THREE RIVERS AREA — The Newport Greyhounds' 2008 season ended two points away from a spot in the Class 4A state championship game. The Greyhounds were defeated 24-23 in overtime by Pine Bluff Dollarway, ending the season at 10-4 and one game short of their first state championship game since winning the Class AAA title in 1991.
But the one-point loss has only made the 2009 Greyhounds hungry, as the team looks to build upon the school's streak of 22 consecutive playoff appearances with a 23rd consecutive appearance in 2009.
"We ask our kids to sit down and fill out a questionnaire in the offseason ... and write down their goals," said Newport coach Greg Brannon, a former tight end at the school. "It's always a goal to get back to the playoffs. We have the longest consecutive streak of playoff appearances in the state of Arkansas, so there's a lot of tradition
at Newport." The Greyhounds will depend on a large, battle-test
ed offensive line to power its offense. The team returns
four starters on the line from the 2008 season, including
strong tackle Wesley Grady, a 6-foot-5-inch, 320-pound
senior, and right guard Demetria Friar, a 6-foot-3-inch,
290-pound senior.
The Greyhounds average about 300 pounds across
their offensive front line, and the hulking linemen will
be clearing holes for junior running back Artez Brown
and senior quarterback Ryan McGaughey along with
fullbacks Darrion Watkins, a senior, and Quadarius Ross,
a junior. Another player of note on the offensive side of
the ball is senior tight end Joe Hardin.
"We have a lot of experience, size and speed returning
on offense," said Brannon, noting the Greyhounds have
seven starters returning on offense.
On defense, the Greyhounds' anchor will be their
interior line and secondary as the team returns four de
fensive starters from 2008.
"We have size on the defensive line, and our secondary is very quick and very fast," Brannon said. "We're inexperienced at the defensive end position and linebacker." The Greyhounds' secondary features Brown at cornerback and McGaughey at free safety along with junior cornerback Robert Balentine and junior strong safety Denzell Taylor.
Brannon considers the Greyhounds' 3-4A conference to be one of the toughest in the state, so a 23rd consecutive playoff appearance is not a given but will have to be earned on the field. Still, Brannon expects the 2009 team to continue the playoff appearance streak, as do the players.
"I think we have very high expectations," Brannon said. "You hear [the players] talk. They know they were one play away from the state finals.
"It's a team concept at Newport; it's not about the individual. What we always try to teach at Newport is to work as a team. You can win with talent, and you can lose with it too."
NEWPORT GREYHOUNDS
Sept. 3 .................. at Batesville
Sept. 11 .............. at Bald Knob
Sept. 18 ...................... Wynne
Sept. 25 ..............at Highland*
Oct. 2 ................. Valley View*
Oct. 9 ................. Pocahontas*
Oct. 16 ................ at Osceola*
Oct. 23 at Jonesboro Westside*
Oct. 30 ..................... Gosnell*
Nov. 6 .....................Trumann*
Special, Pages 194, 195, 196 on 08/23/2009