CLASS 4A TEAM CAPSULES
4A-1 CONFERENCE
BERRYVILLE BOBCATS
2018 RECORD 4-6, 2-5 4A-1 Conference
COACH Doug Shott
RETURNING PLAYERS 5 offense, 3 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB J.D. Smith (Jr., 6-0, 170), RB/DB Tristan Updegraff (Sr., 6-0, 150), OL Colton Record (Sr., 6-1, 285), FB/NG Brett Parsons (Sr., 5-7, 165), WR Scot Lucas (Sr., 6-3, 180), TE/DL Jarrett Stringer (Jr., 6-1, 230), Anthony "Poncho" McClellan (Jr., 5-9, 205)
THE SKINNY Shott said Smith is the best quarterback he's had at Berryville, and he's back after taking over the spot at midseason. ... Parsons -- who Shott calls "the heart and soul of the team" -- becomes a three-year starter at fullback, and his background in high school wrestling helps him as an undersized noseguard. ... Updegraff, another three-year starter, compiled more than 600 yards rushing and also returns as a defensive back. ... Record, another top wrestler, returns at one of the offensive tackle spots and will see time on the defensive line, while McClellan is back at one of the guards and will also see time on the defensive line. ... Lucas provides the Bobcats with a tall receiver and saw time at outside linebacker, where he's proven to be a big hitter. ... Shott expects big things from sophomore Jaeden Tankersley, who will see time at inside linebacker and either tailback or fullback on offense.
COACH SPEAK "We're excited about the new season," Shott said. "I think this team's chemistry is different than the previous two seasons we've had. We're going to be pretty young, and actually where we're not young, we'll be young in the positions. I like the way the kids have worked. We've had some kids that came out that haven't been out in the past two years, and I think our town is excited about the new place. Our kids definitely are. They love playing out on this new field, and it's something they are really proud of."
-- Henry Apple • @nwahenry
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^at Huntsville^Oct. 11^Lincoln*
Sept. 13^West Fork^Oct. 18^at Gravette*
Sept. 20^at Yellville-Summit^Oct. 25^Pea Ridge*
Sept. 27^Shiloh Christian^Nov. 1^Prairie Grove
Oct. 4^at Gentry^Nov. 8^at Green Forest
*-- 4A-1 Conference game
.....
GENTRY PIONEERS
2018 RECORD 3-8, 3-4 4A-1 Conference
COACH Paul Ernest
RETURNING PLAYERS 7 offense, 3 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB/DB Brandon Atwood (Sr, 6-0, 185), WR/DB Zac Jarnagan (Jr., 5-10, 155), OL Kerlose Ruzek (Sr., 6-4, 290), WR Beau Tomblin (Sr., 6-1, 185), OL Brett Hester (Sr., 6-1, 195), OL Kyle Dilbeck (Sr., 6-0, 185), RB/DB Charlie Reams (Sr., 5-9, 150).
THE SKINNY Atwood returns after throwing for 1,517 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he was limited to a dropback passer. Ernest said Atwood will be more of a run-pass option quarterback this year. ... Jarnagan gives the Pioneers flexibility because he can line up at a receiver spot or be a running back, and he averaged 26 yards per kick return. He also had 43 tackles as he split time between linebacker and defensive back ... Tomblin hauled in 27 passes for 262 yards last year, and he had 49 tackles and a team-high four interceptions as a defensive back. ... The offensive line has three returning starters in Ruzek, Hester and Dilbeck, but the other two players are sophomores. ... Reams returns at safety and is the team's top returning tackler with 69 (26 solos, 43 assists).
COACH SPEAK "The outlook is I think we can compete for a playoff spot. I think we're still a little way, program-wise, from getting to that upper tier of the Shilohs and the Pea Ridges. We competed better with both those teams last year and competed better against Prairie Grove, so I think we are closing that gap a little bit. We've got pretty good skill kids, so I feel good about what they will be able to do, but without the five guys up front, we'll struggle."
-- Henry Apple • @nwahenry
SCHEDULE
Aug. 30^Dardanelle^Oct. 11^at Green Forest*
Sept. 6^Huntsville^Oct. 18^Shiloh Christian*
Sept. 20^at Greenland^Oct. 25^at Prairie Grove*
Sept. 27^at Pea Ridge^Nov. 1^at Lincoln
Oct. 4^Berryville^Nov. 8^Gravette
*-- 4A-1 Conference game
......
