Little Rock Christian has gone from one of the most experienced teams in Class 5A to one of the classification's most inexperienced.
The Warriors, who finished 12-1 last season and won the 5A-West Conference championship, lost 25 seniors and must replace their top three offensive players from a year ago -- running back Damarea Crockett (now at Missouri), wide receiver Joe Hampton (Central Arkansas) and quarterback Kyron Sanders (Southern Nazarene).
LR Christian at a glance
2015 RECORD 12-1 (7-0 5A-West); Lost in Class 5A semifinals to Pulaski Academy
CONFERENCE 5A-Central (2016-2018 classification cycle)
COACH Jeff Weaver
KEY PLAYERS QB Jackson Bowersock (Jr., 6-1, 160); RB Ladarius Burnes (Jr., 5-9, 170); WR Henley Bland (Sr., 6-0, 175); WR/LB Austin Guymon (Sr., 6-4, 200); OL/DL Colin Baxley (Sr., 6-6, 225)
SCHEDULE
DATE;OPPONENT
Aug. 30;Warren^
Sept. 9;Shiloh Christian
Sept. 16;at Harrison
Sept. 23;at Beebe*
Sept. 30;Sylvan Hills*
Oct. 7;Pulaski Academy*
Oct. 14;at LR Parkview*
Oct. 21;LR McClellan*
Oct. 28;at Mills*
Nov. 4;LR Fair*
*5A-Central game
^At War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock
Coach Jeff Weaver, who is entering his fourth season at Little Rock Christian, is moving forward, though.
"We said goodbye to a great class," Weaver said. "We've been working toward Aug. 30 against Warren ever since."
Little Rock Christian averaged 46.2 points per game last season, scoring at least 40 points in their first 12 games before losing 35-7 in the Class 5A semifinals to Pulaski Academy on Thanksgiving weekend.
The Warriors might not be as explosive offensively, with five returning starters, including two skill-position starters.
At quarterback, junior Jackson Bowersock is expected to start after backing up Sanders last season. Bowersock completed 27 of 49 passes for 256 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception in 2015.
"He doesn't lack for confidence," Weaver said. "He's going to believe in his abilities and go out there and perform to his best."
Weaver said senior Christian Crain is in the mix at quarterback as well. Crain threw one touchdown pass last season.
Junior Ladarius Burnes is the Warriors' No. 1 running back in fall camp. Burnes has been slowed by a toe injury, but should be ready for Week 1. He played for Little Rock Christian's junior varsity team last season.
"He's not as big as Damarea and he may not have the home run speed that Damarea had, but he's a little more natural of a true Spread back," Weaver said. "If you hit him and don't wrap up, he'll go right through you."
Other running backs expected to contribute are senior Jordan Linwood (5-10, 185) and sophomore Lawson Howard (5-11, 185).
Senior Henley Bland leads the Warriors' wide receivers. Bland caught 35 passes for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. Weaver said Bland had the best hands among the Warriors' receivers last season.
Austin Guymon, a senior, has recovered after tearing his medial collateral ligament in Week 10 against Maumelle last season. Guymon, 6-4, 200, finished with 19 receptions for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns, tied for second-most receiving touchdowns with Crockett.
Junior Trey Harris (5-10, 170) along with sophomore M.J. Loggins (5-8, 155) will also contribute at receiver for Little Rock Christian.
Little Rock Christian returns three offensive linemen, led by senior right tackle Colin Baxley. Baxley played offensive line for the first time last year after being at wide receiver. Senior Connor Parnell (5-11, 230) is at left tackle and junior Travis Henderson returns at right guard.
Defensively, the Warriors will be led by new defensive coordinator Brian Gibson, who replaces Bill Buckner. Gibson plans to run a 3-4 defensive scheme, Weaver said.
Guymon and junior linebacker John Woodard are the Warriors' top returners on defense.
Guymon will move from defensive end to linebacker, Weaver said. He had 32 tackles and four sacks last season. Woodard had 22 tackles and one fumble recovery as a sophomore.
Despite the graduation of linebacker Stone Boshears and defensive lineman Dylan Hays, Weaver is confident in his defense entering the season.
"As a team, we're faster. We're more athletic," Weaver said. "We'll have to use that to our advantage."
The Warriors open the season Aug. 30 against Class 4A contender Warren at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Shiloh Christian visits Warrior Field on Sept. 9 before the Warriors head to former 5A-West Conference rival Harrison on Sept. 16.
"If it wasn't me who did it, I'd be mad at the guy who made the schedule," Weaver said. "But I believe you get better by playing good people."
Little Rock Christian enters the 5A-Central Conference this season. The Warriors will play defending 5A state champion Pulaski Academy on Oct. 21 and 5A runner-up Little Rock McClellan.
"We enjoyed the West. We feel like that's a conference we fit in well with," Weaver said. "Here in the Central, you have more natural rivalries. That's a lot of fun. When you're in west Little Rock, you're going to get bounced around a lot. Little Rock Christian has been in the West, the Central and the South the past 10 years.
"We expected it. We'll go out and play whoever we've got to."
Weaver said he knows his team is younger this year, but expects it to contend for one of four playoff spots from the 5A-Central.
"These are young guys who have had success," Weaver said. "They expect to win. But they're still young guys. Even our old guys, most of them aren't super experienced because of the guys who were ahead of them. It doesn't mean they're not good players.
"The most important thing is to go out and play well and learn from our mistakes and prepare for the conference run."
Sports on 08/13/2016