Football: Brumley Provides Balance To Pea Ridge Offense

FILE PHOTO BEN GOFF • @NWABenGoff Seth Brumley, Pea Ridge quarterback, throws a pass July 28 during 7-on-7 scrimmages at a team camp hosted by Gravette in Lions Stadium.
FILE PHOTO BEN GOFF • @NWABenGoff Seth Brumley, Pea Ridge quarterback, throws a pass July 28 during 7-on-7 scrimmages at a team camp hosted by Gravette in Lions Stadium.

PEA RIDGE -- When Seth Brumley moved from Oklahoma to Pea Ridge after his sophomore season, Blackhawks football coach Tony Travis knew right away he had found a new quarterback.

"Seth passed the eye test from the start," Travis said. "He had all the measurables."

Profile

Seth Brumley

School: Pea Ridge

Class: Senior

Position: Quarterback/Linebacker

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Notable: Is a returning starter at quarterback after moving to Pea Ridge after his sophomore season in Oklahoma. … Attend several football camps this summer. … Is also expected to log time at linebacker.

Those measurables are even better now, and with a year under his belt, Travis is expecting big things from his 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior quarterback.

"Seth has got a lot stronger, added weight, and he has got a lot faster," Travis said. "He is running in the 4.5 to 4.6 range right now. You can see the change in his body. He has worked hard in the offseason."

Brumley's speed and improved throwing mechanics will provide even more balance to the Blackhawks' offense. Tailback Shane Ivy (5-9, 155) is back after rushing for more than 1,000 yards last season and Dakota Canaday is back from an injury and will be at fullback, where depth is also a plus.

"I bet Seth had eight to 10 carries a game last year," Travis said. "It's no secret that our offense is tailback heavy when it comes to the carries. I hope Seth and Shane Ivy form a good one-two punch that defenses have to worry about. Seth is also one of the better passers that I have been around. His height gives him a great vantage point.

"Seth's release is a lot better, and he does a good job of throwing the deep balls. He gives the receivers a chance to make a play on the ball."

Brumley was one of 21 new starters last season as Pea Ridge went 1-9, but many of those players are back as the Blackhawks look to return to the Class 4A playoffs. Pea Ridge finished last season with a win over Farmington and close losses to conference champion Prairie Grove and at Berryville.

Brumley said that strong finish has the team in a confident mood as they prepare for the Sept. 5 season opener.

"Everyone that was coming in last year was starting from scratch," Brumley said. "We are a whole lot more comfortable this year with what we are doing. We know the playbook, and we have confidence."

Travis said Brumley has also emerged as one of the team's leaders.

"I think the biggest thing you are going to see in Seth this year that he is more comfortable in a leadership role," Travis said. "He is also more comfortable in what we are doing offensively. He knows the system a lot better, and he knows what we are trying to do. He knows what we want when we call something."

Brumley attend several football camps this summer, and he said that experience has helped him become a better player.

"It really broadened my horizons," Brumley said. "It is always good to get different looks and learn different skills. I have been able to use what I learned this summer."

Brumley is also going to figure prominently on the defensive side at linebacker, which is a change from last season.

"It's a whole new playbook to learn," Brumley said.

Sports on 08/26/2014

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