WCEL Football Preview

WCEL Football Preview 2017

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10 | EntErprisE-LEadEr WEdnEsday, aug. 23, 2017 Junior Tigers Wield Experience PRAIRIE GROVE — Numbers are back up to normal with 50 kids out for Prairie Grove junior high football after going last season with 38, the smallest number the junior Tigers have had. Prairie Grove head junior high coach John Elder has a seasoned group of fresh- men, many who earned their Tiger stripes last year. The school gave the program a boost in recent years with the hiring of assistant coaches Mason Pinkley and Nik Paroubek, whose devotion as an unpaid volunteer was rewarded with a coaching contract over the summer. The junior Tigers have starters returning at virtually every position except quarterback and if they jell quickly, should contend for a conference championship. OFFENSE Quarterback Ninth-grader Miles Castleman starts after playing a backup role last year. He has good skills for his age group, having played quarterback for awhile. Elder said he throws and runs OK and does a good job. "He's got some speed to him, he's sort of shifty when he runs. He can make you miss him," Elder said. "He's got a good, strong arm. He's working on his touch, trying to get a little better touch on the ball." Back-up Knox Laird is the son of assistant coach Craig Laird. Typical of a coach's son, Knox Laird is super-smart, intelligent and knows the offense. Eighth-grader Paytin Higgins loves football. A good athlete with a good arm, coaches think he's going to be pretty good, but just needs experience. Running Backs Halfback Cade Grant is the nephew of Bentonville head coach, Jody Grant, who once taught P.E. at Lincoln Junior High. Grant missed games due to injury last year, but came back strong in the season finale against Lincoln. "He's looking good right now," Elder said. "He's got some good speed. He's been running the ball since pee wee. He does a good job. He knows when to find the hole." Back-up halfback David Hall is new at the position as a ninth-grader. Coaches like his strength, speed and blocking. Eighth-grader Cooper Singleton has some speed. Like Hall, he is learning his role. "He's learning football pretty much," Elder said. As an eighth-grader, Foster Layman lined up at different positions. He moved around, playing some fullback, some wingback as coaches tried to see where he fit in best. As a seventh-grader, Layman played both halfback and wing- back. Now a ninth-grader, Layman is expected to become a big contributor as one of the fastest and strongest kids on the team. Elder likes his progress over the past year settling into fullback. "He's starting to learn the position a lot better," Elder said. "He finds holes better. He looks a lot better running the ball this year." Back-up fullback Cade Walker is a ninth-grader. Eighth-graders Jake Bone and Collin Faulk provide depth. Wingback Ethan Beason is quick. The ninth-grader is tough to tackle when he gets the ball. Classmate Cole Williams also plays wingback. "He's pretty quick, too," Elder said. "He's kind of new, learning the offense and doing stuff." Receivers Ninth-graders Jackson Sorters and Mason Tucker man the wide receiver spots. Elder said Sorters has great hands and is the best route-runner on the squad. Hard-working Tucker catches the ball well and has good speed. Two more ninth-graders Nick Shrum and Isaac Morrow could contribute. Tight End The junior Tigers have a platoon at tight end. Ninth-grader Josh Weber started last season. Knox Laird also plays tight end. Freshman Trevor Pierce and Tristan Hamrick figure in the picture as do eighth-graders Evan Foster and Asher Sam. Offensive Line Tall ninth-grader Gunner Caudale is By Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER The junior Tiger football team reloads for another chance at a conference championship. SEE JUNIOR PAGE 11

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