GRAVETTE LIONS
2018 RECORD 1-9, 1-6 4A-1 Conference
COACH Kelby Bohannon
RETURNING PLAYERS 5 offense, 5 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Cy Hilger (Sr., 6-1, 155), WR/DB Mason Dagley (Sr., 5-9, 170), RB/LB Isaac Dann (Jr., 5-8, 190), RB/LB Trenton Durham (Jr., 5-10, 180), OL Keegan Addison (Jr., 6-0, 175), OL/DL Darius Ford (Sr., 5-10, 240), OL/DL Dathan Bosley (Sr., 5-10, 230).
THE SKINNY Bohannon was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach just before the athletic dead period took place. ... Gravette will try to bounce back from its worst season since 1998. ... An improved offense is a must for the Lions, who averaged under 7 points per game and were shut out three times. ... Hilger returns to direct the offense after he started the last four games last season. ... Dann and Durham return to the offensive backfield but may share time with Chace Austin, who hasn't played since his freshman year but was the leading rusher on that junior high team. ... Drake and Dagley will be the leading receivers. ... Durham had 80 tackles as an outside linebacker, while Dann will also be a defensive leader at another linebacker position.
COACH SPEAK "I think we've done a good job of coming together as a team, with those that we have. We're always looking for a few more players to grow our program. We just need to get the guys competing each and every down and playing for one another. Playing with a lot of energy is what we are trying to do. There's no doubt these kids have been put behind the 8-ball, going into last year some with the transition and maybe some this year. We're looking to advance this program any way we can."
-- Henry Apple • @nwahenry
SCHEDULE
Aug. 30^at Tulsa Cascia Hall^Oct. 11^at Pea Ridge
Sept. 13^Farmington^Oct. 18^Berryville*
Sept. 20^Jay, Okla.^Oct. 25^at Green Forest*
Sept. 27^Lincoln^Nov. 1^Shiloh Christian
Oct. 4^at Prairie Grove^Nov. 8^at Gentry*
*-- 4A-1 Conference game
.......
GREEN FOREST TIGERS
2018 RECORD 1-9, 0-7 4A-1 Conference
COACH Bobby Bishop
RETURNING PLAYERS 9 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB/DB Reiley Gordon (Jr., 5-10, 140), TE/LB Adrian Serna (Jr., 5-9, 185), OL/DE Llefer Vasquez (Jr., 5-10, 215), OL/LB Max Jones (Jr., 5-10, 160), OL Jordan Perez (Jr., 5-10, 260), DL Oscar Madrigal (Sr., 5-5, 245), DL Devon Wethern (Sr., 6-2, 245).
THE SKINNY Green Forest's introduction to the 4A-1 Conference was a rough one as the Tigers were held scoreless in all seven league games last season. ... Youth will be present as Green Forest will depend on a lot of sophomore players in a number of positions, particularly the offensive backfield. ... Gordon completed 44 of 124 passes for 458 yards and ran for two touchdowns in Green Forest's win over West Fork. He was the Tigers' second-leading tackler with 77, and he also had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. ... Serna caught nine passes for 137 yards, including a 45-yarder, and is the most experienced receiver returning. He also recorded 38 tackles as an inside linebacker ... Jones, who recorded 13 tackles against Gravette last fall, will make a couple of moves this season -- from tight end to offensive line and from cornerback to linebacker.
COACH SPEAK "We knew we had our work cut out for us and it would be tough to compete on the 4A level," Bishop said. "We feel like we had some growth and were competitive in a few games. I think we will be more competitive this year. We had a really good junior high squad that went 8-2 last year, so a lot of those kids will be playing as sophomores. Our kids learned some lessons, and I've been in the 4A-1 for a long time. I knew what it was going to be like. Once we get everybody in school, I think we will be a little bit ahead of what we were last year with about 30-35 players."
-- Henry Apple • @nwahenry
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^at Yellville-Summit^Oct. 11^Gentry*
Sept. 13^Commerce, Okla.^Oct. 18^at Lincoln*
Sept. 20^at West Fork^Oct. 25^Gravette*
Sept. 27^Prairie Grove^Nov. 1^at Pea Ridge
Oct. 4^at Shiloh Christian^Nov. 8^Berryville
*-- 4A-1 Conference game
.......
