Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1157324
NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo/BEN GOFF • @NWABENGOFF Berryville's Tristan Updegraff (left), shown going for a tackle against Harrison's Hunter Holtby in 2018, returns for the Bobcats this season. 2019 Hooten's Coaches Poll 4A-1 Conference 1. Shiloh Christian 2. Prairie Grove 3. Pea Ridge 4. Lincoln 5. Gravette 6. Berryville 7. Gentry 8. Green Forest 4A-4 Conference 1. Ozark 2. Dardanelle 3. Mena 4. Pottsville 5. Elkins 6. Waldron 7. Dover 8. Subiaco Academy out 1,187 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. Lawsyn Jackson stepped in for Munnerlyn and played exceptionally well until he went down with an injury. And that experience is what sets Ozark apart from the rest of the conference. "Our depth is better, and we have a few younger guys coming this season that will help us," Burns said. "We have a lot of guys back on offense and defense." In each of the last two seasons, the Hill- billies have been eliminated by teams that advanced to the state title game. The goal this season for Ozark, besides winning the conference title again, is to make a deep postseason run. "We're trying to get over that hump, to get into that semifinal or even the finals," Burns said. "That's what we're shooting for." Burns is right to praise the competition in the 4A-4 because there are some teams that will challenge the Hillbillies for the title. Dardanelle was also 9-3 last season and returns almost its entire offense and most of its defense. Dual-threat quarter- back Jordan Metcalf ran for 800 yards and passed for 800 last season, and running back Blake Chambers rushed for more than 1,200 yards. Those two teams square off Oct. 11 in Dardanelle. Mena has a new coach in Craig Bentley, who led Mansfield to an 8-4 mark last sea- son in the ultra-tough 3A-1 Conference. The Bearcats also return a number of starters from an 8-4 team, led by quarterback Max Montgomery, who passed for more than Ozark v Continued from Page 27 See 4A-4, Page 36 HARPS H O M E T O W N F R E S H PREP RALLY: CLASS 4A | 8.22.2019 | 29