2017 Football Preview by Times Record

A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE TIMES RECORD SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2017

T E A M S : SOUTHSIDE 2 NORTHSIDE 4 GREENWOOD 7 VAN BUREN 10 ALMA 14 PARIS 18 BOONEVILLE 19 CEDARVILLE 19 HACKETT 20 MANSFIELD 21 CHARLESTON 22 WALDRON 23 SUBIACO 23 LAVACA 24 MOUNTAINBURG 25 OZARK 25 MULDROW 26 POTEAU 28 SALLISAW 29 ROLAND 30 SPIRO 31 POCOLA 31

GAME SCHEDULES FOR ALL AREA TEAMS PA G E S 1 6 - 1 7

Sunday, August 27, 2017

SOUTHSIDE MAVERICKS Mavs look to speed for fast start after tough 2016 By Kevin Taylor ktaylor@swtimes.com

wo-and-a-half years ago, when Jeff Williams was finalizing his 2016-17 football schedules, he knew the gauntlet that awaited him. Har-Ber, Greenwood, Conway, Cabot, North Little Rock. And that’s only half the season. The Mavericks had a new nickname and a conference, that for all appearances, won’t become a two-year rental. After struggling through a 3-7 season in 2016, the Mavericks couldn’t wait to hit the ground running. “Last year, I thought we got what we deserved,” Williams said. “(But), if we can make some plays early and build some confidence, this team can be in the mix. It’s been a fun group to coach. You can see the hard work is paying off; I like the attitude they bring every day.” Playing fast, that’s the approach Williams and his staff are taking as they prepare for their 2017 opener with Har-Ber. “That’s the biggest thing, to play fast all the time,” Williams said. “We’ve talked about making some plays to get us over the top.” Junior Taye Gatewood returns at quarterback, only this time he becomes the full-time starter. “I think it starts with Taye,” Williams said. “If he plays well, we’re going to play well. At team camp, when he played well, we all played well. We’ve

Southside quarterback Taye Gatewood works on passing drills as head coach Jeff Williams looks on during practice on Aug. 9. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

gone back and looked at our personnel to fit our guys.” With Gatewood (5-foot-11, 205 pounds), a slashing runner with a good arm, Williams has tinkered with the offense. “We’ll have a lot of RPO (run pass option) to give us a lot of options,”

Williams said. “He’s got some guys around him.” Like any offense, the Mavericks’ offensive success begins with the play of the offensive line. “We’re not asking them to overpower people, but to just play physical,” Williams said. “We want them to fit the

(skill) personnel.” Along with Gatewood, the Mavericks return Ricardo Savoy (5-9, 175), a junior sprinter with home run speed on the edge. Southside will also turn to one of the Barcheers brothers. Transfers from See MAVS, S21

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Sunday, August 27, 2017

Brothers embrace Mavs’ deep football history By Kevin Taylor ktaylor@swtimes.com

Every time Heabren Ulrich pulls on his Southside Mavericks jersey, a little bit of the past washes over his face. Heabren Ulrich is a proud Southside Mavericks’ football player. “I think back to every championship we’ve won, all the people that came through Southside before me,” he said. “I want to be able to do the same thing they did and compete just as well, to put it out there on the field every night.” Twin brother Brenden wasn’t as forthcoming. Not at first. But the youngest of the Ulrich twins (Brenden was born a minute after Heabren) was quick to embrace the school’s history books. “Wearing that Southside uniform really does mean a lot,” Brenden said. “I chose to go to this school, and if I’m going to go to that school I’m going to go all out.” The Ulrich brothers are among a handful of seniors (there are five) who are eager to carry the torch for the Mavericks. “They’ve done a great job for us the last two years,” Southside coach Jeff Williams said. “I remember watching them as ninth graders and thought they were pretty good players. They’re pretty unique guys, because they can do a lot of things. Brenden can play receiver and also play running back if need be. “Heabren has done a great job at the outside linebacker.” Not the biggest or fastest, the Ulrich brothers gravitated toward football during their formidable seasons at Trinity Junior High. “For awhile, I thought I wanted to go to Northside, just because that’s where a lot of my family members went to high school,” Brenden said. “To be honest, the coaches over there (Northside) were actually showing me more attention. I thought I was going to go there, but my brother never wanted to go to Southside.” “I believe that Southside was overall a better school for me,” Heabren said. “The people that played here before me, I believe they impacted me to be the player that I hope to be this year.” Southside defensive coordinator

Southside receiver Brenden Ulrich, left, and linebacker Heabren Ulrich are often matched up during practice. The twins will be playing in their senior year for the Mavericks. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

Steven Thessing saw enough from Heabren Ulrich two years ago to believe he was on the right path. “Heabren started nine games for us last year,” he said. “His sophomore year, he played behind Si Klinc, but he played well when he got in there. He played a lot in the playoff game with Cabot (2015). “He’s taken the bull by the horn so far.”

“They’re not overly big, but they run really well,” Southside coach Jeff Williams said. “They’ve really grown into senior leaders; the guys (teammates) respect them.” Younger siblings to older sisters Brandy and Dannielle, the twins were born Jan. 7, 2000. For most of their lives they’ve been teammates, and they’ve shared a lot of teachers, too. “We were always on the same team,

we were always competing against each other,” Heabren said. “We got a little more separated going into high school, but we usually hang out with the same people.” Every Wednesday, as the Mavericks are mapping out the week’s football itinerary, the Ulrich brothers dual it out on the turf at Jim Rowland Stadium — Brenden’s running routes and brother Heabren is covering him. Sometimes they collide. “I started out on defense at linebacker; I was in the same position Heabren played,” Brenden said. “I decided I didn’t like it, because going through junior high, I was always playing offense. I told coach Thessing I didn’t want to play that anymore. He asked me if I wanted to try safety, so I tried that also. “Then I said I just wanted to play offense.” Ulrich made a successful switch to offense last season, catching seven passes for 91 yards and racing 20 yards for a touchdown in the Mavericks’ win over Conway. But it’s being covered by Heabren that brings the most smiles. I think it’s really fun,” Brenden said. “We always go up against each other during one-on-one team (drills). We’re always smack-talking in the middle of practice to each other.” Sometimes, it carries over. “We talk about it,” grins Heabren. After an unprecedented 10-year run, which included three state title appearances and eight appearances in the 7A semifinals, Southside slumped to 3-7 in 2016. Rather than wallow in self pity, Heabren Ulrich said the team took ownership. “Practice has been really competitive all summer,” he said. “Our team is really fast. Everyone has a better mindset this year compared to last year. I believe a lot more kids are motivated and they’re ready to work hard this season.” “My mindset has been to be the best leader I can to all the younger players,” Brenden Ulrich said. “The message to the players with me on defense, and to those on offense, even if you mess up, still play as fast as you can. “Mistakes will be fixed eventually if we keep working on it.”

Sunday, August 27, 2017

NORTHSIDE GRIZZLIES Northside is tasked with replacing several standouts By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

here were plenty of good things in 2016 for the Northside Grizzlies. They finished second in the 7A-Central, highlighted by their first win against Southside since 2005. It also earned them a trip to the 7A quarterfinals but the joyride came to an end with a home loss to Bentonville. And now, with the 2017 season approaching, the Grizzlies are essentially starting over. That’s especially true on defense, as they must replace nine starters, including University of Oklahoma signee Tre Norwood and Dartmouth College signee Tanner Cross. “I’m not just going to use the word young, I’m going to use the word inexperienced,” Northside coach Mike Falleur said. “We’ve got some seniors that are going to be starting, but it’s really going to be their first time. They played on (junior varsity) and they may have played in some games as juniors, but as far as (varsity experience) it’s going to be the first time for a bunch of them. “And we are going to play a bunch of young guys, so we’re an inexperienced football team. I like their attitude, I like the way they work, you never know for sure how somebody’s going to handle it until you’re out there and you’re doing it.” The Grizzlies are also breaking in several new players on offense. One familiar face from last season will be playing a different position, as junior Derrick “Deuce” Wise (5-foot-10, 182 pounds) shifts from tailback to quarterback. Senior Josh Douglas (6-0, 180) will be the backup, but may likely see more action at receiver. Sophomore Jackson King (5-10, 175) is another backup at quarterback. Eli Bolton is the likely starter at tailback. King as well as another sophomore, DeMarion Shepard, will also see action. Senior Jordan Dilworth (5-11, 162) will be the slotback, and he’s a player Falleur is real high on. “He’s a senior that we’re really excited about; he’s got great speed,” Falleur said. “We’ve just got to keep him healthy; he tends to be injury-prone so

Northside head coach Mike Falleur, center, keeps time as the Grizzlies run conditioning drills during practice. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

he’s just got to stay healthy.” J.T. Thorne (5-8, 141), a sophomore, will back up Dilworth. Senior DeAron Robinson (6-1, 183) returns at one of the receiver positions. “He’s had a great, great summer,” Falleur said. “Great spring, great winter. We’re really counting on him to be a big-time player for us.” Senior Shamar Lenzy and sophomore Preston Baugh will back up Robinson. Another senior, Devonte Bausley, is the projected starter at the Z receiver position. “Fast, got great speed,” Falleur said. “He needs to do a little bit better job concentrating on catching the football.” Behind Bausley are junior Greg Washington (6-0, 170) and sophomore Jeremy Maffei. Three sophomores will be vying for tight end: James Clayton, Stetson Van Matre and Jacob Arnold. The Grizzlies return several starters on the offensive line, notably junior right tackle Stevie Young. “I feel like he has a chance to be as good as anybody in the state of Arkansas,” Falleur said. “He’s 6-3, 6-4, 290 pounds and can run, does a great job.” Senior left guard Cody Harris (5-8, 245) is another returning starter, along with fellow senior Hunter Linam, who

played at left tackle last season but may play center. Josh Adkins, a junior, can play center if Linam returns to left tackle. If Linam plays center, senior Jesus Raya or junior Axel Sedano are the leading candidates at left tackle. Right guard is senior Will Balestrino (6-1, 280), who played several games there last season. Senior Drake Stem may see action there as well. On defense, the Grizzlies’ threeman front will be overhauled. Senior Trey Rideout and junior Raytel Rone

Falleur

Dilworth

Robinson

See GRIZZLIES, S8

Young

Wise

Stubbleﬁeld

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

Stubblefield eager to prove worth on revamped defense By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

You don’t have to tell Locke Stubblefield he is one of the few Northside defensive players back with any significant experience. Stubblefield, though, likes the challenge of helping lead the Grizzlies’ rebuilt defense. “I’m excited; it’s kind of fun, actually,” Stubblefield, a senior inside linebacker and one of two returning starters on defense, said. “We’re all quick. We’re young, but we’re fast and I like to be a role model to the younger guys and they can look up to me. “Hopefully when I get excited in practice, they get excited, too, and I like to think they look up and see how happy and pumped at practice they should be, too. They don’t act like young guys, they’re just as good as older guys will be.” Stubblefield, who registered 38 total tackles last season, also wants to pass along to his fellow linebackers what he learned playing alongside last season’s senior linebackers Robert Wilkerson and Chuy Parga, who combined for nearly 200 tackles. “I would say the number one thing is being aggressive,” Stubblefield said. “They were some of the most aggressive guys on the football team last year. ... It was great just watching them and I hope I can carry that over this year. “Chuy and Robert; I loved playing with Chuy and Robert. I’m going to miss them.” Northside coach Mike Falleur said Stubblefield is more than capable of continuing the Grizzlies’ tradition of strong linebacker play. “Locke’s been in a situation where, in his sophomore and junior year, he had as good a group of linebackers as you could be involved in, when you’ve got (Deontre) Hardwick, Chuy Parga, Robert Wilkerson, those guys are right there and Locke’s that fourth guy and all three of those other kids are playing college football and all three

are dang good linebackers,” Falleur said. “So (Stubblefield) has been around really good ones. Now it’s his time to be the man and we need him to be the man.” Stubblefield, who goes 6-foot and weighs approximately 210 pounds, said he’s ready to fulfill Falleur’s prophecy. “I just feel I have more freedom (at linebacker) than any other position,” Stubblefield said. “I do pass coverage, I cover the back, I cover the quarterback, I go everywhere all over the field and hitting people’s the best part of it. “I feel like what I lack in size, I make up with in filling the gaps and knowing what spots I need to be at and knowing my keys and knowing my plays, and I feel like I’m a good leader out there.” Falleur added he likes Stubblefield’s cerebral approach, though there may be times when he may overanalyze certain situations. “Sometimes he might overthink something,” Falleur said. “He just needs to believe in what he sees and what he’s been coached to do and go do it and if he’ll do that, he’s going to be another good linebacker that Northside High School’s produced. “I’ve seen him trust his instincts a little bit more than what he has in the past. He’s a guy that wants to be right every time and none of us are ever going to be right every time. But I’ve seen him get that read or his key and play the ball the way he’s supposed to, and that so far has been the biggest (improvement).” Stubblefield just as diligently attacks his schoolwork as he does opposing players. He carries a 4.1 grade-point average and is taking several advanced placement classes. There’s not a lot of free time in his typical day, especially during football season. “Wake up, go to school, go to practice, eat, homework for the rest of the night and then have weekends off, hopefully,” Stubblefield said of his typical day. See STUBBLEFIELD, S8

Northside linebacker Locke Stubbleﬁeld runs through drills during practice on Aug 4. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

Sunday, August 27, 2017

GREENWOOD BULLDOGS Talented Bulldogs gear up for another playoff run By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