LINCOLN WOLVES
2018 RECORD 8-3, 5-2 4A-1 CONFERENCE
COACH Don Harrison
RETURNING STARTERS 5 offense, 5 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB Christian Sellers (Sr., 6-1, 180), QB Tyler Brewer (Jr., 6-4, 195), WR Daytin Davis (Jr., 6-2, 180), MLB/TE Levi Wright (6-4, 215), WR/LB Noe Avellaneda (Jr., 5-8, 190), WR Blake Arnold (Sr., 6-0, 180).
THE SKINNY Lincoln will play again in the 4A-1 Conference before beginning reclassified as Class 3A and joining the 3A-1 Conference in 2020 and 2021. ... The Wolves won eight games last season, their most since 2013 when Lincoln won 11. ... Tyler Brewer, a junior left-hander, takes over at quarterback for Caleb Loyd, an all-state player as a senior for the Wolves. ... Lincoln will benefit by the return of wide receiver Daytin Davis, who missed much of the season after he broke his collarbone in preseason. ... Former Lincoln football standout Sterling Morphis signed to play basketball at John Brown University.
COACH SPEAK "We're not sitting around anymore waiting for a good class to come through. We lost some really good players last year, including an all-state quarterback. But guys are stepping up and filling sports to where we're just rolling along."
-- Rick Fires • @nwarick
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^at Westville, Okla.^Oct. 11^at Berryville*
Sept. 13^Keys, Okla.^Oct. 18^Green Forest*
Sept. 20^Subiaco Academy^Oct. 25^at Shiloh Christian*
Sept. 27^at Gravette^Nov. 1^Gentry
Oct. 4^Pea Ridge^Nov. 8^at Prairie Grove
-- Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted
......
PEA RIDGE BLACKHAWKS
2018 RECORD 7-4, 6-1 4A-1 Conference
COACH Stephen Neal
RETURNING PLAYERS 7 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Tate Busey (Sr., 6-2, 170), RB Sam Beard (Sr., 5-11, 185), WR Hunter Rains (Sr., 5-8, 150), OL Phillip Brown (Sr., 6-1, 275), OL Hagen Schader (Sr., 6-3, 250), RB/LB Carlos Reyes (Sr., 6-1, 210), LB Gavin Warden (Sr., 5-10, 165), LB Adam Trammell (Sr., 6-1, 190).
THE SKINNY This is the swan song for Pea Ridge in the 4A-1 as the Blackhawks move up to Class 5A next season. ... Busey returns at quarterback after he took over in midseason. He passed for 930 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 427 yards and eight more scores. ... Beard embraced his role at running back and rushed for 1,025 yards and nine TDs. ... Rains was the Blackhawks' leading receiver with 23 catches for 328 yards and three TDs, while Brayden Ralph had half of his 14 catches go for touchdowns. ... Brown was an all-conference selection at guard and is joined by fellow returning starter Schader at center. ... Warden was the team's second-leading tackler with 75 and also had 16 tackles for loss, as well as five quarterback sacks. ... Reyes was right behind with 69 tackles from an outside linebacker slot, while Trammell returns at middle linebacker after recording 65 tackles last fall. ... Jake Adams returns at safety, where he picked up 55 tackles last year.
COACH SPEAK "You walk around town and school and professional development meetings and people ask how the team is going to be," Neal said. "I tell them that's a loaded question. We think we are going to be pretty good, but at the same time we're not really worried, on the field, how things are. We're worried about how we prepare for our kids and how our kids prepare for competition. That's our main focus. I've said it a lot of times and said it until I'm blue in the face; our focus -- as much as we possibly can -- is our kids off the field. If can get them to make correct decisions off the field, the correct decisions will be made on the field."
-- Henry Apple • @nwahenry
SCHEDULE
Aug. 30^Harrison^Oct. 11^Gravette*
Sept. 6^Maumelle^Oct. 18^Prairie Grove*
Sept. 20^at Farmington^Oct. 25^at Berryville*
Sept. 27^Gentry^Nov. 1^Green Forest
Oct. 4^at Lincoln^Nov. 8^at Shiloh Christian
*- 4A-1 Conference game
.........
PRAIRIE GROVE TIGERS
2018 RECORD 5-6, 4-3 4A-1 CONFERENCE
COACH Danny Abshier
RETURNING STARTERS 4 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS FB Foster Layman (Jr., 5-9, 190), RB Keiandrae Hobb (Sr., 5-6, 155), RB Cade Grant (Jr., 5-10, 185), RB Jared Harger (Sr., 5-8, 165), TE Graham Guenther (Sr., 6-2, 205), OT Hayden Black (Sr., 6-2, 275), S Knox Laird (Jr., 5-9, 165).
