Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1282064
14 PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.30.2020 P r o u d t o S u P P o r t o u r L o c a L at h L e t e S ! h av e a G r e at S e a S o n ! S e r v i n g A r k A n S A S S i n c e 1 9 2 2 2209 N HeNbest Dr • Fayetteville • 479-442-2612 • wasHiNgtoNiNs.Net BENTONVILLE HIGH TIGERS 2019 RECORD 11-1, 7-0 7A-West Conference COACH Jody Grant RETURNING STARTERS 4 offense, 5 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Andrew Edwards (Sr., 6-3, 195), WR Chas Nimrod (Jr., 6-2, 180), WR Cade Roster (Sr., 5-9, 165), WR Cooper Smith (Jr. 6-0, 165), OL Ethan Fitzgerald (Sr., 6-1, 235), OL Ryan Garnett (Sr., 6-3, 285), OL Josh Street (6-6, 285), DL Max Shreve (Sr., 6-3, 250), ILB Cole Joyce (Sr., 6-0, 220), ILB Keegan Stinespring (Sr., 5-11, 205), DB Johnny Anderson (Sr., 5-11, 165), DB Kolbi Crawford (Sr., 6-1, 160), PK/P Logan Turner (Sr., 5-10, 160). THE SKINNY Edwards takes over at quarterback after seeing spot duty there last season, including one start. … Nimrod has received attention from colleges after he caught 16 passes for 375 yards and 4 TD and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the state playoff quarterfinals against LR Catholic. … The offensive line is the most experienced the Tigers have had in several years as Fitzgerald was an all-state performer, while Garrett and Caylor were all-conference selections. It gets an added boost from the addition of Street, who was an all-state player last year at Danville. … Shreve, who can split between defensive end and noseguard, has earned college interest. … Joyce and Stinespring will be three-year starters who combined for 210 tackles last season. … Anderson returns as an all-state performer at safety, while Crawford earned all-conference honors at one of the corners. … Turner was good on 47 of 49 extra-point attempts and 9 of 11 field-goal tries. THAT'S WHAT HE SAID "This is a team that we are excited about. It's a good senior class that has been successful their whole football career and has good leadership. We have four or five on both sides of the football coming back as starters and quality players replacing those that left. They're ready and it's their turn, and we are excited about this group." — Bentonville coach Jody Grant 7A-CENTRAL CONFERENCE The Northside-Southside split was precipitated by the arrival of Little Rock Southwest, which consolidates students who formerly attended McClellan and Fair High Schools in Little Rock. Southwest made a big splash with the hiring of Darryl Patton, who led Fayetteville to four state champions. But the Gryphons will likely struggle to make the playoffs in a 7A-Central Conference controlled by Bryant and North Little Rock. Bryant dominated opponents while winning the Class 6A state championship last year with a 13-0 record. Many of those players are gone but senior Austin Ledbetter returns to lead the offense at quarterback. Ledbetter, an Arkansas baseball commit, threw for over 3,300 yards and 43 touchdowns as a junior. North Little Rock will be under new management after J.R. Eldridge was hired from Arkadelphia to replace Jamie Mitchell as head coach. The Charging Wildcats will rely heavily on Kareame Cotton, who's started 22 of the last 26 games at quarterback. Fort Smith Northside returns arguably the state's best player in Dreyden Norwood, who is committed to Texas A&M. Norwood is a dual-threat at cornerback and quarterback whose production is expected to soar after he threw and ran for about 500 yards last season. The challenge for Northside is to find many more playmakers after the Grizzlies dipped to 3-7 last season. Tyheen Prosise will be a top target for Norwood after he caught 34 passes for 415 yards and 3 touchdowns last year as a junior. "I think we are going to field a very competitive football team," Northside coach Mike Falleur said. "As far as conference goes, I believe we are all chasing Bryant for the top spot. Should be very competitive every week." Fayetteville opens the season at Conway, which has won at least eight games the past three seasons. Conway beat Rogers in the playoffs last season before being eliminated by Bentonville West. Chase n Continued from Page 13 Fort Smith Southside will look to get a big season from senior Jay Washington in 2020. Washington led the Mavericks in rushing in 2019. NWA Democrat-Gazette file photo 7A-WEST CONFERENCE SCHEDULE Aug. 28 ..... OPEN Oct. 9 .......... at Heritage* Sept. 4 ...... at Conway Oct. 16 ........Fayetteville* Sept. 11 .... at KC Rockhurst Oct. 23 ..............Rogers* Sept. 25 .... Har-Ber* Oct. 30 .... at Springdale* Oct. 2 ........ at FS Southside* Nov. 6 Bentonville West* * — Denotes 7A-West Conference game All kickoffs 7 p.m. unless noted Garnett Crawford 2019 Conference Standings 7A-WEST TEAM CONFERENCE OVERALL Bentonville .................. 7-0 ......................11-1 Bentonville West ......... 6-1 ........................7-5 Springdale Har-Ber ...... 5-2 ........................8-4 Fayetteville .................. 4-3 ........................6-6 Van Buren ................... 4-3 ........................6-5 Rogers ....................... 2-5 ........................2-9 Springdale ................... 1-6 ........................3-7 Rogers Heritage .......... 0-7 ......................0-10 7A-CENTRAL Bryant ......................... 7-0 ......................13-0 North Little Rock ......... 5-2 ........................8-5 Conway ....................... 5-2 ........................8-4 Little Rock Catholic ..... 4-3 ........................7-5 Cabot .......................... 3-4 ........................6-5 Little Rock Central ....... 3-4 ........................6-5 Fort Smith Northside ... 1-6 ........................3-7 Fort Smith Southside .. 0-7 ........................1-9