Jones

Cox

Womack

Barrett

Schwartz

Beshears

Woods

Sloan

Vota

xperience everywhere, the Greenwood Bulldogs are poised for another run to War Memorial Stadium in 2017. The Bulldogs (12-1 last year, 7-0 6A-West) return 14 players who at some point last season started a game. The offense is especially loaded. “We have three linemen back, we have receivers back, we have four or five guys back that played significant roles, we have Kenny Wood,” Greenwood head coach Rick Jones said. “If we get everything going the right direction, we should be alright.” Wood (5-11, 192) rushed for 1,189 yards and 18 touchdowns, and that was just in 11 games. He’s also the top returning pass-catcher with 33 receptions for 449 and five scores. “The big advantage is he does a great job of catching the ball out of the backfield,” Jones said. “We’ve had different backs; we’ve had bigger guys, we’ve had smaller guys, but the best combination is a guy that’s pretty good sized that can catch the ball out of the backfield. Our backs are a pretty big part of what we do throwing the football.” Senior Jackson Webb (5-5, 157) and junior Marc Jones (5-6, 162) provide quality depth for the Bulldogs at running back. Senior quarterback Connor Noland (6-2, 193) is ready for his senior season

Greenwood’s Kenny Wood rushes against Southside on Sept. 9, 2016, in Jim Rowland Stadium. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

after splitting the position with Luke Hales the past two seasons. With Hales hurt some last year, Noland started six games, including the Class 6A state championship game. Noland threw for 2,073 yards and 18 touchdowns a year ago. He’s backed up by Easton Barrett (6-2, 220), who’s also a senior. “We’re very fortunate; he’s a great quarterback,” Jones said. “Most people realize that he could start for a lot of teams out there. He’s a three-sport guy, who likes to play.” On the line, Greenwood returns three

good ones. Senior center Noah Sexton (5-11, 268), junior right guard Noah Fox (5-22, 256) and senior right tackle Hayden Cantrell (6-5, 313) started all 13 games a year ago. “To have three of five guys back is a huge advantage,” Jones said. “Those three seniors will step up and lead the group.” Cantrell may move to left tackle and has been working at the position. Junior Colton Simpson (5-10, 231) will then move in at right tackle. Seniors Isaac Schwartz (6-2, 292) and Landon Sloan (5-10, 288), junior

Coleson Ceniceros (5-10, 225), and sophomores Traven Nichols (5-8, 232) and Kevin Douglas (6-1, 272) are vying for playing time at the left guard and to spell guys at the other spots. Seniors Zane Harmon (5-10, 166), Kade Orlicek (6-0, 162) and juniors Josh Barlow (6-1, 176) and Peyton Holt (5-8, 177) all caught passes last year and bring back plenty of experience. “You can find four guys that started some last year,” Jones said. “That’s the guys that you point to. They’re a good combination.” They combined for 107 receptions for 1,314 yards and 12 scores. See BULLDOGS, S8

Sunday, August 27, 2017

High School Football Preview

GRIZZLIES

STUBBLEFIELD

Continued from S5

Continued from S6

are projected starters at the ends, while senior Taqee Patrick (6-2, 205) is the likely nose guard. “All three of those guys are 6-1, 6-2, about 210, 215, and all of them can run,” Falleur said. Other candidates up front include Young, Linam, Jalil Zainuba, Zane Key, Khaden Washington, Jametaurious Coleman and Aaron Fields. Senior Locke Stubblefield returns at inside linebacker, with fellow seniors Alan Infante and Jason Serpas backing up Stubblefield. Cole Eddins (5-9, 165) moves from the secondary to fill one of the outside linebacker spots. The other may be manned by Anthony Travis, a member of the 7A champion basketball squad who didn’t play football last season. Thorne and Robinson are the backups. Junior Elijah Tabut, who started several games at cornerback last season, returns, with Lenzy on the other side. Skyler Mingboupha, Wise and King are the backups. Washington will see more action at safety than at receiver. Junior Tyriq Adams (5-8, 155) is the other starter at safety, with Maffei and Montay Parks seeing some time there as well. Sophomore Henry Hernandez and senior Jose Paredes are vying for the placekicker role. Paredes and Serpas are the top candidates at punter. Linam serves as the deep snapper. “I keep telling them, we’ve got to come to work every day, we’ve got to take every opportunity to get better, to improve ourselves, to get ourselves as ready for that as we can be,” Falleur said. “You go back to the winter, I felt like we had as productive an offseason as we’ve had since I’ve been here. These kids understand what it takes and what we have to do to be successful, and we probably have to work a little more harder and a little bit longer than some people because we don’t have a lot of depth, so we’ve got to develop guys and hopefully get them ready to play.”

But when he does get a chance to unwind, Stubblefield loves doing outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, hiking and kayaking. In fact, he prefers to attend college out west, such as Colorado, where he can enjoy his outdoor hobbies. For the time being, Stubblefield is focused on another outdoor activity, football, and is determined to prove Northside won’t skip a beat on defense. “The main thing will just be the enthusiasm and excitement, just to keep it up and keep us pumped up to play and in practice even, because if we don’t practice like we play, then we won’t do well this season,” he said. “If we keep the enthusiasm up in practice and we realize that actually helps us for the games, then we’ll be good.”

BULLDOGS Continued from S7

Senior Brayden Cullen (5-9, 147), junior Austin Archer (6-1, 181), and sophomores Lazaro Angel (5-9, 152) and Nathan Nethers (6-0, 171) are also working out at receiver. Junior Phillip Dygryn (6-2, 174) is an exchange student from Austria, and he played on a National team there. Defensively, up front it all starts with the state’s strongest football player, Jon Womack. “Jon is an extremely disruptive player,” Jones said. “He’s a brutally strong guy.” Womack (6-1, 286) set a record at the state weight meet in April with a 385pound power clean. He benched 385 pounds and tied a meet record with 770 total pounds. Last year, Womack had 106 tackles with 16 for loss and five sacks. He teams up with senior Hunter Webb (5-11, 269) in the middle when Greenwood lines up in a four-man front. Webb had 91 tackles last year with 10 for lost yardage. Juniors Josh Maze (6-1, 250) and Morgan Hannah (6-3, 188) will also play on the line.

Northside linebacker Locke Stubbleﬁeld runs through drills with assistant coach Rusty Bush during practice on Aug. 4. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

Senior Dylan Vota (5-8, 168) returns at linebacker after intercepting three passes last year. He was in on 94 tackles last year with five for loss. Senior Camden Beshears (5-9, 188) also had a good weight meet last year in his weight division and played a lot a year ago at linebacker. Seniors Luke Johnson (5-10, 176), juniors Travis Cox (5-9, 185), Sam Sandifer (5-10, 206) and Max Lovelace (5-11, 187) also are working at the position. Senior Ethan Escalante (5-10, 160) and junior Trey Woods (5-11, 140) return at the corners. Senior Nicholas Vota (5-9, 189) will

start at safety. Junior Dawson James (5-9, 155) filled in nickel back corner some last year. Junior Aaron Ohl (5-9, 142), Cade Hall (5-10, 161) and sophomore Logan Workman (5-9, 136) have been working in the secondary. Junior Grant Ennis (5-11, 145) handled the kicking duties last year and was solid with 11 touchbacks on kickoffs and converted 63 of 68 placements. He also kicked six field goals in seven tries with a long of 41. “Our kicking game will be OK,” Jones said. “Grant came in and did a good job. He had a good start. There’s usually some progression between sophomore and junior year.”

Sunday, August 27, 2017

‘Win the day’ Greenwood QB sets goals aside after reaching state title game past two seasons By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

Win the day. Most teams set winning the state championship as a goal. Most teams don’t win the state championship. The Greenwood Bulldogs haven’t set that goal this year. “We haven’t really set any goals,” Connor Noland said. “We’re just taking it one day at a time. 'Win the day' has been our theme.” Last year’s team set a state championship as a goal. So did the team before. Both of those teams lost in the state championship game. “We’ve set goals in the past, win the state championship and all of that,” Noland said. “We’ve seen how that works. We want to take one day and we’ll win today.” Last year, Greenwood lost to Russellville, a fellow 6A-West foe the Bulldogs defeated during the regular season. Two years ago, Greenwood lost to Pine Bluff, and neither scored in the second half. “We want to be different from all of the teams before us,” Noland said. “It’s a clean slate. Let’s start something new.” It seems like a short time ago when Noland showed up as a young bushytailed, wide-eyed freshman who moved from Reno, Nev., back to his family’s hometown of Greenwood. Now, his senior year is set to begin. “I remember when I was freshman, I never thought I’d be old,” Noland said. “Now, I’m here.” After splitting time as a sophomore and a junior with Luke Hales, the helm is now all his. “He’s the guy,” Greenwood head coach Rick Jones said. “It’s a unique situation for a guy who’s as talented as he is because he could have easily been a fouryear starter in about any situation. He’s enjoyed not having to share first-team reps. He’s enjoyed being the guy.”

Greenwood senior Connor Noland takes over as the Bulldogs’ full-time starting quarterback this season. [JAMIE MITCHELL/TIMES RECORD]

Noland started six games last year, including the season opener against Northside when the Bulldogs came out with a special package with Noland at quarterback and Hales at receiver. Hales resumed as starting quarterback until he started suffering shoulder soreness. Noland then started the final five games of the season, including the state championship game loss to Russellville. “The credit for both of them, Connor and Luke, and their families had they not handled that situation the way they did it could have been a disaster,” Jones said. “I have a lot of respect for both of them and their families for the way they handled it. There’s always going to be bumps in the road. They got along well, and they both helped us win.” Two seasons, 24-2 record, and two state championship game appearances is hard to top. Obviously, the old football adage about a team having two quarterbacks isn’t always correct. “The old adage that if you have two quarterbacks you don’t have any, that’s totally wrong,” Jones said. “We proved that totally wrong.”

In the last two years, Noland has thrown for 2,933 yards and 27 touchdowns, completing 221-of-331 passes for Greenwood. In his career, he’s 302of-517 passing for 4,125 yards and 32 touchdowns, counting his freshman year at Bishop Manogue in Reno, Nev. “The thing about having Connor as the first-team guy is that’s easier to build around one guy,” Jones said. “They had different skill sets. They can both run and they can both throw, but it was in a totally different way. I’d love to have two guys like that every year.” Aside from the last five games, Noland didn’t play more than a couple of series consecutively. “It’s not really a change, just more rhythm because I’m in there every play,” Noland said. “I get a feel for the wide receivers.” Taking over the spotlight as the fulltime starting quarterback sometimes is a daunting task. Not for Noland. “He has confidence with humility,” Jones said. “It’s rare in this day. It’s hard to get the right balance. You want the quarterback to believe he can

beat anybody, to hit a home run every at-bat, to strike every batter out. He’s an extremely confident kid but has a sense of humility. Because he’s in the limelight, he realizes he’s in the limelight. It’s a unique situation when you combine the football and baseball.” Noland has been a top pitching prospect since he was a freshman in Nevada. In fact, he spent this summer going to Arizona, Atlanta and Florida for baseball. He’s committed to playing football at the University of Arkansas, but coach Bret Bielema has agreed to share him with baseball coach Dave Van Horn and the Razorback baseball team. The fact that he will be allowed to play both is why he will be a Razorback. The two sports together have helped make Noland a calm, confident player. “The stage is not going to be an issue,” Jones said. “He’s pitched in those highly competitive situations with pro scouts. It’s not going to be any moment too big.” Noland said: “There’s no extra pressure. I just have to perform and play my game. I’m used to it by now.”

S10 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

VAN BUREN POINTERS Pair of QBs to lead Van Buren’s new spread attack By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

he Van Buren Pointers have scrapped the run-oriented flexbone for the spread, and what better time than with two good quarterbacks and an experienced running back. “We’ve got two quarterbacks right now that have looked good,” said Van Buren head coach Greg Werner. “Whoever isn’t starting at quarterback is going to play somewhere.” Senior Caleb Salisbury (6-2, 200) started last year and will be at the trigger of Van Buren's (2-8 last year, 1-6 in the 7A-West) offense again this year, but junior Christian Morrow (6-0, 170) will also certainly play there some, too. Both will also likely play receiver. Salisbury caught a long touchdown pass from Morrow in the spring scrimmage. Senior running back Walter Green (5-8, 175) led the 7A-West in rushing during the regular season with 1,026 on 126 carries and scored seven touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns, and those numbers are expected to go up. “He’ll do a lot because he can catch it,” Werner said. “He’s put in the work in the offseason; he’s gotten a lot better. His speed has increased. He’s in line for a big season. He’s going to get a lot more touches this season, which will be big.” Senior Derek King (6-1, 280) is the only starter returning from last year’s Van Buren team up front, but senior Nathan Westbrook (6-0, 310) is a move-in. “We’re a lot bigger with King coming back, and Westbrook is a move-in,” Werner said. “He started at Allen, Texas, and they play some good football down there.” King will move to right tackle this year with Westbrook playing beside him at guard. Senior Cameron Gattis (6-1, 265) and junior Lincoln Smith (5-10, 200) have been working at center. Seniors Ethan Walters (5-8, 235) and Justin Smith (6-3, 320) are working at left guard, although both can also

Van Buren quarterback Caleb Salisbury runs through a tackle attempt by Rogers defensive back Ethan Cook, right, as Kamryn Dickerson closes in at Citizens Bank Field in Van Buren on Friday Oct. 7, 2016. [AARON SHAFFER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RECORD]

play tackle. Senior Zach Wilson (603, 265) has filled the left tackle spot. One thing that easily stands out about the line is the Pointers will have size. “That’s where we’ve gained the most,” Werner said. “For the first time in a long, long time, we can put what looks like a 7A-West offensive line on the field.” While most of the front line will be seniors, they have some others vying for time. “We’ve got some younger kids, too,” Werner said. “We’ve identified nine or 10 kids that can play up front on offense in any situation, so we’ve got some depth there. We do have some younger kids coming behind them that can play a little bit.” Two good quarterbacks, a good running back and the biggest offensive line in more than a decade. So what’s missing? Pass catchers at receiver, where

Van Buren returns no receptions from a year ago. “We’re not bringing back any catches from last year,” Werner said. “It will be a big deal to get those kids some experience.”

