LOWELL — Magazine is ready to take the next step.
Last season, the Rattlers turned in the school's first winning season since 2000 and made their third consecutive trip to the Class 2A state playoffs.
What the Rattlers want now is a conference championship, and with 16 starters back from a 7-4 team, they are the favorites to win the 4-2A Conference.
"Every year, it seems like we get a little bit better," said Josh Jones, who is in his fifth season as Magazine's coach. "We'd been in the playoffs before but acted like we didn't belong. But last year we felt like we belonged there and competed well."
Magazine ended its season both discouraged and encouraged. The Rattlers had a chance to tie Johnson County Westside and Union Christian for the conference title but lost 30-12 to Westside at home.
Magazine also lost in the first round of the playoffs, 26-3 to Woodlawn, but Jones said he was more pleased with that result and its carryover into 2009.
"Westside came in and just beat us up. They were better than us last year," Jones said. "Woodlawn was the best game we played all year."
Jones took notice of a core group of dedicated returnees who were active in summer workouts and 7-on-7 competition. Michael Corbitt and Ryan Chambers return as the team's top offensive skill players, and the Rattlers will have a veteran offensive line led by John Davis, Daniel Aydelott and Craig Rhinehart.
Corbitt, who rushed for 935 yards as a junior, can play running back or quarterback.
"It seemed like last year he'd only have 30 rushing yards at halftime and then he'd finish with 108 because we'd wear people down," Jones said.
Bubbe Day, Skyler McElroy and Josh Dorrity highlight a defense that came on strong at the end of the season against quality opponents such as Union Christian, Johnson County Westside and Woodlawn.
"Their junior high teams the last couple years have been some of the best teams at that level I've ever seen," Johnson County Westside Coach Kenny Sheltonsaid. "We've been able to get the better of them in senior high, but they've got a great sophomore class.
"Those guys are very athletic, and they should be the preseason favorites."
UNION CHRISTIAN
Senior tight end/linebacker Michael Wilkerson said the Eagles have something to prove after going 6-5 last season and finishing second to Johnson County Westside in the conference.
Many considered Union Christian the conference favorite last season after the Eagles dropped down from Class 4A. But two disappointing home losses - 16-12 to Westside and 20-13 to Marvell in the first round of the state playoffs - characterized Union Christian's season.
The Eagles are determined to make up for that this season.
"Our goal is to win a state championship, make no bones about it," Wilkerson said. "We were embarrassed in the playoffs last year. We sure didn't doourselves any favors."
Wilkerson is expected to play a big role in whatever success the Eagles have this season. The 6-3, 240-pound senior is a threat at tight end, and he anchors the team's defense from his middle linebacker position.
Quarterback Aaron Collins, running back Michael Matthews, offensive lineman Adam Reano, linebacker Jason Pinckney and defensive back Caleb Hearst head up a senior class that should help the Eagles challenge Magazine for the top spot in the conference.
JOHNSON COUNTY WESTSIDE
It will be difficult for Johnson County Westside to duplicate the success it had last season.
The Rebels (7-3) won the first conference championship in school history, but they have lost about 95 percent of their offense, including 1,000-yard rusher Derrick Bryant, 800-yard rusher Peanut Richardson and 700-yard rusher Michael Lee.
Running backs Corey Holtand Dylan Jackson will be asked to replace much of the production lost to graduation.
"For us to progress like I think we can, I think these guys now understand what we're trying to accomplish," said Kenny Shelton, who is in his second season as the Rebels' coach. "We believe we're running a system where we can be successful no matter who we have running the ball. We'll see how that turns out for us."
Westside should return a stout defense this season. The unit allowed just 64 points in its six conference victories last season and returns talented players like Holt and Haze Ouellette at linebacker, defensive lineman Michael Willis and cornerback Shaun Mainard.
The Rebels were road warriors during their championship run, clinching the conference title with victories at Union Christian (16-12) and Magazine (30-12) over the final three regular-season games.
"We were very fortunate last year to go on the road and beat both of those teams," Shelton said. "We're hoping the home field will be the advantage for us against those two good teams."
HACKETT
A lack of depth will make it tough for Hackett to improve onlast season's 3-8 record and earn a trip to the playoffs.
Several players decided to focus on basketball this season, and Coach Eddie Ray said fewer than 20 players plan to suit up for the Hornets.
"I've got a real good group of sophomores, but the issue right now is we're counting on so many sophomores who are really having to learn, almost from scratch, in key positions," Ray said. "Right now we're thin and inexperienced, really small on the line." Still, Ray said he is encouraged because he sees more speed from his current group than last year, and there are some aggressive young players who can provide a foundation.
Junior quarterback/defensive back Evan Ray, junior wide receiver/defensive back Justin Robbins and senior linemen Zach Glover and Michael Flesher will lead Hackett.
WESTERN YELL COUNTY
Western Yell County is still in a rebuilding phase.
The Wolverines went 0-10 last season, and Coach Phil Collins has been hampered with low numbers throughout the preseason.
Collins said he believes Western Yell will go with a 15- or 16-man roster at most, but he does have some talent in Mark Vilavanh and Jeff Ravasong, who will split time between quarterback and running back.
Vilavanh, a 5-8, 150-pound senior, hasn't played quarterback, but the Wolverines think he can be a vital part of their offense. Vilavanh played a lot at running back and wideout last season, and Collins likes his toughness and athletic ability.
"He has good quickness, and he's really an outstanding player," Collins said. "I think he'll be an all-conference player for us."
Ravasong, 5-9, 165, is slightly bigger than Vilavanh but has more speed coming out of the backfield.
Collins said having so few players has been frustrating, but he said the Wolverines will make do with what they have.
"The challenge is there," said Collins, who is in his second season at the school. "But I've never gone anywhere to coach where things were already good."4-2A predictions TEAM COMMENT 1. Magazine Experience all over the field should lift Rattlers to top 2. Union Christian Offensive, defensive line depth make Eagles a threat 3. JC Westside Too much offensive firepower graduated to allow for a repeat title 4. Hackett Hornets should be better in 2010 with a young team 5. W. Yell County Second-year Coach Phil Collins has a tough task ahead
Sports, Pages 92 on 08/30/2009