Football: Henderson hopes to make bad Bears better

Austin Henderson (right) and Elise Reina visit before signing letters of intent Wednesday along with nine other Springdale Har-Ber students. Henderson signed with Missouri State’s football program, and Reina is headed to Lawrence, Kan., to play soccer for the University of Kansas. For more images of signing day, go to nwamedia.photoshelter.com.
Austin Henderson (right) and Elise Reina visit before signing letters of intent Wednesday along with nine other Springdale Har-Ber students. Henderson signed with Missouri State’s football program, and Reina is headed to Lawrence, Kan., to play soccer for the University of Kansas. For more images of signing day, go to nwamedia.photoshelter.com.

SPRINGDALE -- Austin Henderson helped Springdale Har-Ber improve from 3-8 his junior year to 11-2 as a senior.

So, he wasn't reluctant about signing with a Missouri State football program that finished 1-10 last season. He sees better days ahead for the Bears, who will begin their second season this fall under Dave Steckel, a former defensive coordinator at Missouri.

"I think I can help them rebuild their program," said Henderson, a three-year starter who had 52 tackles and two interceptions at safety last season. "It might take awhile, but I know it's going to happen."

Henderson and Elise Reina, who's headed to Kansas to play soccer, were joined by nine other Har-Ber athletes who signed letters of intent Wednesday to continue their athletic careers in college. Quarterback Fuller Chandler stuck with Henderson State after some late interest from Oklahoma.

"Oklahoma talked to me on Monday about being a preferred walk-on, but they hadn't finalized anything," Chandler said. "They wanted to keep taking to me about it, but I'm really happy with my choice at Henderson. I love the coaching staff, I love the facilities and I like their tradition. I'm ready to play."

Reina is best known as a three-time state champion in cross country. She's also a four-year soccer starter at Har-Ber, where she had nine goals and seven assists as a junior.

"Since my freshman year, I've had a goal to play D-1 soccer," said Reina, whose family has long been involved in cross country and track and field. "I love running, but I always knew soccer was going to be the sport for me."

Other Har-Ber signees on Wednesday included Drew Dodson for football, Adam Scoggins, Michael King, Brandon Still and John Thompson for baseball, Elizabeth Williams and Shelby Henson for volleyball and Treyton Baker for wrestling.

Dodson, a center, signed with Lyon College. Still, a former quarterback at Har-Ber, is one of three Har-Ber athletes who'll continue their baseball careers in junior college. Still signed with Kansas City (Mo.) Junior College, while Scoggins signed with Crowder College and King with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. Thompson will play at Evangel, a four-year college in Springfield, Mo.

"Brandon elected to concentrate on baseball, and he's made some great strides," Har-Ber baseball coach Ron Bradley said. "He's a good hitter, and we look forward to having him on the mound this spring as well."

Elizabeth Williams signed to play volleyball at John Brown University, while Henson will join Dodson at Lyon College. Treyton Baker will continue his moves on the wrestling mat at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville. Baker has 168 career wins since joining the Har-Ber program as a freshman.

Sports on 02/04/2016

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