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Locally Grown. Better Plants. We pride ourselves on growing most of our plants right here in Northwest Arkansas. Our passion is growing healthy, beautiful and unique plants for your garden. FAY E T T E V I L L E • S P R I N G D A L E • R O G E R S W E S T W O O D G A R D E N S . C O M PREP RALLY: Class 5A THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 23 COLTIN BOWERMAN After winning its first state champi- onship in four decades in 2013, Morril- ton suffered through a couple of down years before rebounding last season to advance to the state quarterfinals. The Devil Dogs are poised to make a deep run this season with a ton of returning skill position players from last season's 8-4 team. To win the state title, Morrilton will likely have to go through Pulaski Academy, but the tal- ent is there to do just that. In 2017, parity was the best way to describe the 5A-West. The top four teams all posted 5-2 marks with Alma claiming the top seed in a wacky week 10 finish. All four teams earned first- round wins in the playoffs but were bounced in the second round. Could it get any crazier than that? "It could," said Harrison coach Joel Wells. "Vilonia has a new coach; they could be in. Farmington is going to be better, and you throw the other four into the mix. Also Clarksville played everybody to the wire last year, prob- ably except us." Based on pure numbers, Morrilton is the favorite to win the league, ac- cording to Hooten's Arkansas Football. And with good reason, specifically at the skill spots. Quarterback Jacolby Criswell was named to the all-state team as a sophomore last season and has several returning all-star caliber receivers. Criswell (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) holds offers from several SEC schools, including Georgia and Arkansas. Last season he passed for 1,947 yards and 20 touchdowns, then ran for 969 yards and another three touchdowns. Criswell has plenty of help in elec- tric wide receiver Mason Adams, who had 39 catches for 485 yards and six CHIP SOUZA NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Devil Dogs' Days ahead? With skill position players returning, Morrilton primed for deep playoff run SHINE ON COLTIN BOWERMAN SCHOOL Alma POSITION Wide Receiver/Defensive Back CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-1 WEIGHT 185 TWITTER HANDLE Does not have Twitter THE DIGITS Bowerman was a terror on de- fense last season, compiling a team-high 135 total tackles and 2.0 tackles-for-loss. … Bow- erman hauled in three interceptions, recovered one fumble and caused another. CRUSHING ON Don't really have a crush I LISTEN TO The Beatles I BINGE WATCH The Office I DRIVE A 2004 Toyota Camry MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW I'm a slide attendant at the Alma Water Park. MY HERO IS My father, Jeff Bowerman and Coach Doug Loughridge. FAVORITE MEAL Steak (medium well) with scrambled eggs WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOT- BALL IS I just like working with my team- mates and fighting together. IN 10 YEARS I WILL Be a coach and ele- mentary school teacher. NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Gabe Huskey of Harrison rushed for more than 1,800 yards as a sophomore in 2017. Hus- key will lead the Goblins in 2018 in the race for the 5A-West Conference championship. See 5A, Page 24