Old rivals

Mountain Pine and Jessieville meet, this time out of conference

By Eric Moore

LITTLE ROCK — For years, the Mountain Pine Red Devils and the Jessieville Lions were conference rivals, battling for the 5-2A Conference championship; now they take the rivalry to the nonconference season opener.

When they were in the same conference, they dominated it. Jessieville took the conference title in 2006 (along with the state title), and Mountain Pine dominated the conference last year. Mountain Pine looks to retain its dominance in the 5-2A, while Jessieville has been moved up to one ofthe toughest conferences in the state, the 5-3A.

Football t radit ion r uns deep at both schools, and even though a conference title is not on the line in this game, neither team will budge an inch in this rivalry.

QUARTERBACK

Jessieville will look to senior Bill Sykora to lead the team out on the field for the first game. The 6-5 Sykora started three games a year ago before having to sit the season out with an injury.

The Red Devils return junior Ryan Herron, after a 900-yard campaign a year ago. Herron also threw for 13 touchdowns last year.

ADVANTAGE: EvenBACKFIELD

The Lions will look to run the ball by committee this year, with contributions from Jacob Fetters, James Castleberry, Brynn Hobbs, Aaron Hunter and Erik Drennan.

Fullback Corey Hooper will be asked to carry the load for the Mountain Pine rushing attack this year after rushing for more than 1,000 yards last year.

ADVANTAGE: Mountain Pine RECEIVING

Spencer Wilson and Matt Dick son w ill be t he main threats for the Jessieville passing game, which could be more utilized this year than in past years.

The receiver position will be a soft spot for the Red Devils, because they graduated their top five receivers from a year ago. Filling in will be junior Brannon Wiles and sophomore Brandon Heller. Junior Trey Nevels could also play a role.

ADVANTAGE: Jessieville OFFENSIVE LINE

The offensive line is a concern for the Jessieville coaching staff, but the players have shown improvements during fall camp. Tackle Zach Drake (6-4, 285) will make it easier to open up running lanes.

Three starters return froma team that dominated the line of scrimmage most of last year. Led by Kris Hillison, Chris Rice and Evan Harper, the experienced line will look to impose their will on the Jessieville defensive line.

ADVANTAGE: Mountain Pine DEFENSIVE LINE

Lack of depth will necessitate some offensive starters and sophomores starting on the defensive line for the Lions.

Depth is also a problem for the Red Devils. Many players will see action on both sides of the ball, with Hooper, Hillison and Rice anchoring the defensive line.

ADVANTAGE: Mountain Pine LINEBACKERS

Three-year starter Tyler Beck returns to his position for Jessieville, giving the teamthe experience it has been lacking.

Johnny Snow, the team's leading tackler last season, is recovering from a spring ankle injury, which could slow down his effectiveness early in the season. Another returning starter, DeAndre Jenkins, may have lost his No. 1 status to a move-in from Oklahoma, Levi Ellison.

ADVANTAGE: Even SECONDARY

The secondary could be the strength of this year's Lions' team. Wilson, Dickson and Castleberry all return with some experience patrolling the secondary.

Herron, Heller and Nevels return to their cornerback positions, with Wiles back at safety, giving the Red Devils quite a bit of experience when it comes to defending the pass.

ADVANTAGE: Jessieville

SPORTS SCHEDULETHURSDAY Volleyball◊Bryant at Little Rock Central◊Malvern at Lake Hamilton◊Pulaski Academy at Hot Springs Lakeside◊Hot Springs at Pulaski Robinson◊Cutter Morning Star at Arkadelphia◊Sheridan at Fountain Lake FRIDAY Football◊Sheridan at Arkadelphia◊Bauxite at Bald Knob◊Horatio at Centerpoint◊Western Yell County at Cutter Morning Star◊Fountain Lake at Murfreesboro◊Ashdown at Glen Rose◊Junction City at Gurdon◊Little Rock Fair at Hot Springs◊ Hot Springs Lakeside at White Hall◊Mountain Pine at Jessieville◊Texarkana, Texas, at Lake Hamilton◊Magnet Cove at Mount Ida◊Sylvan Hills at Malvern MONDAY Volleyball◊Benton at Bryant TUESDAY Volleyball◊Mount St. Mary at Bryant◊Fountain Lake at Lake Hamilton◊Sylvan Hills at Sheridan◊Marianna at Malvern WEDNESDAY Volleyball◊Camden Fairview at Hot Springs Lakeside

Tri-Lakes, Pages 61 on 09/04/2008