CAVE CITY CAVEMEN: Building toward success

THREE RIVERS AREA — Jon Bradley started the varsity program at Cave City in 2006 and although - like any new team - they struggled their first season, going 1-9, they bounced back in 2007 with a 6-5 year that resulted in a trip to the playoffs.

Last season, the Cavemen went 3-7, but lost three of those games in the final minute of the game.

Now, Cave City is poised to make a big impact in the 3-3A conference.

Bradley has 18 returning starters with the majority of them composed of a

senior class that tied for the conference championship when they were in junior high.

"This is a good group of kids who are very competitive," Bradley said.

Since the beginning of the program there has been progress, but the head coach points to the overall strength of the team as being the biggest difference.

Cave City has also hired a new defensive coordinator

who will change up its system quite a bit. Bradley expects the defense to be the biggest

improvement of the team.

A lack of talent at Cave City is definitely not one of their problems.

A big tackle on offense who will also play defensive end is Alan Wright (6-5, 285). Wright

has offers from the University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University.

At running back/linebacker is Tyler Engleman (6-0, 190), who rushed for 1,280 yards

and 18 touchdowns last season.

The backfield will also feature Newport transfer Thamail Morgan (6-1, 206) who

was actually used sparingly on offense at Newport. He runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash

and notched 400 tackles in just two years for the Greyhounds.

"He has a lot of interest from a lot of schools," Bradley said, "and we expect him to

have a really big year, especially in our offense." Taking the snaps is quarterback Dalton Carpenter (6-0, 175), who threw for 962

yards and three touchdowns in 2008.

- For more Cavemen coverage, see www.ARpreps.com.

CAVE CITY CAVEMEN

Sept. 4 .........at Walnut Ridge

Sept. 11 at Southside Batesville

Sept. 18 .........Yellville-Summit

Sept. 25 .................. Piggott*

Oct. 2 ................at Corning*

Oct. 9 .....................Manila*

Oct. 16 ............... Rivercrest*

Oct. 23 .......... at Harrisburg*

Oct. 30 .................at Hoxie*

Nov. 5 .......................Earle*