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2021 Football Preview Wednesday, August 25, 2021 n 19C Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Bud Sullins/Special to Westside Football Preview Brendan Lashley runs after the catch against Rogers last season. "He works hard every day and coach- es trust him," Craig said. Senior Zach Jones (6-0, 195) came back to football last spring and is work- ing at right tackle. "He's undersized, but he's athletic," Craig said. "He's getting back into the swing of football. He's a guy that by the end of the season will be back to the form we saw in junior high." The left guard position could be a rotation of several players. J.P. Wills (5- 8, 235), a starter on defense, could play some there as well as sophomore Brock Gold (5-9, 260). Junior Jackson Boles (5-10, 230) has fought some injuries but could play a tackle or guard position. Sophomore Shane Rowbotham (6-2, 245) also is in the mix. "We're hoping Shane Rowbotham will develop a little bit and play," Craig said. "It's quite a battle going on in there. We have a lot of guys rotating in and out." SILOAM Continued from Page 6C Siloam Springs Panthers 2021 schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 27 ............................. at Rogers High ................................ 7 p.m. Sept. 3 .................................. Pea Ridge ................................... 7 p.m. Sept. 10 ............................... at Harrison .................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 24 ............................. at Van Buren* ................................. 7 p.m. Oct. 1 .................................... Benton* ..................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 8 ............................... at Greenwood* ............................... 7 p.m. Oct. 15 .............................Lake Hamilton* ............................... 7 p.m. Oct. 22 ..........................at Mountain Home* ............................ 7 p.m. Oct. 29 .............................. LR Parkview* ................................. 7 p.m. Nov. 5 ................................. Russellville*.................................. 7 p.m. * 6A-West Conference "We need to get him the ball in space," Claborn said. "He has wheels." Junior Caden Balderas, Carlos' younger brother, may be the best athlete on the football field, Claborn said. "He's quick, he's got great bal - ance and only weighs 145 pounds," Claborn said of Caden Balderas, who will play receiver and tailback on offense along with cornerback on defense. Caden Balderas led the War- riors in interceptions on defense and had a few fumble recoveries as well, Claborn said. Senior running back Ryan McCol- lum had more than 800 yards rushing and scored 11 touchdowns. At 5-10, 190 pounds, McCollum has "decent speed" and can run inside and out- side, Claborn said. McCollum also plays defensive end. Senior Tiajer Russell is the Warriors' leading returning receiver at tight end. "Tiajer is a pretty sure-handed tight end, and those tight ends seem to be open two to three times a game in our playaction game," Claborn said. "That fits what we do." Russell played safety on defense last season, but the Warriors are look - ing at him as a linebacker this year, Claborn said. Sophomore Alex Harlin returns at fullback and could be a linebacker on defense. "He had the highest attendance in the weight room this summer," Claborn said of Harlin. "It's important to us." Junior Alex Fleege started at left guard all last season and graded out as the Warriors' top offensive line - man, Claborn said. "We are expecting big things with him being bigger and stronger in the offense," Claborn said. Fleege also will play some defensive end. A feel good story coming out of Oaks is that of senior offensive line - man Aidan Pitts, who is projected to start at center, Claborn said. "Aidan Pitts has been a great team- mate for four years," Claborn said. "He's our number one noise-maker on the sideline. He's lost around 130 pounds, and we're going to ask him to play for us. He's more self-dis- ciplined. Aidan's done a lot of that himself (with weight loss). With that new body frame, he's gained some mobility. We're super proud of Aidan and we're going to give him the op- portunity to be our starting center." Junior Grant Vann, who plays guard, also had a good summer of attendance in the weight room and is pushing for a spot on the offensive line. Sophomores Jakeb Walker and Josh Hawley will also rotate some at tight end, Claborn said. WARRIORS Continued from Page 18C