Bearden’s seniors driving force

LB, BJ Ross from Bearden High School.
LB, BJ Ross from Bearden High School.

— Bearden has six seniors who were freshmen on the 2009 team that faced Junction City in the Class 2A state championship game.

Those players are the centerpiece of the 2012 Bears, who will face Junction City again for the Class 2A title at 7 p.m. Friday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

B.J. Ross, Michael Smith, Marcus Flint, Zach Craig, Kyler Griffith and Charlie Hawkins were on the roster when Bearden lost 24-14 to Junction City in 2009, the Dragons’ second consecutive state championship and third since 2003. A seventh player, Markel Johnson, is also a senior this year after playing on the same junior high team in 2009.

Bearden Coach Ernie Horstkamp said those seven seniors have had a major hand in an 11-game winning streak that began with a 48-8 victory over Woodlawn on Sept. 21 and continued in last week’s playoff semifinals against Mineral Springs (37-14).

“Those are the seven that make us go,” Horstkamp said.

Bearden (12-2) hasn’t lost since it was beaten 20-14 by Junction City in 8-2A play Sept. 14.

All seven players are starters: Ross at running back and linebacker; Smith at wide receiver and cornerback; Flint at running back and linebacker; Craig at wide receiver and cornerback; Griffith at center; Hawkins at offensive guard; and Johnson at offensive tackle and defensive end.

Horstkamp said Griffith and Hawkins are also “key” reserves in the defensive line.

Versatility, Horstkamp said, is maybe the biggest strength of the seven seniors.

“They can do a lot of things,” he said.

But Horstkamp said the senior class, which features 10 players, didn’t receive high marks coming out of a local pee-wee program.

“It’s funny about this class,” Horstkamp said. “Six years ago, we were told that they wouldn’t be very good. They’re not the most successful class we’ve had, but as a whole there’s as much collective talent there as we’ve had.”

That says a lot since Bearden is 83-13 since 2006, has won at least 10 games each season since 2006, has reached the playoff semifinals six times and finished as state runner-up twice.

Each of Bearden’s state runner-up teams (2007 and 2009) featured at least one major college recruiting prospect.

Quarterback Dewayne Watts was Bearden’s most heralded player in 2007, rushing and passing for more than1,000 yards before eventually signing with Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Lineman Davidell Collins and quarterback/safety Defonta Lowe were members of the 2009 team. They signed with Oklahoma State and Arkansas, respectively.

Ross, 6-2, 217 pounds, is maybe Bearden’s top recruiting prospect this year. He has been offered a scholarship by Arkansas State.

“He passes the eyeball test,” Horstkamp said. “Marcus does, too.”

Ross ran 16 times for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns against Mineral Springs. Craig also caught a 28-yard touchdown pass.

Ross, Craig and Griffith are three-year starters, Horstkamp said.

“The good thing about this group is they’re hard-nosed, they’re extremely strong in the weight room and they’re hard workers,” Horstkamp said. “They’re a group you’re proud to call your senior class. You’re always told that you’re going to go as far as your seniors take you, and they’ve gotten us here.”Robert Yates’ selections All games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Selections in bold FRIDAY CLASS 2A FINAL (7 P.M.) Bearden vs. Junction City SATURDAY CLASS 3A FINAL (NOON) Harding Academy vs. Glen Rose CLASS 4A FINAL (6:30 P.M.) Ozark vs. Stuttgart NOTE Junction City, Glen Rose and Stuttgart are designated home teams and their fans are asked to sit on the west side of War Memorial Stadium.

Sports, Pages 24 on 12/06/2012

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