Football: Experience A Plus For Bentonville's Offensive Line

STAFF PHOTO BEN GOFF @NWABenGoff Ean Pfeifer, left, gives Bentonville a three-year starter at right guard and has already received a number of college offers heading into his senior season.
STAFF PHOTO BEN GOFF @NWABenGoff Ean Pfeifer, left, gives Bentonville a three-year starter at right guard and has already received a number of college offers heading into his senior season.

BENTONVILLE -- Aaron Danenhauer had to break the routine he has done since he became Bentonville's offensive line coach, but he doesn't seem to mind this season.

Danenhauer has normally taken a lone returning starter, move him to another position -- most likely left tackle -- and build the remaining four spots around the player. The Tigers, however, have so much experience in the trenches this fall that major movements won't be necessary, and Danenhauer will only have to do some fine tuning.

The Skinny

Position Battle: Offensive Line

Watch Out For: Center J.C. Hughes. The senior has seen varsity experience, and offensive line coach Aaron Danenhauer likes what he presents with his intelligence, his footwork and his ability to move, and Danenhauer expects a big year from him.

Biggest Strength: The Tigers have experience all-around, including a three-year starter and college prospect in senior right tackle Ean Pfeifer and left tackle Mitch Williams. Hughes and Hunter Hastings also have game experience from last year.

Biggest Question: The inability to settle on a solid five offensive linemen. Right guard is the biggest question mark right now, and the Tigers hope they don’t have to shift players to different positions.

"The biggest thing we have talked about since the spring has been we have to find ways to get better," Danenhauer said. "We can't be satisfied with where we are as individuals, and we can't be satisfied with where we are as a group. We have to keep getting better."

The offensive line is anchored by senior right tackle Ean Pfeifer (6-foot-5, 290), a three-year starter and has drawn numerous offers from major colleges. Fellow senior Mitch Williams (6-3, 285), who split his time between left tackle and left guard last season, has fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery and is projected to stay at left guard.

Whether they have to move or not will depend on how well Bentonville can fill the other positions. Senior Hunter Hastings (6-6, 250) has game experience at left tackle, as does senior center J.C. Hughes (6-2, 245), and Danenhauer likes what he sees from their footwork, strength and field intelligence.

"I hope I don't have to move them," Danenhauer said of Pfeifer and Williams. "I think it will help them out a lot. When you're comfortable at a spot, it definitely helps. It helps in the mental state of our assignments, and I think it will help them become better leaders in directing younger guys."

Junior Jacob Clark (6-3, 270) appears to be the starter at right guard for now, but others could see action if the Tigers are forced to move players around. Junior Caleb Shoppah (6-3, 294) could see time at left guard, while seniors Connor Ciabattara (6-2, 230) and Justin Inett (6-1, 240) could figure into Bentonville's offensive line picture.

Tight end became a more pressing issue after senior Austin Bugos (6-1, 230), who saw action there last year, broke his leg during the Southwest Elite 7-on-7 Classic and had surgery. His return could be anywhere between the third and fifth week, so junior Dax Hale (6-3, 200) is the replacement for now, while senior Logan Mason (6-2, 198) could also see time there.

Sports on 08/20/2014

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