Football: Hannon, Daniels Prepare For Bigger Roles

STAFF PHOTO DAVID GOTTSCHALK Caleb Daniels is competing for the starting quarterback position at Springdale Har-Ber, which finished 8-4 last season. Daniels started one game last year against Fort Smith Southside.
STAFF PHOTO DAVID GOTTSCHALK Caleb Daniels is competing for the starting quarterback position at Springdale Har-Ber, which finished 8-4 last season. Daniels started one game last year against Fort Smith Southside.

SPRINGDALE -- Luke Hannon provided a peek into the future last year in his only start as a sophomore.

Hannon got his chance at running back against Fort Smith Southside when Sain Mathew missed the game because of a shoulder injury. Mathew returned the next game and eventually set a single-season rushing record with 1,296 yards in his only season as a starter. But that night belonged to Hannon, who carried 32 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-27 victory over the Rebels.

At A Glance

The Skinny

Position Battles: Backfield

Biggest Strengths: Caleb Daniels and Luke Hannon. … Each received some quality playing time as juniors. They both started at Fort Smith Southside and led Har-Ber to a comeback victory.

Biggest Question Mark: Inexperience at running back. … That was also a concern last year before Sain Mathew set a single-season rushing mark in his only season as a starter.

Watch Out For: Sione Nasilia, a move-in from Jessieville. … The player they call “T” is a power runner who adds size in the backfield. He could be the answer on short-yardage situations.

"There's nothing better than experience on a Friday night," Har-Ber running backs coach Gary Wear said. "We have very high expectations for Luke and Luke has high expectations for himself. We're very fortunate to have some quality backs and he did a wonderful job when he came in last year for us."

There's also competition in the backfield at quarterback to replace Kyle Pianalto, a two-year starter who passed for 23 touchdowns as a senior. Caleb Daniels started against Southside and played in four games, where he passed for 449 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. He's being pushed by junior left-hander Brandon Still (6-foot-4, 190 pounds) and sophomore Trey Smith (5-7, 140), who rushed for over 1,800 yards last season in junior high. Smith will see action at receiver, running back, and at quarterback in the Wildcat package.

Har-Ber is expected to name a starter at quarterback after a scrimmage at Tulsa (Okla.) Union on Aug. 28.

"That'll happen after the scrimmage," Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. "The starter will be the guy who leads this team with confidence and who can take us down the field and scores. He'll open up the season at Webb City."

Wear is back on the offensive side after serving as defensive coordinator for the Wildcats. He is confident in his unit's production despite its lack of varsity experience. Besides the two scores by Hannon, none of the other returning backs rushed for a touchdown last season for the Wildcats, who finished 8-4 last season.

Hannon (5-10, 157) is the projected starter at running back after he finished with 313 yards rushing on 69 carries. Nick Verruchi (5-8, 160) is back after rushing for 133 yards as a sophomore and junior Sione Nasilia (6-2, 222) is a transfer from Jessieville who could help in the backfield. Nasilia is joined on the team by his brother, Oliver, who see varsity action as a freshman at linebacker for Har-Ber.

"Sain had a lot of carries last year and, hopefully, we'll be able to split those up to keep guys fresh," Wear said. "(Nasilia) is a big back and a power runner. We also feel very comfortable about Nick coming in and getting some carries."

Sports on 08/20/2014

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