TWO RIVERS: Trying to hold on

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.