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PREP RALLY: CLASS 4A | 8.20.2023 38 and all-state running back Eli Masingale (3,000 career rushing yards), the Hillbillies will look for new faces to step up to guide the program. "At the end of the year, we want to be conference champions," Ozark coach Jeremie Burns said. "We lost quite a bit of talent, but I believe in this group. I think everyone is going to have to do their job this year. We are going to have guys going both ways. We are going to play some hard-nosed football upfront in terms of controlling the clock. at will be the key for us on offense keeping the ball away from the other team. We want the guys to just come in and do their job to hopefully come out with the victory at the end each night." Koby Wilbanks steps up to play quarterback this year, while Brayden Miner and Gavin Gilbreth project to lead the way at running back for the Hillbillies. M.J. Parker returns to be a dynamic playmaker for Ozark aer scoring touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams last year. Gilbreth will also play a big role on defense aer finishing with 73 tackles, 14 for a loss, with seven sacks and three fumble recoveries. Gravette, selected third in the league coaches poll, made huge strides last year improving the win total from the previous year by five victories. Aer finishing with 1,263 total yards and 15 touchdowns earning all-league honors as a wide receiver, Gabe Holmes takes over this season as the Lions' signal caller. All-conference running back Kyler Austin returns aer rushing for 649 yards with seven touchdowns on 133 carries despite missing three games because of an injury. "We want to keep building off what we started last year," Gravette coach Kelby Bohannon said. "All the credit goes to the kids for all the work they continue to put in. ey've really bought into what we are selling. ere is a little bit of buzz about us right now. We will need to stay healthy, but we want to be in the conversation as a top three team in this conference. I have faith in our guys to go compete against anybody. We want to try our best to be at the top." Gentry with another seven-win season made it back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 22 years. e Pioneers started each of the past two seasons with a 6-0 record and dropped the final four contests of the year. Picked fourth in the coaches poll, Gentry now wants to focus on finishing this season strong aer keeping it close against the conference's best down the stretch of the previous two years. "We are excited about having back-to- back winning seasons and we don't want to take anything away from that, but 7-4 isn't what we are aiming for," Gentry coach Justin Bigham said. "It was a nice stepping stone. It's now about what we can do this year and not about what we did last year. It's been a long while since we won a playoff game. We have a lot of potential. Learning how to win is the hardest thing. We know what we can do. But we are just worrying about Week 0." Addison Taylor, who will be a four- year starter this year, leads Gentry from the quarterback position. He spent time as the signal caller and as a wide receiver last year. Taylor flashed his ability as a quarterback when he completed 6 of 8 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 76 yards and a score against Lincoln. Lincoln moved up to Class 4A last season, but it didn't stop the program from continuing to make history. e Wolves made the playoffs for a third consecutive season, which never has happened ever for the program. ey now bring plenty of experience (eight starters back on offense and defense) to put a dream season together and finish above being projected fih in the 4A-1 coaches poll. "We have a good group of kids that are making history," Lincoln coach Reed Mendoza said. "We were picked last by the other coaches last year. You feel good about that with the competitive side of it. Returning eight starters on both sides of the ball sets us up to have a really special year. We didn't lose a whole lot from last year. I think people are sleeping on us. But we know the preseason doesn't matter. We just look to take that next step forward and not just get in the playoffs. We want to be still playing when anksgiving is here." Lincoln's recent success starts with three-year senior starting quarterback Elks n Continued from Page 29 Huntsville Eagles File Photo