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23 PREP RALLY: CLASS 5A | 8.20.2023 313625-1 Good Luck saints! 705 W. Meadow • Springdale, AR 479-751-4577 • www.siscofuneral.com SHINE ON Shiloh Christian still the team to beat in 5A-West RICK FIRES NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE SPRINGDALE — Normally, a program would appear vulnerable aer losing its head coach and a three-year starter at quarterback. But Shiloh Christian is not a normal program. e Saints are still the team to beat in the 5A-West Conference aer averaging 13 wins over the past five seasons, while winning five conference championships and a state championship in 2020. Former Shiloh Christian assistant Tucker Barnard takes over for Jeff Conaway, who resigned in June to take over a private-school program in Florida. Like Gus Malzahn, Chris Wood and Josh Floyd before him, the Saints had plenty of success under Conaway, who compiled a 99-27 record during nine seasons as head coach at Shiloh Christian. He was there a total of 13 seasons, including a stint as assistant coach. e Saints' success doesn't figure to diminish with Barnard, a former assistant under Floyd. "It's an advantage for me in that I've been here before," Barnard said. "I know what Shiloh Christian is all about. I've got four championships from when I was here before, so I understand the tradition." Shiloh Christian's biggest issue on the field is trying to find an adequate replacement for Eli Wisdom, a who passed for 94 touchdowns and ran for 62 scores in three years as an all-state quarterback. But the Saints are confident Cole Creighton, a freshman, can step in to guide the offense. While Creighton gains varsity experience, the Saints can rely on Bo Williams, who ran for 1,481 yards and 30 touchdowns last season for a team that finished 12-2 and played for a state championship for the fourth consecutive year. If Shiloh Christian slips during its transition, Farmington appears to be the team most likely to fill the top spot under coach J.R. Eldridge, who begins his third season at the schools aer leading the Cardinals to consecutive 8-win seasons. Quarterback Cameron Vanzant is back for his senior season aer winning the starting job as a sophomore. Eldridge hopes Vanzant can stay healthy aer he broke his ankle against Rogers and was limited to five games as a junior. "Cameron is really hungry to get back out on the football field aer missing about five games last season," Eldridge said. "He's done a great job leading our offense. He's done a great job in the locker room and weight room with his leadership. He's has a really good mentality that bleeds over into the rest of our program." Russell Hodge returns for Farmington aer rushing for 732 yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore and Luke Elsik is back aer he became a threat as a running back and slot receiver. Seniors Truitt Rowland and Hunter Marshall, who are both 260 pounds, add brawn and experience along the offensive line for the Cardinals. Harrison was hard-hit by graduation, but the Goblins return playmakers in quarterback Mason Ketterman, who threw for over 1,000 yards last season, and running back Braden Long, who rushed for 1,400 yards and 25 scores. Both are seniors. Former Cedarville head coach Max Washausen returns to Prairie Grove as offensive coordinator for Danny Abshier, who's led the Tigers for more than 30 years as head coach.Washausen, who spent eight years as head coach of the See Shiloh, Page 24 CAMERON VANZANT SCHOOL Farmington CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 175 TWITTER HANDLE @Cameronvanzant THE DIGITS Vanzant is a three-year starter who was limited to five games last year after he suffered a serious ankle injury in Week 3 against Rogers. …. He still threw for 1,387 yards and 13 touchdowns. …. Vanzant returned late in the season and threw for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 41-39 loss to Valley View in the state playoffs. …. As a sophomore, Vanzant was selected the NWA Democrat-Gazette Newcomer of the Year after he threw for 2,330 yards and 32 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions. He also ran for 4 touchdowns. ….. In his first varsity start, Vanzant completed 22 of 25 passes for 240 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 40-21 victory over Rogers Heritage.. …. He followed that by throwing for 222 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 56-27 win over Prairie Grove. FAVORITE CLASS History FAVORITE PREGAME MEAL Barbecue I LISTEN TO County music, old-school rock and roll, but Rap music mostly before a game I BINGE WATCH 'Suits' on Netflix I'M TERRIFIED OF Heights and snakes I DRIVE A Chevy WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL The memories IN 10 YEARS I WILL To Be Determined Cole Creighton | Shiloh Christian File Photo