Seniors Isaac Lipe (6-2, 230), Brycen St. Mary (5-8, 155), and juniors Logan Humphreys (6-4, 200), Dylan Dye (5-10, 165) and Brayden Fimple (6-2, >>>

Times Record

Van Buren running back Walter Green shakes off a tackle attempt by Rogers cornerback Josh Palacios at Citizens Bank Field in Van Buren on Friday Oct. 7, 2016. [AARON SHAFFER/ SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RECORD]

175) are working at the positions along with Salisbury and Morrow. “We feel good about the ones we have,” Werner said. “We’re just not bringing any experience. In 7-on7, we’ve thrown and caught it well. I’ve been impressed with what we’re coming from last year. I think we have a good group. They just need some time. They need some Friday nights.” Van Buren will mostly line up with three receivers with either junior Hunter Gregory (6-0, 190), Fisher Wagner (6-0, 195) or sophomore Brayden Rivas (5-8, 170) at fullback in a two-back set. “We do have a good group that have done a good job there,” Werner said. “It’s more of a sniffer back. When we move Walter to the outside, they’ll go to the running back spot and carry it some.” While the Pointers have a lot settled on offense, defense is a whole other matter. Senior Jayden Mendez (6-2, 280) returns at one of the tackle spots, senior Logan Osman (5-11, 170) is back at linebacker and Isaac Davis (5-11, 170) returns at corner. Other than that, faces on defense are new and in a lot of cases still undecided. It does start up front with Mendez, who had 32 tackles last year, six for loss and three sacks. “He had a tremendous offseason,” Werner said. “He’s done well. He had a good summer. He’ll definitely be a leader on that side of the ball.” Mendez may line up with a lot of different guys beside him. “It will by committee,” Werner said. “I don’t think at that spot it will be the same guy every time.” Gattis and Westbrook are two, though, who will definitely see some time there. Lipe moves to end after starting last year at linebacker, where he had 54 tackles, including three for loss, with two forced fumbles and an interception. “That’s been a good move for him,” Werner said. “It allows him to be good there but it also allows him to play offense more.” Humphreys, Wilson, Fimple and Miles Kuykendall (6-2, 200) will all see playing time at the two end spots. After Osman, it’s also pretty unsettled at the other linebacker positions. “Osman is the returner and after that shake it up,” Werner said. “We have a lot of young kids that will play there. We feel good about them but we did a

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Werner

Salisbury

Green

King

Westbrook

Gattis

Smith

Walters

Wilson

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lot of moving and shuffling. We had to get better at linebacker.” Seniors Caibyn Bainbridge (5-8, 200) and Paul Harwood (5-9, 175), juniors Christian Carney (6-0, 165), Seth Weir (6-1, 180) and Fisher Wagner (6-0, 195) and sophomore Geoffrey Scott (6-0, 160) are competing for those two spots. “We have a crew of about eight of them that we’ve got to find the top three or fourth,” Werner said. “We’ve got some good athletes, we’ve just got to teach them to play the position.” Davis will be at one corner in addition to filling the backup role on offense behind Green. Sophomores Ethan Harris (5-7, 145) and Jude Bartholomew (6-0, 165) are vying for the other corner position. Junior Landry Wilkerson (5-11, 170) will play safety and be joined by either senior Tallon Holman (6-0, 160) or Dye. That leaves a lot to be decided on defense before the season. “The defense is playing well and playing extremely hard, and getting after it,” Werner said. “We’ve just got a lot of spots to fill. We just have to figure out who is going to figure in where. We have quite a few kids that can play, we just don’t know exactly the best ones. It will be critical to find that will be the ones for us.” The kicking duties are in good hands with senior Josue Recinos (5-8, 150). “He’s been fantastic,” Werner said. “He’s pretty special. From 40 in, he’s on the money.”

S12 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Salisbury is ready for shotgun spread Van Buren QB and workhorse RB Walter Green will lead new, aggressive offense for Pointers By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

What quarterback wouldn’t love to move from an offense based on the run to one that will pass more. “I love it,” Caleb Salisbury said. “I can’t wait. I love to throw it.” Salisbury threw just 88 passes last year for 580 yards and six touchdowns. That should go up as the Pointers return to the shotgun Spread formation. Salisbury did run 105 times last year for 251 yards and two scores, but this year it will be more open field for him. “We’re spacing out, and we’re not under center anymore,” Salisbury said. “That’s a plus for me. I like it a lot better. I’m able to run a little more. It gives us more passing than just running it up the middle like we did last year. It’s probably 60-40 run-pass.” Just the air around the Pointers seems different this year, especially for the seniors. “Everybody is so hyped for this season,” Salisbury said. “We’re coming out like brothers. We’re hyped for it and can’t wait for it to get here.” Salisbury will also benefit from having the leading rusher in the 7A-West last year back for his senior campaign in Walter Green. “He’s a big threat for us,” Salisbury said. “I’m very happy to have him back. I can’t wait to see what he does this year.” Green will also benefit in the change to a more spaced out attack, both running the ball and catching the ball in the open field. “Last year, he got a lot of touches because we were in the run offense, but his year him being able to space out and catch a pass and get in the open field one on one against somebody he’s deadly like that,” Salisbury said. “He’s too shifty for that.” Salisbury also benefits from having a big offensive line in front of him bolstered by returnee Derek King and move-in Nathan Westbrook from Texas. “They’re big and tough,” Salisbury

Van Buren quarterback Caleb Salisbury says he is looking forward to the Pointers’ shotgun spread formation. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

said. “We’re a lot bigger than we were last year. Nathan came in and brought that winning attitude.” Salisbury, though, doesn’t have the luxury of an experience receiver. None of his 32 completions last year in the run-oriented attack were to receivers who didn’t graduate. That doesn’t matter to Salisbury, though. “The receivers, we’ve been doing 7-on-7 and team camp,” Salisbury said.

“They’ve got their reps. They’re putting the work in. They like to catch the ball. I think they’ll do great.” Salisbury and the other 31 seniors want to be the class that turns it around for the Pointers. “Our group won a lot coming up,” Salisbury said. “We haven’t done what we’ve wanted to do the last two years, so we’re all hungry. We’re ready to win.”

“Everybody is so hyped for this season. We’re coming out like brothers. We’re hyped for it and can’t wait for it to get here.” Caleb Salisbury

Times Record

Sunday, August 27, 2017

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‘Fiery’ Alexander propels on both sides of ball In first year at position, Alma linebacker led team in tackles last season By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

Alma’s leading tackler last season, Tyler Alexander, returns for his senior season as an Airedales linebacker and will also contribute on the offensive side of the ball. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

Tyler Alexander has that competitive fire and confident attitude, and he’s going to show it off on both offense and defense this season. “He’d be one of our better receivers if he played receiver; he’d be one our better running backs if he played running back,” said Alma defensive coordinator Eric Marsh. “If you ask him, he’d be one of the best quarterbacks to come through Alma. He’s competitive. He’s fiery.” That competitiveness was evident last season when Alexander led the Airedales in tackles as a linebacker in his first season to start. “He wasn’t our leading tackler until the playoffs,” Marsh said. “He overtook a couple of other guys in the playoffs with big games. Tyler knows how to show up in big games.” In a first-round win against Blytheville, Alexander had 19 tackles, including 15 solo takedowns. In a second-round loss to Watson Chapel, he had 11 tackles. He finished the season with 111, including 72 solos. “It was his first year to start, and he really came on strong as the year went on,” Alma head coach Doug Loughridge said. “Just having his physical presence over there, he will be a ringleader on defense.” He played outside

linebacker last year, but moves to the inside this year when Alma’s lined up in a 3-4. “I’m not playing outside linebacker, I’m playing inside so I play dog, like a sniffer where I just spy the quarterback,” Alexander said. When Alma’s lined up in a 4-3, Alexander switches back to weakside linebacker. “I’m the Willie (weakside) linebacker,” Alexander said. “I played a lot of zone last year. This year, I’m playing a lot of man. I wouldn’t say it’s different. I like it, I get to hit more. At rover, I had to drop back in coverage. At Willie, I can drop back and play man.” Alexander will also see time in the offensive backfield as a blocking black because of his physical presence but also as a runner. “He’s a big physical body,” Loughridge said. “He runs like a back, and he’s mean.” No defensive coach likes sharing their top defensive player with the offense, but Marsh realizes the overall advantages. “He has the skill of an offensive player,” Marsh said. “Our offense is going

“(Alexander is) a calming presence for the other guys, knowing that if they do their job he’s going to clean up and he’s going to make a play. He’s going to swing momentum.” Eric Marsh, Alma defensive coordinator

to use him in places just because of his skill set. He’s going to be moved around and given a lot of things to do on offense. He has a lot of ability.” Defense, though, is still where he means the most to the Airedales. “It’s nice to have a guy that has already done it and has confidence to perform in big games,” Marsh said. “He’s a calming presence for the other guys, knowing that if they do their job he’s going to clean up and he’s going to make a play. He’s going to swing momentum. He’s done that in practice all fall camp; made a play, made a hit, made an interception, something that swings the momentum back to us. He’s one of the more talented kids I’ve ever coached.”

S14 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

Alma wide receiver Dillon Crims, center, goes by Blytheville’s Malik Smith, left, for extra yards on Nov. 11, 2016 during the home playoff game at Airedale Stadium. [AARON SHAFFER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RECORD]

ALMA AIREDALES Alma builds around strong nucleus on defense in 2017 By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

he Alma Airedales will rely on defense early, and it’s more than capable. Ends Zach Henson and Zach Oliver return as well as linebackers Tyler Alexander and Kaleb Pike, and cornerback Brayden Johnson.

“We’ve got more returning faces on defense,” Alma head coach Doug Loughridge said. “That’s a good nucleus to build around.” Alexander (6-2, 220) led the team in tackles with 111 on Alma’s 8-4 team which lost in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Henson (6-3, 255), who started the final seven games of the year, was Alma’s sack leader with 4½ a year ago as just a sophomore. “He’s bigger, faster and strong,” Loughridge said. “He can move.”

Pike (5-11, 175) had 85 tackles and four for loss. Oliver (6-2, 215) had 65 tackles with five for loss and four sacks. Johnson (6-3, 195) had two interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries last year. Garrison Jensen led the team with 13 tackles for lost yardage last year and earned All-State honors as a linebacker. His time on defense will be limited this year, although not eliminated altogether, as he moves to quarterback full time this season.

“We feel good about our linebackers,” Loughridge said. “Jensen was All-State and is going over to that side of the ball, but having his presence on defense in practice and just knowing he’s a guy we can go to anytime on the field.” Up front, seniors Nathan Alexander (6-0, 235), who logged a few starts last year, and Donovan King (5-7, 185) and sophomore Karsten Beneux (6-2, 195) are working to fill in the gaps of Alma’s >>>

Times Record

defense, which will line up in both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments. “We were kind of short on linemen last year, so put our 3-front stuff in with 3-front personnel,” Loughridge said. “We put more athletes on the field. We’re able to be more multiple on defense.” Joining Alexander and Pike at linebacker will be Keegan Rosebeary (6-0, 185) started last year when Alma was its 3-4 alignment. Juniors Tommy Patton (5-11, 185) and Bryson Treadaway (6-0, 200), and sophomore Josh Davis (5-8, 175) are vying for the other spot. In the secondary, junior Coltin Bowerman (6-2, 165), who played some last year, and Austin Fraley (6-2, 185) will join the 6-3 Johnson there as well as junior Tanner Shelton (6-2, 188). “We like our height in the secondary,” Loughridge said. “We feel good about the guys there on the back end.” Johnson is the only full-time returning starter on offense and earned All-State honors. Johnson led the state in receiving last year during the regular season and finished the season with 81 receptions 1,144 and nine touchdowns. This year, his role will be expanded on offense. “He’s already broken our career reception record,” Loughridge said. “Now, it’s just how high does he want to set it. We’re going to move him around and get him the ball. We’re going to be pretty creative with him.” Jensen, although not a returning starter, has plenty of experience on offense, too. “He’s not a newbie,” Loughridge said. “As a sophomore, he took us down the field and beat Conway whenever we had two guys get knocked out. Last year, he led us in touchdowns scored in our short-yardage package. He’s taken over when he left off last year.” Jensen scored 16 touchdowns last year and threw two touchdown passes. “He always had the full playbook but now we’re giving him the full playbook,” Loughridge said. “We don’t consider him inexperienced.” Jensen only attempted 18 passes last year, completing 12 for 129 yards. “He was great last year, he went every series in 7-on-7,” Loughridge said. “He’s a different quarterback; he’s a role-out play-action guy where he’s a big body and get him on the end and on the run.” Senior Christian Snipes (6-1, 185) moved to Alma from Union Christian

Alma receiver Brayden Johnson catches a pass and goes 70 yards for a touchdown against Harrison at Airedale Stadium in Alma, Oct. 21, 2016.

Alma’s Caleb Lamproe, left, catches a deep pass before Van Buren’s Ranze McDonnor can tackle him just shy of the end zone Aug. 30, 2016, during the Hooten’s Classic game in Alma. [PHOTOS BY AARON SHAFFER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RECORD]

over the summer and is serving as backup, but will see some playing time at quarterback. “He will be a package guy,” Loughridge said. “He’s playing catchup, but the things he has learned over the summer he’s good at. He’s got a good arm and he’s smart. He knows where to touch the ball. We really like

having him back there. He’ll help us.” Senior Dillon Crims (5-7, 130) logged a couple of starts last year and returns at running back. “He was one of our better lifters at the state weight meet,” Loughridge said. “He’s our Swiss army knife, he can catch the ball out of the backfield and he can run it.”

