NWADG Prep Rally Football Preview

PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.21.2022 14 BENTONVILLE TIGERS 2021 RECORD 8-3, 6-1 7A-West COACH Jody Grant RETURNING STARTERS 5 offense, 3 defense KEY PLAYERS RB Josh Ficklin (Sr., 5-11, 210), OL Joey Sua (Sr., 6-5, 322), OL-DL Trevor Martinez (Sr., 6-3, 320), OL Cole Cowgur (Sr., 5-11, 245), QB Carter Nye (Jr., 6-1, 170), WR C.J. Brown (Jr., 6-1, 185), WR- DB J.T. Tomescko (Sr., 6-2, 170), DE Ben Pearson (Jr., 6-2, 180), DB Johnny Pike (Sr., 5-10, 175), PK Logan Tymeson (Sr., 5-10, 145) THE SKINNY For only the second time since 2008, Bentonville doesn't enter the season as the defending conference champion. … While splitting time at tailback the past two seasons, Ficklin has compiled 2,532 yards and 38 TDs rushing. As the Tigers' main tailback, he wants 2,000 yards and 30 TDs on the ground. … Nye saw part-time duty at quarterback, including one start, and threw for 739 yards and 7 TDs. … The Tigers' strength could lie in the offensive line with the return of Su'a, Martinez and Cole Cowgur at center. … Brown caught 31 passes for 436 yards and 5 TDs last year and is the team's leading returning receiver. … Pearson had 40 tackles and earned all-conference honors last season. … Martinez, who doubles as a defensive lineman, has a number of offers from colleges and is considered one of the conference's best defensive linemen. … Tomescko returns at one of the corners after moving from receiver in midseason. … Pike, a converted running back, compiled 81 tackles at safety. … Sophomore Eli Brooks has already been tabbed the starter at tight end and could also be a starting linebacker. … Tymeson hit 57 of 58 extra-point attempts and 5 of 7 field goals last season and averaged 49 yards per kickoff. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "This is a close group, and it's a young group. It's led by some of the younger guys, and they're the thermostat of this team. It's a very talented group, and it's a group I'm looking forward to seeing out on the field. We have a really big offensive line with a talented running back. Our quarterback operates real nice and we have a talented receiver. Defensively, we fly around and the group is coachable. The stars align for a good team, but it's about chemistry, toughness and being disciplined is what boils around to wins and losses." — Jody Grant to Central Arkansas. The Wolverines also have a solid secondary with Nick Bell, Josh Buxton and Thomas Willbanks returning. "We had a sophomore quarterback last year with not a lot of experience," Pratt said of Casey. "Talking to him, we kind of felt like he was trying to drink from a fire hose early in the season. We had to make it vanilla early in the season, but he's worked real hard in the offseason. "He knows all of our offense, and we have all our skill kids coming back. We're able to do things offensively a little more complex than we have in the past and doing a good job of it right now." Fayetteville, which won the conference title last year and claimed its first outright crown since 1963, lost more than 40 seniors but has enough pieces in place not to be counted out. Rogers enjoyed its most successful season in 15 years and will move some things around this year in hopes of making another serious run this fall, and some believe Springdale will be better with a second year under coach Brett Hobbs. "Springdale is really athletic and has a real good staff," Wood said. "They really teach the game the right way. I don't know if Springdale is getting a lot of talk, but I think they're going to be a really good, solid club." Fort Smith Southside will have to bounce back after the Mavericks lost quarterback David Sorg for the entire season because of an injury. Rogers Heritage, which has lost its last 39 conference games, looks to regroup behind Springdale native Eric Munoz, who was hired as head coach in the spring. Meanwhile, Fort Smith Northside will try to hold its own in the 7A-Central again, but this time the Grizzlies will do it under new leadership. Felix Curry was promoted to head coach after Mike Falleur announced his retirement. Northside finished 3-4 in the 7A-Central last year, but three of the Grizzlies' losses were in one-possession games. Curry will turn to players such as receivers T'kavion King and Damari Smith, an offensive line led by all- conference performers Erik Barrientos, Adrian Falcon and Jamoni Benton, and a defense led by all-conference players R.J. Lester and Pum Savoy. "When you play against Bryant, North Little Rock, Cabot and Conway, it's tough every year," said Curry, whose team will open conference play at Bryant next month. "But I think we are a pretty good ball team ourselves. There are so many factors that come into winning and losing, but I have nothing but respect for the conference we're in." For the first time since 2015, Class 7A will be represented by a team in the eastern half of the state. Jonesboro moves up from 6A to the 7A-Central and replaces Little Rock Catholic, which drops to Class 6A because of the new Classification and Competitive Equity Factor for non-public schools. Bragging n Continued from Page 13 7A-WEST CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Aug. 26 ..... Broken Arrow, Okla. Oct. 7 ..at Rogers Heritage* Sept. 2 ...... at Conway Oct. 14 ............Fayetteville* Sept. 16 .... at KC Rockhurst Oct. 21 ..................Rogers* Sept. 23 .... Springdale Har-Ber* Oct. 28 ........ at Springdale* Sept. 30 .... at FS Southside* Nov. 4 ....Bentonville West* * — Denotes 7A-West Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted Josh Ficklin join us for our daily specials 100 E. Joyce Blvd., Ste. 111 • Fayetteville, AR (Across from Razorback Cinema) www.mojitosmexicangrillfay.com • www.facebook.com/mojitosfayetteville 479-527-9200 RJ Turner | Northside File Photo

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