Page 15 - Demo

RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018
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VILONIA EAGLES
New coach thinks Eagles are a ‘playoff team’
BY MARK BUFFALO
STAFF WRITER
The Vilonia Eagles have nowhere to go but up.
Todd Langrell, who coached his alma mater Mayflower for four seasons, was hired to replace Ron Young as the Vilonia coach earlier this year. Langrell’s Mayflower team was 11-1 a year ago. Vilonia was 1-9 in 2017 and 6-14 the previous two years under Young.
Vilonia’s lone win in 2017 was a 48-28 victory at Clarksville in Week 9.
Langrell said his new club needs to learn who it is.
“We need to make sure everyone knows what our identity is,” he said. “I think the coaching staff has the recipe for success. I don’t think it’s an issue there. I think it’s an issue of just changing the culture, being there, learning the details of our scheme and buying into what we’re selling. That’s the major thing.”
VILONIA EAGLES
AUG. 31 ...................LR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SEPT. 7 ..................................... @MAUMELLE SEPT. 14 ............................................ BEEBE SEPT. 21 ......................................... @ALMA* SEPT. 28 .................................. HUNTSVILLE* OCT. 5 ...................................... @HARRISON* OCT. 12 ...................................FARMINGTON* OCT. 19 ..................................@MORRILTON* OCT. 26 .................................. CLARKSVILLE* NOV. 2 .................................. @GREENBRIER*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
Langrell said the Eagles return six starters from a year ago — seniors Jordan Britton, Todd Gibson and Devin James; and juniors Austin Koonce, Nick Lewis and Corey Clements.
“We’re at about 65 players,” Langrell said.
VILONIA continued on 16VV
MARK BUFFALO/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
Vilonia senior Reed Saddler returns a punt during preseason practice.