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Loughridge

Oliver

Pike

Johnson

S15

Alexander

Tyler Alexander has worked some in the backfield as well as Pike and Davis. Zach Oliver and senior Kenneth Standley (5-10, 155), and senior Aidan Walker (5-8, 150) are working at receivers. The offensive line lost every starter. Junior Levi Prestidge (6-2, 240) started one series of one game last year as a sophomore and is the most experienced lineman on offense. “They’ve gotten better every day,” Loughridge said. “This is probably the most athletic group of linemen that we’ve ever had here.” Henson, who’s a catcher for Alma’s baseball team, has filled the bill at left tackle. “He’s been a fullback, tight end type guy,” Loughridge said. “We sat him down and talked to him before the season and told him the best thing for our team is that he goes to left tackle. I don’t know if I’ve had a left tackle like him. He’s unbelievable. He’s took it and ran with it. We’re still working out the nuts and bolts and the fundamentals of him playing.” Prestidge will be at the other tackle. Junior Eli Aleck (6-3, 240) will play guard along with juniors Darion Crawford (5-11, 235) and Dylan Porter (6-0, 300). Nathan Alexander and senior Eli Jenkins (5-10, 180) are working at center. “We’ve got seven or eight guys that can go in at any time that are pretty versatile,” Loughridge said. “Most of those are juniors. Out of our whole senior class we have two linemen, and those guys are good. I don’t worry about it, they’re going to have to get out there and get battle-tested.” Walker converted 50-of-54 tries after touchdown last year and added both of his field goal attempts. Johnson handles the punting duties and averaged 32.1 yards per boot last year.

S16 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2017 ARKANSAS Alma Aug. 29 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

at Van Buren at Springdale Greenwood at Vilonia Farmington Morrilton at Clarksville at Harrison Greenbrier Maumelle

Booneville Sept. 1 Pea Ridge Sept. 8 at Gravette Sept. 15 at Vilonia Sept. 22 Pottsville Sept. 29 at Ozark Oct. 6 Dover Oct. 13 at Waldron Oct. 20 Dardanelle Oct. 27 West Fork Nov. 3 at Subiaco Academy Cedarville Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 2

Mountainburg at Waldron Pocola (Okla.) at Charleston Perrysville Mansﬁeld at Atkins Lamar Paris at Two Rivers

Charleston Aug. 29 at Dardanelle Sept. 8 Episcopal Sept. 15 at Ozark Sept. 22 Cedarville Sept. 29 at Paris Oct. 6 Two Rivers Oct. 13 at Lamar Oct. 20 Atkins Oct. 27 at Perryville Nov. 3 Mansﬁeld Clarksville Sept. 1 at Lamar Sept. 8 Ozark Sept. 15 at Dardanelle Sept. 22 at Farmington Sept. 29 Harrison Oct. 6 at Maumelle Oct. 13 Alma Oct. 20 Greenbrier

Oct. 27 Nov. 6

Vilonia at Morrilton

Greenwood Sept. 1 Northside Sept. 8 Southside Sept. 15 at Alma Sept. 22 at Texarkana Sept. 29 El Dorado Oct. 6 Siloam Springs Oct. 13 at Russellville Oct. 20 at Benton Oct. 27 Sheridan Nov. 3 at Lake Hamilton Hackett Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 2

Pocola at Mountainburg Magazine at Western Yell County Decatur at Danville at Mountainburg Lavaca Johnson County Westside

Johnson County Westside Sept. 1 Woodlawn Sept. 15 at Western Yell County Sept. 22 at Lavaca Sept. 29 Danville Oct. 6 at Mountainburg Oct. 13 at Decatur Oct. 20 Magazine Oct. 27 Western Yell County Nov. 2 at Hackett Lavaca Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Magazine Sept. 1 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

at Gentry at Danville Dover Johnson County Westside at Mountainburg Western Yell County at Magazine Palestine-Wheatley at Hackett Decatur

Mount Ida at Hackett Decatur at Danville Lavaca at Johnson County Westside Mountainburg at Western Yell County

Southside quarterback Taye Gatewood is pulled down by Northside’s Robert Wilkerson on Nov. 4, 2016, at Mayo-Thompson Stadium. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD] Mansﬁeld Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 6

at Waldron Greenland at Lincoln Paris Lamar at Cedarville at Two Rivers Perryville Atkins at Charleston

Mountainburg Sept. 1 at Cedarville Sept. 8 Hackett Sept. 15 Danville Sept. 22 at Decatur Sept. 29 Lavaca Oct. 6 Johnson County Westside Oct. 13 at Western Yell County Oct. 20 Hackett Oct. 27 at Magazine

Northside Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

at Greenwood Van Buren at Pine Bluff Bryant Central at Catholic Conway at North Little Rock Cabot at Southside

Paris Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Yellville-Summit Dardanelle at Hector at Mansﬁeld Charleston Atkins at Perryville Two Rivers at Cedarville Lamar

Ozark Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Gravette at Clarksville Charleston at Waldron Booneville at Subiaco Academy West Fork at Pottsville Dardanelle at Dover

Southside Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Har-Ber at Greenwood Heritage at Conway at Cabot North Little Rock at Bryant Catholic at Central Northside

Times Record

Sunday, August 27, 2017

S17

TEAM SCHEDULES Keota Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 2 Muldrow Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Vian running back Terron Moses cuts through Muldrow’s defense to pick up 24 yards on Aug. 26, 2016, at Marty Rogers Field in Muldrow. [AARON SHAFFER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RECORD] Subiaco Academy Sept. 1 Brinkley Sept. 8 at Lamar Sept. 15 Panama (Okla.) Sept. 22 West Fork Sept. 29 at Dover Oct. 6 Ozark Oct. 13 at Dardanelle Oct. 20 Waldron Oct. 27 at Pottsville Nov. 3 Booneville Van Buren Aug. 29 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Waldron Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15

Alma at Northside at Siloam Springs Bentonville West Bentonville at Heritage Rogers at Springdale at Har-Ber at Fayetteville

Mansﬁeld Cedarville at Mena

Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Ozark at West Fork at Pottsville Booneville at Subiaco Academy Dover at Daranelle

OKLAHOMA Arkoma Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

at SW Covenant Arkansas Christian Webbers Falls Midway Canadian at Watts Keota at Cave Springs Gans at Porum

Central Aug. 24 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22

Checotah JV at Commerce at Panama Muldrow Quinton

Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Gans Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Heavener Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

at Savanna at Gore at Pocola Talihina at Warner

Panama Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27

Dewar at Regent Prep at Canadian at Oaks Cave Springs at Porum Keota at Arkoma at Watts

Pocola Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

at Haskell Panama at Stilwell Valliant Vian at Eufaula at Roland at Muldrow Stigler Idabel

Poteau Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Oaks at Weleetka at Webbers Falls Depew at Wetumka Porum at Arkoma at Gans Watts at Cave Springs

at Vian at Stilwell Spiro at Central Henryetta Idabel Eufaula Heavener at Roland at Stigler

Warner at Heavener Central at Subiaco (Ark.) Hartshorne Valliant at Antlers at Wilburton Hugo at Spiro

at Hackett (Ark.) Poteau JV at Cedarville (Ark.) Talihina Gore at Warner Central at Quinton Savanna at Broken Bow JV

Durant at Tulsa Hale DeQueen (Ark.) at Metro Christian at Fort Gibson Stilwell at Sallisaw Tulsa Rogers at Broken Bow Hilldale

Roland Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

at Checotah at Spiro Sequoyah-Tahlequah at Keys at Stigler Heavener at Idabel Muldrow Eufaula

Sallisaw Sept.1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 28 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Catoosa at Stigler Tahlequah at Hilldale at Tulsa Rogers Broken Bow Poteau at Stilwell Fort Gibson at Metro Christian

Spiro Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Roland at Muldrow at Stigler Eufaula Wilburton at Hugo Valliant at Antlers Panama at Hartshorne

Stigler Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Westville at Hartshorne Sallisaw Spiro at Haskell Roland at Idabel at Eufaula at Heavener Muldrow

Vian Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 19 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

Muldrow Eufaula at Prairie Grove (Ark.) at Sequoyah-Tahlequah at Heavener Holdenville at Wewoka Haskell Okemah at Henryetta

S18 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

PARIS EAGLES With thin roster, Paris turns to conditioning By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

Hutson

he word at the top of the dryerase board with the Eagles' practice schedule in mid-August said it all. Conditioning. Paris is only 25 strong this season, bolstered by nine seniors. “If they’re on offense, they’ll probably play defense,” said Paris head coach Bryan Hutson. “We have to get them ready to go. Right there, conditioning.” The lineup, including some key positions, changed a lot from spring drills. “From what I thought we were going to have in March to what we have has changed,” Hutson said. “We still have a good core group, we just lost a lot of depth.” Last year, Paris started junior Preston Drewry at quarterback but he was lost in the second game of the year with an injury. He moved to Mississippi during the offseason. Another starter moved to Sylvan Hills. Paris lost a move-in who would have played two positions after suffering a season-ending knee injury before this season even started. “It went from having a lot of depth, some quality depth to not having any depth,” Hutson said. “We’ll do the best we can. It will adjust our practices a little bit.” Hutson returns to the helm after a two-year hiatus from coaching, taking over as principal. When Marc Tucker left for a junior high position in Russellville, Hutson was asked to take over his former position. “It was something that I thought was the best for the kids,” Hutson said. “It was a chance to get back in and do something that I love. It was something that was best for everybody involved.” Senior Kris Graham (5-10, 180) moved into the quarterback role last year and took to it pretty well, guiding the Eagles into the second-round of the Class 3A playoffs before losing to Fordyce, 22-12. Paris finished 7-5 overall, including 5-2 in the 3A-4. Seniors Dakovan Wise (5-9, 170) and Justus Lee (6-0, 170) will man the

Charleston quarterback Jackson Rowland attempts to get away from Paris tackle Treverton Bryant in Charleston on Sept. 30, 2016 [AARON SHAFFER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RECORD]

running back positions, teaming up with Graham for a fast backfield. “All three of those guys can go,” Hutson said. “Dakovan has gotten stronger. When he gets into the open field, he’s dangerous. Justus played some running back a year ago.” Junior George Poole (5-11, 215) is playing for the first time in three years and will help in the backfield. On the line, junior Trenton Hice (6-1, 230) returns at tackle and junior Guy Lovelace (6-1, 240) is back at guard. Senior Yobani Mendoza (5-11, 255) will play center. Junior Noah Davis (6-0, 200) and sophomore Adrian Lowmiller (5-11, 230) have been working on the line, too. “Our line has some experience, but they’re still young,” Hutson said. “We don’t have very many senior, so that’s good for next year. We like the line.” Junior Travis Bryant (5-10, 175) moves from the line to tight end and possibly even will play in the backfield. Junior Kevin Swafford (5-11, 170) is also working at tight end. Senior J.P. Potts (5-11, 170) “will be a weapon” at wideout for the Eagles, Hutson said. Defensively, Davis will see time on the line. Bryant, Davis and Poole are all working on the line. Graham will see time at an outside

linebacker as well as Swafford and Senior Matt Ezell (5-7, 165), who moves to linebacker from safety. Wise will be a three-year starter at cornerback and will be joined by Lee at

Graham

Wise

the other corner spot. Potts will see time in the secondary. Defensively, the alignment will depend on the opponent, but the Eagles have versatility because Lee that’s what is needed in the conference. “Our conference is so versatile,” Hutson said. “We have teams that run Wing-T, and teams that run complete no-huddle Spread. It’s hard to run the same defense against those teams. Our kids are very adept from week to week to what we have to do. We may line up with five down linemen because the team we’re playing is running the split-back veer. The next week if we play a team with five-wide, we’ll be 3-5. That’s the pleasure of this group. There are a lot of kids that have about the same size. It’s a blessing.”

Times Record

Sunday, August 27, 2017

S19

BOONEVILLE BEARCATS Bearcats primed for deep run at 4A-4 title By Kevin Taylor ktaylor@swtimes.com

he Booneville Bearcats don’t get much pity from anyone outside the bubble. And that’s OK. When you’ve won as many conference championships and state titles, no one is going to feel sorry for you. The Bearcats, 6-5 a year ago, hope a year of experience leads to more success in tight games. Booneville opens the season Friday at home against Pea Ridge. “We’ve had a couple of down years here and there, (but) last year we could have easily finished 8-and-2 or 9-and1,” Hyatt said. “We lost four games by 10 points or less, but part of that was playing a lot of sophomores. “If we stay healthy, and we’re in great shape, then I feel pretty good about it.” Like everyone else, a large degree of the Bearcats’ success hinges on the play of its defense, the success of the

offensive line, and the ability to play a 10-game schedule without any monster injuries. “The offensive line, I feel like we can be pretty successful there,” Hyatt said. “If I can get those kids to come along, we’ve got enough speed that we can nickle and dime you to death. The last couple of years we haven’t had that.” Carson Ray (420 yards and Grant Rodatz (333 yards) averaged 5.8 and 5.4 yards per carry, respectively, last season. Both will also play a ton of defense. Junior Brandon Ulmer takes over on a full-time basis at quarterback. The fleet-of-foot quarterback, who shared some of the duties early with Hayden Fennell before earning the job, ran for 352 yards and passed for 377 yards last season. “He’s the quarterback; if he gets hurt we’re in trouble,” Hyatt said. “I’ve got a sophomore that’s going to be a pretty good one here; his dad (John Schlinkler) was quarterback here in ‘90-91. He’s real skinny, and last year he broke his Booneville quarterback Brandon Ulmer, left, breaks free from Batesville Southside’s Brian Allen last season. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

See BEARCATS, S24

CEDARVILLE PIRATES Young Cedarville team looks to finish strong By George Mitchell Press Argus Courier

Crowley

inish. It’s what Cedarville aims to do this season. Last season, the Pirates lost three games by a total 13 points and another by 14. Cedarville was just four touchdowns away from possibly having a 6-4 season in 2016. However, the Pirates won its third non-conference game at Pocola (2814), suffered a six-game loss string before ending the season with a 54-6 rout at Two Rivers. “We want to finish it and win those close games,” said coach Max Washausen, who enters his second full year as head coach.

