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PREP RALLY: CLASS 3A | 8.22.2021 46 SHINE ON Bearcats stay the course despite change in leadership RICK FIRES NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Nothing changed at Booneville last season as Doc Crowley took over and led the Bearcats to a fifth consecutive conference championship. Crowley expects plenty more success in his second season as head coach of the Bearcats, who finished 10-3 after advancing to the third round of the Class 3A state playoffs. "We've got a quarterback who rushed for over 1,000 yards, and our front five on the offensive line is as quick and strong as we've ever had," said Crowley, who took over as head coach after Scott Hyatt retired last season. Crowley's statement is a reminder that teams long accustomed to chasing the Bearcats have more work to do. Booneville won at least 10 games for the fourth time in five seasons. Randon Ray triggered an offense that averaged 31.6 points per game and that number could go higher for the senior quarterback, who rushed for 1,733 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. While Ray is the primary ballcarrier in Booneville's run-oriented offense, he's not alone as a threat. There's Rocky Ross, Rylan Ray, Dunn Daniel, and Dax Goff (6-1, 190), a sophomore who the folks in Booneville claim is the real deal. "He's got the frame, work ethic, and speed," Crowley said. "He just needs to show out on Friday nights." Paris is the top contender to Booneville's reign in the 3A-4 Conference with several starters back from a team that went 11-2 last season. The list starts with quarterback Chase Watts, who accounted for 40 touchdowns last season. He has strong support from running back Duke Welker, a 1,000-yard rusher, and receiver Blake Martines, who caught 48 passes for over 500 yards last season. Paris' defense should be stout as well with all-conference linebacker Nate Henderson, who led the Eagles with 103 tackles, back for his senior season. "We have a really good core returning and I feel like, offensively, we have the potential to put up a lot of points," said first-year Paris coach Jeff Weaver, who takes over after Tyler Clark went to Russellville. "Defensively, those guys created a lot of turnovers last year and most of those guys are back as well." 3A-1 CONFERENCE The race for superiority in the 3A-1 Conference is expected to be between defending league champion Charleston and Cedarville, which lost 36-34 in a showdown last season at Alumni Field. The Pirates get the Tigers at home this season on Oct. 1. "We lost to Charleston and Greenland by two points each on the road last season. I believe this is our year," Cedarville coach Max Washausen said. Washausen's confidence in his team is well-founded with seven offensive and defensive starters returning. Two-time all- state running back Darryl Kattich is back for his senior year after he rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. Quarterback Cody Dickens is back to engineer the team's Wing-T offense, and Hayden Partain takes his place again as a two-way terror at fullback and linebacker for Cedarville, which finished 7-4 overall after losing its final two games. "We have 3,200 yards of rushing coming back with a 1,000-yard passer, so all of our skill guys are back," Washausen said. "We know we can run the ball. We just need to work on our pass protection." Wrestling the 3A-1 title away will be tough against a Charleston team with eight offensive starters returning from a team that finished 7-0 in the league and 9-3 overall. Quarterback Brandon Scott, perhaps the league's best overall athlete, returns after throwing for over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore. He's also careful with the ball, throwing only five interceptions in 10 starts last season. Charleston's primary concern is to find a playmaker to replace Breckon Ketter, a workhorse at running back as a senior last year. "We don't have a set guy this year," Charleston coach Ricky May said. "We've got about four guys with different styles of running and maybe one of those players will emerge and be the guy." Greenland, Lincoln, and Hackett will all challenge for playoff spots. Greenland graduated stars at quarterback and running back from a 9-3 team, but no one should overlook the Pirates with J.J. Hollingsworth (6-foot-5, 250 pounds), a Division I prospect, back to intimidate opponents. PEYTON HESTER SCHOOL Hackett POSITION Wide receiver/Linebacker CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 190 TWITTER HANDLE @PeytonHester2 THE DIGITS Led Hornets with 57 catches for 1,043 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. … Son of former Hackett coach Lonnie Hester. …. Peyton's two brothers were both quarterbacks at Hackett. I LISTEN TO Rap and old Rock to get me pumped up every once in a while I BINGE WATCH The Office. I'm a huge Office fan. I DRIVE A red chevy, 2014 MY HERO IS Definitely, my dad. He always helps me. He takes me to football camps, helps me in watching film. FAVORITE MEAL Chicken. Any time of chicken. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL The competition and brotherhood I have with all my friends. Getting to play with them is special. IN 10 YEARS I WILL BE A strength and conditioning coach for some college. NWA Democrat-Gazette/David Beach 2020 FINAL STANDINGS 3A-1 TEAM CONFERENCE OVERALL Booneville .................. 5-0 .................. 10-3 Paris ........................... 5-1 .................. 11-2 Atkins ......................... 5-2 .................... 7-4 Perryville .................... 4-3 .................... 6-5 Mayflower .................. 2-4 .................... 2-8 Baptist Prep ............... 1-4 .................... 4-6 Danville ...................... 1-4 .................... 1-8 Two Rivers ................. 0-5 .................... 0-8 3A-4 Charleston .................. 7-0 ..................... 9-3 Greenland ................... 6-1 .................... 9-3 Lincoln ....................... 4-2 .................... 7-5 West Fork ................... 3-4 .................... 5-6 Cedarville ................... 4-3 .................... 7-4 Hackett ....................... 2-3 .................... 5-5 Lavaca ........................ 1-5 .................... 1-7 Mansfield ................... 0-7 .................... 1-9 All-Conference quarterback Chase Watts is back again to lead a Paris team that finished 11-2 last season. Watts passed for over 2,000 yards and 40 touchdowns as a junior. NWA Democrat-Gazette/Spencer Tirey 1041 W. Walnut • Rogers (next to Mister B's Steakhouse) "All work done on premises" 479-636-7319 www.Mccartysjewelry.com Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00, Sat 10:00-1:00 Al McCarty and his team have decades of experience providing high-quality, home-town service to Northwest Arkansas. Whatever you're looking for, we can help guide you through the process. We provide a range of services, including custom design, casting, and mounting, as well as jewelry repair, watch batteries and cleaning.