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9 PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.20.2023 We'll Beat Our Competitors' Prices by 10%! * SUPPLEMENTS • FITNESS EQUIPMENT • ACCESSORIES APPAREL • RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL www.ytfs.com FAYETTEVILLE | 4795213481 ROGERS | 4796339837 FORT SMITH | 4795512799 LITTLE ROCK | 5019549837 * Some restrictions apply. plays out," Bentonville coach Jody Grant said. "I think the teams that have been at the bottom of the pack have worked really hard to improve. I'm excited to see that. "In our conference, in order for the 7A-West to compete at a high level in the playoffs, we need our conference to be good. My expectations are the teams that are normally good will continue to be good, and the teams that have struggled will improve. at's my hope, and I'm ready to see those seven weeks play out." Bentonville has eight returnees on offense from last year's group, including quarterback Carter Nye and receiver C.J. Brown, and a defense led by seniors Ben Pearson and Rivers Wiseman, both of whom almost had 100 tackles. Fayetteville, however, can match the Tigers with quarterback Drake Lindsey, receiver Jaison DeLamar and linebacker Noah Janski and will be in the hunt. Rogers may have only 20 seniors on its rosters, but this could be the most experienced Mounties team under Harbison with the likes of quarterback Dane Williams, tailback Jacob Jenkins and senior receivers Mabry Verser, Graycen Cash and Jansen Garner. en there's Bentonville West, which has reached the playoff in each of its seven years of existence, as the Wolverines have quarterback Dalton Rice and receiver Jaxson Brust. "From what I can tell from the summer, I think everybody in our league is going to better," Rogers coach Chad Harbison said. "Hopefully, including us. Obviously, you've got the two top dogs in Bentonville and Fayetteville. ey're always there and always will be. "en I've seen guys through the summer during 7-0n-7, and it looks like the league will be a lot stronger. I think a lot of that has to do with the coaches in our league coming together and finding ways to improve our league and improve our JV schedules so our younger kids can get reps and get experience, and I think that's starting to show up for us." ere are some new wrinkles to the 7A-West this season. Springdale has made a big change offensively as the Bulldogs will unveil a Flexbone scheme and run the triple option aer they brought in Bryce Bray, a former Harding assistant, as their new offensive coordinator. Springdale Har-Ber, meanwhile, is the only team with a new coach. Brent Eckley, who is in the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame with 203 victories in 24 years, becomes just the second head coach for the Wildcats in their history. "e ones that have been in the bottom four the last four years, I think they are getting better," Fort Smith Southside coach Kim Dameron said. "From what I've seen this summer and in the latter part of last year, we have teams getting better. "It wouldn't surprise me if really anybody climbs up there and contends, and we're hoping it's Southside. We want to be that team to jump up there, but it could be anybody." e 7A-Central Conference teams will have three new head coaches, although one of them isn't new to the league itself. Buck James, who helped Bryant win its five straight state championships, is now at Conway and replacing Keith Fimple, who now oversees athletics in the Springdale School District. Two former assistant coaches were promoted by their schools. Quad Sanders, who had le Bryant to become the new Jonesboro coach, returned to the Hornets aer James departed, while Clint Reed takes over at North Little Rock aer Randy Sandefur resigned. "I don't see a big change in them," Fort Smith Northside coach Felix Curry said. "Bryant will be good. Cabot will be good. Conway will be good. North Little Rock, you know, is always talented and I've heard a lot of good things about the coach there now. "We also have Little Rock Southwest, which is much improved. Week aer week, it's going to be tough." Jaison DeLamar | Fayetteville File Photo