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Sophomores Kais Patton (6-2, 220) and Aiden Holloway (6-0, 200) and ju- niors Clayton Nall (5-6, 180) and Garrett Merworth (5-7, 190) are also in the mix on the offensive line. "Even though we were young last year, we'll be equally as young this year because we'll have two to three soph- omores that are vying for time on the offensive line," Bohannon said. "But I also feel that it's going to be our most improved group. I think the best move we made all of last year was firing the offensive line coach, and that's because it was me." Gravette hired Blake Pitts from Nettle - ton in Northeast Arkansas to coach the offensive line, Bohannon said. "He's already really developed a great rapport with our kids, getting ultra-com- petitive down there and becoming the dogs he wants them to be," Bohannon said. "That group could potentially be our most improved group. We're looking forward to seeing that." The Lions run a three-man defensive front, and while the bodies aren't big on the D-line, they hope to utilize speed and quickness. "That's what we want to do," Bohan - non said. "We want to be able to force the issue on that side of the ball — be able to not let offenses dictate how, when, where we do things. Being a little bit smaller, we're going to able to move the front, bring multiple pressures and play some different coverages and con - fuse them and let them play into our hands." Junior Jace Arnold (5-10, 180) and Kell Sweat (5-10, 230) and McGee will see lots of time on the defensive line. Junior Matthew Wright (5-9, 205) and some of the offensive linemen like Patton (6-2, 220) and Davis (6-1, 200) will rotate in on the defensive line, Bo - hannon said. "Those guys are all coming back from getting a lot of snaps from last year," he said. "We should be a lot better." The Lions will deploy four linebackers in their 3-4-4 defensive scheme. Austin mans an outside linebacker spot, while senior Christian Thrailkill (5-10, 185) played a lot at linebacker last year. Nall and Merworth also played some linebacker a year ago. "Kyler's back, who started a year ago," Bohannon said. "Christian was a backup last year but played a lot of snaps. Gar - rett's getting his chance to make some plays and Clayton's moving positions and getting an opportunity there as well. So again, not a ton of experience there but enough we're going to rely on and see them continue to get better." The Lions also got a move-in from Louisiana during the offseason in senior Shad Nelson (5-10, 185). "He's been really great in the weight room," Bohannon said of Nelson. "He's really athletic and we're really glad to add him to the mix. He'll see a lot of snaps." At defensive back, Mason Meeker re - turns at corner along with Betz. "Mason started at corner last year and you see glimpses of his athleticism," Bo- hannon said. "Will just played a spotty role on both sides of the ball but just continued to get better with everything that he's put in. He's a terrific kid and we trust him a lot." Junior Ian Leonard (5-9, 165) is a re - turning starter at safety, while Holmes, sophomore Carter Flynt (5-9, 150) and Hilger at times will see time in the sec- ondary. "Ian really kind of forced himself into the lineup last year," Bohannon said. "He was a guy we thought we didn't know how much he would contribute but really showed a lot of toughness and resiliency and was a really good tackler in the secondary. We were forced to play him and he's made great strides. Ellis also will return at safety and "does a great job of playing calling and getting us in the right coverage," Bohannon said. The Lions also are excited about having artificial turf installed in their football stadium this fall. "Every day we get to go to the office and look down at that stadium and see the strides they're making there," Bohannon said. "We've already got a gorgeous place here, maybe one of the best in the region. Adding that to it really dresses it up and just makes it that much better." An added bonus is the Lions — varsity and junior high teams — will be able to practice on the field. In the past, the teams have tried to avoid practicing on the game field to keep it ready for game nights. "That's been my biggest push, being able to have a great place to practice and always having landmarks and a dry surface," Bohannon said. "It's going to be huge, not only for our varsity but our young kids. We were 6:30 (in the morn - ing) practices with our young ones, and now we've got the ability to get them down there and not fight weather con- ditions and things like that. It's going to help really propel our program to the next level." 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"! 2022 Football Preview Wednesday, August 24, 2022 n C11 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer LIONS Continued from Page C10 Mike Eckels/2022 Football Preview Gravette's Rhett Hilger crosses the goal line for the first touchdown of the game during the first quarter of the Gravette-Inola, Okla., varsity football contest at Lion Stadium in Gravette last season.