PRESEASON SUPER SIX CLASS 6A NO. 1 - EL DORADO

4th-and-goal situation

Wildcats try to add another to title streak

The El Dorado Wildcats, who beat Lake Hamilton 24-20 in December to win their third consecutive Class 6A state championship, are hoping to add another title this season, making them the first winner of four consecutive since the 1980s.
The El Dorado Wildcats, who beat Lake Hamilton 24-20 in December to win their third consecutive Class 6A state championship, are hoping to add another title this season, making them the first winner of four consecutive since the 1980s.

— Four of a kind.

That’s the hand El Dorado wants to be holding Dec. 1 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock after winning the past three Class 6A state championships.

No school has won four consecutive state titles since 1986-1989, when small-school juggernaut Barton was at the height of its dominance.

“I think we’re going to be good again,” El Dorado Coach Scott Reed said.

El Dorado, No. 1 in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Class 6A Super Six, returns nine starters from a team that finished 13-1 and avenged its lone loss against conference rival Lake Hamilton in the state final.

Reed called the championship the most surprising of his three to date in Union County because so many “key” players from the 2009 and 2010 teams had graduated.

El Dorado has 86 players this fall, Reed said, roughly 10 more than the previous high in his six seasons as coach.

“I think that’s because of the success, and we’ve got a big senior class,” Reed said. “We’ve got 28 or 29 seniors and that’s the most we’ve ever had.”

Two of those seniors, quarterback Lucas Reed and tailback Marque Burris, are the team’s most productive offensive returnees.

Reed completed 141 of 226 passes for 2,293 yards and 26 touchdowns last fall. Scott Reed said his son is accurate, manages the game well and is competitive.

Burris ran 295 times for a Class 6A-best 2,221 yards and 27 touchdowns last season.

“I feel good about that spot,” Reed said.

Reed said both players flourished in El Dorado’s off season strength and conditioning program.

The jewel of the junior class is clearly defensive tackle Bijhon Jackson, 6-2, 320 pounds, who was a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team after logging 33 tackles, 14 assists, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and 2 caused fumbles.

Jackson was offered a scholarship by Arkansas in the off season and is being evaluated by several other SEC schools. Reed said Jackson is stronger and in better shape this fall.

“He’s made it hard in practice,” Reed said. “Ooh, it’s hard to practice with that guy.”

Other returning starters include senior wide receiver Jarvis Davis, 5-9, 145, and senior offensive tackle Curstin Johnson, 6-3, 225. Davis had five receptions for 62 yards against Lake Hamilton in last year’s state championship game.

Reed said Johnson has “great feet” and is a college prospect.

Senior Matthew Hammock, 6-4, 225, started in last year’s playoff semifinals when All-Arkansas offensive tackle De’Onte Garrett was injured.

Reed said several other projected offensive line starters saw time last year in blowout victories.

Returning defensive starters include senior linebackers Patrick Seweje, 6-0, 195, and Matthew Lansdell, 5-11, 175.

All-Arkansas safety Quincy Hardwell was among four secondary starters lost to graduation, but Reed said he likes the athleticism of the replacements.

Reed said only two sophomores, including place-kicker Trent Harter, are expected to see significant action.

“The offensive line and the secondary are the two areas that we’ve got to rebuild,” Reed said.

At a glance

El Dorado Wildcats

CONFERENCE 7A/6A-South ENROLLMENT 1,047 (based on 2012-2014 classification cycle; sixth among 16 Class 6A schools)HEAD COACH Scott Reed (sixth season, 54-11)

ASSISTANTS John Painter, defensive coordinator, safeties; Nick Vaughn, offensive coordinator; Jimmy Johnson, defensive linemen; Ernest Pressley, cornerbacks, snappers;Greg Anthony, running backs; Michael Brooks, wide receivers; Mike Sprawls, linebackers 2011

RECORD 13-1, 6-1 6A-South, second

PLAYOFF RESULTS Beat LR Parkview 55-12 in first round, beat Marion 16-15 in quarterfinals, beat Jonesboro 38-28 in semifinals, beat Lake Hamilton 24-20 in final PLAYERS TO WATCH TB Marque Burris, 5-9, 170, Sr.; QB Lucas Reed, 5-8, 180, Sr.; DT Bijhon Jackson, 6-2, 320, Jr.

RETURNING OFF./DEF.STARTERS 5/4 OFF./DEF. FORMATION Multiple/ 4-3

Sports, Pages 21 on 08/25/2012

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