For the first time since 2009, Greenwood will enter a football season with a loss from the previous season.
Greenwood's 50-game winning streak -- the third-longest in state history -- came to an end last season in the semifinals of the Class 6A state playoffs when it lost 37-34 to Pine Bluff.
That may have ended the Bulldogs' run of three consecutive state championships from 2010-2012 -- with the first two coming in Class 5A -- but nothing has changed with it comes to the Bulldogs' focus heading into this season.
"We've always had the mantra that we're going to worry about this week and not last week and not next week," Coach Rick Jones said. "Going 1-0 is the key."
Senior Reid Wheeler and sophomore Luke Hales are battling for the starting quarterback position after the graduation of Jabe Burgess. Wheeler started two games in place of Burgess last season while Hales led Greenwood's junior high team to a conference championship.
" It's who can help us win?" said Jones, who has won six state titles at the school. "Who gives us the best chance to win?"
Jones said his team is well-versed the mentality of taking it one day at a time.
"They take care of today, and we focus on today," Jones said. "We have things we have to get better at. We're not worried about the last game we've played. We're not worried about the next game we play. We're worried about today.
"We're worried about having a great practice, and after practice having a great lift and a great film session and focus on that and tomorrow, doing the same thing."
What isn't the same is the conference configuration.
Alma, Bryant, Siloam Springs and Van Buren all join the Class 7A/6A-Central this season as part of the Arkansas Activities Association's 2014-2016 reclassification cycle.
Alma, which moved up from Class 5A, is coming off a 10-3 season in which the Airedales advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs, where they lost to Batesville.
Coach Doug Loughridge, who is beginning his second season at Alma after leaving longtime Class 3A power Charleston, said he couldn't have imagined the Airedales advancing to the semifinals of the state playoffs in his first season.
"Our kids bought in and it was something they believed," he said. "That was big rolling into the offseason and the season. The kids established a work ethic that it took to get here.
"They're hungry. They're really excited about football season."
Senior quarterback Evan Burris passed for 1,692 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and was the catalyst for the Airedales' playoff run.
"Last year Evan didn't have a No. 4 on his jersey; he had a big question mark," Loughridge said. "We didn't know what we could do. We didn't know until we got him into a game-type situation.
"Now he's an established all-state quarterback. We've put a lot on his shoulders. He's a vocal leader. He's a leader by example. He's our offense, as far as leadership goes."
Conway is another team to watch after going 9-3 last season and advancing to the semifinals of the state playoffs last season.
The Wampus Cats return nine starters on offense, led by quarterback Breylin Lewis. Lewis, one of the state's top juniors, passed for 1,975 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2013 and already had been offered a scholarship by the University of Central Arkansas.
Coach Clint Ashcraft said he'll lean on his offense early in the season and while getting the defensive unit in place. Conway's defense returns only two starters.
"Hopefully by conference season, we'll have the pieces in place on that side of ball and start meshing together," Ashcraft said.
Bryant also could be in the mix after winning the 7A/6A-South title last season.
The Hornets lost talented athlete Devonte Howard (1,039 yards, eight touchdowns) to graduation, but Brandon Warner is back after passing for 1,063 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2013.
Leading the way up front for Bryant is left tackle Cameron Davis, 6-3, 260, one of the state's top offensive linemen. Davis, the son of former Arkansas Razorback and NFL offensive lineman Isaac Davis, already has been offered scholarships by Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and Tulsa.
Sports on 08/24/2014