Craft

Wertenberger

The squad has five returning starters on offense and six on defense with a small senior class, but the coach is optimistic for the long-term health of the program. “We got quite a few sophomores who will be starting for us,” Washausen said. Returning to the squad on offense is seniors Keaton Crowley at quarterback, Bryson Craft at wingback, Lane Wertenberger at tackle, juniors Dylan Murray, Billy Mongold at tackle. Nathan Heaton returns on defense. Cedarville has some competition among the positions with just 25 players

on the roster this season. Crowley and Austin Rinehart both have taken snaps as quarterback. Tate Larue and Jose Chavez will take turns fullback. “I feel comfortable with both of them out there,” Washausen added. Running back could include Bryce Calhoun, Isaiah Lawson and Dylan Murray, who has been rotating into other spots in the offensive backfield for the Pirates. Heaton returns to help on the offensive line along with Mongold, Wertenberger, along with Brayden Russell and Blaine Small will be guards. Cedarville will have to replace its entire defensive line. Russell will see time on the defensive line with Alex Ascencio and Heaton. Mongold returns at linebacker with Craft, Wyatt Frazee, Murray, and Larue. The Pirates will sport a 3-3 stack on

defense and will rotate five linebackers. Lawson, Crowley will help anchor the defensive backfield with the safety spots up for grabs. “We have to keep kids healthy and have guys be able to play multiple positions like Dylan Murray,” Washausen said. “I know I’ve been saying Murray’s name a lot, but he knows every position on offense and every position on defense. He’s just a smart football savvy kid.” Last season, Cedarville was just two points away in its 20-18 loss to Lamar for the No. 4 seed for the playoffs. “If we win the close ones we make the playoffs, so we have to win the close games this year,” Washausen said. “Charleston and Atkins will always be at the top. Don’t know what Paris has this year, but we’ve seen Perryville, Mansfield, and Lamar in team camps and we looked a lot like them. So I feel pretty good about our chances.”

S20 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

HACKETT HORNETS Hackett returns experience for 2017 By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

season ago, Hackett exceeded the expectations of its coach. “Last year, coming in at this time, we thought, ‘We’re young, they’ve got to step up and play or we’re going to be in trouble,’” coach Lonnie Hester said. But for the second straight season, the Hornets finished 10-2 and reached the second round of the 2A playoffs. With a more experienced roster for 2017, the sky’s the limit for the Hornets. “We have some good juniors and seniors and lost a couple of guys that had big shoes we had to fill,” Hester said. “But for the most part, our first week of fall camp, it’s been a continuation of what we’ve done and that’s what we’ve talked to the boys about, just adding a little time to it. “If you look at our team, we’ve got a lot of juniors at linemen and skill players that were a lot of sophomores from last year, so we’re a big junior-senior team and we’ve only got four sophomores this year. Going in, we told them to go in with a chip on their shoulder; don’t go in with the expectation of hey, we want to do better, we want to take each game one game at a time.” The Hornets will have to replace allstate quarterback Ely Stormes, who threw for more than 30 touchdowns last season as a senior. But Hester’s son Brady (5-foot-10, 150 pounds), a junior, moves into the role after having been a wide receiver in 2016. “We were able to groom him because he was the quarterback of that ninth grade team that went undefeated, so we knew what was going to happen after Ely got done, we would move (Brady Hester) over,” Lonnie Hester said. The Hornets also return the services of junior tailback Cooper Shipman (6-1, 165), who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore. Pacey McBride, another junior, plays a slot position. “He’s probably our most elusive kid on the team and he plays safety for us as well,” Hester said of McBride. Taking over for Brady Hester at wideout

Hackett quarterback Brady Hester leads the Hornets through drills during practice on Aug. 8. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

will be senior Malachi Crone (5-10, 175), who had played running back. Anthony Collins, a junior, will be the tight end. Hackett will utilize a senior-laden offensive line. Jon Dunn (5-7, 220), who had played tackle, moves over to play center. Tyler Edwards (6-0, 223), Trevon Blanton (6-2, 225), Beau Nelson (6-1, 180) and Ty Holt rounds out the rest of the Hornets up front. “We’ve been pretty successful at being balanced; we feel like we can run or throw,” Hester said. “We try to stay as close to 50/50 as we can. ... If somebody’s beating us one way, we’re going to try and beat them the other way, just trying to play a chess match with them and we’ve been successful with that.” On defense, the Hornets return the services of last season’s leading tackler, junior middle linebacker Matthew Carter (5-10, 220). They will also have

depth on the line, headed up by Dunn, a returning starter at defensive tackle. Holt, Blanton and senior Sean McBride are others to watch up front. “If you had to look at our team right now, I think our strong point’s our defensive line,” Hester said. “We feel like we’ve got six kids that we can get in and out of there that can all play ball and they’re all big, aggressive and strong. Then you’ve got Matthew Carter coming back to plug that hole in the middle. ... We feel like we’re strong up front on defense.” Assisting Carter at inside linebacker is Nelson, with junior Roland Smith and senior Liam Connelly providing depth. At outside linebacker, Crone and junior Bradley Martin (5-10, 165) are the projected starters. Collins, who had been an outside linebacker last season, will be moved to cornerback, with Shipman on the other side. Pacey

L. Hester

B. Hester

Crone

Edwards

Blanton

Holt

McBride will be the safety. “Having so many guys back, we’re not having to reteach a lot of things or go over a lot of stuff that a lot of people have to do in fall camp,” Hester said. “We just tried to tweak some small stuff.”

Times Record

Sunday, August 27, 2017

S21

MANSFIELD TIGERS

digest what the coaches are bringing to the table, and one-on-one time is something Bentley didn’t have going for him last August. The Mansfield Tigers aren’t promising to win a state championship. But they’re not going to back down from challenges, either. “We’ve been coming out here and working on tackling techniques for six months,” Bentley said. “We’ve been learning how to play our positions for six months. Where we’re young, I still think we’re better football players. Our awareness is better. “I feel like we have a chance to fight.” The Tigers finished 2-8 in Bentley’s first season as the coach. The longtime Mena assistant took the Mansfield job in mid-July. Mansfield lost its first five games by an average of 29 points. But wins over Cedarville and Two Rivers put the Tigers in position to earn a playoff berth. “Like I told the kids last year, we’re in a rebuild, but just because we’re in a

re-build doesn’t mean we’re not going to battle for the playoffs. I feel like we’re going to be right in the thick of things, fighting for that three to five spot. We’re not looking at it and saying we’re young and our year is next year. “These seniors have worked hard.” The Tigers are stronger, too. Bentley had but two players benching over 200 pounds last year. Now he has 13. “That was part of problem last year,” Bentley said. “As the season progressed, we were in position but we just couldn’t make tackles. I think that’s a big thing for us.” Senior Brennan James will be a fulltime cornerback for the Tigers. “Brennan gives us something we didn’t have much of last year, which is a real good cover corner,” Bentley said. “He gives us something we were missing last year. Sophomore Colton Stipins (6-foot4, 206 pounds) will start at defensive end. Blayne Bryant, another sophomore, will anchor one of Mansfield’s linebacker spots. Senior Patrick Koenig wasn’t in the mix until the spring. “He came out and told me he wanted to play,” Bentley said. “He’s added 40 pounds to his bench (press) and 50 on squats.” Sophomore Isaac Cothran, who will start at center, will also get plenty of reps on the defensive line, Bentley said.

“He’s worked hard to get himself ready to go,” Thessing said. “Other than wearing a knee brace, he’s still the same guy he was. In May, he was a little bigger, but now that’s (weight) come off with all the activities we’ve done.” “Darin is kind of the bell cow,” Williams said. “We have some good linebackers back, too. Khamron Belcher (5-9, 190) and Heabren Ulrich (5-10, 160) are good ones. These linebackers remind me of the 2015 team; a lot of guys that can run, and there’s a lot of depth there, too.” Juniors Jaylin Coleman (5-10, 155) returns at cornerback, Williams said. “He played a lot against Northside,” Williams said. “He’s matured and the way he’s playing, I think he’s got a chance to be a good one.”

The same holds true for fellow corner Dee Smith. Another junior, the 6-2, 160-pound Smith started eight games as a sophomore. Junior Mason Gregory, a tough as nails wrestler, will start at safety. The 5-7, 165-pound Gregory, Mason Barcheers and Bennett Weindel. “We have made a lot of progress,” Thessing said. “We have to be able to stay focused and believe in our fundamentals. All signs point that way, but when that time (season) comes, we have to be able to go for it. I’m pleased with how we’re approaching it and how it’s progressing.” “On the back end, we feel pretty good there,” Williams said. “We lost some guys there on the defensive line. We’re not very big but we can run a lot better, which is a major key.

Bentley, Mansfield better prepared going into Year 2 By Kevin Taylor ktaylor@swtimes.com

Bentley

hat does fertilizer, a little rain and a relatively cool summer have to do with the Mansfield

Tigers? It means the once weather-beaten practice field is lush green. And a green practice field isn’t the only thing blooming these days. Confidence is high as well. “It’s nice to have an off-season under our belt and not be here for six weeks and then play a football game,” second-year football coach Craig Bentley said. “We’ve had six months instead of six weeks.” It’s been seven years since the Tigers’ last playoff game. The roster includes a number of sophomores, including firstyear quarterback Ethan Stovall. But the roster is nearly twice as big as it was a year ago — from 17 to 30. “We’re young,” Bentley said. “We’re going to be starting six to seven sophomores. We’ve got a few returning (starters) back, but overall we’re a very young team. “(But) having said that, I think we’re going to better football players.” Time in the weight room, a chance to

MAVS Continued from S2

Poteau, Kale Barcheers figures to take much of the pounding inside. “Both Ricardo and Kale can catch the ball out of the backfield, too,” Williams said. The Mavericks have some depth defensively. And they have a key linebacker who missed more than half of the 2016 season with an ACL injury. Darin Davenport (6-1, 215) was injured late in the Cabot game last season while trying to make a play downfield. Then late in Monday’s scrimmage with Alma, Davenport hobbled off the field with another knee injury.

Stovall

James

Speedy sophomore Jaicy Griffin will also play a lot, the coach said. “He’s our free safety. He’s the fastest player, and he can really find the ball,” Bentley said. Offensively, the Tigers will hand the reigns to Stovall. The 6-1, 190-pound quarterback might be there for awhile, too. “His work ethic is off the charts,” Bentley said. “He’s one of the first ones here and one of the last ones to leave. He has a chance to be really, really special.” Last year’s quarterback, the athletic James, is moving to receiver. “He’s a great route runner,” Bentley said. Mansfield will rotate three other sophomores into the mix — Griffin, Tyler Holmes and Layton Howard. “That group is really unselfish,” Bentley said. Junior Zach Woolbright and sophomore Hunter Willsey will rotate at running back. Guards Hunter Haysmer and Nathan Maness will anchor the offensive line. “I think we have two of the best guards in the conference, Hunter Haysmer and Nate Maness,” Bentley said. “They both bench press over 300 pounds and squat close to 500. The thing about them is they’re both quick and agile.” Cothran will start at center, and the bookend tackles will be Stipins and Jacob Brown.

Williams

Belcher

Davenport

Barcheers

Gatewood

H. Ulrich

“Size or speed, I’ll take speed any time.” Kale Barcheers may see time on the defensive line, Thessing said.

S22 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

CHARLESTON TIGERS

Kendrick

Caudle

Flanagan

Charleston all about ‘getting better today’ By Kevin Taylor ktaylor@swtimes.com

fficially, Brayden Caudle has been penciled in to start at quarterback for the 2017 Charleston Tigers. Just a junior, Caudle threw only 27 passes and ran for 174 yards during the Tigers’ deep 2016 postseason run. He’s been in the system; he knows the offense. Coach Greg Kendrick said Dean Lea will see some action as well. But don’t be surprised if the Tigers use all-everything Sean Michael Flanagan at quarterback as well. “Since I’ve been the head coach, we’ve had two quarterbacks,” Kendrick said. “Brayden had a really good spring camp and a really good summer camp. He threw the ball really well during 7-on-7 competition.” Flanagan’s exploits have been welldetailed during his first two seasons with Tigers, scoring touchdowns every way imaginable. As a “Wildcat” quarterback, Flanagan is a threat to run. But he can also throw the ball. “We’ve had a ‘Wildcat’ package with Sean Michael in the past, but it won’t be a ‘Wildcat’ package this year,” Kendrick said. “It will be part of our base offense.” It’s been a great four-year run for Kendrick. The Tigers’ head coach doesn’t have a deep roster other 3A schools may have. And, in addition to juggling a roster of 34, he knows the pressure that comes with it. Charleston will again begin the season as the team to beat in the 3A-4. “Having a target on your back, it’s part of the necessary evil,” Kendrick said. “We’ve been fortunate, and that goes with our past history, starting with (Shane) Storey, coach (Stephen) Wood and coach (Doug) Loughridge. These young men (players) have been able to

Charleston’s Sean Michael Flanagan takes off on a long run after a reception as Centerpoint’s Owen Bright, left, pursues on Nov. 25, 2016, in Charleston. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

carry on that tradition. They grow up knowing the expectations of being at Charleston, and it’s part of the game. That’s something we don’t talk about.” The Tigers, 49-6 in Kendrick’s first four seasons, open the season Tuesday at Daranelle. “It’s about polishing,” Kendrick said. “We’re 100 percent installed, but going into spring ball we were 99 percent installed. Right now it’s about getting better today. “Mentally, physical, spiritual ... we want to be a hundred percent by Aug. 29.” Along with Flanagan, who accounted for 31 touchdowns last season, Charleston has a number of key components back in the mix, including senior running back Bradyn Ketter (949 yards)

and receiver Mason Wisdom (720 yards and eight touchdowns). Along with 10 rushing touchdowns,

Ketter is also a threat out of the backfield, snagging 35 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns.

