PULASKI COUNTY PREVIEW LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL

'Better' Tigers face tougher schedule

Second in a series profiling Pulaski County high school football teams.

Little Rock Central Coach Ellis "Scooter" Register is confident his Tigers are better than last season's team that finished 3-7 and out of the playoffs. But the veteran coach is not so confident his team can earn a better record this fall.

LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL

2015 Record;3-7

Conference;7A-Central

Coach;Ellis “Scooter” Register

Key players; OL Jaylon Alexander (Sr. 5-9, 245), OL Malik Onwumere (Sr. 5-9, 295), LB Terryl Humphrey (Sr. 5-8, 175), LB Jayleon Harrell (Sr. 5-9, 175), P/K Jason Ronnel (Sr. 5-9, 155)

SCHEDULE

Sept. 2;Rogers Heritage;Oct. 7;at Bryant *

Sept. 9;Bentonville West;Oct. 14;at Cabot *

Sept. 16;at West Memphis;Oct. 21;Conway *

Sept. 23;at NLR *;Oct. 28;at FS Southside *

Sept. 30;FS Northside *;Nov. 3 Catholic *

*- denotes 7A-Central Conference game

"We can be a better football team and not be better than 3-7," said Register, who is in his 43rd year of coaching and his seventh year at Central. "The reason I say that is because this conference [7A-Central] we are about to embark upon is probably the toughest I've seen. There's not one team you can put your finger on and say, 'We probably should win this game.' We're going to have to earn every win in this conference."

Central picked up victories over Searcy, Mountain Home and Marion last season, but those three teams are not on the Tigers' schedule this fall. Central, Cabot and North Little Rock have moved into a league that includes perennial powers Fort Smith Northside, Fort Smith Southside, Bryant, Little Rock Catholic and Conway.

The Tigers' cupboard is far from bare. Central has a solid group of returnees on the offensive line, a host of promising receivers, two of the better linebackers in the conference, a strong defensive backfield and a solid group on special teams.

Like many programs, the Tigers' season may hinge on how healthy they remain throughout the season.

Senior guard Malik Onwumere, 5-9, 295 pounds; senior tackle Jaylon Alexander, 5-9, 245; senior tackle Archie Lowe, 6-0, 275; and junior center Jabralin Johnson, 5-9, 265, make for a solid offensive front. Register said he has been impressed with their pass protection.

"Our first five are really good," Register said. "They've all been here four years, and they know what we're all about. But depth can be a critical issue for us. We just don't have a lot of experienced depth. They have to stay healthy."

Onwumere suffered an ankle injury in the spring, and Alexander suffered a knee injury four games into last season.

Register said the Tigers are blessed to have a bevy of talented receivers, although none of them are returning starters. Senior Terrance Jones, 6-0, 175; sophomore Da'jaun Brewer, 6-2, 190; junior Donald Richardson, 6-0, 175; senior Kivi Murray, 5-9, 180; and senior Marlo Thompson, 5-9, 150, are all physical players who can produce big plays. Senior Thomas Walker, 6-5, 175, and junior Chris Sanders, 6-1, 175, will share time at tight end.

"We have to put the ball in their hands because they all have big-play potential," Register said.

Who puts the ball in their hands is the Tigers' biggest question mark. Senior Josh Cole, 6-3, 200, started the Tigers' final three games last season. Junior Jacob Howard, 6-2, 180, is a transfer from Episcopal Collegiate who threw for more than 2,600 yards at the 3A school last season.

"We've got a fierce battle at quarterback," Register said. "I can't tell you who the starting quarterback is going to be, but they are both capable. The guy who wins the starting quarterback position is the guy we think will give us the best chance to win."

Oscar Adaway, 5-10, 200, started at running back last season as a freshman, injured his ankle in the second game of the season and "was never the same" the rest of the season, Register said. Adaway; junior Andrew Bradley, 5-3, 175; and junior Marcus Christopher, 5-8, 195, will give the Tigers options at running back.

Register said senior linebacker Terryl Humphrey, 5-8, 175, was the Tigers' best defensive player in 2015 and "it really wasn't close."

"He led the team in tackles," Register said. "He just had an outstanding year."

Register also is high on senior Jayleon Harrell, 5-9, 175.

"These two guys are going to be two of the best linebackers in our conference," Register said. "They're good tacklers, and they've got a nose for the football."

Central's secondary also has experience. Junior Antonio Brown, 6-0, 145, played at free safety; Senior Deric Blake, 5-9, 145, returns at cornerback; and junior Tzion Saine, 5-7, 160, returns as the team's rover.

"Brown is an exceptional player at safety," Register said. "He's tall. He's rangy. And he's physical."

Register also said junior Bobby Brown, 5-7, 155, and senior Marvin Ashford, 5-8, 155, will contribute to the Tigers' efforts in the defensive backfield.

Senior kicker/punter Jason Ronnel, 5-9, 155, and senior deep snapper Brandon Lichti, 5-7, 185, are part of Central's solid special teams.

"Ronnel went to kicking camp at Harvard and kicked a 50-yard field goal," Register said. "I don't know how they scored them, but he came out as the second best kicker at the Harvard camp. He's a leader for this team. The rest of the kids look up to him. He's got a bright future in front of him. I don't know if it involves kicking a football, but it's a bright future."

Central will open the season Sept. 2 against Rogers Heritage.

Sports on 08/12/2016

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