One Last Stand

ROSS ENJOYS SOLID SEASON AS BENTONVILLE SAFETY

Bentonville's Colton Ross celebrates after Bentonville defeated Conway in the 7A playoffs game in Bentonville's Tiger Stadium on Friday November 29, 2013.

Bentonville's Colton Ross celebrates after Bentonville defeated Conway in the 7A playoffs game in Bentonville's Tiger Stadium on Friday November 29, 2013.

Friday, December 6, 2013

BENTONVILLE — Colton Ross found it very diftcult to leave Tiger Stadium last week after Bentonville’s football team claimed a 21-14 victory over Conway and earned a berth in the Class 7A State Championship.

It was the senior safety’s final home football game, and he wanted to savor the moment as much as he could.

“It was the last time I was going to play here,” Ross said. “I’m trying to absorb as much of the blessing that it is to be able to play in this stadium and play in an environment like this. Right after the game ended, I walked out on the field, just taking in what these three years have been.”

Ross (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) also enjoyed his most productive game of the season in that semifinal victory. He finished with team-high six solo tackles, then added three assists and a pass breakup.

Bentonville defensive coordinator Jody Grant has felt just as blessed having Ross available, particularly in the early stages of the season. Ross’ versatility allowed the Tigers to try him at three diff erent defensive positions — safety, cornerback and outside linebacker — during the early games in order to maintain some depth.

“He’s a pretty special player for what he off ers to this team,” Grant said. “He can do a lot of things, and I’m sure he could even do some things offensively if needed.”

Ross was willing to do what was asked, but the juggling act between positions proved to be difficult at times. Ross may spend a full day of practice at one position, then he would work on a diff erent spot the next day.

“It was difficult being able to remember all the keys that each position has and must pay attention to,” Ross said. “I know how to ask questions, so I would ask players at that position and make sure what I was thinking was right. If there was a stunt or a certain blitz called, I would make sure and ask.”

Ross was still able to contribute, no matter what position he played. He had an interception to set up a touchdown during the 7A/6A-West Conference opener against Springdale Har-Ber.

It was after that game that Grant realized Ross needed to focus on one position. That’s when he was permanently moved to safety, and he has thrived at that position.

“We saw him as a very valuable asset because he could play multiple positions,” Grant said. “Then it would come to Friday nights, and he would play snaps but not enough.

“He wasn’t getting the reps he needed because he was being juggled. He needed to be on the fi eld for every snap. He was making plays in practice, and he was making plays in the games. We made a commitment to keeping him at safety, and he’s done great at that position.”

Ross said there were benefi ts to playing all three positions. He could be closer to the line of scrimmage and help out the run support as an outside linebacker, and he could see the play as it develops in front of him if he played safety.

But if he had his preference, he would play cornerback — the one position he hasn’t seen much time at during a game this year.

“I like it because that’s what I had played since junior high,” he said. “You see things from a side view, and things just come to you from that position.”