Bears look to go to another level

Sylvan Hills Coach Jim Withrow said he believes his program is on solid ground after recording eight victories and reaching the playoffs for the third consecutive year last fall.

"We're not in the elite yet, but we're always there," Withrow said. "We're making our way there."

Sylvan Hills

COACH Jim Withrow

CONFERENCE 5A-Central

2014 RECORD 8-3

KEY RETURNERS RB/CB Brandon Bracely, 5-6, 170, Sr.; OG Sam Perez, 5-11, 280, Sr.; QB Jordan Washington, 6-2, 185, Jr.

SCHEDULE

DATE;OPPONENT

Aug. 31;vs. Vilonia#

Sept. 11;HS Lakeside

Sept. 18;at Newport

Sept. 25;at Mills *

Oct. 2;LR Fair*

Oct. 9;Jacksonville *

Oct. 23;LR McClellan*

Oct. 30;at Beebe*

Nov. 6;Pulaski Academy*

*5A-Central game

#at War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock

Sylvan Hills won its first eight games last season before momentum stalled when star quarterback/safety Tra Doss broke his hand in Week 9 against Beebe.

Sylvan Hills was beaten 41-37 by Beebe, and, without Doss at quarterback, 50-20 at Pulaski Academy in the regular-season finale.

The late-season slide -- Sylvan Hills could have grabbed the 5A-Central title with victories over Beebe and Pulaski Academy -- resulted in a brutal playoff draw for the Bears.

Sylvan Hills tumbled to a No. 3 seed and was beaten 54-7 at Wynne in the first round of the playoffs.

Wynne eliminated Beebe in the semifinals (35-28) before losing to Pulaski Academy (38-28) in the state championship game.

"We got a horrible draw," Withrow said. "If we beat Beebe, we get a fantastic draw. But it was a great year. We scored a lot of points, played good defense, made a lot of plays. Everybody had fun."

Sylvan Hills must replace 23 graduated seniors, including six who signed with collegiate programs. Doss, who didn't play against Wynne following surgery, signed with Ouachita Baptist.

The Bears return eight starters, including five defensively, in what Withrow calls a "transition period."

But fueled by the installation of an artificial playing surface and the highest victory total since Withrow became coach in 2007 last season, Sylvan Hills has a robust 79-man roster for fall camp (up from 67 in 2014).

The Bears averaged 39.4 points per game last season out of a Spread-option scheme.

Junior Jordan Washington, 6-2, 185 pounds, started at wide receiver before shifting to quarterback after Doss broke his hand.

Washington's first two career starts at quarterback came against the eventual state champion and state runner-up.

"He got thrown into a tough situation," Withrow said. "Jordan's got a pretty good grasp of what we're doing because he's done it for a couple of years."

The only other returning offensive starters are senior right guard Sam Perez, 5-11, 280, and senior right tackle Temuulen Zolbayar, 5-11, 235, a native of Mongolia.

Returning defensive starters are headed by senior linebackers Joe Craft, 5-10, 195; Jonathan Hicks, 5-11, 215; and Marquaylan Jones, 5-9, 190.

Other returning starters are senior lineman Devin Spencer, 5-8, 250, and senior cornerback Brandon Bracely, 5-6, 170.

Junior Fred Mackey, 5-6, 155, will start at cornerback, Withrow said, after transferring from Little Rock Parkview.

"I feel better about our defense than I ever have," Withrow said. "I think they're going to be good. They're fast and they get to the ball. I think we're more athletic in the secondary than we've been in a while."

Sylvan Hills will continue to run a 3-4 defensive scheme, Withrow said.

The Bears haven't reached the playoffs in four consecutive seasons since 1996-1999.

"I like our guys," Withrow said. "I think if things fall into place, we've got a chance to make a pretty good run."

Sports on 08/27/2015

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