THE SKINNY Prairie Grove hopes to recover after a rare losing season under coach Danny Abshier. ... The Tigers finished 5-6 after losing quarterback Ethan Scates early in the season. ... Junior Knox Laird is expected to take over at quarterback. Knox is the younger brother of Zeke Laird, who guided Prairie Grove to a 12-1 record in 2016. ... Craig Laird, the boys' father, is defensive coordinator for the Tigers. .... Cade Grant returns after having surgery on his wrist. Grant rushed for over 500 yards as a sophomore. ... Defense will be a priority this season after the Tigers allowed 26 points per game last year, punctuated by a 59-48 loss to Lincoln. ... The defeat was the first for Prairie Grove in nearly 25 years against the Wolves. ... Prairie Grove will open the season Sept. 6 at Farmington's new sports complex and football stadium.
COACH SPEAK "We missed last year and didn't do as well. It's my responsibility to recognize what characteristics we have as a team and utilize our strengths and weaknesses. We need to pin those things down and improve on that."
-- Rick Fires • @nwarick
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^at Farmington^Oct. 11^Shiloh Christian*
Sept. 13^at Dardanelle^Oct. 18^at Pea Ridge*
Sept. 20^Pottsville^Oct. 25^Gentry*
Sept. 27^at Green Forest^Nov. 1^at Berryville
Oct. 4^Gravette^Nov. 8^Lincoln
*-- Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
All kickoff 7 p.m. unless noted
.......
SHILOH CHRISTIAN SAINTS
2018 RECORD 12-2, 7-0 4A-1 Conference
COACH Jeff Conaway
RETURNING PLAYERS 7 offense/6 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Eli Reece (Sr., 5-9 170), RB Logan Raben (Sr., 6-2 220), RB Ben Walton (Sr., 5-8 145), WR Truitt Tollett (Sr., 6-1 175), WR Keaton Carter (Sr., 5-11 170), OL Sawyer Duddleston (Sr., 6-0 225), NG Russell Norsworthy (Sr., 5-11 265), LB Hunter Mason (Sr., 5-11 210). LB Kaden Henley (Soph., 6-1 210).
THE SKINNY The Saints return 13 starters from a team that advanced all the way to the state semifinals before falling to eventual champion Arkadelphia, but 23 seniors give them a chance to make another deep playoff run this season. ... Shiloh Christian mercy-ruled every conference opponent, which puts a target on its back, coach Jeff Conaway said. But his senior-laden group understands the challenge ahead. ... Quarterback Eli Reece and receiver Truitt Tollett spearhead a dynamic offense. ... Reece threw for 2,600 yards and 32 TDs, while Tollett finished with 77 receptions for 1,183 yards and 13 TDs. ... Senior Russell Norsworthy (5-11, 265) wreaks havoc for opponents and anchors the defensive line. ... Sophomore Kaden Henley could help at linebacker, after moving to Northwest Arkansas in the spring when his father, Ashley, was hired as an assistant coach. Henley started as a freshman at Lawton (Okla.) High School last season and should play linebacker and even some fullback. ... Running back Ben Walton and Logan Raben saw action a year ago, but junior Cam Wiedemann has made big strides over the summer.
COACH SPEAK "What I like about this group is we've got 23 seniors," Conaway said. "That's the most we've ever had. I really believe all of those seniors, maybe they didn't start but they've played a lot of football. Last year's team was really close, but I think this year's team is even closer. So many of these 23 seniors have been together their entire career here. They get along really well and know each other really well and they love hanging out. When you can create that kind of unity and love for your teammates. You've got an opportunity to have a special season."
-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
SCHEDULE
Aug. 30^Moore Haven, Fla.^Oct. 11^at Prairie Grove*
Sept. 13^Smackover^Oct. 18^at Gentry*
Sept. 20^at Beggs, Okla.^Oct. 25^Lincoln*
Sept. 27^at Berryville^Nov. 1^at Gravette
Oct. 4^Green Forest^Nov. 8^Pea Ridge
*-- denotes 4A-1 Conference game
All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless noted.
..........
