John Dirst (5-8, 165) should fill a starting spot for the first time in his varsity career this season after rotating as a junior. Harris said opponents who think they can pick on the undersized Dirst are mistaken because of his instincts and toughness.

Senior Omari Coats (6-0, 155) wasn’t eligible last fall but the fastest Panther should help at cornerback in 2020. Coats clocked an 11-second 100-meter time in track last spring and is in the 4.5 range in the 40-yard dash. Classmate Anthony Neloms (5-10, 160) is looking for significant varsity snaps for the first time in his career.

Sophomore Brody Blanton (5-9, 155) has impressed Harris with his speed and ball skills after playing receiver and defensive back in junior high.

Senior strong safety Cade Smith (6-0, 165) recorded snaps at two safety spots last season in Benton’s scheme, which features five DBs. He played a great deal in the state championship loss to Searcy.

Like his classmate Smith, Jackson Drewery (5-9, 155) saw snaps at free and strong safety in 2019. The smaller Drewery is tough, and boxes in his spare time. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up competing in UFC or something after high school. He plays much bigger than he is.”

Junior weak safety Cain Simmons (5-9, 175) is the star of the secondary. Simmons, an all-conference performer in 2019, racked up 113 tackles. His 4.6 speed and knack for contact make him a dangerous defender.