Page 16 - Demo

SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 | TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
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GLEN ROSE BEAVERS
Coach: Beavers ‘represent Glen Rose the right way’
BY MARK BUFFALO
STAFF WRITER
The Glen Rose Beavers won a conference
championship last season for the first time since 2013. But other than a 2-8 season in 2014, it was the first time in
many years that they didn’t advance out of the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
Glen Rose finished 9-2. Both losses came by one point — a 23-22 loss at Bauxite in Week 2 and a 28-27 loss to Newport in the first round of the state playoffs.
“We lost in the first round of the playoffs,” coach Mark Kehner said. “We’ve never lost in the first round of the playoffs.”
Newport finished 8-4, advancing to the quar- terfinal round.
Glen Rose has only 29 players on its roster and has only three offensive starters and five defensive starters back for this year’s team.
“We feel good about the guys we’ve got on the team,” said Kehner, who has a 94-32 record. “Our problem, and it’s what everyone is fighting in football, is the numbers game. Everybody wants to be part of a winner. We’ve had a successful
program for years now. Football is still work. It’s still hard work. It’s just hard to get kids to come out here to commit to play.”
The returning starters on offense are senior guard Nicholas Prichard (6-0, 250), senior receiv- er Corbin Hughes (6-3, 193) and senior fullback Caleb Barr (5-10, 195). Defensive returning start- ers are Prichard and Barr at linebacker, Hughes at defensive end, senior linebacker Dale Baldwin (5-4, 134) and junior defensive end Trey McKim (5-10, 200).
However, Kehner said he loves the players who have made the commitment to him and his staff. “I take my hat off to them,” he said. “They are
doing the things that are asked of them to do. They want to represent Glen Rose the right way. We’re looking forward to this season and putting a good product on the field.”
Glen Rose, which runs the Spread offense, is led by junior quarterback J.T. Towers (6-4, 196). He is coming off an injury following a car acci- dent, but he did play in six games as a sophomore.
He passed for 231 yards and 3 touchdowns in limited action.
“He’s a very talented young man,” Kehner said. “He’s coming into his own. I’m
GLEN ROSE BEAVERS
AUG. 31 ......................................... MALVERN
will play guards. Tackles will be sophomore Andrew Weatherford (6-0, 240) and McKim.
Kehner said the receivers include Barr, Hughes, senior Jace Haynes (6-0, 160) and junior Matthew Clark (5-9, 170).
The Beavers run a 4-2 defense. McKim and Hughes will play defensive end, while junior Evan Crow (6-1, 21) and Fox will play defensive tackles.
Prichard and Barr will start at lineback- ers, while Baldwin and junior Gavin Chaney (5-7, 190) will play outside linebackers.
The cornerbacks will be Clark and senior Brayson Efird (5-8, 150). Towers will play free safety, and Baldwin will play strong safety.
Despite having to replace so many starters, Kehner is optimistic for his team this season.
“Our No. 1 goal every year is to start out with a conference championship,” Kehner said. “We’re fortunate to get that last year, and it’s our goal this year. Once you get into the playoffs, we’ve got to learn from our mistakes. ... You’ve got to go one week at a time, and we expect to do that every year.”
Glen Rose hosted Malvern in the season opener Friday. The Beavers will open 3A-4 play Sept. 21 in Ola against Two Rivers.
SEPT. 7
SEPT. 14
SEPT. 21
SEPT. 28
OCT. 5 .......................................... DANVILLE* OCT. 12 ................................. @JESSIEVILLE* OCT. 19 .................................. @PERRYVILLE* OCT. 26 ........................................... ATKINS* NOV. 2 ......................................... @BAPTIST PREP*
............................................ BAUXITE ............................................ FOUKE ............................... @TWO RIVERS* .................................. MAYFLOWER*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
excited about getting him on the field this fall.” Senior Jay’Shawn Cox (5-8, 175) will play running back. He split time there last year and rushed for 875 yards on 110 carries. He scored
10 touchdowns.
“He’s not splitting with anybody this year,”
Kehner said. “We’re looking forward to giving him the ball 20 to 25 times a game.”
Senior Jeremy Beasley (5-10, 150) will play cen- ter. Prichard and sophomore Ryan Fox (5-10, 240)
CENTERPOINT KNIGHTS
Savvy starters add armor to Knights’ playoff prospects
BY SARAH DECLERK
STAFF WRITER
The Centerpoint Knights arrived at the
Class 3A state playoffs last year for the sixth consecutive season.
Their journey ended in the first round with a 49-21 loss against Harding Acade- my. The Knights finished the season with a 6-5 overall record and 3-4 in the 3A-5 Conference. Centerpoint head coach Cary Rogers said this year’s prospects point to another bout of post- season play for his team.
“If we can stay healthy, we should make an- other playoff push,” he said.
The team returns eight starters at offense and six at defense, he said, adding that while the team lacks experience on the line, the players’ speed should keep opponents on their toes.
Returning senior lineman Blake Crawford is set to provide leadership on defense, Rogers said.
Crawford led the team in rushing last season, racking up 957 yards for 10 touchdowns.
The coach said another lineman to watch is sophomore Landon Way, who made waves during last year’s match against Mineral Springs when he intercepted and returned the ball 30 yards for a touchdown.
Rogers said senior quarterback and safety Owen Bright also showed his skill last year when he led the team in passing and completed nearly half his attempts, with 191 attempts and 94 com- pletions. Bright also led the team in punting with 16 punts for 622 yards.
Senior Michael Bright will add a seasoned arm to offense as wide receiver, although he is also set to play at cornerback, the coach said. Last year, Bright caught 31 receptions for 506 total receiv- ing yards. Rogers said another offensive force is senior Kolton Carver, who is set to play at tight end and offensive tackle.
The Knights will test their mettle soon in the
CENTERPOINT KNIGHTS
AUG. 24 ...............HASKELL HARMONY GROVE AUG. 31 ............................@MURFREESBORO
If we
can stay
healthy, we
should make
another
playoff
push.”
CARY ROGERS
CENTERPOINT HEAD COACH
SEPT. 14
SEPT. 21
SEPT. 28
OCT. 5 .............................@GENOA CENTRAL* OCT. 12 ........... @HASKELL HARMONY GROVE* OCT. 19 ...................................... BISMARCK* OCT. 26 ......................................... HORATIO* NOV. 1 ......................................@PRESCOTT*
............................@MOUNTAIN PINE ..................................SMACKOVER* .......................................... FOUKE*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
season during the Sept. 21 home game against Smackover, Rogers said.
“It’s the first district game, and we’ve never played them before,” he said. “[That game] will let us know where we stand very early.”