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PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.21.2022
next step because the Central is doing a
heck of a job."
Bentonville has been tabbed as the
team most likely to end the Central
dominance, and for good reason. The
Tigers return 1,500-yard rusher Josh
Ficklin and a massive offensive line
led by Arkansas commit Joey Su'a
and Trevor Martinez, who is deemed a
college prospect as a defensive lineman
as well.
Bentonville, however, didn't finish
with at least a share of the conference
title for the first time since 2016. The
Tigers have also had their share of recent
problems in the state playoffs, losing in
the quarterfinals to Cabot in 2020 and to
North Little Rock last year.
"I think it's the respect the people
have for our program," Tigers coach Jody
Grant said. "I appreciate that, but we
can't just talk about it. We have to go do
it, and we have a talented group."
Har-Ber and Bentonville West are two
teams that enough experienced players
to be considered serious contenders. The
Wildcats return senior quarterback Luke
Buchanan, who threw for 2,827 yards
and 19 touchdowns last season; a healthy
Hudson Brewer at tailback, where he
led the state in rushing in 2020; and a
defense led by linebacker Ross Haney,
who compiled 129 tackles.
West coach Bryan Pratt, however,
believes this year's Wolverines are the
most experienced group he's had at the
school. Junior quarterback Jake Casey
threw for 2,394 yards and 21 scores and
return receivers Ty Durham and Jaxson
Brust, while Carson Morgan compiled
almost 1,000 yards rushing despite
missing three games with an injury.
Defensively, West is led by linebacker
Braden Jones, who recently committed
Bragging
n Continued from Page 10
See BRAGGING, Page 14
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