NWADG Prep Rally Football Preview

16 PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.30.2020 GO wildcats! it's time to play ball! GOOd lUcK tHis YEaR! LUNDSTRUM4ARKANSAS.COM PAID FOR BY ROBIN LUNDSTRUM FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE. CLASS 7A ROGERS HERITAGE WAR EAGLES 2019 RECORD 0-10, 0-7 7A-West COACH Steve Hookfin RETURNING STARTERS 8 offense, 7 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Jeb Brown (Sr., 6-0, 170), RB Eli Craig (Jr., 5-10, 180), TE Noah Fricke (Sr., 6-2, 220), OL Tristan Ketter (Sr., 6-4, 280), OL/DL Cristian Jimenez (Sr., 6-1, 275), LB Garrett Murdock (Sr., 6-0, 205), DB Seth Kendall (Sr., 5-11, 170). THE SKINNY Coach Steve Hookfin begins his second season with the War Eagles trying to turn around a program that has lost 48 of its last 50 games and carries a 24-game losing streak into this season. … The War Eagles' last victory was a 29-28 overtime win against Van Buren on Oct. 6, 2017. … Heritage returns 15 starters, including all of its linemen. … The team started offseason work the week after its season-ending loss to Rogers, which allowed them to get a good bit of offseason work in before the pandemic shut down schools in March, Hookfin said. … Hookfin hopes to cash in on a large senior class (23) who have had a year with him to take the program forward. … Senior Jeb Brown returns at quarterback and has shown improvement physically and mentally, Hookfin said. … Eli Craig will be a primary ball-carrier for the War Eagles, while Brady Laird and Carter Hensley, a pair of 6-foot-2 receivers, give Heritage some size on the outside. … Heritage has done good work in the weight room to get bigger and stronger overall, Hookfin said. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "We were able to establish a work ethic and accountability and I think those things will carry a lot of weight going forward and through that downtime. The great thing I was enthused about is we picked up right where we left off. We don't lack energy. We don't lack physicality. We lack a little discipline whether that be mental, emotional or physical. But I like where we're headed." — Steve Hookfin, Rogers Heritage coach SCHEDULE Aug. 28 ..... at Farmington Oct. 9 ............ Bentonville* Sept. 4 ........ Springfield (Mo.) Central Oct. 16 ...at Ft Smith Southside* Sept. 18 .... Alma Oct. 23 . Bentonville West* Sept. 25 .... at Springdale* Oct. 30 ...... at Fayetteville* Oct. 2 ........ at Springdale Har-Ber* Nov. 6 ......... Rogers High* * — Denotes 7A-West Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted ROGERS HIGH MOUNTIES 2019 RECORD 2-9, 2-5 7A-West COACH Mike Loyd RETURNING STARTERS 4 offense, 4 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Chris Francisco (Sr., 5-9, 156), TE Joel Garner (Jr., 6-4, 200), OL/DL Andy Vargas (Sr., 6-4, 310), WR Aron Rendon (Sr., 6-0, 180), OL Carter Cox (Sr., 6-3, 305), DL Jose Ruiz (Sr., 6-2, 240), DB Jordan McKibbon (Sr., 6-0, 175), DB/WR Gavin Pitts (Sr., 6-1, 180). THE SKINNY Chris Francisco, who played some at receiver and defensive back a year ago, will start at quarterback and gives the Mounties some mobility at the position. … Aron Rendon should get regular carries while junior Josh Shepherd gives the Mounties a big-play threat with his speed in the backfield. … A talented group of receivers should give Francisco a variety of targets. Juniors Joel Garner and Noah Goodshield are just a couple who have varsity experience. Gavin Pitts and Kade Seldomridge are two more that should play key roles. … Carter Cox anchors the offensive line while Kaden Ward could play some on both sides of the ball. .. The Mounties should have athleticism led by Jordan McKibbon, Pitts and Matthew Couts in the secondary but the linebackers are still to be determined with junior Marion Slater (6-2, 220) among those who could see action. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "We've got a chance. We've just got to figure it out but what our strengths are going to be on offense. We'll be a different offense, probably won't sling maybe 50 times. Defensively, you've got to simplify and get in position and if you're in position to make plays, you've got to tackle. I've already seen a big improvement. I hope that transitions to our game." — Mike Loyd, Rogers High coach SCHEDULE Aug. 28 ......... at Siloam Springs Oct. 9 ........ at Bentonville West* Sept. 4 .......... Stillwell, Okla. Oct. 16 ....................Springdale* Sept. 18 ........ at Springfield (Mo.) Central Oct. 23 ............... at Bentonville* Sept. 25 ........ Fort Smith Southside* Oct. 30 .......Springdale Har-Ber* Oct. 2 ............ Fayetteville* Nov. 6......... at Rogers Heritage* * — Denotes 7A-West Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted SCHEDULE Aug. 27 ..... at FS Northside# Oct. 9 ........ at Fayetteville* Sept. 4 ...... at Greenwood Oct. 16 .............. Heritage* Sept. 11 .... Russellville Oct. 23 ............at Har-Ber* Sept. 25 .... at Rogers* Oct. 30 .......at Bent. West* Oct. 2 ........ Bentonville* Nov. 6 ............Springdale* * — Denotes 7A-West Conference game # — Thursday game. All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE MAVERICKS 2019 RECORD 1-9, 0-7 7A-Central COACH Kim Dameron RETURNING STARTERS 5 offense, 7 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Parker Wehunt (Sr., 5-11, 180), RB Jay Washington (Sr., 5-11, 165), WR Connor Austin (Sr., 6-3, 175), OL Marlon Briggs (Sr., 6-0, 330), OL Jayquon Minner (Sr., 6-1, 265), SS Dakota Wareham (Sr., 5-10, 175), DL Shawn Rogers (Sr., 6-1, 265), LB Landen Chaffey (Sr., 6-1, 220), LB Elijah Lyles (Sr., 5-9, 170), DB Jackson Riddle (Jr., 5-10, 170). THE SKINNY The Mavericks struggled in 2019, losing every 7A-Central game to end the season on a seven-game losing streak. It was Southside's worst season since 1996. Longtime coach Jeff Williams left the program to take over at Class 5A Pea Ridge, and the Mavericks hired former Eastern Illinois coach Kim Dameron this summer. … Dameron said he has not settled on a quarterback and could use two or three different players early in the season. Parker Wehunt was the quarterback last season and returns for his senior season. … The Mavericks will be salty on defense with all-conference linebacker Landen Chaffey leading the unit. Chaffey compiled 95 tackles last season and has multiple scholarship offers. … Defensive tackle Shawn Rogers is one of the best in the 7A-West after earning all-state honors a year ago. Rogers will often draw double-teams and still does damage. … Southside will travel to crosstown Northside to open the season on Thursday, Aug. 27. The two schools are now in different conferences with Southside in the 7A-West and Northside remaining in the 7A-Central for the next two years. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "We started this summer trying to install what we're wanting to do. We're starting to put our program in. Things have gone really well. I've been really pleased with the kids. They are willing to learn and they work hard. They are a good bunch of kids. I think the longer we're together, the better we will be." — Kim Dameron, Southside coach FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE GRIZZLIES 2019 RECORD 3-7, 1-6 7A-Central COACH Mike Falleur RETURNING STARTERS 7 offense, 5 defense KEY PLAYERS QB/DB Dreyden Norwood (Sr., 6-1, 180), RB Seth Fields (Jr., 5-9, 190), WR Tyheen Prosise (Sr., 5-9, 150), Khaliq Thomas (Sr., 6-2, 250), Maliq Thomas (Sr., 6-1, 230), DB William Releford (Sr., 5-9, 160), SS Jack Green (Jr., 5-9, 150), WR Steffan Fak (Sr., 5-11, 180), WR Avonte Tucker (Sr., 5-11, 170), OL Jordian Green (Sr., 6-3, 290), DB Jordan Green (Sr., 5-9, 150). THE SKINNY The Grizzlies lost three straight games last season by 7, 3 and 3 points and failed to make the playoffs. With seven offensive starters back, look for Northside to be in the mix in the 7A-Central this season. … Senior QB Dreyden Norwood is rated by several recruiting services as the top recruit in the state as a defensive back. Norwood ran for 491 yards and passed for 546, but those numbers should rise significantly under first-year offensive coordinator Greg Kendrick, the former coach at powerhouse Charleston. Norwood verbally committed to Texas A&M in July. … WR Tyhee Prosise is a nightmare to cover. The senior with 4.41 speed in the 40 caught 34 passes for 415 yards, and he will be used in a variety of roles this season. … Offensive lineman Jordian Green is a mauler who dominates in the weight room. … Defensive back William Releford could have a breakout season with strong bloodlines. … Twins Khaliq and Maliq Thomas will anchor the Grizzlies' defensive front. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "It's kind of scary, but you know everyone is in the same boat. We didn't start scrimmaging until a couple of weeks ago. It's sort of like spring practice. I think what you'll see with Northside and other teams is that we will start here and really improve as the season goes on." — Mike Falleur, Northside coach SCHEDULE Aug. 27 ..... FS Southside# Oct. 9 ........... LR Catholic* Sept. 11 .... at Greenwood Oct. 16 ........... at Conway* Sept. 18 .... Har-Ber Oct. 23 ............. North LR* Sept. 25 .... at Bryant* Oct. 30 ...............at Cabot* Oct. 2 ........ at LR Central* Nov. 6 ...... LR Southwest* * — Denotes 7A-Central Conference game # — Thursday game. All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted Francisco Vargas Cox Brown Craig Fricke Lyles Rogers Releford Fak Green

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