FAYETTEVILLE
Even with a talented roster expected back from last season’s Class 7A state championship team, the Purple Bulldogs are no different than any other team in that several holes will need to be filled before next fall. Interim head coach Benji Mahan believes spring practice served its purpose as Fayetteville has already begun to answer some questions at those needed areas.
“We have some quality kids coming back, but we also have holes to fill,” Mahan said. “Definitely our offensive skill positions are where we lost some talented guys. You graduate guys like Tyson Morris, Bruce Armstrong, Drake Wymer (at wide receiver and tight end). And in the backfield we lose Luke Rapert and Javontae Smith.
“Those are some talented guys we have to replace, but we’ve got some talented guys stepping up.”
Barrett Banister returns as a top target at wide receiver. Mahan also pointed out Harrison Shipley, Cody Gray and Fort Smith Northside transfer Brennan Lewis as others who should make the receiving corps just as strong as last season.
In the backfield, Terrance Rock has moved from receiver back to his original running back position. Rock was a standout tailback in junior high and played the position as a sophomore before moving to wideout as a junior.
“We’ve moved Terrance back to running back and we’ve Stacy Gunn back there,” Mahan said. “And we’ll have some other guys.”
Defensively, Mahan said the situation is similar. Lots of experience returns, including defensive tackle Akial Byers, three-year starter Andrew Ellis and cornerback Trey Coulter.
“We’ve got some holes to fill on defense,” Mahan said. “But we’ve got a lot of guys back.”
— Vernon Tarver • @NWAVernon
ROGERS HIGH
New coach Mike Loyd finally got a look at several difference-makers, including a pair of quarterbacks, during the final week of spring workouts.
“It was a totally different vibe getting those skill kids from baseball and a couple from track,” Loyd said. “The whole tempo was different. We got a lot accomplished that last week with those kids on the offensive side and secondary kids, too. Kids like Jeb Brain, Max Horton, Grayson Lee, guys like that bring a lot of leadership, too.
“But young kids got reps that wouldn’t normally get them in those first two weeks and that was beneficial, too. All these kids have worked extremely hard and bought in to what I’m trying to do.”
Horton, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound rising senior, and rising junior Andrew McGlynn (6-2, 180), both came from baseball and are working at the quarterback position. Loyd also worked with rising senior Oscar Iraheta on a wildcat-type package during the first couple of weeks.
If McGlynn doesn’t start at quarterback, he could figure in at another position, Loyd said.
“He’s a very athletic kid who could play receiver or defensive back, and he did a good job at quarterback, too,” Loyd said.
The Mounties will participate in summer passing league each Tuesday in June with Pea Ridge, Shiloh Christian and Bentonville West. Loyd is looking to host a team camp on June 22 with Pea Ridge. He’s hoping to get a third team. They will also participate in the Southwest Elite 7-on-7 at Shiloh Christian in mid-July and possible another.
ROGERS HERITAGE
Rising senior Mason Gray missed all of last season because of a knee injury, but the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder stood out during spring practice.
“Every day he got a little confidence back,” Rogers Heritage coach Tony Travis said. “Toward the end, he really looked good moving around out there at tight end and defensive end.”
The War Eagles finished up spring workouts with an hour-long scrimmage on May 19 that was defensive-oriented as only one touchdown was scored. The defense also came up with a fourth down stop inside the 10 late in the scrimmage.
“I thought the defense played good, we flew to the football,” Travis said. “We’ve got to correct a few things like we’re aggressive. We got them to jump offsides a few times. At times that was the only way we could move the ball. A lot of good things. A lot of things we can work on, but I’m excited about the way we’re headed though.”
Summer will be key for the War Eagles, said Travis, who has been on the job officially a month. The War Eagles will participate in two team camps at Missouri State in June and a one-day event in July that Heritage will host. They will also participate in the Southwest Elite 7-on-7 in mid-July at Shiloh Christian and another event at Bentonville West.
“It’ll be a full summer,” Travis said. “We’ve got 27 workouts scheduled here. I like the team camps. I like to do a little 7-on-7, but the bulk of the work will get down right here behind us.”
— Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
BENTONVILLE HIGH
Mother Nature has not been cooperative with Bentonville’s spring game as the Tigers’ final session was pushed inside except for the final series.
That didn’t dampen the mindset of second-year coach Jody Grant, who was pleased with what the team was able to accomplish in such a short time.
“The spring answered some questions,” Grant said. “We’re excited about some guys. We’re still going to compete through some team camps, but I love the way our guys are competing and excited about our season.”
Bentonville’s team speed and its competitiveness during spring drills have caught Grant’s eye. He was quick to point out rising senior Hunter Lainey, who has been impressive with what he has done at outside linebacker during the spring.
“Hunter has come in and competed nicely with his work ethic and the weight room,” Grant said. “He’s been one example of the kind of players we have.”
The Tigers are still evaluating their quarterback position, where Canaan Ross and Nathan Lyons are splitting time with the varsity team. Grant said next week’s team camp at Tiger Stadium and the offseason will be used to address that position as well as attempt to build some depth, particularly in the offensive line.
“We have some upcoming sophomores that are pretty special players,” Grant said. “They’re learning how to play the game at a faster pace than what they are used to playing, and with team camps and 7-on-7s coming, there’s a chance they could come in and make some noise for us.”
— Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER
Springdale Har-Ber is geared up for more success after the Wildcats went 11-2 and finished as the state runners-up last season.
“Everything fell into place,” Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said after the Wildcats ended spring drills. “Our guys showed up and practiced with physicality and effort. It’s an all-in type of thing. We had a really good run last year and I think we’ll be able to build off it.”
Har-Ber didn’t make any position changes except to try Tevin Eckwood at both safety and receiver during the spring. Eckwood is a speedster who won the 400-meter dash (49.19) at the Class 7A state track meet in Conway.
Har-Ber’s biggest hole is at quarterback, where Aaron Henington and Payton Copher are the top candidates to replace Fuller Chandler, an former all-conference player who signed with Henderson State. The Wildcats must also replace Luke Hannon, who led the 7A-West in rushing as a junior and senior.
Har-Ber opens the season Sept. 2 against Southside and begins 7A-West Conference play Sept. 23 against Rogers. Both games are at home.
Har-Ber will compete in summer 7-on-7 camps at Iowa State June 20, USA Football in Kansas City, Mo., June 24-25, and Hoover, Ala., July 14-16.
— Rick Fires • @NWARick
SPRINGDALE HIGH
Jayden Minchew picked up offers from Ouachita Baptist and Northwestern State before spring practice began in late April.
The Springdale High senior has an impressive highlight tape to show college coaches after recording 97 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions as a junior. But it’s clear his best football is still in front of him.
The 6-foot free safety played at around 163 pounds last fall. He’s up to 180 this spring, adding strength and speed to go with valuable experience.
“I feel comfortable,” Minchew said. “Decisions are a lot easier to make. Technique-wise, I would be diving or tackling high (last year). I’ve gotten a lot better at that and the weight helps.”
Minchew isn’t an isolated case. Springdale’s entire defense added noticeable weight, strength and speed in the offseason and then put the gains to use while adapting to new coordinator Brett Hobbs’ scheme this spring. The progress showed in the spring game, with the starting defense controlling the night, a far cry from a year ago when the unit was gashed by the offense, a sign of issues to come in the fall.
“I was amazed at how quickly we picked things up, a new scheme, new system,” coach Zak Clark said.
Minchew isn’t the only college prospect on the defense. Junior defensive end Isaiah Nichols (6-4,
243) is poised for a breakout season after impressing late last season and adding size to his frame.
“Every school that comes in to watch spring practice asks (about Nichols),” Clark said. “He sticks out. He’s our anchor right now.”
Springdale’s defense struggled mightily at times last year, but made strides in the closing weeks of the regular season as a sophomore-heavy group gained experience. Now, the Bulldogs a stillyoung core to build around and a hope for an improved defense in the fall, especially if the spring was any indication.
“We’ve got guys at every level that can play,” Clark said. “I don’t know if we could’ve said that last year.”
— Jimmy Carter • @NWAJimmy