RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Since the consolidation of Ola-Plainview, the newly named Two Rivers Gators have had their ups and downs. Last season, the team managed to reach the play
offs only to lose in the first round to Cross
County.
Returning only four starters, the Gators will be a young squad that consists of just 19 players.
Unlike some other schools in Arkansas with
too few players, most notably Hector, who
recently announced they would not be play
ing varsity football in 2009, Two Rivers is
pushing forward and attempting to finish
filling their schedule.
"We still don't have anyone to play week
two," Gators head coach Josh Harrison said.
"And we're still looking at three other teamson the schedule who we might not even play." The reason for the drop in players at Two Rivers can be contributed to the consolidation factor, which has caused many students to move away, and the fact that the program graduated 16 seniors from the 2008 season.
Needless to say, it's going to be iron-man football for the Gators as most players will play on both sides of the ball.
Even with this lack of depth, Harrison feels like the team can still build off its playoff berth last season and possibly make it there again.
"We graduated those 16 seniors, but we still feel like we have a shot at making the playoffs," he said. "We have some players that can compete with their abilities." Sophomore quarterback Blake Noakes (5-10, 175) will take the snaps behind a big line with little experience.
Harrison said his best returning starter
will be Clay Damon (5-10, 195), who will
play tailback and middle linebacker.
"He's the only offensive threat we have,"
the coach said.
Last season, Damon also recorded more
than 100 stops at the linebacker position.
Elsewhere on defense, the problems with
the offensive line carry over to the D-line.
With such a small group of players, the
threat of injuries will be lurking all season,
but Two Rivers' primary focus this season is
to progress and move forward with the future
of Gator football.
"We want to build upon last year's playoff
berth," Harrison said. "We will gain experi
ence as the seasons goes on and we've got to
battle each game. We've got over 50 kids in
junior high, so there's a future for the pro
gram. Turning the sophomores into juniors
and the juniors into seniors is a priority. We
have to build up the Gator pride and support
for the program.
Special, Pages 229 on 08/23/2009