Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1282064
23 PREP RALLY: CLASS 5A | 8.30.2020 We support Blackhawks Football!!! We hope your season is full of victories on and off the field. Guthrie Heating & Air 221 Barris Ln. • Pea Ridge, AR 72751 479-640-3256 SHINE ON Harrison not ready to let go of 5A-West title HENRY APPLE NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Harrison's senior class has been part of football teams that have won two outright 5A-West Conference championships and helped the Goblins build current winning streaks of 16 conference games and 22 regular-season games. But this group of players, according to Goblins' coach Joel Wells, still believe they have some unfinished business left, and that's not a good sign for teams wanting to knock Harrison out of the league's top spot this fall. "These guys have won a lot of football games at the junior high and JV level," Wells said. "A lot of these guys got into games late last year and played some Friday night time. "They have a little chip on their shoulders. They've been told they weren't as good as the group ahead of them, and they're coming in to prove something." Harrison still remains the league favorite despite the loss of 24 seniors, eight of which have headed on to various colleges. Vilonia provided the biggest threat after barely losing to the Goblins last fall, while Greenbrier and Morrilton are traditional contenders. The Goblins will try to continue their dominance in the league with seniors such as Cole Keylon, who saw action at quarterback last year; an offensive front that features Breckin Duck at tight end and Steven Chrisman and Kendred Thompson at the guard positions and a defense led by Anthony Allen, Duck and Thompson on the line and Lance Johnson in the secondary. See Harrison, Page 24 BRYCE BUCKNER SCHOOL Clarksville POSITION Fullback/Linebacker CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-0 WEIGHT 230 TWITTER HANDLE @Bryce85297371 THE DIGITS Buckner rushed for 522 yards last season and averaged 6.7 yards per carry as an all-5A-West fullback. … In the Panthers' single-wing offense, Buckner also factored into the passing game with three touchdown passes in 2019. … Buckner is a beast in the weight room with a 300-pound clean. … Buckner is a two-way starter at middle linebacker, where he recorded 77 tackles in 2019. MY PLAYLIST IS Metallica and Hank Williams Jr. I BINGE WATCH Yellowstone I DRIVE 1995 Chevy Silverado MY HERO IS Anyone willing to do the right thing and work hard FAVORITE MEAL A big plate of steak and potatoes WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS The hard work it takes to be a football player. If it was easy, everyone would play. IN 10 YEARS I WILL Hopefully played on a college team that I can make an impact on and be a team player. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "This year I'm going to be more of the blocking back, but trying to get is the mean yards, the two to three yards. I've also worked some outside, too, trying to use some of my speed to the outside. I'll also play defense at linebacker. I like that a lot. I think our backfield will be pretty good." Clarksville junior Bryce Buckner will lead the Panthers into the 2020 season. NWA Democrat-Gazette photo Andy Shupe Cole Keylon will take over at quarterback for 5A-West champion Harrison in 2020. Keylon was 26-of-40 for 411 yards in a backup role in 2019 for the Goblins. NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo