BENTONVILLE — Dallas Hardison realizes more will be expected out of him this fall, but not as far as his statistics are concerned.
“The expectations, you always have to set them higher,” Bentonville’s senior quarterback said. “I think the expectations are to be more of a leader out there.
I know I’m going in as the starter this time, rather than be jumbled around and seeing who is doing what series.”
Hardison’s leadership skills were on display last year when he led the Tigers to the Class 7A state title. It’s also one of the reasons he’s been selected as the Player of the Year for NWA Media’s Big 6 preseason football team.
He finished the season with almost 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns passing and set a state single-season record for pass completion percentage (173 of 240, 72.1 percent).
Those numbers still astound Bentonville offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., and he’s not asking his quarterback to try to duplicate them.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges he’ll have, and we’ve talked about this,” Lunney said.
“Those numbers are impeccable.
They seem to be made-up numbers or Playstation numbers to a certain degree.
“When you’re fortunate enough to have a guy back that did thethings he did last year and as well as he did, it’s a good starting point for us offensively. As long as he continues to be who he is and stay within himself, then we’ll be fine at that position.”
Hardison’s only hangup may be something he can’t control - his height. He stands 5-foot-11 in a world that believes quarterbacks on the next level should be taller, and Lunney believes there will be a college coach that will like Hardison enough to give him a chance.
“I think if he were, say, 6-foot-2 and was able to keep all the other same qualities he possesses already, I think he would be on a lot of people’s radar across the country,” Lunney said.
“I really believe on the next level somebody is going to invest in him and give him an opportunity, and somebody is going to be pleased with what they get.”
Hardison isn’t worried about that right now. He hasa team at the moment, and he needs to be its leader.
“After the last camps I went to at Southern Arkansas and Henderson State, I just focused on high school football,” he said. “At the end of the year, I can look at what I’m going to do after that.
“But all during the season, it’s strictly Bentonville High School football and doing everything for the team. I’m not worrying about college or this and that.”
NWA Media Big 6 Pre-Season Team
POY -- Dallas Hardison, Bentonville
Offense
QB -- Dallas Hardison, Bentonville 5-10 170 Sr.
RB -- Tearris Wallace, Bentonville 5-10 200 Jr.
RB -- Rahmon Taylor, Springdale High 5-9 161 Sr.
WR -- Michael Fine, Springdale Har-Ber 6-5 170 Sr.
WR -- Desmond Smith, Bentonville 6-2 185 Sr.
WR -- Henry Hernandez, Springdale High 5-11 165 Sr.
OL -- Thomas Jespersen, Rogers High 6-1 265 Sr.
OL -- Max Hotelling, Rogers Heritage 6-2 265 Sr.
OL -- Bo Weber, Bentonville 6-3 265 Sr.
OL -- Alex Westermeyer, Bentonville 5-11 240 Sr.
OL -- Ray Davis, Fayetteville 6-0 260 Sr.
ATH -- Evan Johnson, Springdale Har-Ber 6-2 180 Sr.
K -- Max Coffin, Fayetteville 5-11 165 Sr.
Defense
DL -- Seth Gates, Springdale Har-Ber 6-1 210 Sr.
DL -- Wade Miller, Rogers High 6-3 265 Sr.
DL -- Jonathan James, Rogers Heritage 6-2 215 Sr.
LB -- Brooks Ellis, Fayetteville 6-3 215 Jr.
LB -- Chris Scroggins, Bentonville 5-11 155 Sr.
LB -- Clay Patrick, Springdale High 5-9 215 Jr.
LB -- DeMarcus Murphey, Bentonville 5-11 170 Sr.
DB -- Omar Verde, Springdale High 5-11 180 Sr.
DB -- Chad Ramey, Springdale Har-Ber 5-9 150 Sr.
DB -- Alex Brignoni, Fayetteville 6-0 190 Jr.
DB -- John Hembry, Bentonville 5-9 155 Sr.
Sports, Pages 8 on 08/28/2011