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Everyone have a good year! from the Dental Office of Alan L. Lamb, D.D.S. Scott Stubbs, D.D.S. 1102 Jackson St. • Gravette • 479-787-5256 Main St. • Gentry • 479-736-2800 FARM • HOME • LIABILITY 2209 North Henbest Drive • Fayetteville • w a s h i n g t o n i n s . n e t 479-442-2612 S E R V I N G A R K A N S A S S I N C E 1 9 2 2 Washington County Farmers Mutual I N S U R A N C E Company Have A Great Season! 2019 Football Preview Wednesday, August 28, 2019 n 13C Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer The Pioneers are trying to keep as many of their lineman on one side of the ball as they can. Kerlose Ruzek, Aiden Whitehead, Brett Hester, Isaiah Freeman and Kyle Dilbeck are the Pioneers' top five offensive lineman and they're learning all five positions to help with depth. "We'll put them wherever we feel like the combination is best for us," Ernest said. Ruzek and Dilbeck played tackles last year but the Pioneers struggled some in the middle of the line. "We're looking at solidifying up the middle and out," Ernest said. Hester started half the year last year, while Whitehead and Freeman are both good-sized sophomores in the 240-to-250-pound range. "I like that group we have up front," Ernest said. "They're what you want in linemen, hard workers, great kids, smart. I'd put them in my foxhole." Lucas Guinn, Wilmoth, Steven Tay- lor, Jose Berrios, Adam Summers and Will Jackson also are getting work on the offensive line. Defensively, the Pioneers will play a 4-4 cover 3 defense. Wilmoth returns at a defensive end spot. Also a baseball player for Gentry, Wilmoth has trimed down to around 190 pounds and runs really well," his coach said. "He plays with good technique," Ernest said. "I'm not sure cutting weight will hurt him because he hasn't lost strength." Jackson is the other defensive end and has had a really good summer, Ernest said. "He's just a tenacious kid, phys - ical," Ernest said. "He's got a good motor and he's tall, 6-4, 6-5, with an incredible arm span." Garrett Smith may also get a look at defensive end. The Pioneers will have to find a way to fill the void left by graduated defensive tackle Garrett Hayes and his 163 tackles. Gentry will try to plug the defen - sive middle by committee, includ- ing Crosby, Taylor and Casey, who's moved to the line from linebacker. "Casey saw a chance at defensive tackle and has done a great job," Ernest said. Some offensive linemen, such as Ruzek, Dilbeck and Hester, may play some spot time on the defensive line. After losing a significant amount of weight, senior Jose Berrios has moved from being a starter at of - fensive guard into the Pioneers' linebacking corps. He runs well and plays inside linebacker. Pyburn also will play inside line- backer and is expected to help the Pioneers in a big way. "In junior high he was a game changer," Ernest said. "He runs harder and hits harder than every - one out there." Sophomores Jonah Summers and Anthony Hernandez back up at the inside linebacker spots. Reams and Azariah Wood work the outside linebacker positions. Reding also could play there and had a good summer as could Walker, who pro - gressed really well in the offseason. "That's going to be able to give us some depth there," Ernest said. Tomblin had seven interceptions at cornerback last year and will re - turn at corner along with Cain. Jarnagan will work at safety after playing linebacker as a sophomore. Blake Wilkinson and Isaiah Lopez also will see time in the secondary as could Rayburn, Vaughn and Atwood if necessary. Graham Thomas/Herald-Leader The 2019 Gentry Pioneers open the season at home against Dardanelle on Aug. 30. Gentry Continued from Page 12C