Roughly a year ago, the staff of the River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette embarked on a mission to recognize the publication’s inaugural all-area high school football team, highlighting the best offensive and defensive players, as well as special teamers, from across the coverage area.
The thrust of this concept was to reward the players across the River Valley & Ozark Edition coverage area who had stellar seasons. These postseason honors were created to befit the players’ performances, whether they took the field for a 100-players-strong Class 7A powerhouse or a Class 2A team with barely enough players to conduct a season.
Plus, the River Valley & Ozark Edition staff sought to further place the spotlight on two players and one coach by lauding them as offensive or defensive player and coach of the year.
From there, the publication later added postseason all-area teams for basketball, baseball and softball following the completion of those seasons during the 2014-15 school year.
The recently ended 2015 high school football season means the next River Valley & Ozark Edition All-Area Football Team will soon be named. So the River Valley & Ozark Edition staff is asking coaches and administrators to provide nominations for players to be considered for this honor.
Nominators should include each player’s class, position, height, weight and 40-yard dash time, along with the following statistics by position:
Quarterback: Passing yards, attempts, completions, touchdowns, interceptions, rushing yards and touchdowns;
Running back: Rushing yards, attempts, touchdowns, yards per carry and yards per game;
Wide receivers: Receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns;
Offensive linemen: Sacks allowed and blocking grades;
Defensive players: Tackles, sacks, interceptions, pass breakups, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and touchdowns; and
Special teamers: Kickoff and punt returns, return yardage, touchdowns, field goals attempted, field goals made, extra points attempted, extra points made, longest field goal and longest punt.
From these nominations, the River Valley & Ozark Edition staff will select a first-team offense and defense, a kicker or punter, and an athlete as members of the all-area team. Plus, the staff will choose the most outstanding coach, offensive player and defensive player.
Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 20 and should be sent to rvonews@arkansasonline.com.
Staff writer James K. Joslin can be reached at (501) 399-3693 or jjoslin@arkansasonline.com.