Episcopal Collegiate advanced to the Class 3A semifinals last season and held its own against Smackover before losing 18-12, but the Wildcats aren't interested in looking back.
They are only interested in what lies ahead.
At a glance
EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE
COACH Richie Marsh
CONFERENCE 5-3A
2014 RECORD 12-2 (lost in Class 3A semifinals)
KEY RETURNERS WR Allie Freeman, 5-9, 160, Sr.; RB Kelvin Robinson, 6-1, 196, Sr.; WR Harris Bethel, 5-9, 155, Sr.; DE Jackson Owens, 6-2, 185, Jr.; LB Ladell Tyler, 5-9, 180, Sr.
2015 SCHEDULE
DATE;OPPONENT
Sept. 4;Conway Christian
Sept. 11;OPEN
Sept. 18;at Poyen
Sept. 25;at Horatio*
Oct. 2;Prescott*
Oct. 9;Centerpoint*
Oct. 16;at Jessieville*
Oct. 23;at Bismarck*
Oct. 30;Benton Harmony Grove*
Nov. 6;at Glen Rose*
*5-3A game
"They understand our recent tradition, but it's not a motivating factor for them," Coach Richie Marsh said. "They don't feel any pressure to replicate the sort of success that we've had in the last two years."
The Wildcats are led by senior wide receiver Allie Freeman, a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's All-Arkansas Preps preseason team.
Freeman, 5-9, 160 pounds, caught 94 passes for 1,971 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. His 1,971 yards a year ago ranks second in state history behind Nashville's Greg Washington, who had 2,321 yards in 1996.
Freeman also rushed for 63 yards and 5 touchdowns on 18 carries and completed 4 of 5 passes for 124 yards and 3 scores.
He has accounted for 3,810 receiving yards in his high school career which, according to the Arkansas Activities Association, ranks fifth all time in the state's history. Former Greenwood receiver Josh Bell holds the record with 4,711 yards (1998-2000).
"He's the face of our program," Marsh said. "He plays a lot of different positions for us on offense. He's done a lot for our program. He's extremely versatile. The boys think a lot of him."
Another key weapon will be senior running back Kelvin Robinson. Robinson, 6-1, 196, rushed for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns on 59 carries and caught 16 passes for 262 yards and 4 scores.
"He's an unbelievable player," Marsh said. "We haven't tackled him all training camp."
Junior wide receiver Harris Bethel, 5-9, 155, also returns for Episcopal after compiling 421 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.
Episcopal has to replace graduated quarterback Douglas Munson. Marsh said junior Josef Braunfisch and sophomore Jacob Howard are competing for that job.
Linebacker Ladell Tyler and defensive lineman Jackson Owens lead the Wildcats' defense. Tyler, a senior, had 47 tackles and four sacks last season. Owens, a junior, had 33 tackles, including three for losses.
The Wildcats open the season Sept. 4 when they host Conway Christian. Key 5-3A Conference games include home games with reigning league champion Prescott on Oct. 2 and Benton Harmony Grove on Oct. 30.
Episcopal has one of the smallest rosters in Class 3A with only 22 players, but Marsh is hopeful his Wildcats can enjoy another successful season.
"We just expect to compete every game," Marsh said. "Our guys do a good job of focusing week to week and trying to be 1-0 each week. They can focus on the process pretty well, so we don't get distracted by the big picture too often."
Sports on 08/30/2015