Wildcats Add To Roster

MCKINNEY, TYLER BACK FROM INJURIES

By Nathan Allen

Posted: November 17, 2009 at 3:55 a.m.

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SPRINGDALE — Tre Tyler couldn’t have written up a better start to his senior season.

Playing against Greenwood on Sept. 4 in Springdale Har-Ber’s season-opening game, the running back scored the Wildcats’ first touchdown of the year with a 1-yard run in the first quarter.

After the play, however, things went downhill fast. Later in the first half, Tyler carried the ball and broke his right fibula in the process. He was immediately taken out of the game.

Tyler had surgery on his right leg three days after the injury occurred and hasn’t played in a game since.

“It was awful. I couldn’t believe it happened,” Tyler said. “It’s just one of those things that you never think will happen to you, and for me, it did.”

Senior receiver Josh McKinney went through a similar process after he broke his right collarbone against Springdale High on Sept. 25. McKinney, who was Har-Ber’s leading receiver a year ago, was again expected to be an important player for the Wildcats this season until his injury left him on the sidelines.

“It’s tough standing on the sidelines and watching your team play without you,” McKinney said. “I’ve just tried to rehab accordingly so that I can get back and help this team win.”

Both players will return on Friday for Har-Ber’s second-round game against Russellville in the Class 7A playoffs. Russellville, the No. 3 seed from the 7A-Central Conference, defeated Springdale High 27-26 last Friday in the first round.

Tyler received his medical release last week and McKinney received his on Monday, happily giving Har-Ber coach Chris Wood more options when calling plays against the Cyclones.

“Trust me, we’re happy to have those guys back. It’s been tough without them,” Wood said. “But with Tre in the backfield and Josh catching passes, I feel like our team can do a few more things offensively.”

Against Bentonville two weeks ago, senior defensive back Houston Pruitt and defensive lineman Eric Pearce both suffered concussions, but both are expected to play this week against Russellville, Wood said.

One of the reasons both players will be able to play is because Har-Ber, the No. 2 seed from the 7A-West Conference, had a first-round bye in the playoffs.

“We certainly needed ours last week,” Wood said. “Had we played last week, those guys wouldn’t have played. We had guys banged up, but they got to rest up and they’ve all been cleared. I think we’re all going to be good to go, which is something I haven’t said in a long time this season.”

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