Times Record

Sunday, August 27, 2017

S23

SUBIACO ACADEMY TROJANS Trojans adopt underdog mentality By Leland Barclay Special to the Times Record

Moore

Hertlein

Johns

O’Neal

Estes

ust shortly after taking over the helm of the Subiaco Academy football program in June, new head coach Steven Moore had to make an adjustment. Sophomore quarterback Hayden Frederick (5-8, 145) was set to take over at quarterback before developing a staph infection in his arm. He’ll be on the shelf for a while. “He had to have surgery,” Moore said. “We’re not sure when he’s going to be back. We want it to heal 100 percent.” Junior Juke Hertlein (5-9, 155) will step into the spot. “He was the quarterback when he was ninth grade,” Moore said. “He’s done real well. He’s managed the offense. That’s what we want. He doesn’t have to take over the offense and make plays; he just has to make sure we’re in the play so getting the ball to the right people at the right time. A big part of our offense is doing the right thing the

right way at the right time. He’s been doing a great job of that.” Subiaco Academy was winless in 10 games last year, including 0-7 in the 4A-4. “The reality of the situation is we’re playing at a level way beyond a school our size,” Moore said. “The kids have embraced that. We’re just going to outwork you and outplay you. Since I came in in June, we’ve been working out in the weight room. The kids are willing to put in the work. When you coach them up, they have a lot of retention. You don’t have to start over. We’ve been able to install a lot

of out offense in a short amount of time. We accept what’s happened in the past, but it’s not going to hold us back. It’s an inspiration for the future. Senior Tom Johns (6-0, 175) will play fullback along with junior Dodge Mendenhall (5-11, 155). Senior Nathan Bourgeois (5-10, 168) will play one of the halfbacks in the Trojans’ Wing-T. His brother, Thomas (5-9, 145), a junior, will play receiver along with junior Gage Lee (5-11, 140). “Those guys are going to be on the field at the same time,” Moore said. “They’re quality athletes. We’ll shuffle some guys around to get our best 11 athletes at the same time.” On the line, senior Chance O’Neal (6-2, 200) has been working at one of the tackles with senior Ryland Estes (5-8, 150) possibly moving from tackle to guard. Senior Chase Hacker (6-0, 280) has the most size of the Trojans and will play along the line along with junior Haeven Patterson (6-0, 165) and Evan Redmond (6-1, 180). “We have a great group of kids who have accepted their roles,” Moore said. “They’re used to doing the right thing at the right time. Our philosophy as the football team mirrors that of the

Academy we want grow both mind, body and spirit. The kids know what we’re doing from one day to the next.” With just five seniors and nine juniors, they’re going to be some players possibly going both ways especially up front. “Defensively, there are going to be a lot of the same names,” Moore said. “We try to get 22 different guys on the field, but the fact of the matter is that we have to go four or five deep in doubles.” Johns will call the defense at middle linebacker. He’ll be joined by Nathan Bourgeois at an outside linebacker position. Thomas Bourgeois and Lee will man the safety spots with Hertlein at cornerback. Junior Jordan Rainwater (6-1, 150) could figure in somewhere in the secondary. “I’m excited about where we are both offensively and defensively at this point,” Moore said. “We’ve been able to line up and know everybody drops and everybody’s coverages for eight different defenses. Just about every defense we’ll get in throughout the season, they’ve already seen. I like what I’ve seen.”

more than six games in a season. The speed Williams ran for 554 yards and eight touchdowns. Waldron will also give the ball to the “Levi brothers” a lot, too. Levi Franklin (5-10, 150) and Levi Hayden (5-8, 150) had their moments last season. “They both at various times last year had some big runs for us,” May said. “We feel very capable with them in there, but they’re also great blockers. They would honestly almost rather block some one, and that’s a key for us.” Three-sport standout Ty Allen (5-10, 180) slides over to receiver. He may also be called on to backup Williams at quarterback. Senior Gerardo Lopez (5-9, 230) returns for his third season at left guard. Dillon Picks (6-1, 240) slides over from

tight end to tackle, May said. Joel Cagle (5-7, 200) will anchor right guard, and Darren Phrasounoah (5-8, 225) returns for his second season at center. The “Levis” will anchor the back end of the secondary, with Franklin starting at safety for third straight season and Hayden at strong safety for the second straight season. Cagle and Pickens are three-year starters at linebacker. Cole Huddleston (5-8, 160) carries a 4.0 GPA and a lot of experience at nose guard. Logan Tull (6-1 175) has looked good at defensive end. He’ll also see time at tight end. “He’s come at long way at defensive end,” May said. “He’s really been a pleasant surprise. We’ve got some guys we feel good about, we just don’t have a whole lot of depth at those positions.”

WALDRON BULLDOGS Williams-led Waldron ready to break through in 4A-4 By Kevin Taylor ktaylor@swtimes.com

he Waldron Bulldogs were within a win of snapping a playoff drought last season. Stuck in a 4½-year windfall, the Bulldogs won five of their first eight games in 2016, snapping a 43-game losing streak along the way. One more win might have clinched a playoff berth. But when the dust settled on the first Friday of November, the Bulldogs had snapped their streak, gained some much-needed energy for 2017 — but had no playoff games to look forward to. Could that change in 2017?

Waldron coach Ricky May hopes getting key third down stops and holding onto the football will flip the tide this fall. It’s sounds easy enough. “We were not very May good on third down last year,” May said. “We gave up a lot of big plays. And on offense, we can’t turn the ball over. Against Dover, we turned it over six times and got mercy ruled. If we don’t turn the ball over, we don’t get mercy ruled. “The guys we have, I think they’re more conscious of that.” Waldron returns quarterback Trey Williams, both of its block-happy running backs, and some experienced offensive linemen as they prepare to do what no Waldron team has done since 2003 — win

S24 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

LAVACA GOLDEN ARROWS Lavaca expects difficult test right away

for us at quarterback right now.” Lavaca’s two primary running backs will be junior Tyler Armistead (6-2, 180) and senior Rey Lozano (6-3, 180), a move-in from Oklahoma. Sophomores Andrew Wright (5-9, 165) and Tucker Marshall (5-10, 175) may also be counted on to carry the rock. At receiver, the two leading candidates are juniors Mason Walter (5-11, 165) and Tyler Moore (5-10, 165). Juniors Jake Noble (5-9, 180) and Dillon Ellison (6-3, 200), along with Marshall, are in the mix at tight end. Up front, senior Blake Dye (5-10, 220), a returning starter who played guard and tackle, shifts over to center. Senior Tripp Lile (5-11, 195) and junior Trevon Moore (5-11, 200) flank Dye at guards.

“They’re both very quick, physical kids and they know the game of football real well,” Schlinker said of both Lile and Trevon Moore. The tackle positions may be manned by junior Creek Harp (6-4, 260), senior Lane Taylor (6-2, 215) and another senior, Ryne Nelson (5-10, 215). “We’ve got some good size on the line, but I really think our skill positions are going to be a big strength for us,” Schlinker said. “We’re going to have match-up issues for people; our running backs are all pretty tall, right now the kids I’m looking at in the backfield are all 6-2, 6-3 athletic kids, so I think our strength is going to be there.” First-year defensive coordinator Chris Morphis has installed a 3-4 scheme. “I like so far how the kids have accepted the new system,” Schlinker said. “They’re learning from coach Morphis and they’re asking him questions, they want to get everything correct and I’ve just been very pleased with that and our effort. “I also think we’ve got a lot of speed over there. ... People are going to have trouble finding a seam against our kids. For a 2A school, I feel like we’ve got good speed and great length; we’ve got a bunch of kids that are six foot or taller, good arm spans and good wing spans that can really keep people off of them, so it’s going to be exciting.”

186 yards. Junior Sammy Haynes will anchor the offensive line at center. Mark Phonlasouk and Noah Reyes will start at left and right guard, respectively. Jacob Tucker and Grayson Schlinker have been penciled in to start at tackle. “If I can get those guys to come along, we can do some damage,” Hyatt said. “We’re getting back to being typical Booneville kids; we’re 5-10 and maybe 6-foot. Sammy is probably 240, Reyes is 235, and Mark is probably 270.” The Bearcats could be tough defensively in the trenches, Hyatt said. Reyes and Rodatz are coming off big seasons. “Defensively, if I have a couple of outside linebackers come on, I think we’ll be decent defensively,” Hyatt

said. “Our front three could be as good as anyone around — if they progress like I think they can.” Ray and Dalton Tatum will play linebacker, and if need be, Rodatz can also play linebacker. “The secondary can’t help but be better,” Hyatt said. “We started three of four sophomore back there last year, and those kids are all back.” The Bearcats have a tough schedule early. After Pea Ridge, Booneville travels to Gravette and Vilonia to finish out nonconference play. The Bearcats open league play Sept. 22 against Pottsville and travel to Ozark Sept. 29. “We’ve just got to strap it up and get after it,” Hyatt said. “I think Gravette is much better, and then we open with Pea Ridge.”

By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

Schlinker

Armistead

Lozano

challenging schedule right out of the gate awaits the Lavaca Golden Arrows. “It shapes up a lot like it did last year for us,” Lavaca coach Brian Schlinker said. “The first three weeks will be pretty tough; we open with a 4A school, Gentry, then we play one of the best 2A schools in Danville and then go to another 4A school in Dover, so the first part of the season’s going to be a good test for us but I think it will get us prepared for the stretch run as we get into conference.” The Arrows return about five starters on both sides, having to replace the other starters because of graduation or other circumstances. Such as Garrett Eck, who had been the quarterback last season but is not playing this season in order to concentrate on basketball. But Schlinker said he’s confident senior Ryan Dockery (6-foot-3, 170 pounds) can step in at quarterback and make it a seamless transition. “He’s played receiver and running back the last couple of years,” Schlinker said of Dockery. “He’s been a great leader all summer long in the weight room and he’s doing some great things

BEARCATS Continued from S19

collar bone against Pottsville and didn’t get to finish the season, and his dad did the same thing, and by the time he was a senior he was probably six-foot and 175 (pounds) or 180. This kid’s headed that way.” The Bearcats have two other quarterback hopefuls in Ian Suttles and Fennell’s younger brother, Gabe. Both of the Bearcats’ leading receivers from a year ago, Trent Wooldridge and Ethan Dobbs, are back in the fold. Dobbs hauled in 12 passes for 135 yards and Wooldridge caught 11 passes for

T. Moore

Werner

“We’re going to have match-up issues for people; our running backs are all pretty tall, right now the kids I’m looking at in the backfield are all 6-2, 6-3 athletic kids, so I think our strength is going to be there.” Lavaca coach Brian Schlinker

Harp will anchor the middle of the line at nose guard. Dye and Taylor will line up at either side of Harp. Lile and Armistead line up at outside linebacker while Trevon Moore returns at inside linebacker, where he started every game last season. Another returning starter on defense is Dockery, who plays strong safety. Lozano will be the other safety. Walter and Wright will be the corners, with junior Trey Werner (5-9, 155) expected to see action at both cornerback and safety. “I think as a small school, it’s the same concern you have as any small school is depth,” Schlinker said. “Can we stay healthy? That’s going to be the key for us. “I feel like you put our first couple of two-deep against anyone, we’ll be in good shape, but we’ve got to make sure to stay healthy and continue as practice goes on to build some depth on the line.”

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Sunday, August 27, 2017

S25

OZARK HILLBILLIES Ozark’s expectations running high for 2017 By Kevin Taylor ktaylor@swtimes.com

J. Burns

he Ozark Hillbillies enjoyed a seven-win season last season. Of course, with a couple of breaks along the way, the Hillbillies might have won 10 games. Ozark might have made plans to unveil a conference championship banner. But after snapping a four-year postseason drought, which included a first-round playoff win over Ashdown, coach Jeremie Burns isn’t about to complain, either. With one of the league’s top quarterbacks back in the fold, a bevy of running backs and a steady offensive line, Ozark hopes to make another deep postseason run this fall. “We’re really looking forward to the season,” Burns said. “We went to the second round of the playoffs last year, so their expectations are really high.” Junior quarterback Dawson Dietz

Dietz

Ree

(5-foot-10, 170 pounds) accounted for 20 touchdowns last season, with 11 of those coming through the air. Dietz passed for 1,184 yards and ran for 495 yards. Dietz is among seven holdovers for Burns’ staff. Senior Baylor Ree (6-2, 175) and junior Eddie Graham (5-10, 161) accounted for 636 yards and five rushing touchdowns last season, though Graham missed four games with an injured ankle. Sophomores Daniel Woolsey (5-9, 170) and Kayne Satterfield (5-8, 165) could also be called on, Burns said. Burns has a plethora of receivers, too. Senior Hayden Atkinson (5-10, 135) has become a good “route runner,” Burns said. Brandon Sheffield (5-9, 160), Colt Millsap (6-1, 200) and tight end Bryant Burns (6-3, 210) enjoyed a good

Smith

Sanders

Graham

Millsap

Hicks

offseason, the coach said. A high-powered offense looks good on paper, of course. But the key, Burns believes, is the Hillbillies’ offensive line. Which, after a strong offseason and summer, has emerged as one of its strengths. “I think that’s the key, and that’s with every team out there,” Burns said. “We have five to eight guys that could start on the offensive and defensive line.” Will Timmerman, one of several prized sophomores, will anchor the line at center. The 5-10, 220-pound Timmerman will be joined by guards Tyler Hayward (6-0, 250) and Chad Hollingsworth (5-10, 200). Patrick Whitson (6-0, 210) and Andrew Hooper (6-1, 213) will start at tackle.

“We had a lot of guys lifting weights in the offseason,” Burns said. “We have right at 50 guys on the team, and 30 can bench over 200. That’s the strongest we’ve been in awhile.” Defensively, Ree and Fisher Elder (5-5, 201) return at the linebacker position. Hayward will play on the defensive line, Burns said. Austin Hicks (5-6, 190) and Brayden Smith (5-8, 194) return at defensive line Hayden Sanders (5-6, 119) returns at cornerback. “We have to come in here and keep working,” Burns said. “I’ve been proud of their effort this spring and summer. We haven’t had to chase guys down that we’re counting on; they’re here working out. We’ve had a lot of guys staying after practice.”

