Page 12 - Demo

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018 | THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
SEARCY LIONS
Searcy sophomore Lad Wimberly, left, tries to escape a tackle from senior Gibby Angeles-Ramirez. The Searcy Lions finished 10-3 last season, finishing runner-up in the Class 6A state championship.
Searcy’s defense is team’s biggest strength
STACI VANDAGRIFF/THREE RIVERS EDITION
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
The biggest strength for the Searcy Lions this year is going to be its defense, head coach Mark Kelley said.
“Our defense is going to be pretty dang good,” Kelley said. “We have a really good defensive line and linebackers. Our secondary
is as deep as it has ever been.
“We also have a really good lineman up
front on our offensive line.”
Kelley said Searcy primarily runs with a three
front on defense, and he said the team has a lot more speed than it’s had in the past.
“We are going to play a lot faster and be more aggressive on that side,” Kelley said.
Searcy finished 10-3 last season but lost to Pine Bluff in the Class 6A state playoffs. In his fourth year as head coach, Kelley said he has a good mix of experience, both offensively and defensively.
“Our guys are playing with a lot of energy and are playing aggressively,” Kelley said. “Statistically, we are going to probably throw
SEARCY LIONS
AUG. 24 ...................................@MORRILTON AUG. 31 ........................................SHERIDAN SEPT. 7 .................................... @BATESVILLE SEPT. 21 .............................. JACKSONVILLE* SEPT. 28 ..........................@WEST MEMPHIS* OCT. 5 ............................................ MARION* OCT. 12 ..................................... PINE BLUFF* OCT. 19 ................................. @JONESBORO* OCT. 26 ............................ MOUNTAIN HOME* NOV. 1 ................................. @SYLVAN HILLS*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
the ball more, but aggressively, we are probably one of the best in the state.
“We are going to be a pass-heavy team. I can definitely say that.”
Senior linebacker Ben Donnell led Searcy in tackles the past two seasons, and he will be joined by junior Damaceo Whittier, the coach
SEARCY continued on 15SS
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