LITTLE ROCK — This year's Harrison team makes Coach Tom Tice feel young again.
That's not necessarily meant in a good way.
The Goblins will have 30 sophomores, many playing significant roles, on this year's team.
For Tice, 57, it is a reminder of his first team at Harrison, way back in 1982. Tice, then 31, led the Goblins to a 5-5 record.
"Like most young teams, some days they look good and other days you wonder, 'Who is this bunch?' " Tice said. "They're up and down. It's a roller-coaster ride with a young team."
Tice said when he took over the Goblins in 1982, he didn't know any of the players and the program wasn't in good shape. He put his best on the field and lived with the ups and downs.
He said he is taking a similar approach with this year's team, even though he knows the players.
"We can't wait on these guys," Tice said. "We have to go now."
The Goblins' youth is nowhere more apparent than on offense. Harrison returns no starters, although quarterback Ryan Miller started at receiver last year as a junior.
Miller is new to the position but is a grizzled veteran compared to the rest of the offense. Tice said Miller did well in 7-on-7 tournaments this summer and is a fast runner.
"Our offense is going to have to be centered around Ryan Miller," Tice said. "He's a very talented young man but doesn't have a lot of experience. He'll figure into a lot of our offense, either throwing it or running it.
"We're trying to bring him along as fast as we can."
The Goblins have some talent at receiver, led by junior tight end John Colliver. Senior running back Jacob Thompson, who missed last year after breaking his leg in a preseason scrimmage, will split time with sophomore Jackson Doorman.
The offensive line is where the real questions are. Early in summer practices, Tice said the line was just learning how to practice, much less ready to deal with talented conference defenses running stunts andblitzes.
"It's a good thing Miller is fast, because he could be running for his life," Tice said.
The Goblins' defense is more seasoned with five returning starters. Harrison returns both inside linebackers in its 3-4 defense and two cornerbacks, a luxury in the pass-happy 5AWest Conference.
One of those cornerbacks, senior Dillon Wynn, broke his wrist this summer and had to have a bone graft from his hip. He is expected back by September.
Colliver, who started at outside linebacker, will play strong safety.
"Up front is where we have to have some people come through," Tice said. "We got some good people there, but they either haven't played much or they're sophomores. They really have to mature quickly."
The Goblins hope their aggressive mind-set will cover for any defensive holes. Most of the teams in the 5A-West Conference have Spread offenses, and Tice wants to put the pressure on them.
"We're going to come after you," Tice said. "I'm like George Patton. I don't want to hear about anybody holding their position."
Tice said the popular thought is to lower expectations because of the team's youth. It's understandable. The young players will need a year to gain experience and then become a forceto be reckoned with in the years to come.
That's not in Tice's thinking.
"I think we'll be a surprise team to a lot of people," Tice said.
Harrison Goblins
COACH Tom Tice
LAST SEASON 7-3
OFFENSE Spread
DEFENSE 3-4
RETURNING STARTERS Offense 0, defense 5
POINTS SCORED PER GAME 37.1
POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME 26.7
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH Ryan Miller (6-0, 175, QB, Sr.); John Colliver (6-5, 195, TE/K, Jr.); Jeremy Johnson (5-9, 175, WR, Jr.); Colton Black (6-1, 250, OL, Sr.)
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH Dakota Hill (6-0, 215, LB, Jr.); Robert Holmes (6-1,200, LB, Sr.); Adam Bennett (6-1, 160, CB, Sr.); Dillon Wynn (6-0, 155, CB, Sr.)
KEEP AN EYE ON Stephen Emerson. TheGoblins are extremely raw on the defensive line, and Emerson has to become a dependable performer at nose guard.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK The Goblins have some talented receivers but a glaring lack of experience on the offensive line. The line has to develop quickly to have any chance of offensivesuccess this year.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK Things look brighter for the Goblins' defense. The secondary may be the best in the conference, and the Goblins have two solid linebackers.
SEASON OUTLOOK The Goblins have the talent to challenge for a playoff berth, but the huge number of sophomores realistically makes that a year away. The Goblins have to avoid injuries to their experienced players or it may be a long year.
KEY GAME Sept. 25 at Vilonia. The young Goblins need to get off to a good start in conference against an almost equally young Vilonia.
QUOTING COACH TICE "I don't think anybody rises to low expectations. We won't change our expectations because we're young."
Sports, Pages 53, 55 on 08/30/2009