Page 2 - TL Football Preview Sept 2017

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BENTON PANTHERS
SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 | TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Benton receiver Peyton Pallette makes a catch while defended by Austin Drewry.
PHOTOS BY JUSTIN MANNING/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Coach expects repeat of deep postseason run for Panthers
BY NATE OLSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Benton is reloading after a run to the Class 6A state playoff semifinals in 2016, but thanks to some talented young players, second-year Panthers
coach Brad Harris expects another deep postseason run.
“We feel like we have a really good team this year,” Harris said. “Last year, we were in- experienced at a lot of positions. This year we really like our junior and sophomore class- es. We have a quality senior class with some returning starters at key positions, and we have depth.”
A quarterback battle raged during spring into fall camp.
Junior Colen Morrow and sophomore Peyton Hudgins bring different styles to the position, as Morrow is more of a drop- back quarterback and Hudgins a dual threat. Morrow completed an efficient 28 of 35 passes for 286 yards in limited action in 2016. Hudgins passed for nearly 2,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000, leading the Panthers’ junior high squad to an 8-2 record a year ago.
“[Morrow and Hudgins] are ‘1A’ and ‘1B’ right now,” Harris said. “I feel like we have two really good quarterbacks. Peyton is a dual threat and a little more explosive and does a good job reading the option.”
Junior running back Zak Wallace to- taled more than 600 yards as the backup to Brandon Connor, who ran for more than 1,500 yards in 2016. Senior Antonio Fuller adds depth after missing some of last season with an ACL tear. Central Arkansas Chris- tian junior transfer Kyvin Carroll will play primarily linebacker but will also see time in the backfield.
Senior Clayton Maertens returns at re- ceiver, where he snagged 22 catches for 211 yards last fall. Junior Michael Allison also returns at receiver after contributing 156 yards receiving last fall. Junior Braydn Hen- drix should see time in the slot, seeing lim- ited action in a reserve role in 2016. Junior Peyton Pallette, who also plays baseball, and sophomore Braxton Slaughter, who
BENTON PANTHERS
SEPT. 2........................................ VS. BRYANT SEPT. 8.................................. @LR PARKVIEW SEPT. 15................................. @GREENBRIER SEPT. 22................................ RUSSELLVILLE* SEPT. 29......................... @SILOAM SPRINGS* OCT. 6 ....................................... TEXARKANA* OCT. 13 .................................. @EL DORADO* OCT. 20 ................................... GREENWOOD* OCT. 27 ............................ @LAKE HAMILTON* NOV. 3......................................... SHERIDAN*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
Kyvin Carroll looks for a route during a Panthers preseason practice.
impressed this summer, will add depth. Two seniors anchor the offensive line. Beau Belcher moved from the defensive line
to guard.
“He moves well and is very strong,” Harris
BENTON continued on 3TT
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