SPRINGDALE -- Jack Lindsey enrolled at Springdale High on March 10.
It didn't take the Fayetteville quarterback transfer long to figure out receiver Kyler Williams had the potential to be a go-to target.
That's exactly what Williams was Thursday night during the Bulldogs' spring game, catching four passes for 157 yards, including hauling in 68 and 65-yard touchdowns from Lindsey.
"He's really athletic and really reliable," Lindsey said.
The duo connected for the 68-yard score on the first-team offense's third drive of the scrimmage after Williams caused the defense to bite with a nifty double move. The touchdown was the first-team offense's lone scoring drive against the full first-team defense, but far from the sole big passing play. Senior receiver Hunter Necessary had two catches for 38 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Keelyn Flannel had a 77-yard touchdown catch.
Lindsey finished 10 of 20 for 292 yards and five touchdowns, all of which were 18 yards or longer. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder wrapped up a smooth first spring at Springdale under his uncle, new coach Zak Clark, who was his offensive coordinator at Fayetteville.
"We put in a couple different plays that I hadn't run, but as far as I know, I've known the offense since eighth grade," Lindsey said. "So it's been pretty easy for me."
The defense, which ranked last in Class 7A in points allowed last year and returns little experience, was solid for long stretches with first-team personnel, especially up front. But it also broke down and gave up a handful of long scoring plays.
"D-line was probably the surprise of the spring," Clark said. "Those guys really controlled the tempo. Very confident and comfortable with our top four, five, six guys. I thought they really played well."
Senior cornerback Malcolm Neal, the team's leading rusher last year, intercepted a pass late in the scrimmage and raced down the sideline untouched for a score. Neal is one of several players vying for playing time at cornerback after the Bulldogs graduated both starters from last season. The group had its ups and downs Thursday, getting beat deep several times.
"We challenged the secondary all spring and played a lot of man coverage," Clark said. "Probably won't play as much man going into the fall. We put them in a lot of one-on-one matchups. You're going to win some and lose some. Overall, they got a lot better."
Springdale was without a few players because of injury or family obligations, most notably center Pedro Lazo, tight end Dylan Bible and running back Marshawn Wilson. The game served as the ninth and final practice in Clark's first spring as Bulldog head coach.
"We got a lot installed," Clark said. "We got a lot better between practice one and practice nine. I'm proud of the kids. We've certainly got a lot to work on. But it was a very physical spring and tonight was physical as well. We're getting better."
Sports on 05/22/2015