Mountainburg will feature both senior Dillon Jones and junior Austin Taylor as a tandem for the tailback position. Jones had 12 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns last season. Slotbacks will be Caleb Jorgenson and Jesse Quick. Connor Rogers and Malachi West will line up as tight ends. The line will be a toss-up until the final days before the season begins. The Dragons have 14 players who can play on either the offensive or defensive lines. Returning is Gauge Jorgenson at guard and Corey Reeves returns at tackle. Center is a toss-up between Dalen Cagle and Luke Rose. Harrell said he has several other players he expects to see on the line including Matthew Valentine, Damian Kissler and Dolan Patterson. On the defensive side of the ball, Colton Robbins and Dylan Rakow will shore up the line with Jackson Cowan

at defensive end. Harrell is looking at Hunter Taylor, Mitchell Linder and Jorgenson at the linebacker spots. The defensive backfield will comprise of James Vanourney in one corner and Dylan Jones, Donald Quick and Cody Fletcher. Hunter Rogers will also join the backfield after playing linebacker last season. Other players to be included in the rotation at defensive end are Austin Taylor, Jesse Quick and Roxin. Connor Rogers will also be at end with Cory Reeves and Taylor at linebacker. “The main thing is to get these guys ready to play and try not to let them play both ways,” Harrell said. Harrell expects Danville to be the team to contend with this season. “I don’t know how the rest of it will shake out, but I’ll be very disappointed if we’re not in the mix,” Harrell said. “I would love to be first.”

MOUNTAINBURG DRAGONS Mountainburg’s Roxin returns after injury By George Mitchell Press Argus Courier

Roxin

G. Jorgenson

Linder

Rakow

Reeves

ountainburg opens the season with a few question marks. “We have a lot of spots to fill,” said Mountainburg coach Tom Harrell. “Overall, there are some nights we walk out of here thinking we’re going to be good ... other nights, we’re thinking ... we need more work.” Mountainburg will be without threeyear starter Quency Pixley, who finished with more than 2,100 yards passing. Senior Robert Roxin emerged as the starting quarterback for the Dragons after competition during the spring. Roxin had 296 yards on 56 carries (5.3 yards per carry) with three touchdowns last fall through six games. Then Roxin

broke his arm during Week 6 and was out the rest of the season. Roxin will be a three-year starter for Mountainburg. As a sophomore, he was a starting defensive back and tailback as a junior. “He’s a good kid. Smart, and a good leader,” said Harrell.

S26 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

MULDROW BULLDOGS Muldrow coach stresses improved defense By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

uldrow coach Terry Jones knows his offense is more than capable of putting up points. For the Bulldogs to contend for the 3A-8 title, Jones wants his defense to improve. Last season, Muldrow averaged 33 points offensively but allowed an average of 29 points. “I think we’ll be a lot better on defense,” Jones said. “That’s always been a concern of mine because defensively last year if we could have played decent defense, we could have probably won more football games. So our emphasis in the off-season and up to now has really been on defense.” And while the Bulldogs return playmakers on offense, the line has been completely overhauled. “I’ve got so many new players, especially in the offensive line, but those guys have really worked hard in the offseason and I think they’re going to come around for us,” Jones said. “They’re not really young guys, they’re senior guys that just haven’t played a lot of football. “If we can get our offensive line to jell skill-wise with our quarterback and our receivers and running back, I think we’ve got a chance to be a pretty good football team.” Back to lead the Bulldog offense is senior quarterback Braden Gleason (6-foot-1, 160 pounds), a three-year starter. Last season, Gleason threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also added 580 yards on the ground to go with eight TDs. Gleason also has the luxury of returning three of his top four receivers from last season, including senior Jarrett Sharp (5-11, 135), who led the team with 50 catches and six TDs. Also back are seniors Tyler Stevenson (5-9, 150) and Caleb Armer (5-11, 150), who combined for 58 receptions. Jones is also counting on sophomore Brylee Smith (5-11, 150) and senior Jaedon Morgan (5-10, 160) to catch passes. While Muldrow has a quarterback and receivers, Jones stressed the fact the Bulldogs need to run the ball. Senior

Muldrow quarterback Braden Gleason, right, leads teammates through drills in a preseason practice Aug. 9. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

Jones

Sharp

Floyd

Armer

Sparkman

Voelkel

Cade Floyd (5-7, 165) will be counted on at tailback. “Hopefully, we can run the ball a little bit more offensively and take a little pressure off of Gleason,” Jones said. “We know he can throw the ball and we can complete some passes, but you don’t want to throw the ball 80 percent of the time, so hopefully we

can get our running game fired up and get (our offensive line) to come off of the ball and block and hopefully grind them down a little bit and not throw it when we have to but be able to have a balance and a mix, running the ball and throwing the ball.” The offensive line will also be put to the test. Senior center Seth Sifuentes (6-0, 210) has the most significant playing experience of the group. Senior Carlos Sanchez (5-5, 185) and sophomore Elijah Hampton (5-10, 165) are the guards, while the starting tackles are seniors Aaron Lindsey (6-0, 310) and Luke Voelkel (5-8, 220). “I think this group is more athletic than the group we had last year, and they’re (mostly) seniors, but they just haven’t played a lot of football,” Jones said. The line will also be relatively new on the defensive side, though the Bulldogs return tackle Toby Sparkman (6-2, 210), a two-year starter. Voelkel and junior Noah Vessell (6-2, 217) will split

time at the other tackle while juniors Nolan Gray (6-0, 165) and Logan Williams (5-11, 195) man the end positions. Floyd, the team’s leading tackler last season with 85, returns at outside linebacker, while another outside linebacker spot is up for grabs. Logan Crain (6-1, 175), who started as a true freshman last season, and junior Logan Nipper (5-10, 160) are the inside linebackers. Sharp, who will also handle the kicking and punting duties, and Stevenson are the projected cornerbacks, while senior Gage Ramey (6-3, 165) is the free safety. Ramey may also see action at receiver. “I think defensively, we’ve got some experience in the secondary and I think we’ll be pretty good up front,” Jones said. “The main thing is to see how those linebackers, those new guys, how they jell and put it all together. If we can put it all together and jell, I think this is going to be a special year for us, I really do.”

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Sunday, August 27, 2017

S27

Gleason looks to father for inspiration After strong season last year, Muldrow quarterback has his sights set on playoff run By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

Before every Muldrow game, Bulldog quarterback Braden Gleason takes a wristband and writes something on it. He always writes the date 6-30-13, which is when his father, Johnny Gleason, passed away after battling brain cancer. Johnny Gleason was himself a standout player for the Muldrow Bulldogs, playing tight end. He later played college ball at the University of Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State University before getting into coaching, and had been the head coach at Westville in northeast Oklahoma prior to his passing. As the son of a coach, Braden Gleason picked up quite a bit from his father, with the biggest thing being a strong work ethic. “He was always wanting to work harder than you can and don’t take anything for granted,” Braden Gleason said. “I remember I was in the fieldhouse with high schoolers when I was 4 or 5 years old and if they were working out, he was making me work out. ... He also taught me the game and to be hardnosed, to do what you’ve got to do to go get whatever you want.” Now a senior, Gleason seized that opportunity when he took over at quarterback midway through his sophomore year after an injury to the starter. Last season, Gleason turned in a strong performance, completing 191of-310 passes for 2,487 yards and 25 touchdowns, while being intercepted just three times. In a win against Stilwell, Gleason threw for 389 yards and five TDs. But down the stretch, the Bulldogs beat archrival Roland and eventual 3A quarterfinalist Stigler to reach the 3A playoffs, and in the win against Stigler, Gleason threw a season-high six TD passes. “Everybody was in focus and our only goal was to get to the playoffs and we knew we had to beat Roland and Stigler to get there and everybody just turned it on the last of the year,” Gleason said.

Muldrow quarterback Braden Gleason throws as the team runs through drills on Aug. 9. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

Gleason will also have the luxury of returning most of his receiving corps, which include Caleb Armer, Tyler Stevenson and Gage Ramey. “We have a good chemistry; they know where they need to be and I know when to get it to them,” Gleason said. “We’ve all worked all summer and in the past two years and it’s good to have that chemistry with each other and know what we want and when we need to get it done and everything. “They get open and if I’m scrambling, they know where to be and to come back to me, or to go find an open spot and I’m going to try to get it to them and they can do everything they can to

go score.” Muldrow coach Terry Jones said Gleason’s ability to be elusive is just as dangerous as he is whenever he throws the football. “We put up some great numbers offensively and then a lot of that, he did on his own,” Jones said. “It’s always exciting when people pressure him and blitz him and see what he can do when that happens, just running the ball and so forth, scrambling and all that. “He’s gotten bigger (in the off-season), he’s really worked in the weight room and he’s gotten bigger and stronger. Just watching him throw the ball since we’ve started, he’s improved on

his throwing; he has more zip on the ball than in the past and I’m sure that probably came from getting a little bigger and stronger.” Jones also has a link between Braden Gleason and his father. “When I was (coaching) at UCO, his dad actually played for me and he left and went to Northeastern because he wanted to be closer to eventually his wife. ... He was a good athlete himself and I know if he was here, he would be proud of (Braden),” Jones said. Braden’s mother, Angela, was a stellar athlete herself. She won a state championship playing basketball, and then later played at NSU. Angela Gleason is a coach herself, at Belfonte, a kindergarten through eighth grade school located several miles north of Muldrow. “She’s been the most influential person to me because of how strong she is and she’s just helped me through everything,” Braden Gleason said. “If I could be somebody, it would be her because she’s strong-minded and everything. “It was tough but she was strong and I felt I had to be stronger for her and we’ve just kind of got there together, prayed and just stayed close to God together. ... She’s been the closest person to me through everything and that’s what probably helped the most is her being strong for me, but me having to be strong for her, too.” Football isn’t the only sport Braden plays at Muldrow. He also plays basketball and baseball and runs track, all while carrying a 4.1 grade-point average. Like his parents, Gleason, too, would like to get into coaching, particularly football. But that’s far into the future. Gleason’s immediate future is attempting to build off of last season’s late stretch and take Muldrow deeper into the postseason. “It’s my senior year and it’s just time to make a run in the playoffs. ... They had a lot of success in the ‘80s and ‘90s and I just kind of want to start that back up and make it to the second or third round of the playoffs, be district champs, just do something that nobody’s done at Muldrow in a long, long time,” Gleason said.

S28 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

POTEAU PIRATES Poteau looks to recapture odd-numbered year magic By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

Mazey

Alvarado

Ulmer

Pitchford

Shackelford

Myers

f there’s one thing that may serve as a good sign for the Poteau Pirates, it could be the turn of the calendar. After all, it will be an odd-numbered year. In 2013, the Pirates reached the 4A title game. Then in 2015, they made it to the 4A semifinals. So could Poteau make another deep playoff run in 2017? “I think we had a real solid (opening week) of practice. ... We’ve just got to find a way to jell a little bit and defensive scheme-wise, react instead of worrying about thinking,” Poteau coach Forrest Mazey said. “We’re coming along fine offensively and we’re ahead of the curve defensively, we just put some other stuff in defensively that has kind of made us not so much attacking, and we’ve just got to clear that up and everything will be good to go. “We’ve got good numbers; not a ton of depth I would say, but the kids that are second and third string right now have just got to get up to snuff.” The Pirates will have to break in a new quarterback, though. Ben Klutts leaves after having been the team’s signalcaller for the past three seasons, as he is now playing baseball down the road at Carl Albert State College. “He’s gone and we’ve got to move on, we’ve got to move on to the next chapter of Poteau Pirate football and that will be obviously without him, but it is what it is and we’ll move on,” Mazey said. “We’ll be just fine and we’ll continue to try to hold that playoff history up and do our part.” To fill Klutts’ position, the Pirates will turn to junior Jett Pitchford (6-foot-4, 170 pounds), who moves over from receiver. “I don’t think there’s any question at this point,” Mazey said. “Early on, it was a battle but the good thing is, just like when Jett stepped in at receiver last year, Kagen Stockton (a 5-11, 180-pound sophomore) has stepped into a receiver role this year and is our backup quarterback, too, so there’s some good things there and they both do really, really well

Poteau quarterback Ben Klutts, right, steps out of a tackle attempt by Sallisaw’s Cecil Odom on Oct. 13, 2016 in Poteau. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

wherever we put them, so it’s a good situation for both of them, it’s a good situation for the Poteau Pirates and we’ll just move forward with that.” The Pirates will also get to bring back all five starters on the offensive line. They include Jarrod Vineyard (6-3, 265), Wyatt Darby (6-0, 270), Clay Cross (6-1, 230), Bryson Myers (6-0, 230) and Seth Ford. Matthew Alvarado (5-10, 275) and Jaxon Culwell (6-2, 245) will see action there as well. “Any time you return all five starters on the offensive line, that’s big for us and with them back, we can hang our hat on them as good as they are and as good as we’ll be,” Mazey said. “The biggest thing with those guys, we want them to know as many positions on that line as possible, so we try to maneuver those guys and we’ll put them in the best positions to succeed.” Poteau also has several candidates vying for the running back and receiver

positions. But Mazey is holding off on naming any starters until the season opener on Sept. 1 against Durant. One player expected to see action is senior Jameson Shackelford (5-9, 155), who averaged more than 13 yards a catch last season at receiver. Juniors

Nathan Ulmer (5-10, 190) and Dalton Brock (5-10, 180) along with sophomore Easton Francis (6-0, 190) are among the candidates at running back. On the defensive side, the Pirates return junior end Gunnar Thompson (6-4, 220), who led the team in tackles last season with 102 to go with five sacks. Alvarado, who recorded 50 tackles a season ago, also anchors the line. Ulmer, who had 83 tackles of his own in 2016, heads up the linebacking corps, while in the secondary, senior Race Williams (5-9, 160), who intercepted six passes, returns at cornerback. “I just think it comes down to third-down percentage and red zone execution on both sides, with specialteams play being a huge part of that if you can add some possessions here and there,” Mazey said. “It’s just capitalizing on all that stuff. ... Red zone, third downs and turnovers, those three numbers can stick out good and bad for you offensively and defensively.”

