NWADG Prep Rally Football Playoff

PREP RALLY PLAYOFF: 19 4 7 9 - 84 6 - 4 3 3 3 HAROLD MCILVAIN II Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette ALMA — Garrison Jensen has made the most of his opportunity in his senior year taking over as the full-time quarterback this season for the Alma Airedales. But just as he has throughout his time at Alma, Jensen has made plays for the Airedales wherever he is needed. Jensen (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) has scored a touchdown passing, rushing and receiving this year. He also has returned an interception for a 96-yard game-clinching touchdown and has taken an onside kick back for a 49-yard touchdown. "I'm telling you that dude will make a play whatever he is doing," Alma coach Doug Loughridge said. "We want the ball in his hands. He is a total player. e best thing is as good as he is as a football player, he is an even better kid. He is a team-first guy." Alma knew it had a talented athlete in Jensen early in his career. He stepped up as a third-string quarterback when he was a sophomore to score the game-winning touchdown in a 40-35 victory against Conway. "e game was a huge confidence boost early," Jensen said. "Just knowing we played against a really good team and we went out there and showed them what we could do and had success. at was a big game." Jensen finished with 81 total tackles during his sophomore year then had 98 with 13 tackles for a loss in his junior year earning all-state honors as a linebacker. He also was the goal-line quarterback a year ago, finishing with 16 rushing touchdowns. "is has been a special year for Garrison," Loughridge said. "But this year is really a result of what he has done during his sophomore and junior years. If you look back, he has been a big impact in all those seasons." is season moving to the full-time quarterback position, Jensen has competed 147 of 261 passes for 2,097 yards with 24 touchdowns. He also leads the team in rushing with 162 carries for 835 yards and 11 touchdowns. "He had a limited playbook last year," Loughridge said. "But this year we took all that away and turned it all over to him. He has just taken it and ran with it. I give credit to our quarterback development with offensive coordinator Chris Gunter." Jensen nearly helped guide Alma to its first outright conference title since 2013, but Alma dropped the final game of the year to Maumelle coming just short in a 35-31 loss. Alma (6-4) was still able to claim the top seed from the conference aer falling into a four-way tie for the 5A-West conference championship. In what ended up being the deciding game for the top-seed, Jensen stepped up for Alma against Greenbrier. He finished with three touchdown passes and had a kickoff return for a touchdown in the 34- 15 victory. Jensen doesn't normally play on the hands team for kickoff return, but the coaches wanted to put him there because Greenbrier oen only uses on-side kicks. Just as he has at other roles throughout his career, Jensen made a big play with the returned kick for a touchdown late in the game to extend a big lead. "I always tell the coaches I'm there whenever they need me," Jensen said. "Whatever I do, I want to do my best at it. I've been blessed. I just want to make an impact for our team." Jensen has looked for and found fellow senior Brayden Johnson early and oen throughout the year passing the ball. Johnson has 66 catches for 963 yards with 11 touchdowns entering postseason play. e Jensen to Johnson connection has broken a couple Alma records this season. e duo connected on a 98-yard touchdown pass, the longest in program history. Johnson also finished with a program-high 12 catches breaking the single-game record against Maumelle. "We've played together all our lives," Johnson said. "He was a stud at middle linebacker. Switching to quarterback wasn't a big deal. It was an easy switch for him. He has continued to make plays for us." Senior kicker Aidan Walker has been kept on the sidelines oen as Alma has attempted only one field goal in the regular season with Jensen guiding the offense this year. Jensen, a goal-line quarterback a year ago, has continued his success finding the end zone accounting for 35 of the team's 42 offensive touchdowns. "In the red zone, he has been a big part of that role for a couple years now," Loughridge said. "But now he has the ability to throw the slant or put a little air on it so Brayden can get it. He has a great understanding of what's needed in the red zone." Switching to quarterback has limited Jensen's availability to play other positions, but he still has scored on defense and special teams despite playing limited snaps. Jensen is still there if the teams need him down the stretch in games. Loughridge put Jensen in on defense in the final minutes of the Clarksville game. Jensen then helped clinch the game with a 96-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 49-35 win. "It's kind of like playing a video game," Loughridge said. "You can put a guy out there that is a character with his power all the way up on defense. To be able to throw an all-state linebacker in whenever we want is a blessing." Jensen wears many hats for Airedales FILE PHOTO Garrison Jensen, senior quarterback at Alma, has put together an outstanding season with more than 2,800 yards of total offense as a passer and runner. The Airedales will open Class 5A playoff action tonight. AT A GLANCE GARRISON JENSEN SCHOOL Alma CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-1 WEIGHT 200 POSTION Quarterback NOTABLE After full-time move to quarterback position has competed 147 of 261 passes for 2,097 yards with 24 touchdowns. … Leads the team in rushing with 162 carries for 835 yards and 11 touchdowns. … Earned all- state honors as a junior with 98 tackles with 13 for a loss. … Scored 16 rushing touchdowns in his junior year as goal- line quarterback. … Uncommitted looking to major in health science. Alma Airedales (6-4) DATE OPPONENT RESULT Aug. 29 ............at Van Buren ........................ W 21-14 Sep. 8 ................at Springdale ....................... L 34-19 Sept. 15 ...........Greenwood .......................... L 54-28 Sept. 22 ...........at Vilonia* ............................. W 42-0 Sept. 29 ...........Farmington* ........................ W 42-18 Oct. 6 ................Morrilton* ............................. L 38-35 Oct. 13 .............at Clarksville* ...................... W 49-35 Oct. 20 .............at Harrison*.......................... W 35-34 Oct. 27 .............Greenbrier* .......................... W 34-15 Nov. 3 ...............Maumelle* ........................... L 35-31 Nov. 10 .............White Hall ............................. 7pm * — Denotes 5A-West Conference game CLASS 5A THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 We support the Hillbillies! MEADORS LUMBER.CO 1800 N. 18th St., Ozark, AR 479-667-9793

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