Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/898336
24 PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 T R E E S E R V I C E PR A I R I E GR O V E 4 7 9 - 6 0 1 - 5 5 9 1 4 7 9 - 8 4 6 - 43 3 3 AT A GLANCE JAKE NELSON SCHOOL Shiloh Christian HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 175 CLASS Senior POSITION Wide Receiver NOTABLE Three-year starter for the Saints. … Leads the team in receiving with 34 catches for 575 yards and 7 TDs. … Has led the team in receiving all three seasons, with 59 catches for 935 yards last season, and 54 catches for 923 yards as a sophomore. … Also enjoys mountain biking and snowboarding in Colorado in the offseason. … Plans to attend the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and major in engineering. CHIP SOUZA NWA Democrat-Gazette SPRINGDALE — Jake Nelson has been a fixture for Shiloh Christian for so long, it's hard to imagine the Saints taking an offensive snap without the familiar No. 4 split out wide. Jeff Conaway, the Shiloh Christian coach, is not ready for that day to come anytime soon, and neither is the senior receiver. Together they are hoping for five more games, which would get the Saints to the Class 4A state championship game in December. "is has gone by really fast," said Nelson of his high school career. "It doesn't even seem like this is the end of the season. is year went by so much faster than last year." Nelson (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) has piled up impressive numbers in Shiloh Christian's high-powered spread offense over his three-year career. He caught 54 passes for 923 yards as a sophomore, and 59 for 935 as a junior. is year his numbers are down some as the Saints (7-3) have spread the ball around, but he still leads the team with 37 catches for 600 yards. e Saints have had a solid season despite a lot of newcomers filling major roles. Quarterback Landon Brown, who did not play last season, stepped in to replace a three-year starter in Connor Reece. But having Nelson and a solid corps of receivers made the offense go and the Saints have once again been a force in the 4A-1 Conference, knocking off undefeated Pea Ridge 17-14 in the regular-season finale last Friday. Shiloh Christian will travel to Stuttgart today for a first-round playoff game. Conaway said Nelson's impact on the team is measured by more than statistics. e coach lauded the team captain's toughness and reliability as major assets. "He's got a lot of experience and has played in a lot of big games," Conaway said. "I think he brings kind of a comfort to our offense, knowing that Jake is there and can and will make plays. at's comforting for the players around him." Following a tough loss to Gravette in Week 8, Nelson rallied his team by speaking to the group about brotherhood, Conaway said. "Jake's teammates look up to him and they have a lot of respect for him," Conaway said. "When Jake says something, I think they listen." Nelson, who is also a key member of the highly successful Saints baseball program, said the biggest difference between his sophomore season and now is his confidence level. He also credits 5 a.m. workout sessions in the weight room during the offseason as a key factor in improving his strength and speed. Away from the playing field, Nelson is an avid snowboarder and mountain biker, oen traveling with his family to Colorado. He added that the mountain bike trails in Northwest Arkansas are constantly improving. Shiloh Christian was one of three teams in the 4A-1 to advance to the state semifinals last season. Nelson said that lengthy playoff run will pay dividends as the postseason starts this week. "Knowing that we can make it to the semifinals, where we lost it because of our own mistakes, it just shows that we have a better chance this year to win it," he said. Nelson plans to enroll at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and major in civil engineering. Senior Nelson relishes leadership role for Saints Shiloh Christian Saints (7-3) DATE ....................OPPONENT...................... RESULT Sept. 1 ....................... Elkins ........................................ W 50-18 Sept. 8 ....................... LR Christian ............................ L 40-20 Sept. 15 .................... at Pottsville ............................. W 49-0 Sept. 22 .................... at Berryville* .......................... W 35-0 Sept. 29 .................... Huntsville* .............................. W 56-20 Oct. 6 ......................... at Prairie Grove* ................... L 35-21 Oct. 13 ...................... at Gentry* ............................... W 38-6 Oct. 20 ...................... Lincoln* ................................... W 55-6 Oct. 27 ...................... at Gravette* ............................ L 24-19 Nov. 3 ........................ Pea Ridge* .............................. W 17-14 * — Denotes 4A-1 Conference game CLASS 4A GO WALDRON HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS! GOOD LUCK IN THE PLAYOFFS