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Sunday, August 27, 2017

S29

SALLISAW BLACK DIAMONDS Sallisaw counting on experience up front By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

allisaw has been a perennial playoff team in the past several years. The Black Diamonds, though, want to go a little bit further this time, as they haven’t made the 4A semifinals since 2009. “Just like any other year, you lose some good seniors but you gain some good seniors, and I think we’ve got 14 quality seniors that can lead this team to the next level,” Sallisaw coach Scott Bethel said. “We’re always talking about getting to that next level; we’ve been to the first round of the playoffs the last four or five years and we want to advance a little bit more.” On the topic of seniors, the Diamonds bring back their entire offensive line, consisting entirely of seniors. “We’ve got a good senior offensive line,” Bethel said. “Very seldom do you have a team bring back five starting offensive linemen.” Leading the Diamond line is center Alex Galaviz (5-foot-9, 255 pounds). “It starts with your center and he’s our backbone; he makes the calls, he checks when we need a check,” Bethel said. Tackle Jason Bartel (6-7, 305) has received attention from several colleges. “He could be one of the great linemen who’s played for us with his size and his speed,” Bethel said. “He’s gained strength, knowledge, and we look for good things from him.” Rounding out the line are guards Brandon Valedez (6-1, 270) and Jacob Brown (6-2, 225), along with tackle Josh Wiley (6-3, 255). Sallisaw also has more seniors, Jack Glander (5-10, 245) and Cody Dill (6-0, 245), who can also see action up front. Although the Diamonds return their entire line, they have to break in a new quarterback and running back. The quarterback competition is between senior Dru Didway (6-3, 230) and junior Caden Bailey (5-11, 185). “Both of them have different qualities with them and we’re just going to

Sallisaw defenders Matt Fullbright and Aubrey Henshaw bring down Hilldale receiver Alex Puckett during the second quarter on Sept. 23, 2016 in Sallisaw. [AARON SHAFFER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES RECORD]

go through our scrimmages and find out who’s the best one that’s going to be suitable for us,” Bethel said. It’s also up for grabs at tailback. Expected to get carries are junior Hunter Williams (5-7, 155), sophomore Jace Nicholson (6-1, 180) and junior Nate Asbill (5-8, 160). Junior Conner Daffin (5-11, 175) and senior Michael Lemons (5-10, 225) will split duties at H-back. The Diamonds will get most of their receiving corps back, led by seniors Aubrey Henshaw (6-2, 170) and Matt Fullbright (6-1, 175). Juniors Mark Crawford (5-8, 165) and Jacob Morse (5-7, 155) are also expected to catch passes. Bethel wants to see the same from senior Brody Nicholson (6-1, 205). Even though Nicholson returns at tight end, he didn’t catch a single pass last season. But regardless of who catches the passes, Bethel said the run game will be of vital importance. “We’re going to have to be able to run the ball,” Bethel said. “With that offensive line, if we can’t run the ball, it’s going to be hard to put some points on

the board and keep our defense off the field. ... And hopefully, we can throw the ball with those good receivers.” On defense, the Diamonds can rotate their offensive linemen up front. Dill, Valedez and Galaviz will share duties at nose guard, while Bartel, Wiley, Brown and Glander split duties at the two end positions. “We’re going to be really good up there because they’re going to be hard to move with our defensive ends. ... We’re going to be able to rotate those guys and keep our linemen fresh and that’s going to help us in the fourth quarter and throughout the year,” Bethel said. The Diamonds will move Brody Nicholson and Daffin from outside linebacker to fill their two inside linebacker spots. “They’ve got good feet, they can run, they’ve gotten bigger and stronger,” Bethel said. “They can plug a hole when they need to, they can cover the pass, they can go sideline to sideline, and that’s what we want out of our linebackers.”

Henshaw

Bartel

B. Nicholson

Brown

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Didway, Jace Nicholson, Crawford and junior Fox Scoufos (5-10, 185) are vying for the two outside linebacker spots. In the secondary, the Diamonds will return cornerbacks Henshaw and Fullbright. Bailey returns at strong safety, while Morse is the free safety. Sallisaw also returns junior placekicker Juan Castor (5-10, 165), with Didway expected to handle the punting duties.

S30 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

ROLAND RANGERS Roland points to experience to lead a breakthrough By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

n the surface, it appeared to be a difficult season for the Roland Rangers. Roland, which reached the 3A quarterfinals in 2014-15, won just one game in 2016. But coach Jeff Streun said the relatively inexperienced team was competitive. “We had an opportunity, I feel like, in every game except one,” Streun said. “We were either ahead or winning late or winning at half Streun and just blew the leads or just cost ourselves on some little things due to inexperience.” The Rangers, however, will get most of those players back for 2017. “What’s different about this group is we’ve got experience, we’ve got everybody back,” Streun said. “We lost three or four key seniors last year, but we’ve got guys to fill into those roles and playing a great deal, and we feel real confident.” Another thing which gives Streun confidence is the return of a bevy of offensive linemen. “We’re going to have our skill kids all back, and that’s great, but there’s nothing like having about 10 kids in the offensive line back that played a great deal last year, so that’s great for us on both sides (offensive and defensive lines),” Streun said. Among the returning offensive linemen are junior left tackle Devin Kelsey, senior left guard Elijah Moore (5-foot10, 200 pounds) and junior right tackle Andrew Wintersteen. Juniors Zach Muller (6-0, 250) and Tyler Perceful will rotate at center, while Muller may see action at right guard, along with junior Ryan Dean and senior Austin Gibbs. The Rangers will also return the services of junior quarterback Elijah Dalton (6-0, 175), who started every game last season. Dalton threw for more than 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Roland’s Kamarian Mustin catches a pass from Elijah Dalton for a ﬁrst quarter touchdown against Checotah on Aug. 26, 2016 in Roland. [BRIAN D. SANDERFORD/TIMES RECORD]

Streun is also hoping to get a full season from senior tailback L.J. Williams (5-9, 165), who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. “If he stays healthy, he’s a tremendous asset to have back there at tailback,” Streun said. The Rangers’ leading receiver, senior Jaxon Wells (5-11, 170), is back. Wells caught 37 passes for 427 yards last season. Fellow senior Julius Plummer (6-2, 180), who caught 29 passes for more than 400 yards, returns as well. Juniors Jacob Cantrell and Josh Strassle may see some action at receiver. Senior Javen Bray (5-11, 235) and junior Logan Wolfe (6-2, 180) will play either tight end or H-back, while seniors Thomas Green, Austin Rose and junior Kendall Muncy can also play

tight end. “I like that we’re experienced enough that we know the plays we ran from last year,” Streun said. “We had to be very vanilla, we had to keep our system very simple. ... We have expanded our knowledge and vocabulary as far as play selections, so we’ll have more of an ability to run different plays and give people different looks when the situation rises.” Several of the Rangers’ returning offensive linemen will be counted on up front defensively. Muller is the projected starter at nose guard, while the top candidates at end include senior Malcolm Collins and junior Spencer DeWitt. “Early in the year, we’ve got enough linemen that we’re going to have an

offensive line and we’re going to have a defensive line, so there’s a lot of possibilities to play a lot of kids early,” Streun said. Bray is a returning starter at inside linebacker, and will be joined by Muncy. Green and Cantrell are penciled in at outside linebacker. In the secondary, the Rangers return Plummer at one cornerback and senior Cedric Marable at one safety. Senior Kaleb McKinney can play either linebacker or in the secondary. “We’re building around the defense,” Streun said. “One thing I’ll say is our defense was very stingy giving up points last year and we got better and better as the season went on. ... We feel real good about the guys having nine back on defense.”

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Sunday, August 27, 2017

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SPIRO BULLDOGS Spiro looking to keep momentum rolling By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

Braggs

piro enjoyed a turnaround from an uncharacteristic winless 2015. The Bulldogs finished with a winning record (6-5), a playoff trip and they nearly won the District 2A-6 title. Long-time coach Chris Bunch is banking that the turnaround from 2016 can lead to bigger and better things in 2017. “We hope so,” Bunch said. “We’ve got a good group of seniors coming back this year that played a lot last year and made a big difference in our team, and we’re hoping that leadership carries over to this year. “We had a lot of participation (in the off-season), probably 85 to 90 percent participation, and in the past, it hadn’t been like that, so that makes a big difference. We had a team camp, and the majority of the kids went to the team camp, and those things there is what

Roberson

Matthews

makes a difference in your team.” Spiro will also have some experienced players returning, including senior quarterback Deontei Braggs (6-foot-1, 175 pounds), who accounted for more than 800 yards apiece rushing and throwing, totaling 23 touchdowns. “He stepped in last year as his first year as a quarterback and did a good job for us,” Bunch said. Sophomore Malik Roberson (5-6, 170), who played both running back and receiver last season, will now be the primary running back. “He played a little bit of running back last year for us and we’re expecting good things from him,” Bunch said. Bunch will also use a fullback, with senior A.J. Johnson (5-7, 170) and sophomore William Dunigan (5-11, 175) in the mix.

The Bulldogs also return some experience on the offensive line, led by senior guard Hunter Clouse (5-10, 225). Senior Ethan Caldwell (5-9, 200) will be the center, and senior Matthew Smith (5-8, 190) has experience at guard. “I think with the quarterback having a year under his belt, we’ll be able to do a lot more things,” Bunch said. “We’ll be able to throw the ball pretty good and definitely run the ball. ... With (Braggs) having that year under his belt and being a leader out there, I think we’ll be much more improved if we can get the linemen to step up and take the place of the ones that we lost.” The Bulldogs also return their top two tacklers from last season in Caldwell and senior Caleb Matthews (6-0, 180), both linebackers. Clouse will lead the defensive front, as well as returning end Brevon Harper (5-10, 185). Roberson is a returning cornerback while Braggs, who had played corner last season, will be shifted to free safety. Bunch is also high on senior Seth Rinky (6-7, 285), who is in his first season of playing high school football and can play

both offensive and defensive line. Kwame Sey (5-9, 165), who played as a freshman in 2016, may be the other cornerback along with seeing action at receiver. “Defensively, we’re missing a couple of kids on the inside as far as the line, but other than that, I think we’ll be just as good or maybe better,” Bunch said. “I think we’re more knowledgeable of what’s going on this year.” While the Bulldogs are expected to contend in 2A-6, they may have to find a way to win on the road in order to do so. They will have to travel to Hartshorne, Antlers and Hugo, all of whom are also expected to finish in the upper division of 2A-6. “I think we’ve got as good a chance as anybody else,” Bunch said. “Last year, we had a chance to win the thing and it came down to one game; basically, it came down to one play, so I think we can be right there again and be fighting for it. “The only bad thing is we’ve got a bunch of kids that are going to have to go two ways. ... That is our biggest worry right now, that and trying to keep them healthy.”

“Our numbers are up; we’ve got more numbers I think than we’ve had in a few years,” Prescott said. “We’ve got a great group of kids, we’ve got a good returning line coming back; I think the line’s going to become our strong point offensively and defensively. ... I have speed at places, I’ve got speed in the backfield, speed in the secondary. “Right now, we’ve kind of moved forward and the past is the past and whatever’s happened in the past, we’re trying to leave that back there, and so it’s kind of a change and it’s anew. So we don’t talk about the past or what happened last year, we’re just focused on this year and our future.” Two players who may help ensure Prescott’s first season is a success are a pair of brothers who can both play tailback, junior Eric Carlton (5-foot11, 165 pounds) and his brother Brandon Carlton. “Brandon’s also going to run the slot receiver,” Prescott said. “He’s got great speed, great hands, can move.”

Prescott is also counting on a bevy of underclassmen at the skill positions like Kawliga Brewer, Greg Mendez and DaKeyshawn Steele. Meanwhile, the Indians will be breaking in a new quarterback. The one who may be taking over the reins is senior Shawn Hughes, who did not play last season. Pocola will also benefit from the return of several offensive linemen. Those include junior Parker Killion (6-2, 225), senior Braxton Johnson (6-1, 225) and sophomore Derek Carter (6-5, 230). Junior Daniel Ahne (6-0, 250) and sophomore Billy Chitwood will get reps as well. “Every one of our offensive linemen is going to be key,” Prescott said. “Our ceiling is really, really high there.” The defensive line will also be experienced with ends Johnson and Carter, along with tackles Ahne and senior Alex Moore (6-0, 260). Killion, Chitwood and Jamison Brewer head up the linebacking corps, while the Carlton brothers will be the safeties.

POCOLA INDIANS Pocola grad looks to take Indians to playoffs again By Buck Ringgold bringgold@swtimes.com

Prescott

ason Prescott had a good thing going. He was an assistant coach at 4A Poteau, and was on staff of a Pirate team that played for a state championship and was one game away from playing for another. But the chance to finally be a head coach, and a chance to return home, made it tough for Prescott to turn down an offer to lead Pocola. He jumped at the opportunity when the job suddenly opened up earlier this summer when long-time coach Rick Lang left to take over at Blackwell. “I got over here late and got started, but I’m excited to be here,” Prescott, who played for the Indians in the 1990s, said. “It was hard leaving Poteau, especially on

Carter

Hughes

short notice because I didn’t want to leave those guys hanging, but had to make a move for the betterment. ... I’ve wanted to be a high school football coach, that’s kind of the goal I think for most coaches, so I’ve got the shot, got the chance, so I had to go ahead and take it. “Getting to come back over here and come back home has kind of been a dream of mine ever since I graduated high school. I’ve had it in my thoughts that one day, if I coach, I would like to come back and coach Pocola, so I got that opportunity.” Prescott is also excited about the potential of his new team, which is seeking a second straight playoff appearance.

S32 Sunday, August 27, 2017

Times Record

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