HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SUPER SIX: Class 6A No. 1: El Dorado Good times roll with Reeds

El Dorado Coach Scott Reed celebrates with his son, Wildcats quarterback Taylor Reed, after winning the Class 6A state title last season with a 27-20 victory over Pine Bluff. The Reeds may have a good shot at repeating their celebration this year, as 12 starters return to the team.
El Dorado Coach Scott Reed celebrates with his son, Wildcats quarterback Taylor Reed, after winning the Class 6A state title last season with a 27-20 victory over Pine Bluff. The Reeds may have a good shot at repeating their celebration this year, as 12 starters return to the team.

— El Dorado had to wait approximately 50 years for its first state championship recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association.

It waited about 50 years for its second.

The wait might be considerably shorter for No. 3.

Defending state champion El Dorado is No. 1 in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Class 6A Super Six rankings.

The Wildcats claimed the 6A crown last fall - their first state championship since 1958 - after playing in the final in 2008.

El Dorado’s surge isn’t juston the field.

The school has replaced natural grass at Memorial Stadium with artificial turf, has a new scoreboard with a video display board, 11 feet by 16 feet, and plans to add another deck to the press box as early as next year.

El Dorado Coach Scott Reed said this is how he envisioned the program evolving after leaving Forrest City to come to Union County in 2007.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for anyone, especially for what was going on here in El Dorado,” Reed said. “I think it’s even going to get better in another year when he get our new school, because it’s going to be a stateof-the-art, incredible facility.”

El Dorado can join Texarkana as the only schools to repeat as Class 6A champion since sweeping reclassification in 2006 split the state’s largest 32 schools.

The Wildcats return 12 starters, including eight offensively, from a team that was 12-1 and was the outright 6A-South champion.

“We’ve had a good three years,” Reed said. “We’ve got a good group of kids right now.”

Reed’s son, senior Taylor Reed, returns at quarterback.

A left-hander praised by opposing coaches for his poise, Taylor Reed, 6-2, 200 pounds, threw for more than 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns last fall.

Reed is a major college prospect.

“He’s had a great summer,” Scott Reed said. “He continues to get better. I think he’s got a good command of what we’re doing. I’m excited for him in his senior year. I think he’s going to have a good year.”

Senior running back James Ford returns after rushing for more than 900 yards last fall. Senior John Miles had 700 yards rushing last season.

The offensive front is anchored by junior guard Deontea Garrett, 6-2, 268, a member of the Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team.

“He’s trimmed down and looks great,” Reed said.

Seniors Ricky Hicks and Victor Seweje return at tackle.

Among the defensive holdovers is senior linebacker Cameron Mahone, 5-9, 190, MVP of last year’s state championship game.

In a 27-20 victory over Pine Bluff, Mahone had two tackles for loss, a sack and returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown.

Junior cornerback Quincy Hardwell returns after being named to the Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team.

Senior Ryan Williams, 5-9, 285, returns at tackle.

“We have some areas that, obviously, we’ve got to fill,” Reed said. “We lost some good players from last year. But I’m happy with where we are.”El Dorado at a glanceMASCOT Wildcats CONFERENCE 6A-South HEAD COACH Scott Reed (fourth season, 29-9) ASSISTANTS John Painter, defensive coordinator, safeties; Scott Eastland, offensive coordinator, offensive linemen;

Nick Vaughn, linebackers; Jimmy Johnson, defensive linemen; Ernest Pressley, cornerbacks, snappers; Greg Anthony, running backs, kick returners; Michael Brooks, wide receivers 2009 RECORD 12-1 overall, 6-1 6A-South (first) PLAYOFF RESULTS Beat Texarkana 31-14 in quarterfinals, beat Watson Chapel 24-21 in semifinals, beat Pine Bluff 27-20 in final PLAYERS TO WATCH QB/P Taylor Reed(6-2, 200, Sr.); TB James Ford (6-2, 205, Sr.); OG Deontea Garrett (6-2, 268, Jr.) RETURNING OFF./DEF. STARTERS 8/4 OFF./DEF FORMATION Multiple/4-3 SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT Sept. 3 vs. Camden Fairview Sept. 10 at Springdale Har-Ber Sept. 17 at Magnolia Sept. 24 at Little Rock Fair* Oct. 1 at Texarkana* Oct. 8 Sheridan* Oct. 15 at Little Rock McClellan* Oct. 22 at Lake Hamilton* Oct. 29 Benton* Nov. 4 Pine Bluff* *6A-South game

Sports, Pages 21 on 08/28/2010

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