SPRINGDALE — Adler Goode didn’t grow up an Arkansas Razorbacks fan.
But hearing his name called over the public address system in Reynolds Razorback Stadium was still the thrill of a lifetime.
Goode (6-foot, 165 pounds), a junior wide receiver at Shiloh Christian, heard it a lot when the Saints (1-0-1) opened the season against Siloam Springs on Labor Day. He caught a pair of touchdown passes that day, including a 63-yard strike on a reverse pass in the 35-35 tie.
It was quite a debut for the former running back who made the move to receiver this summer.
“It definitely boosted my confidence,” Goode said. “To hear your name all over the stadium was a big thrill.”
Goode credits former Shiloh Christian offensive coordinator Rod Washington with helping his development as a receiver. Goode said he and Washington spent about three hours every Saturday working on routes, speed drills and catching passes.
He also said he grew about two inches and gained about 15 pounds since last season, which aided in his move from the backfield to wide out.
“I’m not the biggest guy or the most physical,” Goode said. “But Coach Washington really helped me and I could feel myself getting faster over the summer.”
Washington was hired at Bentonville last spring, and former Saint Austin Tucker was elevated to offensive coordinator.
Tucker said Goode has provided the Saints with another playmaker, joining old hands Kyle Plunkett and Jarred Moore.
“It’s big,” said Tucker. “Adler really stretches the field. He has speed and can run by anybody. To have players who can make plays, it opens everything up.”
Goode’s speed was again on display last Friday night in a 44-7 win against Broken Bow, Okla. He took the opening kickoff back 43 yards before getting tackled. By the kicker.
“He probably could have taken that to the house if he’d trusted his speed a little more,” said Tucker.
Goode said his teammates have given him a little grief this week for getting tackled by the kicker.
“Yea, they’ve let me know about it,” he said. “I should have just kept going straight.”
He made up for it later in the game, scoring his third touchdown in two weeks, to go along with seven catches for 169 yards.
The Saints take on rival Greenwood (2-0) on the road this week. The Bulldogs have won 40 consecutive games.
The Georgia Bulldog fan said he’s confident the Saints are ready and is looking forward to getting his name called often.