Heritage’s Combs’ Presence Felt

Peyton Combs, a Rogers Heritage senior, defends Harrison sophomore Clark Anderson during the first half on Friday at Gates Stadium in Rogers.
Peyton Combs, a Rogers Heritage senior, defends Harrison sophomore Clark Anderson during the first half on Friday at Gates Stadium in Rogers.

— Rogers Heritage cornerback Peyton Combs is a different player this season, and he’s making sure the opponents feel it.

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PEYTON COMBS

School: Rogers Heritage

Height: 5-10

Weight: 147

Class: Senior

Notable: Started most of last season at cornerback... Has 15 solo tackles, three assists, six pass break-ups and two forced fumbles through the first three games ... Among the top 20 in his class with a grade-point-average above 4.0.

Heritage coaches agree Combs’ mentality has changed, and it shows on the field. The 5-foot-9, 147-pound senior has 18 tackles, six pass break-ups and a pair of forced fumbles through three games.

“It’s just all up here,” Heritage secondary coach Willie Johnson said, pointing to his head. “He’s just got a different mindset. He’s decided he’s going to be a physical corner and that’s what he is.”

Heritage defensive coordinator Paul Wilson said Johnson had a talk with Combs before the season about what kind of player he wanted to be.

“I think Peyton made a decision he’s going to be a certain type of player and that’s shown through,” Wilson said. “He’s taken a real big step forward from his play last year.

“I’ve been very impressed with his aggressiveness from a coverage and a tackling standpoint. He’s not the biggest cat we’ve got, but he tackles smart.”

Combs, who started at cornerback much of last season, admitted he was a more passive player a year ago.

“I didn’t know how to bring it out of me on the field,” Combs said. “I think partly being my senior year brought it out of me.”

Combs said he thought about what he wanted to do the day of the season opener against Fort Smith Southside.

“I thought the whole day this is going to be my last season of high school football,” Combs said. “I just let it go. I think that kind of pushed me. I just let my emotions rip. I flew to the ball. I wrapped up better. I didn’t necessarily take a tackle, but delivered it.”

He finished with seven tackles, a forced fumble and two pass break-ups in Heritage’s 20-19 victory over Southside, and he has continued to be a key part of the War Eagles’ 3-0 start.

“He’s been great for us, had some really major hits on special teams,” Heritage coach Perry Escalante said. “He’s been rock solid. We’re really pleased with what he’s done for us.”

Combs may not be the biggest, strongest or the fastest War Eagle, but he’s among the smartest, Escalante said.

“He understands our coverages and uses good technique to put himself in position to make plays,” Escalante said.

Escalante acknowledged Combs’ play has been a bit of surprise since he wasn’t as aggressive a year ago. But that’s definitely changed.

Combs said he’s also motivated because of his lack of size. He catches grief for his small stature, especially on the football field, and even the Mini Cooper he drives.

“People call me small sometimes and it bothers me,” Combs said. “I want to show that I can play bigger.”

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