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WESTWOOD G A R D E N S Decorate and Plant for Fall Trees for Fall Color • Pumpkins & Gourds • Giant Mums w w w. w e s t w o o d g a r d e n s. c o m 26 PreP rally: Class 5A Thursday, augusT 31, 2017 "We feel like we have a good football team but also know we play in a tough league," Wells said. "We're looking to be more competitive against those teams that are traditionally at the top of the league, and for the first time since I've been here, we feel like we can compete well with those teams physically and on both sides of the ball. "And it will help that we finally get to play those teams at home." Another factor in Harrison's favor is it's the only team picked to finish in the top half of the league that returns a start- ing quarterback. Senior Noah Ditmanson (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), who also starred at linebacker a year ago, is coming off an all-state performance after racking up a combined 1,160 yards and 16 touchdowns passing and rushing. "The teams picked ahead of us don't return a QB, so that will definitely be a plus for us," Wells said. "He's really worked hard on improving his passing in the offseason and had a really good spring and summer throwing the ball. He brings a lot of leadership and con- fidence to our team, so he brings a lot to the table. "We're hoping we don't have to play him as much on defense, but we'll see how that goes." Ditmanson helped Harrison finish runner-up during a 7-on-7 passing tour- nament at Springfield (Mo.) Parkview this summer. The Goblins' other two returning all-staters also were two-way players in linebacker/running back Ma- son Martin (5-11, 195) and receiver/cor- nerback Daniel McCormick (5-10, 155). "We're trying to be able to platoon more on offense and defense," Wells said. "Defensively, we have a lot fewer two-way players than a year ago. That's what got us in the end. When you have an injury to a two-way player, you have to replace two positions, so we're hoping not to have as many as we've had to rely on in the past." Wells and Loughridge both believe Farmington will be better. The Cardinals are hoping eight returning starters on offense, including four linemen, can help them make the playoffs by cracking into the upper half of the conference stand- ings by season's end. Tailback Caleb Williams (5-9, 190) added muscle in the offseason and should be a force running behind a line that includes a couple of 300-pounders. The Cardinals also are one of the few 5A-West teams that return a true starter at quarterback with senior Trey Waggle (6-0, 170) back under cen- ter after throwing for 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. Other 5A-West teams coaches say should be improved are Maumelle and Clarksville, which Loughridge said would be better under second-year coach Khris Buckner. Something that may have factored into coach's picking Alma to win the league is Airedales senior quarterback Garrison Jensen (6-1, 215), who was an All-State linebacker a year ago. Though not a true returning starter at quarter- back, Jensen saw plenty of spot work a year ago and even helped win a key game as a sophomore. He even gets the Airedales' top target back in All-State receiver Brayden Johnson (6-4, 205), who hauled in 81 passes for 1,153 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2016. "Garrison's never been a guy who got all the snaps, but we feel like we've got a veteran there with all of the experi- ence he has," Loughridge said. "He was a package deal where we used him in short-yardage situations, and he actually led us in rushing touchdowns. And he took us down the field to beat Conway when he was a sophomore. "Breaking in a QB is kind of an un- known for teams (in the 5A-West), but after a few games, it really won't matter because they'll be good and broke in by the time we play them anyway." Mike Capshaw can be reached at mcap- shaw@nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWACappy. 5a-West v Continued from Page 23 2016 Conference Standings 5A-West Team .............................. Conf.................. Overall 1. Morrilton ........................ 6-1 ......................... 6-5 2. alma ............................. 6-1 ......................... 8-4 3. greenbrier .................... 5-2 ......................... 7-4 4. harrison ........................ 5-2 ......................... 8-3 5. Farmington ................... 2-5 ......................... 3-7 6. Vilonia ........................... 2-5 ......................... 5-5 7. Clarksville .......................1-6 .......................... 2-8 8. Maumelle .......................1-6 .......................... 2-8 Hooten's Coaches' Poll 5A-West 1. alma 2. Morrilton 3. greenbrier 4. harrison 5. Maumelle 6. Farmington 7. Vilonia 8. Clarksville NWa democrat-gazette/aNdy shuPE Farmington quarterback Trey Waggle returns for his senior season and has improved his decision making during the offseason, ac- cording to Cardinals coach Mike adams.