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6 | EntErprisE-LEadEr WEdnEsday, aug. 23, 2017 Boys To Men: Iron Sharpens Iron 2017 FARMINGTON JUNIOR HIGH PREVIEW FARMINGTON — The junior Cardinal football program is training boys to men, intentionally pitting junior high play- ers against 7A schools and 6A Siloam Springs to step up to 5A West competi- tion in high school. According to Farmington head junior high football coach Tracy Sutton, competition against bigger schools does the Cardinals more good than playing smaller schools. Farmington has been without conference affiliation since leaving the 4A-1 when the varsity was bumped up to 5A beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. Sutton and the junior Cardinals have increased their strength of schedule to sharpen their skills going into high school. "We are playing everybody we played last year except that we've picked up Siloam Springs," said Sutton, now in his eighth year at the helm. OFFENSE Quarterback Ninth- g rader Tate Sutton (5-11 , 165), the coach's son, returns as start- ing quarterback. Sutton said Tate has shown vast improvement in his reads and knowing where he's going with the football. "He's one guy coming back with expe- rience," Sutton said. "He understands the offense. He can make plays and improvise a little bit. That always helps." Classmate Ian Cartwright, who also plays wide receiver, is the main back-up. Eighth-graders Myles Harvey and Caden Elsik also play quarterback. Running Backs The junior Cardinals also have a tail- back, who earned playing time last year and gained experience, ninth-grader Decory Thomas. "He has showed signs of being really good," Sutton said, crediting Thomas with doing a good job of pass block- ing and showing good hands as a pass receiver. "He can catch it if we have to throw it to him," Sutton said. "He's a good athlete. He can run. He can jump." Freshman Josh Cartwright is another tailback. Sutton said he has good speed, but would like for Cartwright to have a little more size. Eighth-graders Caden Elsik and Walker McCumber add depth at tailback. A trio of fullbacks round out the junior Cardinal backfield. Ninth-grader Haden Cox, eighth-grader Trey Hill and ninth- grader Julian Navarro. "I would like to see them be a little bit more explosive in their blocking and be more physical," Sutton said. "But it's natu- ral to play a little bit slower when you're learning. They all have some ability." Receivers Ninth-grader Elliot Thompson has been the most consistent pass receiver. He's not very big, yet Sutton says does a great job running pass routes and catching the football. Classmate Kale Purifoy hasn't played football for at least two years, but has shown signs of contributing to the junior Cardinal offense. Sutton said he just needs to get more consistent. Ian Cartwright may be the fastest receiver on the roster, but is just learning the position. Sutton thinks eighth-grader Tate Pick- ens is going to end up getting some playing time. Tight End Ninth-grader Caleb Matthews has good hands, but needs to work on his quickness and explosion off the ball. Eighth-grader Chase Brown potentially transforms himself into a first-rate player if coaches have their way. "He's a big kid, a good looking athlete," Sutton said. "He's an athlete in the making if he wants to be. Is he going to play like an eighth-grader or is he going to decide to play like a ninth-grader?" Offensive line The starting lineup along the offen- sive front was virtually decided by the first day of school with ninth-graders: Brody Hill at left tackle, Garrett Taylor at center, Hunter Nass at right guard, and right tackle James Nass. The start- ing left guard was still open pending a battle between Jared Jowers and Andrew Wood. Hill and Taylor have proven themselves the strongest linemen, and Sutton was looking for more from the unit as a whole. "Truthfully, we need to be a lot more physical, especially with our size and strength," Sutton said. Eighth-graders Jackson Boudrey and Braden Bullington could get a chance to play if the ninth-graders aren't as physi- cal as they need to be. Sutton would like to see one of them work his way into the starting lineup to free up a ninth-grader to concentrate on the defensive line. DEFENSE Defensive Line Lining up at defensive end are ninth-graders Andrew Wood and James Payne. Last season Brody Hill asserted himself as an eighth-grader and earned playing time for the junior Cards at defensive tackle. Sutton deemed him one of only two eighth-graders physical enough in 2016 to merit playing time on the offensive or defensive line. Hill plays defensive tackle accompanied by ninth- grader Terrion Swift, who could turn out By Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER PHOTO COURTESY OF LIFETOUCH NATIONAL STUDIOS Farmington's 2017 junior high football squad coached by Tracy Sutton is ready to go. SEE IRON PAGE 7