Page 7 - RVO Football Preview Sept 2017

RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2017
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CONWAY WAMPUS CATS
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the experience of the returning skill positions. But the Wampus Cats must replace their entire defensive line.
The Wampus Cats aren’t too far removed from conference titles in 2014, ’11 and ’10. Except for four wins last year and six in 2015, they have won at least eight games since 2010. A 10-win season marked 2014.
“With high school ball, you play the cards you’re dealt,” Ashcraft said. “You don’t get to go fill voids by recruiting to fill them. We’ve struggled at spots over the last couple of years, but I feel like this group of guys has got a lot of experience coming back. We’re excited about the year. We have high hopes that we will get back to playing at a very high level.”
Although the line must be rebuilt, the de- fense will be led by a good corps of returning backs and linebackers, the coach said. Kennedy had 74 tackles and two interceptions last year at safety and also blocked two field-goal tries. Other returning starters at DB are seniors Darnell Washington (5-8, 160), Jackson Freeman (5-10, 180) and Tyler Banks (6-2, 172).
Washington recorded 22 tackles and an inter- ception as a junior.
The senior linebacking corps will include Zach Freedle (6-0, 213), who notched 43 tack- les, including four for loss, as a junior; Garrett Fusilier (5-10, 210); and Logan White (6-1, 215). Fusilier, who missed six games of his ju- nior season with a leg injury, recorded 31 tack- les, four tackles for loss and a sack in six games.
Ashcraft said he expects good performanc- es from multiple newcomers, including defen- sive linemen Eric Branch, Cayge Carter, Kaine Aaron, Daniel Cypert, Joaquin Coria and James Martindale; linebackers D.J. Fuller, B.J. Jones and Blake Walter; defensive backs Malik Benton, Cole Hoover, Tez Miller, Riley Morales, Darius Washington and Syrkhylin Norment; wide receivers Meshach Cole, Dontez Hammons, Nick Richmond and Jarrett Hoover; running backs Brennan Clark and Cary McClain; H-back Nick Tufu; offensive linemen L.J. Hansberry, Talon Sellers, Lance Rogers and Marco Balderas; defensive back/wide receiver Roman Aaron; and H-back/tight end Terry Clardy.
Twelve Wampus Cats have grade-point
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MATT JOHNSON/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Conway sophomore Damian Lopez hits the blocking sled during preseason practice.