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12 PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 CLASS 5A HAROLD MCILVAIN II NWA Democrat-Gazette ALMA — e Alma Airedales were looking for someone to step up at wide receiver heading into this season aer losing nearly 70 percent of their production from the position because of graduation. Enter junior Grayson Bailey. Aer a solid sophomore year, Bailey has provided just the spark Alma needed from the outside making big plays throughout the season while being the go-to target for first-year starting quarterback Landon Blair. Bailey leads the team with 44 catches for 756 yards with eight touchdowns. "He is an electric player for us," Alma coach Doug Loughridge said of Bailey. "He has been our guy all season long, and I think is the second leading receiver in the 5A-West. He is a breakaway threat for us. We saw that early as a sophomore. But he has secured his role this season. He is a very talented player." Bailey (6-foot-2, 174 pounds) showed early what he could do for the Airedales as a junior. In the opening game of the season against crosstown rival Van Buren, he had 134 yards on five catches including two touchdowns. "It was a big confidence boost to start the season like that," Bailey said. "It's always nice to start the season with a big game. I wanted to go out there and produce for my teammates in a big game early." Despite the big game early from Bailey, the season didn't start out as hoped for Alma (5-5) in nonconference play. e Airedales lost their initial three games of the season for the first time since 2007. e offense was able to find success against Van Buren by scoring 33 points, but the unit scored just seven total points in the next two games against Springdale High and Russellville. Alma was outscored 116-40 in its three nonconference games. Alma was able to find much more success aer that. e Airedales ended up closing out the season aer the 0-3 start by winning five of their last seven games heading into Friday's first-round playoff matchup at Pulaski Academy (9-1). Alma was able to rattle off four consecutive wins to start conference play beating Vilonia, Farmington, Morrilton and Clarksville. "We just kept on working," said senior safety Coltin Bailey makes most of his chance to shine NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE/ANDY SHUPE Alma receiver Grayson Bailey (right) reaches to make a catch behind Van Buren defender David Evans Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, during the first half at Airedale Stadium in Alma. The Airedales will travel to take on No. 1 Pulaski Academy in a first-round playoff game. 1450 Southeast J St. Bentonville, AR 479-273-2639 www.brownscollisioncenter.com Proudly supporting Bentonville Athletics