Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1403573
23 PREP RALLY: CLASS 5A | 8.22.2021 SHINE ON Harrison still team to beat in 5A-West HAROLD MCILVAIN II NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Any discussion of the 5A-West Conference has started with the Harrison Goblins the past four seasons. By the end of those seasons, it ended with Harrison, too, and rightfully so it won the league crown in four consecutive years with a 22-game conference winning streak heading into the 2021 season. The Goblins, who many consider a top-three team overall in Class 5A, are again the favorite to run it back. It won't be easy for Harrison with the departure of four all-state players because of graduation and with the competition level in the conference on the rise. Harrison coach Joel Wells said his team is up for the challenge. "We know the league is going to be tough," Wells said. "We'll be taking these games one at a time. Farmington and Pea Ridge got new coaches. Clarksville and Alma are much improved. Vilonia is loaded with seniors. Greenbrier will be good. And Morrilton is going to be Morrilton. They are always tough. "We and our kids understand how tough it will be again. We won four games last year on the final possession. It will be extremely important this year to get a No. 1 or No. 2 seed because in the playoffs we cross brackets with the Central. Our conference season will be extremely important." It will be a different-looking group on offense for Harrison without Cole Keylon and Noah Moix, both departed because of graduation. Keylon passed for 2,723 yards and 31 touchdowns and See Harrison, Page 24 CONNER STACY SCHOOL Alma POSITION RB/WR/QB/DB CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 165 TWITTER HANDLE @ConnerStacy3 THE DIGITS Stacy did it all for Alma and earned all-conference honors by rushing for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns on 61 carries. He also completed 29 of 56 passes for 361 yards and 2 touchdowns. Additionally, he added 351 receiving yards on 27 catches with 3 going for touchdowns. CRUSHING ON Madelyn Cline I LISTEN TO everything except classical and jazz music. I BINGE WATCH The Punisher I DRIVE A 2007 Ford F-150 MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW I'm a lifeguard. It wasn't easy. The training was probably the hardest exercise I've done in my life. It was intense. MY HERO IS my dad. FAVORITE MEAL surf and turf, filet mignon and lobster, with loaded macaroni and cheese cooked by my mom. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS the brotherhood. I have a big family. I'm used to that. Football is just like that. We all hang out all the time. Alma is special. The community is always there. We had a rough season last year, but you couldn't tell from the support we got. People are so nice here. IN 10 YEARS I WILL be serving others. Something in the medical, military or police officer fields of work. Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette/ David Beach Clarksville's Jacob Buckner (15) carries the ball against Farmington in 2020. Buckner, a wingback in the Panthers' wing-T attack, scored the game- winning touchdown in a playoff win against Greene County Tech last season. NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe AU TÉN TICA COMIDA MEXICA NA AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD BURRITOS • TACOS • QUESADILLAS • TORTAS • HUARACHES Catering Available • 4674 N College Ave • Fayetteville • Mon-Sat 11 AM-9 PM