Page 13 - Demo

RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018
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MAUMELLE HORNETS
Hornets look to get back on track after ‘roller-coaster’ season
BY CODY GRAVES
STAFF WRITER
Now entering his second season with the Maumelle Hornets, head coach Kirk Horton is looking to build on the experience of his offense.
Last season, the team ended its season with a 5-5 record in the regular season and 4-3 in the 5A-West Conference. This season, Maumelle will join the 5A-Central Conference.
After getting routed in the first two games of last season against North Little Rock, 55-14, and Wynne, 46-7, the team bounced back with wins against Little Rock Mills, 37-0; Greenbrier, 21-18; Vilonia, 42-7; and Clarksville, 45-28. The team then lost three conference games in a row to Morrilton, 49-28; Farmington, 31-30; and Harrison, 40-0. Horton said Farmington’s extra-point conversion is what kept his team out of postseason play.
Horton said despite the late season losses, he hopes to build on the momentum of the previous season’s wins.
“Last season was a roller-coaster ride that ended up one point shy of our team goal of getting into the playoffs,” he said.
One of the positives from last season was on offense, Horton said. The team averaged more than 100 yards rushing per game, he said. Horton said he hopes the team, which runs a Multiple Formation Spread offense, can continue putting points on the board.
“We expect to score a lot of points,” he said. “We will have an exciting offense via the run and pass.”
Horton said he expects senior Tyler Maxwell (6-3, 215) to start at quarterback this season. Maxwell, who transferred from Mayflower earlier this year, will be moving over from a linebacker position.
Returning will be senior running back Antavius Henderson, who ran for 7 touchdowns last season and racked up 647 yards rushing. Senior Darius Thompson (5-10, 190) also returns after running for 4 touchdowns in 2017. On the offensive line will be returners senior center Mason Andrews (6-3, 225), senior right tackle Chel-C Hardin (6-5, 300), junior left tackle Justin Ruffin (6-4, 210) and senior Jakolby Robinson (6-2, 230). Other linemen include seniors C.J. Reed (6-0, 225) and Daniel Thompson (6-1, 185).
PHOTOS BY CODY GRAVES/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
The Maumelle Hornets line up for a play during practice. The Hornets are coming off a 5-5 season in 2017.
MAUMELLE HORNETS
AUG. 31 ....................................... PEA RIDGE SEPT. 7 ............................................ VILONIA SEPT. 14 ..................................... @LR MILLS SEPT.21 ..................................WHITEHALL* SEPT. 27 ............................. @LR PARKVIEW* OCT. 5 ............................ PULASKI ACADEMY*
On defense, Horton said, he will be looking to Thompson, who forced 11 turnovers at the strong-safety position last year. He said inexperience on defense will definitely be a weakness, however, what the defense may have lost in size, it makes up for with speed. Horton said the team uses a multiple 3-4 defense.
“Our focus will be causing turnovers,” he said.
Juniors Chris Jackson (6-3, 240), tackle; Brick Gore (6-1, 195), inside linebacker; and Bryson Duke (6-0, 205), inside linebacker,
OCT. 12 ........................................ @LR FAIR* OCT. 19 ............................................ BEEBE* OCT. 26 ............... @LR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY* NOV. 2 ............................ @WATSON CHAPEL*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
also return to the defense. Junior Schwuann Malone (6-3, 220) also returns. Senior outside linebackers Joesph Winfunke (6-4, 185) and Austin Henderson (5-9, 170) fill out the Hornets’ linebacker positions.
Horton said the conference has many solid teams, but on paper, the teams to beat will be Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian.
“We are taking a week-by-week approach this season,” he said. “Our message is to do whatever it takes to get the ‘W.’”
Maumelle senior quarterback Tyler Maxwell rolls out after taking a snap from center.