Ready for another run

Mike Volarvich embraced the expectations of Nashville's football program in his first season with the Scrappers in 2015.

Volarvich -- a former offensive coordinator at Henderson State -- fulfilled the Howard County city's expectations by leading the Scrappers to their first state championship in eight years.

Nashville capped a 15-0 season by defeating Prairie Grove in December in the Class 4A state championship game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. It was the Scrappers' fifth state championship and first since 2007, which was the last of a three-year title run (2005-2007) under former coach Billy Dawson.

Volarvich said Nashville residents want to win a championship every season, but he said it's not always going to happen.

"We had a special group of kids last year," Volarvich said. "The coaches did a great job of putting them in position.

"It was important for our school. It was important for the community."

Despite losing dual-threat quarterback Leonard Snell, the Scrappers return 11 starters, including senior running back Darius Hopkins. With Hopkins back and a 15-game winning streak in hand, Nashville is the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's preseason No. 1 team for Class 4A.

Nashville lost 23 seniors from last year's championship team. This year, the Scrappers have 25 seniors, a group that Volarvich has been pleased with.

"I really like where we're at," said Volarvich, who has a roster of 64. "We got a good group of kids who are hard workers, a bunch of kids who know what they're doing."

The race to replace Snell, who threw for 1,869 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushed for 1,904 yards and 9 scores in 2015, has been a competitive one. Senior Gabe Moorer, 5-11, 170 pounds, and junior Tyler Hanson, 5-8, 170, have battled for the No. 1 position.

"They're both doing really good things," Volarvich said. "I wouldn't be hard-pressed to put them in a game. They're both good players."

Volarvich added that he'll have a better idea about the quarterback competition after today's scrimmage against Class 6A contender El Dorado at Scrapper Stadium.

"It's a good problem to have two quarterbacks," Volarvich said. "You could have zero."

The strength of Nashville's offense lies with the running backs.

Hopkins, Nashville's second-leading rusher a year ago, returns along with junior Trent Harris.

Hopkins, 6-0, 188, tore his ACL during his sophomore season but came back last year to rush for 1,614 yards and 27 touchdowns.

"He's had a great offseason and summer," Volarvich said. "He's faster. His work ethic has come full circle."

Harris, 5-6, 158, finished with 950 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. Sophomore T.K. Hopkins, 5-6, 140, starred for Nashville's junior high team and is expected to contribute as well.

"Everybody in the state likes their running backs," Volarvich said. "From top to bottom, we're as deep as anybody in the state."

Left tackle Kirby Adcock, a senior, is one of three starters back on Nashville's offensive line. Adcock, 6-5, 300, has orally committed to Arkansas.

"Kirby is a good player," Volarvich said. "He's put on so much strength and size. He started the season at 255 last year."

Adcock is joined on the left side of the line by classmate Justin Bean, 6-2, 260, at guard.

Defensively, Nashville is led by defensive lineman Mace Green (6-0, 178), the Scrappers' "anchor," Volarvich said.

Seniors Garrett Gordon, 5-10, 200, and Michael Bevill, 5-10, 190, also return at linebacker. Senior Hunter White, 6-2, 185, started last season at wide receiver, but after missing five weeks because of a knee injury, he moved to safety.

The 7-4A Conference has three teams represented in the Class 4A preseason Super Six -- Nashville, Ashdown and Pulaski Robinson. It's expected to be one of the toughest conferences in the state again, and Volarvich said it's tougher this season because of the increased talent level.

"This year, there's a chance for 10-12 Division I players," Volarvich said. "You've got to show up with your A-game every night."

Nashville's goal is a simple one: Win a state championship. That's what Scrapper fans have expected, Volarvich said, and that's what his team expects after winning it all last season.

"We have to play a Super Bowl game every week," Volarvich said. "If we win, it's another victory for us. If somebody beats us, somebody will party on our 50-yard line. We understand that."

Sports on 08/25/2016