4A-4 CONFERENCE
ELKINS ELKS
2018 RECORD 7-4, 4-3 4A-4 Conference
COACH Bryan Hutson
RETURNING PLAYERS 2 offense, 2 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Kain Johnson (Jr., 5-10 165), RB Trevor Shumate (Jr., 6-1 175), WR Dylan Holland (Sr., 6-2 150), OL/DL Kelynn Daniel (Sr., 6-0 240), DL Bryce Parrish (Sr., 5-10 185), DB Cody Drummond (Jr., 5-9 165), DB Tyler King (Jr., 5-11, 145), WR Dylan Holland (Sr., 6-2 150), WR Josh Allan (Jr., 5-10 150).
THE SKINNY The Elks will have to deal with inexperience, returning just two starters on both sides of the ball, but also they will be young with just two seniors on a roster of 30. ... Junior Kelynn Daniel returns as a two-way starter on the line with Bryce Parrish on defense and Josh Allan on offense. ... Daniel started as a freshman. ... The senior class has been small, but that was made even worse when starting quarterback Quinn McClain transferred to Fayetteville in January. ... Junior Kain Johnson will start at quarterback and saw action in other positions a year ago. Running back Trevor Shumate averaged six yards per carry last season . ... Elkins could start as many as six players on both sides of ball. Lack of depth caused problems last year as the Elks were either tied or ahead in the fourth quarter of every game.
COACH SPEAK "We got several that got some Friday night experience, but this is probably the youngest team I've ever coached," Hutson said. "We're not very big. We don't have very many kids over 200 pounds. I think we throw the ball and can run and catch. With that, we have to spread people out a little bit because we can't line up and three yards and a cloud of dust."
-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^Greenland^Oct. 11^at Subiaco Academy*
Sept. 13^West Fork^Oct. 18^Mena*
Sept. 20^at Huntsville^Oct. 25^at Pottsville*
Sept. 27^Waldron^Nov. 1^Dardanelle
Oct. 4^Dover^Nov. 8^at Ozark
*-- denotes 4A-1 Conference game
All kickoffs at 7 p.m. unless noted.
.........
OZARK HILLBILLIES
2018 RECORD 9-3, 7-0 4A-4 Conference
COACH Jeremie Burns
RETURNING STARTERS 7 offense, 8 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Harper Faulkenberry (Jr., 5-11, 180), RB Daniel Woolsey (Sr., 5-10, 200), RB Tyler Sanders (Jr., 5-7, 150), TE Bryant Burns (Sr., 6-3, 220), FB/DE Eli Munnerlin (Sr., 6-2, 200), LB Keystan Durning (Jr., 5-11, 165), OL Will Timmerman (Sr., 6-0, 265), WR Ethan Foster (Sr., Sr., 6-2, 170).
THE SKINNY The Hillbillies rolled unbeaten to the 4A-4 Conference title and return 15 total starters for another title run. ... Junior Harper Faulkenberry steps in at quarterback after Dawson Dietz, who accounted for 2,600 yards of offense, graduated. ... The Hillbillies are blessed with abundance at running back. Daniel Woolsey, who missed most of last season with an injury, is fully healthy. Junior Tyler Sanders, who was the third-string back before the season, ascended to the starter's role and rushed for 1,187 yards and 13 touchdowns and added 15 catches for another 250 yards. ... Bryant Burns is drawing college interest at tight end. Burns caught 27 passes for 637 yards and 10 TDs last season. On defense he recorded 48 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 sacks. ... Ethen Foster caught 23 passes for 402 yards in 2018. ... LB Keystan Durning leads the defensive returnees. Durning recorded over 100 tackles and 5.0 tackles-for-loss. .. Eli Munnerlin is a Swiss Army knife for the Hillbillies. On offense he is a short-yardage specialist. On defense he anchors the D-line. Munnerlin had 32 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss and a team-high 10.0 sacks.
COACH SPEAK "Our depth is better than it was a year ago, especially at running back and receiver," Burns said. "We have seven offensive and seven defensive starters back and we won the 4A-4 last year, so that is our goal, to do it again. That was our focus going into offseason and the kids worked very hard toward that goal. Our second goal is to go deeper in the playoffs than we did last year, which was the third round."
-- Chip Souza • @nwachip
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^at Booneville^Oct. 11^at Dardanelle*
Sept. 13^at Clarksville^Oct. 18^Pottsville*
Sept. 20^Charleston^Oct. 25^at Dover*
Sept. 27^at Mena^Nov. 1^Waldron
Oct. 4^Subiaco Academy^Nov. 8^Elkins
*-- Denotes 4A-4 Conference game
All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted
......
