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Senior Fred Upton saw a lot of playing time last year. He plays several positions on the offensive line, but will probably land at cen- ter because of his snapping ability, Yeager said. "He's a good snapper," Yeager said. The Engineers' fourth senior is Blaze Lykins, who is in his first year of playing high school football. Lykins will probably play on both the offensive and defensive lines and maybe a little bit of tight end, Yeager said. Luke Bateman is one of two ju - niors on the team and will spend most of his time on the defen- sive side of the ball, Yeager said. Bateman didn't play as a sopho- more but started as a freshman for the Engineers in 2019. "He's back and we're glad to have him back," Yeager said. Junior Martin Kirk also plays de- fense mainly in the secondary at both cornerback and safety. Watts' only sophomore is Austin White, who started on the offen- sive and defensive lines in 2020 as a freshman. "This year he'll be a defensive end and on offense probably a guard," Yeager said. White also is the Engineers' kicker, Yeager said. Watts is excited about its eight freshmen. "We have a ton of freshmen," Yeager said. "So the future does look good." Freshman Skyler Payne will start at quarterback. Yeager said it's a tough position to play for a fresh - man. "I think if anybody has the mind- set for it and can do it, it's him," Yeager said of the left-handed Payne. Watts will try to use Payne sparingly on defense, but if he does play it will be as a corner or safety. Freshman Tommy Keith will play a running back position on offense and linebacker on defense. "That kid's a stud," Yeager said. "He's strong. He's built like a bull - dog. He's been playing football a long time. He's played with the Outlaws for the last seven years. He's pretty polished. He's a strong kid and pretty quick for a kid that weighs almost 200 pounds and squatting 450. He'll help us a lot on both offense and defense. Athletic freshman Kyler Smith will play running back and receiver on offense and safety on defense. Smith will likely be the Engineers' backup quarterback. Freshman Devon Ford will also lineup at a wide receiver/tight end spot and corner and safety on defense. "He will help us out in the future for sure." Freshman Ade Webster has quickness and can help on special teams or cornerback on defense. Freshmen Chris Barber and Kaiden Burrows are both expected to help on the offensive and de - fensive lines, as is Kadense Myers, who is in his first year playing. "We are young, but the good thing is if you have eight freshmen and they stay together, then you eventually have eight seniors," Yea - ger said. "The future looks good." Watts competes in District B-6. Yeager expects Summit Christian and Keota to be among the top teams in the league. He expects Watts to play hard as well. "I think we'll compete," Yeager said. "I think the kids we do have, we're young, but eager to learn. Practices have been good as far as learning. We've got a lot of work to do but I feel like we'll compete." 2021 Football Preview Wednesday, August 25, 2021 n 21C Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Blaze Lykins Skyler Payne Christian Sullateskee Fred Upton Luke Bateman Tommy Keith Austin White Caden Willis ENGINEERS Continued from Page 20C Watts (Okla.) Engineers 2021 schedule Date Opponent Time Sept. 3 ......................................Welch .......................................7 p.m. Sept. 10 .................................. at Oaks .....................................7 p.m. Sept. 17 ..........................Wesleyan Christian .............................7 p.m. Oct. 1 .................................Webbers Falls .................................7 p.m. Oct. 7 ...............................at Cave Springs* ...............................7 p.m. Oct. 14 .................................... Gans*.......................................7 p.m. Oct. 22 ................................ at Arkoma*...................................7 p.m. Oct. 29 .................................... Keota* ......................................7 p.m. Nov. 5 ........................... at Summit Christian* ...........................7 p.m. * District B-6 I think we'll compete. I think the kids we do have, we're young, but eager to learn. Practices have been good as far as learning. We've got a lot of work to do but I feel like we'll compete." — Watts (Okla.) head football coach Tommy Yeager Community Blood Center of the Ozarks www.cbco.org Bentonville 479.464.2506 Springdale 479.927.1200 Save a life eveRY DROP TellS a STORY ThiS SpaCe COurTeSy NWa DemOCraT-GazeTTe