Page 19 - Demo

RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018
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GREENBRIER PANTHERS
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
Longtime Greenbrier coach Randy Tribble gives instructions to his players.
Junior receiver Talon Moore eyes the ball for a catch.
GREENBRIER continued from 18VV
and Tanner Vinacco (5-9, 210) will be leaders on defense, Tribble said. Allen recorded 49 tackles, including 9 for loss, as a junior; Vinacco earned 41 tackles, including 3 for loss.
Also returning are junior outside linebackers Ryan Barnard (6-2, 180) and Talon Moore (6-0, 180). They recorded 71 and 65 tackles, respectively, last season.
“Both were very solid players in 2017, and their development was a big part of the defensive improvement,” Tribble said.
Junior Jackson Riddle (6-0, 170) is developing at quarterback and will be ready to compete in the fall. He brings a running threat at the position, Tribble said.
Joining Howard in the mix at running back will be Vinacco, who rushed 27 times for 121 yards last year, the coach said.
“He will carry a bigger load this year,” Tribble said. “Peyton Long (5-9, 155) and John Trent (5-10, 165) are juniors who impressed in 2017 in practice and JV games. They will battle for playing time.”
Moore and Barnard are the leading returning receivers after alternating at insider receiver spots last season. Moore caught 32 passes for 328 yards; Barnard added 12 catches for 132 yards. Tribble said junior Jaron Kuykendall (5-9, 160) would battle for playing time at inside receiver.
The coach said several players would contend for playing time at outside receiver, including seniors Clark Hogan (5-11, 180);
Matt Stubbs (5-10, 155); Harrison Blue (5-9, 145) and Austin Krisell (6-0, 150); and juniors Brody Johnson (5-8, 160); Bryce Mooreheart (5-8, 160); Brady Black (5-10, 170) and Logan King (5-9, 150).
“Johnson and Mooreheart gained valuable time as backups last year,” Tribble said.
Besides Mazur on the O-line, the coach said, others expected to contend for playing time up front include seniors Dylan Kellar (6-3, 225), Ethan Woodburn (6-4, 230), Nash Carter (5-9, 210), Blake Wilson (5-11, 265) and Davin Sanders (5-11, 210); and juniors John Hiland (6-1, 180), Payton Riddle (6-1, 180), Brady Stanton (5-11, 215), Avery Thomas (6-0, 230), Ryan Wahrmund (5-11, 260) and Jacob Ross (5-10, 200). Kellar, Carter and Sanders have game experience.
Vinacco and Allen will anchor the defensive line at end, the coach said.
“Both had solid junior seasons, and they will be counted on to be bigger playmakers in 2018,” Tribble said.
Sanders played well on the D-line late last season, the coach said. Carter had to sit out last year with a hip injury, but Tribble said he should be a big factor this fall.
“The same guys listed on the offensive line will all get a shot at playing on the defensive line, along with a few sophomores,” Tribble said.
Barnard and Moore return at outside linebacker after starting as sophomores.
“Both are lanky, smart football players,” Tribble said, adding that Kuykendall and senior
Senior quarterback Andrew Johnson takes off down the field.
Ethan Goad (5-8, 200) would vie for playing time at LB.
With Howard a three-year starter at safety, Tribble said, King was the leading candidate for the other safety spot. King played some early last season before tearing a ligament in his hand and requiring surgery. Hogan, Stubbs, Johnson, Mooreheart and Black are competing for the cornerback positions, the coach said.
Tribble’s picks to make the playoffs from the West are Morrilton, Alma, Greenbrier and Harrison, with Vilonia, Farmington, Clarksville and Huntsville vying to get to the top four.