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SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018 | RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
CONWAY WAMPUS CATS
PHOTOS STACI VANDAGRIFF/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
Conway junior punter Nick McCuin works on his technique during practice.
Conway senior defensive back Roman Aaron jumps for an interception during preseason practice.
CONWAY continued from 7VV
year. Roman Aaron had 67 tackles and an interception as a junior.
“The junior class of linemen is really a great fit, along with those returning seniors,” Fimple said. “Marquis does a great job with growing them. It’s a tight bond. That’s what we want on both sides. The junior and senior class fit together well, which is what you want.”
Jovoni Johnson (6-4, 200), who played some quarterback and some receiver last year, is expected to get the nod at QB for his senior season, the coach said. As a junior, Johnson threw for 55 yards and 2 scores and caught 4 passes for 64 yards and 2 more TDs. He also had experience at quarterback as a sophomore, starting six games.
“It’s his now,” Fimple said. “After a couple of years of being in and out, a package guy, running certain things, this one is his season. It’s what I think he’s been waiting on, what he’s worked for.
“I tell him all the time, ‘It’s yours, buddy.’ Making a 34 on his ACT and having a 4-point-whatever [GPA], he’s got a lot more than just football. Being that leader that you can go to is a big deal. He really is a nice- looking kid.”
Team strengths, Fimple said, will start
with the junior class. Inexperience, though, will be a weakness, at least early.
According to a statewide publication’s Arkansas football preseason poll of league coaches, the Wampus Cats are picked to finish third in the 7A-Central behind North Little Rock and Bryant. Fort Smith Northside is picked as fourth, followed by Fort Smith Southside, Cabot, Little Rock Catholic and Little Rock Central.
A key game on the schedule will be at rival Cabot on Oct. 5.
Fimple said he expects the 7A-Central to be another tight contest this fall.
“Three of the four [state] semifinalists were from the [Central], so it’s anybody’s ballgame,” he said.
Conway was set to open the season Aug. 24 during Week 0 when El Dorado would visit John McConnell Stadium. The Wampus Cats will play nonconference games against Bentonville on Aug. 31 and at Jonesboro on Sept. 7, then take their bye week before opening 7A-Central play at Fort Smith Southside on Sept. 21. They’ll get North Little Rock at home on Sept. 28, visit Cabot on Oct. 5, play host to Fort Smith Northside on Oct. 12, go to Little Rock Central on Oct. 19, play host to Little Rock Catholic on Oct. 26 and end the regular season at Bryant on Nov. 2.