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SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018 | THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
HEBER SPRINGS PANTHERS
Panthers aim to continue hot streak in 2018
BY DONNA LAMPKIN STEPHENS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
In 2016, Heber Springs overcame a 0-3 start to earn a share of the 4A-2 Conference title, the school’s first since 2011 and just the third conference championship in 37 years. In 2017, the Panthers again started slowly
— 0-2 — but won six of their final seven to tie Stuttgart and Southside Batesville for another conference crown.
In 2018, with seven starters back to run the Spread offense and six back for the odd-front defensive scheme, a three-peat is possible. A third consecutive conference title would be a school record.
“We return four offensive linemen, our quarterback and running backs and our kick- er,” said Darren Gowen, 19-15 overall starting his fourth season with the Panthers. “But our weakness will be [lack of] experience on the D-line and at the safety spots.”
Last year, the Panthers lost their opener to Clinton, 28-17, then fell at Class 5A Greenbrier, 34-21, before finding their feet for wins over Harding Academy, 35-15; and Lonoke, 41-22, in their 4A-2 Conference opener. They then fell to Stuttgart, 20-7, before reeling off six consecutive wins. They finished the conference schedule with victories over Central Arkansas Christian, 31-28; Baptist Prep, 35-6; Southside Batesville, 17-14; Riverview, 23-14; and Helena- West Helena Central, 21-6, to clinch the three- way tie for the conference title. As the third seed for the playoffs, the Panthers survived a shootout with Gravette, third from the 4A-1, in the opening round, 49-46, before falling to Gosnell, top seed from the 4A-3, 35-7, in the second round.
The Panthers finished the year 8-4, tying their most wins since 11 in 2011.
Senior running back/linebacker Blaze Nelson (5-11, 195) leads the returners for 2018. He led the 2017 Panthers in rushing (723 yards on 140 carries) and touchdowns (11), was third in tackles (70-plus) and caught 13 passes for 112 yards. Gowen said Nelson is a college prospect.
Another potential college player is senior kicker Julian Cameron (5-11, 175), the coach said. Cameron was perfect on 36 points after touchdown last season and made 8 of 10 field- goal attempts, with a long of 40 yards.
Senior wide receiver/defensive back Rocky Finney (6-2, 175) averaged 16.9 yards per catch
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF/THREE RIVERS EDITION
Heber Springs senior running back Blaze Nelson, far left, finds some room to run during a practice.
HEBER SPRINGS PANTHERS
AUG. 31 ........................................@CLINTON SEPT. 7 ..................................... GREENBRIER SEPT. 14 ...................... @HARDING ACADEMY SEPT. 21 ..................................... @LONOKE* SEPT.28 ...................................STUTTGART* OCT. 5 ...... @CENTRAL ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN* OCT. 12 .....................................BALD KNOB* OCT. 19 ................@SOUTHSIDE BATESVILLE* OCT. 26 ................................... @RIVERVIEW* NOV. 2 .......................................... LR MILLS*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
(30 catches for 507 yards and 4 touchdowns) as a junior.
Junior Adam Martin (5-11, 180) returns with lots of experience at quarterback, having
HEBER SPRINGS continued on 39SS
Senior Julian Cameron, right, attemps a field goal as sophomore Matthew Cook holds the ball.