NWADG Prep Rally Football Preview

49 PREP RALLY: CLASS 2A | 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 Chambers returns to roots at Magazine HAROLD McILVAIN II SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Ryan Chambers knows a thing or two about winning at Magazine. After being on the staff for three years and being a player on the Rattlers' 2010 state title team, he now takes over as a first-year head coach looking to keep momentum going for the program. Magazine won just two games in 2015 then increased its win total each season after that, capping it all with a 9-1 year and a conference championship last fall. The team fell in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs to eventual champion Fordyce. The team now hopes to take the next step with a deep playoff run. "The kids know what is coming at us this season because we aren't the underdogs anymore," Chambers said. "They are the top dogs. We have worked hard this offseason. Our first goal is the conference championship, but we want to make a run and get past that second-round wall we hit." All-State senior running back and linebacker Kobe Faughn returns to be the anchor on defense and play a bigger role this season on offense. He gained 600 yards on the ground as a backup running back. He also finished with 74 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, had an interception, forced five fumbles and made three fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown. "I really feel like he could be a 1,500- yard rusher for us this season if we needed it from him," Chambers said. "I'm hoping we don't need all of that and keep him fresh. But he can be the workhorse that carries the ball 25 times a game. We know what he can do on defense, too, because he had 125 tackles his sophomore year and had a great year making plays last season. He is ready to have a big season on both sides of the ball." Tatum Scott, a senior, also returns to trigger the offense and makes plays in the secondary on defense. He ran for 716 yards and 14 touchdowns a season ago from the quarterback position. Defensively, he had a team- high six interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and also had four pass break-ups. For the first time in three seasons, the Johnson County Westside Rebels have continuity at the head coaching position with second-year coach Joseph Morse. Morse was the third different coach in three years last season when taking over. Now the team looks to make progress turning things around after finishing 1-9 overall and 0-5 in the Class 2A-4 Conference. "We have seniors that care about the program and want us to be good," Morse said. "They haven't had the same coach for multiple years in a row before I got here. It's year two, so they know what to expect and work hard. They want to change the culture and they lead by example." James Linton returns for his senior year after finishing with 503 rushing yards on 93 carries with five touchdowns. Junior wideout Dakota Beavers caught 48 passes for 715 yards and seven touchdowns. Peyton Chrisman, a senior, had 488 receiving yards on 43 catches, including five for touchdowns. Brayden Edwards will trigger the offense at quarterback as a junior after being a jack-of-all trades last fall. 8-MAN Decatur turns to first-year head coach Grant Hutson to lead the program after coming off a 2-8 record with a 2-5 finish in 8-man conference play last season. The Bulldogs will look for seniors Bryson Funk (QB/FS), Carlos Hernandez (FB/LB) and Zac Luker (RB/LB) to lead the way on both sides of the ball. "We have some seniors ready to be playmakers for us," Hutson said. "They have put in the work. But we have a couple of sophomores and juniors that are looking to stand out as well. We have been having a great summer. We are excited about the season." Hutson's father, Bryan, got his first head coaching opportunity when he coached the Bulldogs in 1998-99 to a 6-4 record. Now 22 years later, Hutson is getting that first coaching job chance at the same school as his father while also set to teach the same class his mom did while at Decatur as well. "It's coming full circle," Hutson said. "I knew I wanted to be a football coach, but I didn't know my first opportunity would be the same place my dad got his first head coaching job as well. I walk into town now and people tell me they used to babysit me. It's been a unique experience. People know me and I'm learning to know them. The community has made me really feel comfortable and they want to support this football team." Subiaco Academy makes the move from the 4A-4 Conference to 8-man football this season after finishing 2-8, 1-6 last year. Senior playmaker Payne Lee returns to the team this season as the leading returner in rushing and receiving yards as well as the leading returner for tackles. Lee caught 15 passes for a team-high 200 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 27 carries for 125 yards and three touchdowns playing behind three seniors last fall. On the other side of the ball, he finished with 65 total tackles including two sacks. "Looking at 8-man football and trying to figure it out has brought a lot of enthusiasm to me and the staff as a whole," Trojans coach Berry said. "It is fun to learn and to see other ways to play the game. We, including the kids, have really enjoyed it. The biggest thing for us has been telling our kids that our key philosophies aren't going to change. We are still playing football." Trojans coach Mike Berry said. BRAYDEN EDWARDS SCHOOL Johnson County Westside POSITION Quarterback/Safety CLASS Junior HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 170 THE DIGITS Played receiver as a sophomore, where he caught 5 passes for 60 yards. Made 23 tackles on defense, including one sack and a recovered fumble. TWITTER HANDLE No Twitter I LISTEN TO Music in the middle, between rap and country I BINGE WATCH Seven Deadly Sins I DRIVE A 2003 white Mercury MY HERO IS My mom, Melanie Hicks FAVORITE MEAL Steven special (chicken/rice/white cheese) at local Mexican restaurant WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL Hearing the fans after making a move with the football and hearing your name over the loudspeaker. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "I really look up to my mom, Melanie Hicks. She was in a bad spot for a long time and she has gotten herself into a really good position in life." Brayden Edwards will lead Johnson County Westside in 2020. NWA Democrat-Gazette photo by AndyShupe 2019 Conference Standings 2A-4 TEAM CONFERENCE OVERALL Magazine ..................... 5-0 ...................... 8-2 Hackett ........................ 4-1 ...................... 8-3 Mountainburg ............. 3-2 ...................... 5-5 Hector ......................... 2-3 ...................... 4-6 Lavaca ......................... 1-4 ...................... 1-8 JC Westside ................ 0-5 ...................... 1-9

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