NWADG Prep Rally Football Preview

PREP RALLY: CLASS 3A | 8.21.2022 48 HACKETT HORNETS 2021 RECORD 8-3, 5-2 3A-1 Conference COACH Michael Meador RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 6 defense KEY PLAYERS OL Charlie McNeill (Sr., 6-6, 330), OL Jake Killian (Sr., 5-8, 190), QB Cole Ketchum (Jr., 6-1, 165), DE Tyler Pittman (Sr., 6-0, 240), RB Danny Robinson (Jr., 5-9, 180), OL Alex Woody (Jr., 5-9, 210), QB Brycen Hamilton (So., 6-0, 150), WR Dawsyn Clay (Jr., 5-8, 170), OL Michael Killian (Sr., 5-8, 190), RB Nate Gordon (Sr., 5-8, 160). THE SKINNY Ten years ago, Hackett's conference schedule included the likes of Union Christian, Hartford and Johnson County Westside. A decade later, the Hornets are primed to open the 2022 season with Centerpoint and will host Booneville to begin 3A-1 play. … Meador (21-11) has a dozen holdovers from last season's 8-3 finish, including junior quarterback Cole Ketchum. He amassed 1,016 yards and 14 touchdowns. … Nate Gordon and Danny Robinson combined for six touchdowns last season; the duo will split time at tailback. … Big Charlie McNeill (6-foot-6, 330 pounds) will anchor the offensive line at left guard. … Jake Killian returns at center. … Hackett is a robust 59-28 since 2014, with five seasons of eight wins or more. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "With this group, we expect to win. They believe they can, and they understand the work it takes to win. Our first initial goal is to make the playoffs, (but) it's a very tough league; Booneville and Charleston are in the Top 5 in the state. Anytime you play Charleston and Booneville, that's going to make you better for the playoffs. " — Michael Meadors SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ......at Centerpoint Oct. 7 ..............Cedarville* Sept. 2 .......Pocola, Okla. Oct. 14 ...... at Charleston* Sept.9 ........Panama, Okla. Oct. 21 ....... at West Fork* Sept. 23 .....Booneville* Oct. 28 ....... at Greenland* Sept. 30 .....at Lavaca* Nov. 4 .........at Mansfield* * — Denotes 3A-1 Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted Alex Woody Brycen Hamilton LAVACA GOLDEN ARROWS 2021 RECORD 5-5, 4-4 3A-1 Conference COACH Mark Headley RETURNING STARTERS 9 offense, 3 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Maddox Noel (Sr., 5-10, 165), ATH Spencer Giles (Sr., 5-9, 160), OL/DL Branden Johnson (Sr., 5-10, 350), WR/LB Eli Smithson (Sr., 5-10, 180), OL/LB Isaac Morris (Sr., 5-10, 240). THE SKINNY Headley is a company man. Need someone to coach volleyball? He's in. Football, baseball and basketball? Yep. Headley (90-81) as the school's football coach hopes to guide the Golden Arrows back to the playoffs. … The program's strong senior class includes quarterback Maddox Noel. Noel accounted for 2,077 total yards and 31 touchdowns for the Arrows last season, including 1,361 passing yards and 13 TDs. … Standout Isaac Morris led the Arrows with 59 tackles on defense. Like most of his teammates, he'll play on both sides of the ball, including left guard. … Eli Smithson is a run- stopper at linebacker and recorded just under 100 tackles last season. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "What I want to see from us is to get a little more physical. We have some experience, and that's a plus. This group went 9-0 in junior high, and all of them have stayed. Their senior year really means something to them. They like each other." — Mark Headley SCHEDULE Sept. 2 .......at Magazine Oct. 7 ............. West Fork* Sept. 9 .......Horatio Oct. 14 ....... at Greenland* Sept. 16 .....Mount Ida Oct. 21 ........at Mansfield* Sept. 23 .....at Cedarville* Oct. 28 ...........Booneville* Sept. 30 .....Hackett* Nov. 4 ........... Charleston* * — Denotes Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted Branden Johnson Eli Smithson MANSFIELD TIGERS 2021 RECORD 2-7, 1-6 3A-1 Conference COACH Tim Cothran RETURNING STARTERS 10 offense, 10 defense KEY PLAYERS WR Clint Stovall (Sr., 5-10, 170), QB Fischer Willsey (Sr., 6-0, 193), DB/RB Tyler Woolbright (Sr., 5-7, 138), WR/DB Tommy Phang (Sr., 5-7, 125), CB Greyson Baggett (Sr., 5-8, 145), OL/DL Braxton Byers (Sr., 6-2, 260), OL Austin Quinalty (Sr., 6-2, 190), WR Clint Stovall (Sr., 6-0, 180). THE SKINNY Coach Tim Cothran is ready to lead the Tigers back to the promised land. The veteran Tigers' coach has been with his seniors since they were seventh graders. … Mansfield returns 20 starters, 10 on both sides of the football. … Quarterback Fischer Wilsey amassed 1,094 total yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. He played a key role on defense, too. … Junior Tyler Turnipseed added 615 yards and five touchdowns last season at receiver. … Braxton Byers, a two-way starter on the offensive and defensive lines, added 20 tackles as a junior. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "These guys are one of the first groups I've had the whole time. I remember telling them as seventh graders, 'Hey, this is a numbers game; we've got to have numbers.' I told them I needed a six-year commitment. I've got 13 seniors this year. We're banking on that senior leadership to help us win some ballgames." — Tim Cothran SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ......at Magazine Oct. 7 ............ Charleston* Sept. 2 .......at Paris Oct. 13 ....... at Booneville* Sept. 16 .....Waldron Oct. 21 ................ Lavaca* Sept. 23 .....at West Fork* Oct. 28 ........at Cedarville* Sept. 30 .....at Greenland* Nov. 4 ................ Hackett* * — Denotes 3A-1 Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted Austin Quinalty Braxton Byers WEST FORK TIGERS 2021 RECORD 3-8, 3-4 3A-1 Conference COACH Rodney Selph RETURNING STARTERS 9 offense, 3 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Eli Howerton (Sr., 6-3, 185), WR Blayden Smith (Sr., 5-10, 170), DE/RB Harrison Oliver (Jr., 6-1, 200), WR/CB Colby Smith (Sr., 5-10, 145), OL Luke Baldwin (Sr., 6-0, 250), RB Jacob Cravens (Sr., 5-11, 175). THE SKINNY Technically, first-year West Fork football coach Rodney Selph is the new kid on the block. In reality, he never really left. The Tigers' head football coach resumes the role he had with the program between 2008-12 before he took over as the school's girls basketball coach. Selph is a 1990 Tigers' graduate. … Selph has a veteran quarterback (Eli Howerton) and a ton of offensive playmakers while guiding the team through the treacherous 3A-1. … Two of the top 5 3A programs, Booneville and Charleston, reside in the league. … Howerton threw for 11 touchdowns last season. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "I feel like we've got a chance to compete every night. We have nine starters back (offense) and really good leadership. We have high expectations for ourselves." — Rodney Selph SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ......at Green Forest Oct. 7 .................. Lavaca* Sept. 2 .......Berryville Oct. 14 ........at Cedarville* Sept. 9 .......Paris Oct. 21 ............... Hackett* Sept. 23 .....Mansfield* Oct. 28 ...... at Charleston* Sept. 30 .....at Booneville* Nov. 4 ........ at Greenland* * — Denotes 3A-1 Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted Blayden Smith Colby Smith Charlie McNeill Cole Ketchum Isaac Morris Maddox Noel Clint Stovall Fischer Willsey Eli Edens Eli Howerton Dawsyn Clay Spencer Giles Jacob Cravens AAA Bentonville 1501 SE Walton Blvd 479-254-9223 AAA Fayetteville 3595 N Shiloh Drive 479-444-9222 It's time to Travel Now's the time to plan your well-deserved vacation. Book early as inventory is going fast. It's never been more important to use a AAA Travel Advisor to help you navigate the changing travel industry. Visit AAA and save! Greyson Baggett

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