Westside Football Preview

2021

Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1403981

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 9 of 23

The Gravette Lions aren't just young. "Right now, we're incredibly young," said head football coach Kelby Bohan- non, who's entering his third year. The Lions (3-7 in 2020) graduated a large senior class from last season and only have three seniors on the 2021 football roster. But a large class of juniors and sophomores and good numbers in the junior high ranks are prom - ising, Bohannon said. "I think that's what we're hanging our hat on," Bohannon said. "Our junior high team lost two games last year, to Shiloh Christian and Prairie Grove. They've had some success. The freshman class behind them has 22 kids, and the eighth grade group has 24. We've got kids coming that will bring depth experience and toughness. We're hoping that the future is going to continue to get better." Like nearly every program, Gravette had to deal with covid-19 problems last fall, which hurt the team from being able to string any momentum together. "Last year, all things were out of sorts and we never could find our groove," Bohannon said. The Lions did pick up a 50-49 victory over arch rival Gentry in the final game of the regular season before losing 58- 50 in overtime to Little Rock Mills in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. Gravette did had its first "normal" spring football practice in the last sev - eral years, Bohannon said. Multiple coaching changes and covid all played a role in disrupting the last several springs, Bohannon said. "I felt like we had a good spring this year," Bohannon said. "We got a lot of reps." The Lions have 15 juniors, several of whom got lots of playing time as soph - omores last season. "It's a good class," Bohannon said. One junior, Rhett Hilger (6-1, 162), is expected to take over at quarterback, following in the footsteps of his older brother Cy Hilger, who was a three- year starter at quarterback before graduating last spring. Rhett Hilger played wide receiver last season and is also a standout baseball player. "He's an athletic kid with a big arm," Bohannon said of Hilger. Another junior, Hunter Carter (5-9, 163) is working at quarterback as well. Junior Karl Bontrager (5-10, 165) was the Lions' leading rusher as a sophomore in 2020 with 120 carries for 523 yards. Bontrager and sopho - more Kyler Austin (5-11, 170), who is one of 15 sophomores on the roster, are expected to receive the bulk of the Lions' carries. "Those two kids will get 95 to 98 percent of the snaps back there," Bo- hannon said. Bontrager was a late move-in who stepped into that role last year, Bohan- non said, while Austin "has a chance to be a really good football player." Junior Mason Meeker (5-9, 152) had flashes of being a playmaker at wide re- ceiver as a sophomore, Bohannon said, and they hope he can give the Lions a vertical threat. Junior Ethan Ellis (5-10, 153) played as a back up role on defense and a lot of special teams as a sophomore. He'll figure in more at wide receiver as well, Bohannon said. Sophomore Jace Arnold (5-10, 170) lines up at a tight end position after playing some varsity snaps as a fresh - man. "He's got a bright future," Bohannon said. "He just hasn't played a lot of foot- ball yet. We're expecting a lot of things from him in the years to come." The Lions also are excited about ju- nior wide receiver Will Betz (5-10, 160), who was recruited out of the basketball gym, Bohannon said. "He's an athletic kid who can run a little bit and catch the ball," Bohannon said of Betz. "We expect him to be able to make some plays as well." Senior Sam Mayo (5-9, 240) is the Lions' lone returner on the offensive line. He'll play both guard positions and anchor the line, Bohannon said. "He's a fire hydrant-guy," Bohannon said of Mayo. "He's 5-9, 240 pounds, had a good offseason. He's physical, got a little nasty to him. He has some leadership qualities and we're looking for those to shine." We are your HOMETOWN PHARMACY LION PRIDE!!! Ken Austin, P.D. • James Austin, PharmD Main St • Gravette 479-787-5432 Stop in and see us for all your pharmacy needs. We'll get you in and out with "Fast, Friendly Service"! Marion Harris, DVMJim Benson, DVM Dr. Stacey Rodine, DVM Monday-Friday 8-5 • Saturday 8-10 Large & Small Animal Work • Check us out on Facebook East of Gravette on 17624 W. Hwy. 72 • 479-787-6284 WWW.CVACCPETS.NET • Check us out on Facebook Go Lions, It's your season!! 2021 Football Preview 10C n Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com Gravette Lions 2021 schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 27 .............................. at Vian, Okla. ................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 3 .................................Inola, Okla. .................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 10 ...............................Pryor, Okla. .................................. 7 p.m. Sept. 24 ................................. Lincoln*..................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 1 .............................. at Prairie Grove* .............................. 7 p.m. Oct. 8 ................................ at Huntsville*................................. 7 p.m. Oct. 15 ................................ Berryville* ................................... 7 p.m. Oct. 22 ............................ at Green Forest* ............................... 7 p.m. Oct. 29 ..........................at Shiloh Christian* ............................ 7 p.m. Nov. 5 ...................................at Gentry* ................................... 7 p.m. * 4A-1 Conference 'Young' Lions ready for 2021 season Rhett Hilger Kyler Austin Sam Mayo Coach Kelby Bohannon Ethan Ellis See LIONS on Page 11C

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Westside Football Preview - 2021