SUBIACO ACADEMY TROJANS
2018 RECORD 1-9, 0-7 4A-4 Conference
COACH Mike Berry
RETURNING STARTERS 7 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB/LB Hayden Frederick (Sr. 5-9, 155), QB/CB Wesley Schluterman (So., 5-11, 145), OL/DL Ethan Strobel (Sr., 6-2, 240), WR/LB Cory Schluterman (Sr., 5-8, 150), FB/LB Brandyn Brooks (Sr., 5-11, 195), TE/LB Mason Schluterman (Sr., 5-11, 210), OL/DL Connor Phillips (Sr., 6-2, 205), RB/CB Payne Lee (Jr., 5-9, 140), OL/DL Seth Lisko (So., 5-11, 240), WR/CB Justin Post (So., 5-10, 145), WR/CB Chandler Burroughs (Jr., 5-8, 125)
THE SKINNY Mike Berry, the school's athletic director, returns to lead the program with his 16 years of coaching experience with Subiaco after two head coaches left the program in offseason. ... Former Subiaco coach Steven Moore, now at Hampton, left at the end of the school year. ... A former assistant coach to Moore took over as interim head coach but then left July 12 for a position in Paris. ... Wesley Schluterman and Hayden Frederick are battling for the starting quarterback spot. ... Offense switching to the spread from the wing-T. ... Berry says he feels good about team speed and skilled positions but lack of depth on both lines might be an issue. ... The defense, running a 4-3, will look to lead the team early with multiple returning starters on the line and at linebacker. ... Mason Schluterman had 67 tackles a season ago from his linebacker position
COACH SPEAK "I have been out of coaching for about two years and kind of got used to that. But we were out of choices. There weren't many other options. I didn't think we could go out and get a top choice for the job late in the summer. It's been a whirlwind putting things together. But we are hoping to make the most of this season. We like the talent here and are excited for the kids."
-- Harold McIlvain II • Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^Lavaca^Oct. 11^Elkins*
Sept. 13^at Lamar^Oct. 18^Waldron*
Sept. 20^at Lincoln^Oct. 25^Dardanelle*
Sept. 27^at Dover^Nov. 1^at Mena
Oct. 4^at Ozark^Nov. 8^Pottsville
*-- Denotes 4A-4 Conference game
All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted
...........
WALDRON BULLDOGS
2018 RECORD 2-8, 1-6 4A-4 CONFERENCE
COACH Jonathan Bates
RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 6 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Braden Williams (Jr., 6-2, 170), RB Carson Cain (Sr., 5-8, 160), RB Caden Fuller (Jr., 5-11, 160), C Joey Cardenas (Sr., 6-5, 357), DT Rylee Shupert (Sr., 6-1, 230), RB Bryson Bailey (Jr., 5-11, 155), OT Ethan Slater (Jr., 6-1, 250).
THE SKINNY Jonathan Bates returns for his second year as coach of the Bulldogs, who finished 2-8 last season. .... Bates was an assistant coach for 10 years at Waldron before leaving to become head coach at Dierks. .... Junior Braden Williams returns for his second year at quarterback. He follows his brother, Trey Williams, who led the Bulldogs to the playoffs at quarterback as a senior in 2017. ... The playoff appearance was Waldron's first since 2003. ... Coach Bates likes the elusiveness of Braden Williams, who passed for 754 yards and rushed for over 500 yards last season. ... Bates says Cardenas (6-5, 357) has added muscle and improved his flexibility. ... Shupert is a quiet leader who added 15 pounds during the off-season. ...
COACH SPEAK
"We've got to take care of ourselves, first and foremost. If we would've taken care of ourselves last year, we could've gone 5-5. We've got to finish and not do things like turn the ball over late in the game."
-- Rick Fires • @nwarick
SCHEDULE
Sept. 6^Mansfield^Oct. 11^at Pottsville*
Sept. 13^at Paris^Oct. 18^at Subiaco Academy*
Sept. 20^Danville^Oct. 25*Mena
Sept. 27^at Elkins^Nov. 1^at Ozark
Oct. 4^Dardanelle^Nov. 7^Dover
*-- Denotes 4A-4 Conference game
All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted
Sports on 08/22/2019