SPRINGDALE — Springdale Har-Ber football players will get a final chance in full gear today to make an impression on their coaches before breaking for the summer.
That opportunity will take place during an intrasquad scrimmage beginning at 6 p.m. on the practice field at Har-Ber High School. The game will conclude spring practice for the Wildcats, who finished 7-5 last season in the 7A/6A-West.
Har-Ber has had some physical practices during spring drills and Wildcats’ coach Chris Wood expects that level of intensity to continue tonight.
At A Glance
The Ticket
WHAT: Springdale Har-Ber football intrasquad scrimmage
WHERE: Practice Field at Har-Ber High School
WHEN: Tonight at 6 p.m.
FORMAT: Game-like scrimmage with offensive possessions beginning at 30-yard line.
“We’ve gotten more physical and we’ve played at a higher tempo throughout our spring practices,” Wood said. “This game brings closure to what we’ve already established and it will give the parents an opportunity to see the kids play. It’s a final chance to see some football in the spring.”
Har-Ber has several holes to fills on offense and defense, but the Wildcats also have some top players returning from last season. Kyle Pianalto is back at quarterback and Gus Vitt and Matt Garrison will return at receiver positions. Wood also likes the play of Caleb Daniels, who has solidified himself as the No. 2 quarterback heading into the fall.
The Wildcats have question marks in the backfield after losing fullback Adam Bowlin and tailback Tucker Lee, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. But Wood has confident in fullback Brock Dassero, a converted linebacker, and Sain Mathew, a track and field standout who will replace Lee as the feature back for the Wildcats. Mathew will miss the game while recovering from shin splints while running track.
Defensively, Har-Ber appears to be stacked on the defensive line with end Jake Hall and noseguard Josh Frazier, who is being recruited by several colleges, including Arkansas and Alabama. The Wildcats are also excited about the potential of Ricky Dobbins, a defense lineman who transferred from Little Rock. Dobbins, 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, has worked mostly at defensive tackle during springs drills.
“Ricky has had a great spring,” Wood said of Dobbins, who’ll be a junior this fall. “He’s very strong and athletic with great feet. He’s got an opportunity to make a name for himself.”