Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1157324
Teams have much to prove in the 7A-West, which used to be the dominant conference in Arkansas' largest classifica- tion. Not anymore. That distinction clearly belongs to the 7A-Central, which has produced consecu- tive state champions in North Little Rock and Bryant, which beat North Little Rock in the championship game last season at War Memorial Stadium. North Little Rock's win in 2017 ended a stranglehold for teams from the 7A-West, which had produced ev- ery state champion in Class 7A from 2005 to 2016. Bryant is now a major force in Arkansas high school athletics, and the Hornets fin- ished as state runners-up in basketball last spring after winning their first state champi- onship in football. That mark fell just short of North Little Rock, which won state cham- pionships in football and basketball in the same (2017-18) calendar school year. Bryant is picked to repeat in the 7A-Cen- tral after finishing 11-2. The Hornets are followed in the league coaches' poll by North Little Rock, Conway and Fort Smith Northside. Northside coach Mike Falleur said the power shift from the 7A-West to the 7A-Cen- tral is primarily a result of the changing de- mographics in the state. "I believe it has a lot to do with most of those schools being a one-town, one- high school setup," Fort Smith Northside coach Mike Falleur said of the 7A-Central. "When you have this, everyone is pulling in the same direction with no splitting of athletes, resources, etc. We are at a disad- vantage, but our kids work very hard and believe they can compete with the best. To have a chance in Central, that's what we'll have to do." With power shifting to 7A-Central, 7A-West teams ready for battle RICK FIRES NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Maddox Thornton SCHOOL Bentonville West POSITION Defensive Back CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-1 WEIGHT 180 TWITTER HANDLE @ThorntonMaddox THE DIGITS Finished last season with 94 tackles (41 solo, 53 assists), which was good for fifth on the team, and earned all-conference honors. … Recorded an intercep- tion in West's season opener against Owasso, Okla., and another one that he returned for 39 yards in a win over Springdale Har-Ber. … Finished with double-digit tackles in six of 12 games, with a season-high 15 against Fay- etteville. Three of those six games came in a row as he had 12 tackles against Bryant, 15 against Fayetteville and 10 against Springdale High. … A two-sport athlete who earned all-state honors in baseball and led the Wolverines to a share of the 6A-West Conference title. CRUSHING ON Working out. I think it will help me get through sports. I'm a big fan of it right now. I LISTEN TO Classic rock. I really like the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I BINGE WATCH Lucifer I DRIVE A Ford F150 — 2012. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW I don't really come off as talkative, but if you really get to know me I'll talk to you. I'm not antisocial; I just prefer not talking to people. MY HERO IS My dad. He showed me never to give up on anything, keep going and strive for greatness. FAVORITE MEAL Probably the Steven Special from Las Palmas. It's rice, chicken and queso. It's a great combo — one of the best I've ever had. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS Probably the camaraderie of everybody together and being like a family. It's really nice. IN 10 YEARS I WILL Probably want to be coaching some- where and helping out kids, helping them strive for great- ness in sports. NWA Democrat-Gazette File Photo Bentonville West's Maddox Thornton (center) intercepts the ball against Springdale Har-Ber in 2018. S H I N E O N NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF • @NWABENGOFF Fort Smith Northside quarterback Dreyden Norwood looks for a receiver against Gibson (Okla.) on July 12 during the Southwest Elite 7on7 Showcase at Springdale's Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. See BATTLE, Page 13 Sisco Funal Chapel 705 W. Meadow • Springdale, AR 479-751-4577 • www.siscofuneral.com Good Luck Teams! 10 | 8.22.2019 | PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A