SPRINGDALE — Shiloh Christian Coach Josh Floyd is ready for all the excitement to die down so he can get to business.
The Saints probably have drawn more attention this summer than they received in Floyd's first five years combined since he took over the program in 2004.
First, they found themselves in the middle of a raging debate about whether public schools and private schools that provide financial aid should be split up into their own divisions for the state playoffs. It was a lively - some might call it contentious - discussion that more than likely will be revisited again.
But that wasn't the only attention Shiloh Christian has received this summer. It's also made a splash nationally in the preseason rankings.
The Saints are ranked No. 8 nationally by CBS Max Preps,and several other publications have them in their top 100 rankings. It's a nice reward for a team that in the past decade has won five state championships in three different classifications, including their first title at the Class 4A level last year.
"It's a great honor for our program," Floyd said of the preseason rankings. "A lot of times they're based on what you did the year before, but we've got some big-time players back."
Floyd will get no argument there.
Four Shiloh Christian players already have received scholarship offers from Division I colleges: Senior linebacker Mitchell Roberts (Tulsa and Illinois), junior quarterback Kiehl Frazier (Arkansas, Auburn, Tulsa and Western Michigan), junior nose guard Samuel Harvill (UNLV and SMU) and junior offensive tackle Travis Bodenstein (Tulsa).
The talent doesn't stop there. The Saints also return runningbacks Garrett Harper and Chris Bryant, wide receivers Zann Jones and Jake Scott, center Josh Salsbury, safety Wilson Huett and linebacker Colt Thomas.
Frazier takes over as the fulltime quarterback after rotating last year with David Matthews, who decided in late July that he would give up football to focus on basketball and golf.
Jon Hawes, a 6-3, 210-pound junior, steps into the lineup at wide receiver, joining returning starters Jones and Scott. Harper and Bryant combined to score 28 touchdowns last year, with half of those coming on receptions.
Four starters are back on the offensive line, led by Bodenstein and Salsbury. Harvill, Roberts and Thomas are among seven returning starters on defense.
GRAVETTE
Gravette finished in second place behind Shiloh Christian last year, but the Lions might have to duke it out with Prairie Grove and Farmington this season.
The three teams appear even, but Gravette gets the early edge because of a favorable schedule.
The Lions get Prairie Grove and Farmington at home, and aside from an Oct. 23 trip to Shiloh Christian, their only conference road games are at Gentry and Berryville.
Gravette's main objective will be to break in a new quarterback and prepare him for the rigors of conference play. Colt Moorman, who backed up Ethan McKinzie last year, held a slight edge over Colton Davis entering the final week of the preseason.
Senior fullback Travis Eden returns after scoring five touchdowns over the first four games of last season before missingthe remainder of the year with a knee injury. Coach Bill Harrelson said Eden, who is also a fierce pass rusher at defensive end, is fully recovered.
Senior Michael Croasdell, who runs 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, also returns at running back and cornerback.
FARMINGTON
Farmington overcame a rash of injuries to earn its fifth consecutive trip to the playoffs last year.
The Cardinals' seven returning starters on offense include quarterback Chance Hyslip, leading receiver Logan Boudrey and tailback Josh Burnett, who led the team with 80 rushing yards per game and 8.3 yardsper carry. Farmington also has size and experience on the offensive line, led by senior right tackle Ryan Brown.
Boudrey, who also starts at free safety, and senior end Ryan Waits are the Cardinals' only two returning starters on defense. Coach Mike Adams said the Cardinals have converted to a 3-3 stack to take advantage of their speed and make up for their lack of size.
A 57-man roster gives Farmington depth in case injuries strike again.
The Cardinals host Prairie Grove on Oct. 2 in one of the conference's key matchups.
"That's a big rivalry game," Adams said. "It's one our kidsalways look forward to." PRAIRIE GROVE
Prairie Grove looks to reach the postseason for the 14th consecutive year after tailing off sharply at the end of last season.
The Tigers started 4-1 in conference play before losing to Gentry and Gravette at home to end the regular season and falling at Heber Springs in the first round of the playoffs.
Coach Danny Abshier wants to rotate between the Spread offense and the Wing-T, but he must find the right mix to be successful.
Thomas Soehner rushed for 1,103 yards last year and will shoulder more of the load this season. Senior Chad Austin returns at quarterback and will look to throw more after passing for 744 yards a year ago.
Soehner, Charles Stills, Gabriel Olivas and Ethan Robinson provide depth in the secondary for the Tigers' 4-3 defense.
HUNTSVILLE
Huntsville should improve on its 2-9 mark this year with 19 starters returning.
The Eagles were decimated by injuries last year, but Coach Ken Harriman said most of the returners are close to full strength.A 20-10 victory over Gentry to close the regular season sent Huntsville to the playoffs.
"It's hard to make 2-9 look good," Harriman said. "If there was any silver lining, it was that we went into that game against Gentry knowing we actually had to win by a certain number of points. When you come through and do it, you can take some positives out of it."
Junior quarterback Cody Stevens leads Huntsville's offense after passing for more than 1,000 yards in seven starts last year.
GENTRY
Caleb Ramsey passed for nearly 1,600 yards last year and returns for his third season atquarterback.
Ramsey injured his knee against Pea Ridge midway through the season but played through the injury with limited mobility. The Pioneers managed an upset victoryat Prairie Grove in Week 9, but that was the highlight of a 3-7 season.
Senior Robert Henderson leads a diverse set of receiving targets in the Pioneers' Spread offense.
End Nick Weeks will anchor the defensive line after recording 109 tackles last year.
BERRYVILLE
Berryville received a crushing blow last year when quarterback Matt Trulove sustained a major knee injury that ended his career during the Bobcats' conference-opening 65-0 loss to Shiloh Christian.
The Bobcats lost their next four games but finished the year by winning two of their last three.
Tailback Travis McBryde returns for his senior year after rushing for 921 yards last season, including 496 yards over the final three games.
Senior Jeremy Wilson filled in for Trulove but missed the last four games with a shoulder injury. Either Eric Holman or McBryde will start the year at quarterback if Wilson is not fully recovered.
PEA RIDGE
New Pea Ridge Coach Tony Travis faces a major rebuilding project after replacing Mark Laster in early July.
Coming off a 1-9 season, the Blackhawks will switch to the I-formation on offense after spending Laster's two seasons in the Spread. Senior tailback and third-year starter Tyler Ramsey will be the primary ballcarrier for the Blackhawks.
Senior Ethan Rhine takes over at quarterback for Kip Kelly, who left the team to focus on basketball after starting the past two seasons.
Sports, Pages 65, 67, 68, 69 on 08/30/2009