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46 PREP RALLY: CLASS 3A | 8.30.2020 Tree Trimming done right.... you betcha!!!! • Tree Trimming • Fence Row Clearing • Tree Removal • Stump Grinding • Storm Clean-Up • 479-282-1020 | www.circlebprairiegrovetreeservice.com T R E E S E R V I C E PR A I R I E GR O V E 4 7 9 - 6 0 1 - 5 5 9 1 4 7 9 - 8 4 6 - 43 3 3 T R E E S E R V I C E PR A I R I E GR O V E 4 7 9 - 6 0 1 - 5 5 9 1 4 7 9 - 8 4 6 - 43 3 3 SHINE ON Cedarville embraces favorite's role PAUL BOYD NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Cedarville coach Max Washausen has told his team nobody will be overlooking them this season. The Pirates got off to a 6-1 start last season, but key injuries sent the team to three straight losses and a premature end to a promising season. "That Booneville game in the last week, that was a very young team out there," Washausen said. This season Cedarville returns 14 starters from its first winning season in a long time and has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the 3A-1 Conference. That means a different attitude for the Pirates, Washausen said. "I talked to the team and told them there's no sneaking up on anybody anymore," said Washausen, who is in his fifth season as head coach. "We're no longer the underdog. It's absolutely a different approach. "Going from rebuilding and just trying to win a few games to now picked as league contenders, it's a great feeling to have that." The 3A-1 will look different minus powerhouse Booneville, which changed leagues, and Lamar, which moved up to Class 4A. But league coaches believe it will still be competitive. "Our conference is good," Greenland coach Lee Larkan said. "Cedarville is loaded. They return a really good back. Charleston is a good team, too. "We're losing two of the more physical teams. When you play Booneville, you know it. I think our team will be a physical football team. I think we're pretty good upfront. Cedarville's returners are highlighted by junior all-state running back Darryl Kattich (6-1, 186). He enjoyed a banner sophomore season, rushing for 1,511 yards and 18 touchdowns. "Darryl's a super talented, super competitive kid and a hard runner," Washausen said. "One of those you love to coach, a hard worker and he just turned 16. I'm excited for what his junior season is going to be." Greenland also returns two talented players at skill positions in seniors Gabe Wilson and Jett Dennis. Wilson, an all- conference quarterback, threw for almost 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 10 more TDs. Dennis rushed for 1,312 yards and 14 TDs. 3A-4 CONFERENCE Booneville will look to win its fourth consecutive conference title, but it just won't be in the 3A-1. The Bearcats, who finished 8-3 a year ago, shift to the 3A-4 this year, but some things don't change. They are again the preseason favorite to win the league title. Doc Crowley, the offensive coordinator for the past seven seasons, takes over as head coach. He also decided to change from the Wing T to the flexbone with quarterback Randon Ray at the controls. Ray ran for 1,000 yards and 16 TDs, playing mostly running back as a sophomore. A lack of size in the offensive line was one reason for the switch, Crowley said. "We're never very big but we're smaller than we've been in a long time," Crowley said. "When you have a quarterback like Randon Ray, we want to put the game in his hands and let him decide. "We think it's been a good move for us." He's familiar with a few of the teams in the new league. "There's still some tradition there with Atkins," Crowley said. "We were in a league with Danville and Paris came over with us. It's about three or four that we're familiar with and three or four that we're not. "We'll be getting to know our opponents pretty quick and trying to figure out how to win our fourth conference championship in a row." Booneville's winning tradition is something the players take pride in, Crowley said. "The tradition here is unbelievable," Crowley said. "Our kids understand there's always a target on our backs. It comes with playing here. "Last year we finished 8-3 and most people would be loving that. Even though we won the conference, we weren't satisfied with that. The town felt it, too. DARRYL KATTICH SCHOOL Cedarville POSITION Running back CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-1 WEIGHT 186 TWITTER HANDLE @DKattich THE DIGITS Rushed for 1,511 yards while averaging 8.8 yards a carry as a sophomore and ran for 18 touchdowns. … Worked hard in the offseason to get his 40-yard dash time to 4.7 seconds and gain strength. … Earned all-state honors a year ago to help his team wins 6 games, after the Pirates won just 7 combined over the two previous seasons. I LISTEN TO Mostly rap … Polo G, Lil Baby, Ronnie Rich. I BINGE WATCH Last Chance U, Friday Night Tykes I DRIVE A 2012 Ford F-150 truck. MY HERO IS My Mom FAVORITE MEAL Bean burrito casserole WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS The hitting, the competition. IN 10 YEARS I WILL Be a football coach. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "I've gotten bigger, faster and stronger. I gained about 15 pounds from last year and my 40 time's faster. I like to go up against other people who are just as athletic as I am and just go at it." Cedarville's Darryl Katich will lead the Pirates in 2020. NWADemocrat-Gazette photo Andy Shupe 2019 Conference Standings 3A-1 TEAM CONFERENCE OVERALL Booneville ................... 7-0 ...................... 8-3 Lamar .......................... 5-2 ...................... 9-3 Greenland .................... 4-3 ...................... 7-5 Charleston ................... 4-3 ...................... 4-7 Mansfield .................... 4-3 ...................... 7-4 Cedarville .................... 3-4 ...................... 6-4 Paris ............................ 1-6 ...................... 3-7 West Fork .................... 0-7 .................... 0-10 3A-4 Glen Rose ................... 7-0 ...................... 9-3 Atkins .......................... 6-1 ...................... 9-3 Jessieville .................... 5-2 ...................... 8-3 Perryville ..................... 4-3 ...................... 6-5 Baptist Prep ................ 3-4 Danville ....................... 2-5 ...................... 4-6 Mayflower ................... 1-6 ...................... 2-8 Two Rivers .................. 0-7 ...................... 1-9 Breckton Ketter will be a force for the Charleston Tigers in 2020. Ketter led the Tigers with 635 yards rushing and four touchdowns in 2019. NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo