BENTONVILLE -- The list of defensive backs on Bentonville's football roster will have a lot of similarities to the Tigers' group of wide receivers this fall.
It's not usually the ideal situation for larger schools to have a player playing on both sides of the football, but defensive coordinator Jody Grant believes there are enough troops on deck to avoid any player being on the field an extensive amount of time.
The Skinny
Position Battle: Secondary
Watch Out For: Hayden McDaniel, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound senior. He is locked in a position battle with Kerry Collier for the other cornerback spot opposite Tyrone Mahone, and he’s done it despite sharing his practice time between defensive back and wide receiver.
Biggest Strength: The Tigers’ defensive backs are loaded with athleticism. All of them can move well, and all of them are good tacklers.
Biggest Question: There is a lack of experience around junior cornerback Tyrone Mahone, and Bentonville will rely on rotating players in and out of the game in order to stay fresh.
"We feel like we have a few kids that you feel like you can't just have them on the sideline," Grant said. "They're just too good of football players to be sitting over there when they could be on the field and contributing.
"We needed depth at the receiver position, as well as the secondary, so we're sharing those same guys. When you shake out a depth chart, those guys are rising to the top on each side of the ball. We have guys that can play if those guys need a blow, but we want our best 11 out there."
The Tigers will build around junior cornerback Tyrone Mahone (6-0, 170), who is the lone returning starter in the secondary. Junior Kerry Collier (5-8, 150) has drawn consideration at other cornerback spot, but the number of two-way players begins to rise after that.
Senior Cody Scroggins (6-0, 155), Bentonville's leading receiver last year, could start at one of the safety positions under this strategy. Senior Derek Hembry (6-0, 170) will draw playing time at the other safety, as well as receiver, while senior Hayden McDaniel (5-9, 150) has drawn attention at cornerback and is pushing Collier for playing time.
"As a unit, we're pleased with how they are playing," Grant said. "The difference this year is we're rotating a bunch of guys because we are sharing them a little bit with the offense.
"Sometimes you worry about how well the group will mesh and work together because there is so much communication involved in our system. But it's been good so far."
Junior Logan Darby (5-11, 154) has been "a pleasant surprise" and could be considered a mainstay as one of the safety spots, while Scroggins and Hembry might fill in as needed. Junior Ben Barron (6-2, 180) has mainly been a receiver, but Grant said he's too good an athlete not to be considered working in the secondary.
Senior Houston Hucker (6-2, 186) and Max Bahn (6-2, 178) will be counted on to provide Bentonville some quality depth at safety.
"The thing we're most excited about is how quick these players have taken on their role and how comfortable we feel putting these players out there," Grant said.
Sports on 08/23/2014