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Freshman Seneca Steele (6-4, 185) will be the backup quarterback, but he'll also play wide receiver on Friday nights, Kirk said. "He's going to be a really good foot- ball player for us the next few years," Kirk said. At running back, sophomore Kaleb Jobe (5-10, 175) and freshman Paul New (5-10, 165) are getting reps. "We're expecting big things out of them as well," Kirk said. "They are young and they're going to grow and grow." Along with Steele at wide receiver, the Comets have junior Elias Warren (6-1, 170), who has come back out for football. "He's a big time athlete," Kirk said. "He's not played football in six years, but we got him out and we're sure glad he came." Sophomore Max Noe (6-0, 165) is another receiver who saw lots of play - ing time as a freshman toward the end of last season. Senior Javyne Whaler (5-9, 140), sophomore Zach Majors (5-11, 165) and sophomore Brenton Whaler (5-9, 145) will contribute at an inside re- ceiver position, Kirk said. "They're all more than capable of going off any night," Kirk said. "They're all talented kids. I'm really excited about the skill level we have here." Junior Avery Graham (5-11, 185) is the "smartest kid on the football team," Kirk said, and the Comets plan on using him in a variety of different roles, including tight end, H-back and maybe some out wide at receiver. "We'll use him a lot of different ways," Kirk said. "He has great hands and great ballskills, too." Senior Jeremiah Harmon (5-10, 220) plays fullback and "will do whatever is needed of him," Kirk said. The Comets' offensive line is led by senior Hunter Pair (6-1, 275) and ju - nior Kasen Rodriguez (6-1, 215). Pair plays a guard and Rodriguez is center. "They're our bell cows," Kirk said. Sophomores Sam McKie (6-2, 275), Greg Campbell (6-2, 240), Justin Dob- son (5-10, 250), freshman Dewayne Bendabout (6-0, 250) and junior Syl- vester Slamons (5-10, 200) are also getting looks on the offensive line. "We have a really good, talented of- fensive line," Kirk said. "We need to get them in shape and get them rolling. They're more than capable of carrying the load." Defensively, the Comets hope to keep opponents guessing and off-bal - ance. "Coach (Lankston) is going to mix it up and get after them, play an aggres- sive style of defense, bring pressure and try to create havoc in the backfield and get after the quarterback," Kirk said. Graham, Harmon and junior Treygan Rodriguez look to anchor the defensive line up front. Pair, Slamons, Campbell and Bend - about also work the defensive line, Kirk said. Kasen Rodriguez has moved to in- side linebacker and will run the Com- ets' defense on the field. "He's a 215-pound kid that can run," Kirk said. We're going to let him run sideline to sideline and make tackles all over the field. He's going to be solid there." The two young running backs, Jobe and New, will rotate at the other inside linebacker spot. Freshmen Tommy Keith and junior Ethan Cooke are also getting a look at inside linebacker. Majors, Steele and junior Zeke Price man the outside linebacker spot, which Kirk said is sort of a hybrid position. The Comets will play two corners and two safeties in the secondary. Javyne Whaler, Casey Swarthout, Noe, Ty Rollman and Brenton Whaler are seeing time at cornerback. Lewis and Warren man the two safe - ties, with Jayden Carnes, Steven Horn, and Brenton Whaler also rotating in at safety. Brenton Whaler will handle the place kicking duties with Lewis as punter and Kasen Rodriguez as the deep snapper. COMETS Continued from Page 16C P.O. Box 100 1401 E. Main St., Siloam Springs (479) 524-3121 P.O. Box 6294 2230 N. ompson, Springdale 479-756-2010 backstrom-pyeatte.com Serving NWA For 100+ Years • Plan Ahead • Talk of a Lifetime • Support • Services Good Luck Teams! Don't let them bury you! 2021 Football Preview Wednesday, August 25, 2021 n 17C Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Javyne Whaler Kasen Rodriguez Hunter Pair Max Noe Greg Campbell Avery Graham Jeremiah Harmon Ty Lewis Graham Thomas/Westside Football Preview Kansas senior quarterback Ty Lewis throws a pass during 7 on 7 action at the Stateline Shootout in Siloam Springs last June.