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SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 | TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
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ARKADELPHIA BADGERS
Defending 4A state champs return strong nucleus
BY NATE OLSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After winning its first state champi- onship in 30 years last fall, Arkadel- phia is optimistic about a return trip to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Badgers return 11 starters from a squad that finished 14-1 in 2017 and edged perennial power Warren 28-27 in the Class 4A state-championship game.
“It is kind of new territory for us,” said Ark- adelphia coach J.R. Eldridge, who left his posi- tion as Ouachita Baptist University’s defensive coordinator in 2011 to move across town to guide the Badgers. “We are excited about the challenge. We are putting pressure on ourselves to do our best in every daily activity, whatever that is. We want to be the best we can each day. We want to do better every day, and we have some good leadership from last year’s team that knows what it takes [to win a state championship].”
Junior Cannon Turner (6-0, 200) is one of the rare Arkansas Prep players who started on the varsity squad as a ninth-grader. As a re- sult, Turner (4.0 GPA, 28 ACT), has an excel- lent command of Arkadelphia’s high-powered Spread offense in his third season, Eldridge said. Turner completed 84 of 150 passes for 1,352 yards and 12 touchdowns with 5 inter- ceptions last fall. He also ran for 1,004 yards and 15 scores. The coach said Turner turned in a career performance in the state-title-game win, passing for a season-best 281 yards and a touchdown and running 56 yards for a TD.
Senior all-stater Zion Hatley (6-0, 200) is among the state’s top running backs, regardless of class, the coach said. The University of Cen- tral Arkansas commit rushed for 1,733 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2017. Hatley is the Tri- Lakes Edition’s 2018 Player to Watch.
“He’s a 2,000-yard back,” Eldridge said. “We just had to take him out of some games early because we were so far ahead. He had a great season, and we are looking for him to do the same thing this season.”
All-state junior linebacker Kyren Harrison (5-9, 180) worked at running back in the spring and fall camp and will spell Hatley when needed.
Senior Alec Ruble (5-9, 185) paces an in- experienced receiving corps, the coach said. Ruble, who boasts a robust 4.6 GPA, dominat- ed Ashdown in two games last year with 178
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF/TRI-LAKES EDITION
Arkadelphia coach J.R. Eldridge gives instructions to junior defensive lineman Rickey Rogers during preseason drills.
ARKADELPHIA BADGERS
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*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
receiving yards and 2 touchdown, and he totaled 49 yards in a semifinal playoff win at Pea Ridge. Senior receiver Javonte Brown (6-1, 175) caught Eldridge’s eye and “has done a great job during training camp,” the coach said. Senior Victor Tademy (6-0, 180) is a standout defen- sive back committed to Harvard University and
worked at receiver in fall camp.
Sophomore Braedon Thomas (5-10, 175)
was a “playmaker” at quarterback for the 8-2 junior high squad and will be counted on to make plays in the slot after an impressive spring, Eldridge said.
Junior Staton Witten (5-10, 185) saw limited time at running back last fall with 7 carries for 73 yards and a score but won the starting tight- end job in the spring and “will do some good things for us there,” Eldridge said.
Senior running back Alec Ruble takes a handoff from junior quarter Cannon Turner.
The major question marks lie on the offensive line, the coach said, and the Arkadelphia staff is tasked with replacing the entire starting unit.
Eldridge turned to two experienced de- fensive linemen from last year to bolster the group. Junior Lorenzo Lawson (6-0,235) mans one guard spot, while classmate Caleb Byrd (6-0, 190) fills the other.
Junior Lunden Cotton (6-3, 235) nabbed a tackle spot in the spring after seeing some snaps in 2017. Classmate Matthew Parnham (6-2, 245) also impressed in the spring and lines up at the other tackle, the coach said.
Senior Cabe Baston (6-0, 205) owns a 4.2 grade-point average and is embroiled in a battle with junior Jaden Quarrels (6-2, 235) for the center spot. Eldridge said Quarrels can play three positions on the line.
“[The offensive line’s] development is a key factor in [making a deep playoff run],” Eldridge said. “They keep getting better daily and work very hard.”
Senior Gabe Goodman (6-0, 150) returns to handle the kicking and punting chores, the coach said. Goodman, who has a schol- arship offer from OBU, hit 64 of 69 extra points a season ago and converted all four of his attempts in the title game, including the go-ahead point after touchdown with three minutes remaining. Eldridge called Goodman “one of the best punters in the state,” as he owns a 40 yard-per-punt average.
Junior defensive end Rickey Rogers (5-11, 200) made a splash in 2017 with 41 tackles, including
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