RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Fans of the Conway Wampus Cats will see a lot of changes this fall when their team takes the field.
The most notable change will be at the head coaching position, where Clint Ashcraft has taken over for longtime head coach Kenny Smith. After leading his Siloam Springs team to a 9-3 record in 2008, Ashcraft is ready to bring his high-octane offense to a Wampus Cats team that managed just nine points per game and two wins a season ago.
"We're going to base out of a Spread offense," Ashcraft said. "We're going to cater to whatever our kids can do best. The kids have done a good job picking it up." Ashcraft has been with the team since January and has made a few changes based on what he has seen.
One of those changes will be at quarterback. Last year's quarterback, Chase Calcagni, will be moved to wide receiver, and senior Xavier Acklin will be taking a majority of snaps under center.
"He can run and throw," Ashcraft said. "He's a dual threat and seems to make plays."Backing up Acklin will be seniors Aaron Latta and Patrick Mann.
When it comes to the running game, the Wampus Cats will "do it by committee," Ashcraft said. Those looking to get a majority of the carries are juniors JaMarcus Harmon and Cameron Azumura, who have "decent speed and are tough, physical kids," Ashcraft said.
If there is one position that Conway has a stockpile of, it is the receiver position. With players such as senior Chase Calcagni, junior Jalen Jones, Tristan Eddings, Trevor Maltbia and Ja'len Windom, Ashcraft expects big things out of his passing game this season.
"They've got to be great route runners," Ashcraft said.
When you add in the tight end position occupied by Terrance Cartwright and Patrick Mann, the passing game could very well be the strength of this year's team.
The offensive line is still a work in progress for Ashcraft and the Wampus Cats with players still finding their way to different positions. Seniors Robert Urrey and Austin Cole will return to their starting guard positions this season and will be joined by 6-5, 350-pound senior tackle Fadil Pervuljak, junior center Dylan Polk and junior tackle Alex Chambliss.
The Conway defense looks to be much improved from last year's team, which gave up more than 21 points per game a season ago. On the defensive line, Ashcraft will be "moving guys around," depending on how the rest of summer practices pan out.
Those looking to have locked up starting jobs include Marquez Massey and Cartwright on the ends and sophomore E.J.
Robinson and senior Andreas Cohen at the tackle spots.
The Wampus Cats will look to a couple of seniors and a junior to fill the linebacker positions in their 4-3 defense this season.
Seniors Rod Warren and Spencer Noggle, along with junior Darrien Hill, will be crucial against both the run and pass this season.
Senior leadership is not a luxury Ashcraft has in his secondary, with just one senior projected to be a starter. Instead, he will have to look to his junior class to clog the passing lanes. Senior safety Ben Riner will be joined by juniors Hunter Moix and Wesley Hoover at cornerback and Elliot Collins at safety.
Having Ashcraft call the plays will not be the only new sight on the sidelines. Brian Raney, who coached with Ashcraft at Siloam Springs, has also found a spot in Conway.
"The rest are coaching something new," Ashcraft said.
Making the transition from a 5A school to a 7A school will be a challenge for Ashcraft, but it is one that he is more than willing to accept.
"There are great coaches in this league," Ashcraft said. "I'm anxious to get going and compete against the best."
BREAKING DOWN THE WAMPUS CATS9-3 2008 record1 returning senior starter7A classifi cation21
Average points given up by defense
4-3 defense5
home gamesCONWAY WAMPUS CATS
Sept. 4 ............. at Bentonville
Sept. 11 . Fort Smith Southside
Sept. 18 .................... Benton
Sept. 25 ............... at Cabot*
Oct. 2 ........North Little Rock*
Oct. 9 .. at Little Rock Central*
Oct. 16 ....................Bryant*
Oct. 23 ...........at Van Buren*
Oct. 30 .............. Russellville*
Nov. 5 at Little Rock Catholic*
Special, Pages 205, 206, 207, 208 on 08/23/2009