The Wynne Yellowjackets have a new turf field, but the same high expectations entering the 2014 football season.
Ten starters return from a team that finished 9-3 a year ago, and that doesn't even count quarterback Ross Trail, who has transferred back to Wynne from Olive Branch, Miss., where he passed 1,626 yards abnd 15 touchdowns last season.
5A SUPER SIX
TEAM;2013;CONF.
- Wynne;9-3;5A-East
- Pulaski Academy;11-1;5A-Central
- Batesville;11-3;5A-East
- Camden Fairview;10-2;5A-South
- Greenbrier;4-7;5A-West
- Sylvan Hills;7-4;5A-Central
Yellowjackets at a glance
COACH Chris Hill
CONFERENCE 5A-East
2013 RECORD 9-3
KEY RETURNERS RB Antonio Davis (Jr., 5-9, 170), WR Zach Morris (Sr., 5-10, 170), LB Deandre McGill (Sr., 5-11, 211)
SCHEDULE
DATE;SCHEDULE
Sept. 5;Marion
Sept. 12;at Rosa Fort (Miss.)
Sept. 19;West Memphis
Sept. 26;at Blytheville*
Oct. 3;Greene County Tech*
Oct. 10;at Valley View*
Oct. 17;Batesville*
Oct. 24;at Paragould*
Oct. 31;Forrest City*
Nov. 7;at Nettleton*
- 5A-East game
Wynne will begin the season ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, poised for a title run, which would be its third since 2001 and its first since 2004.
"Expectations are high at Wynne every year and I think the kids understand that," Wynne Coach Chris Hill said. "I don't think anyone in the state has higher expectations than us."
Wynne has consistently been among the state's most successful football programs, posting a 117-49-2 record (.702 winning percentage) since 2000.
This season, Hill said Wynne has 74 players on its roster, including Trail, 6 -3, 210, who took snaps as a sophomore in 2012 and completed 123 passes for 236 yards last season in Mississippi.
"Ross is a very versatile quarterback," Hill said. "He can throw the deep ball, the short ball and he has a quick release. He understands how to attack the zone and man defenses. Plus, he's got a great work ethic to go along with his outstanding abilities."
Trail returned to Wynne in January and earned the starting job. Hill said there has been some adjustment period for Trail, but that the Yellowjackets have welcomed him back with open arms.
"We had a great spring practice and we got everything installed that we needed," Hill said. "What we're doing now is getting better with our fundamentals and getting things polished."
Zach Morris, 5-10, 170, earned all-state honors at quarterback as a junior, but he has moved back to receiver, where he was an all-state player as a sophomore.
"If he was 3 inches taller, everybody in the world would be after him," Hill said. "He's a competitor."
Senior Timothy Strasser, 6-2, 185, is the Yellowjackets' leading returning receiver, but an illness has kept him from practicing this month. Hill said he is hopeful Strasser will be able to return by the start of the regular season.
In place of Strasser, senior Austin Wilson, 5-10, 170, and sophomore Deontae Pounds, 6-0, 150, will be sought-after receiving targets with the Yellowjackets running from the Spread offense.
Junior running back Antonio Davis, 5-9, 170, rushed for 1,990 yards and 27 touchdowns on 238 carries as a sophomore -- and is expected to be an even bigger force this fall.
"He's a lot stronger this year," Hill said. "He's also quicker and faster than he was last year. He has moves you just can't teach."
The Yellowjackets are hoping to improve defensively after yielding 21.1 points a game in 2013.
Hill said he feels good about Wynne's "front line and outside linebackers."
Senior Marcus Northern, 5-11, 190, is "explosive" at nose guard while senior Deandre McGill, 5-11, 211, is moving to linebacker after collecting 88 tackles and seven sacks in 2013. Roy Like, 5-9, 220, returns to an inside linebacking position.
Junior Trevor Greer, 6-1, 190, started every game last season at outside linebacker and senior Jalen Young, 6-0, 165, is the team's top returner in the secondary.
"We were plus-22 on turnovers last year and that's something we have to continue," Hill said. "We want to play fast. We want to play like our hair is on fire."
Sports on 08/22/2014