SPRINGDALE -- Jacob Gill inherited a group of young, inexperienced players in his first year as Springdale High's safeties coach.

The lack of experience may have actually made the transition a bit smoother in the spring for the former Siloam Springs defensive coordinator and baseball coach.

"When I got hired at Siloam, I started July 13," Gill said. "I was barely one step ahead of the kids. The kids who were seniors had been in the system for a few years and knew more than I did. So that was awkward."

At Springdale, Gill has a group of safeties competing for playing time they have never gotten before at the varsity level, for the most part. The dynamic has made teaching schemes, working fundamentals and correcting flaws easy in the spring, throughout the summer and now in the early stages of fall camp.

"That's one thing that we haven't really had to do is coach a lot of effort," Gill said. "They're very eager to please. And you want that."

Springdale is tasked with replacing graduated playmaking safety Cua Rose and senior Zach Burton, who moved to receiver in the offseason. Of the candidates at safety, only junior free safety Gavin Schmidt (5-foot-8, 143 pounds) has much meaningful game experience after starting the final two games of the season last year.

"He did really well," Springdale coach Shane Patrick said. "So we're expecting big things out of him."

Junior Tyler George (5-foot-7, 157 pounds) has worked behind Schmidt. Senior David Swankier (5-9, 164) is lining up with the first team at strong safety, while junior Jorge Alba (5-10, 157) is also getting reps.

"Swankier had a really, really good offseason in the weight room," Gill said. "He's changed his body a little bit, is playing a little better."

The hope is any deficiencies stemming from Springdale's youth and lack of experience at safety can be covered up by the talent the Bulldogs have at cornerback.

Senior Chris Owens (6-3, 180) could be primed for a big senior season after recording 29 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions as a junior. He picked up offers from Central Oklahoma and Pitt State over the summer.

Fellow senior TreShawn Gause (5-10 165) has been a key addition since joining the team after previously only playing basketball. The coaching staff hopes his aggressive on-ball defense and athleticism on the court carry over to the field.

Alba worked at corner in the spring but was moved to safety because the staff felt confident enough in the group at corner, which includes senior Blake Riggins (5-9, 150).

"We felt TreShawn and Chris would hold down the corner spots," Patrick said. "And Alba's an athlete that needs to be on the field, needs to have a chance to get on the field."

The remainder of fall camp and early part of the season will present the coaching staff with a chance to evaluate Alba and the rest of the safeties in action as they decide who fits best where.

"We've got some guys we feel can do it," Patrick said. "It's just a matter of them learning and getting some experience back there, working at it and having the confidence to go play."

Sports on 08/12/2014