Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1403573
PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.22.2021 10 SHINE ON 7A-West coaches expect balanced league again HENRY APPLE NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE SPRINGDALE — Several 7A-West football coaches can agree that the conference race could be more balanced this year than it has in quite some time. If the 7A-West needed any extra incentive, it's a conference that's still licking the wounds from last year's playoffs, when nobody made it to the semifinals against its 7A-Central counterparts. Late mishaps caused Bentonville and Fayetteville not to advance further, while Bentonville West didn't get to play a postseason game because of coronavirus. "You know, every week, it's going to be very tough," said Springdale's Brett Hobbs, one of two new head coaches in the conference this year. "There's no cakewalk, no easy game. You have to be ready to go every single week. That's what we're going to prepare for, but we won't back down from anybody." Those same coaches will also say the road to the league championship still goes through Bentonville and Tiger Stadium, and rightfully so. The Tigers have won the last five conferences titles and will take a 32-game win streak against league opponents when they open 7A-West play next month at Springdale Har-Ber. Bentonville (10-1, 7-0 last season) welcomes back a 1,000-yard rusher in junior Josh Ficklin and senior receivers Chas Nimrod and Cooper Smith, who combined for 82 receptions for 1,620 yards and 24 touchdowns. That's a See BALANCED, Page 13 Lane Reiter gives Springdale Har-Ber a double threat as a runner and a receiver. He ran for 428 yards and also had a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Fort Smith Southside, and he also averaged 15 yards per reception last year for the Wildcats. Special to NWA Democrat-Gazette/Brent Soule COOPER SMITH SCHOOL Bentonville POSITION Wide receiver CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-0 WEIGHT 170 TWITTER HANDLE Cooper_Smith12 THE DIGITS Earned all-state honors last season after he caught a team-high 47 passes for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns. … Scored on all four pass receptions and had 136 yards receiving against Fayetteville. … Had a season-high nine receptions against Fort Smith Southside and 160 yards receiving against Springdale. CRUSHING ON I love football. Football has been my crush since second grade. I've got a girlfriend in Fayetteville, too. I LISTEN TO Rap. I love any kind of rap. I BINGE WATCH Outer Banks and Grey's Anatomy. I could watch those all day. I DRIVE A Toyota Tacoma. I love that thing. I've been driving it since I was 14. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW I'm a big family guy. I love my family. I'll hang out with them 24/7 if I have to. MY HERO IS My dad. He taught me how to play football, how to play all sports and teaches me about life and life's aspects. FAVORITE MEAL I don't think you can go wrong with a steak. I love a good medium-rare steak, probably ribeye. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS Probably the teammates. I love my teammates, love the bond we have with each other and the chemistry. I think it's fun all around. IN 10 YEARS I WILL Hopefully be a millionaire and living somewhere on a beach. NWA Democrat-Gazette/Spencer Tirey FREE SMALL CHEESE DIP with the purchase of full meal. Must present this ad. 100 E. Joyce Blvd., Ste. 111 • Fayetteville Location ONLY (Across from Razorback Cinema) www.mojitosmexicangrillfay.com • www.facebook.com/mojitosfayetteville 479-527-9200