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SUNDAY,SEPTEMBER 2, 2018 | TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
HASKELL HARMONY GROVE CARDINALS
Cardinals shift to new offense under new coach
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
Under first-year head coach Mike Guthrie, the Haskell Harmony Grove football team is going from one end of the spectrum to the other in terms
of the team’s offensive style. The Cardinals are switching from the Spread to the T formation. “It is totally opposite,” Guthrie said. “It is what I am more comfortable with, but with the league we are going into, it is important for us to keep the clock running, to keep our offense
on the field and our defense on the field.”
The Cardinals, who finished 8-4 last season under former coach Paul Calley, are moving up to the 4A-7 Conference. They will face teams such as Arkadelphia, the defending 4A state champions, along with Nashville, Ashdown and Malvern. Guthrie said the new conference
is definitely going to be a challenge.
“Overall, so far, the kids’ work ethic has
HASKELL HARMONY GROVE CARDINALS
AUG. 24 ................................@CENTERPOINT SEPT. 7 ........................................... GURDON SEPT. 14 .....................................BALD KNOB
SEPT. 21
SEPT. 28
OCT. 5 ............................................BAUXITE* OCT. 12 ............................... @ARKADELPHIA* OCT. 19 ......................................NASHVILLE* OCT. 26 ............................ @FOUNTAIN LAKE* NOV. 1 ................................... LR ROBINSON*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
been good,” Guthrie said. “They have been very coachable, but at the same time, when dealing with scheme changes, there will be some grow- ing pains. ...
“... All summer, the work ethic has looked good, and a lot of kids have bought into it. We
.................................. @ASHDOWN* ...................................... MALVERN*
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF/TRI-LAKES EDITION
Haskell Harmony Grove junior running back Willie Newton heads upfield during preseason drills.
are getting a little better each day, and they are understanding the scheme of the team.”
Harmony Grove, which made it to the sec- ond round of the playoffs last season, has just two returning starters on offense, with seven on defense.
Senior Logan Whitley started as a receiver last year but will move to quarterback this fall. Whitley was the quarterback for this senior class when they were coming up in junior high, Guthrie said. He also said Whitley will be in- strumental in the team’s run game and will also start at safety on defense.
Senior Jake Brooks returns at running back after rushing for nearly 1,000 yards last season. Guthrie said Brooks has the most experience in the backfield. Harmony Grove will utilize five other running backs, including junior Jayce Harrison, junior William Newton, senior James Webb, senior Michael McKnight and junior Ryan Reidmueller.
“We have low numbers, so we are going to have a lot of kids play both sides of the ball,” Guthrie said. “And it is impossible to go full speed the whole game, so our guys are going to need a moment to rest.
“We try to sub on offense but not on de- fense; therefore, we have to have several people ready to go.”
Guthrie said the idea is to be rested for de- fense without missing a beat on offense.
Senior Shane Small returns at guard for Harmony Grove’s offensive line. Joining him is senior Mason Massey, who spot-played last year at guard as well, so he has some experi- ence. Juniors Tanner Oden and Olin Shuffield
Harmony Grove junior receiver Conner Burrows runs after catching a pass.
will play at both sides of the ball at tackle and defensive tackle.
Senior Mark Dixon and junior Logan Hubbard will play at the two tight-end spots after they both started on defense last year.
Also returning is senior linebacker Jake Brooks, who led the team in tackles last season. He will be joined by senior James Webb, who also started last year. At the other linebacker spots are junior outside linebacker Hayden Hilson and Reidmueller. Senior Mark Dixon, Small and Massey will all play at defensive end. Senior Austin Ratliff and Cayden Childers will start at the nose-guard position.
Junior Logan Hubbard, who also plays wide receiver, will also start at safety. Junior Mason Sturba and McKnight will play in the secondary.
“We also have some young guys who will play into it at times,” Guthrie said.
Harmony Grove scrimmaged against Riverview High School last week, and the coach said the Cardinals were able to move the ball well but just couldn’t finish drives.
“We also have to shore up the football,” Guthrie said. “We had a few turnovers, but overall, we didn’t do too bad. We just need to finish.”
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