Siloam Springs Changes Leagues

Siloam Springs football coach Bryan Ross acknowledged the past two years have been no picnic playing in the brutal 7A/6A-West Conference.

He also said this year's move to the 7A/6A-Central won't be easy, either.

7A/6A-West Conference Coaches Poll

  1. Conway

  2. Greenwood

  3. Bryant

  4. Little Rock Catholic

  5. Alma

  6. Russellville

  7. Siloam Springs

  8. Van Buren

Source: Hooten’s Arkansas Football

The Panthers went 1-13 in conference play over the past two seasons, but Ross pointed to competitive games against Springdale Har-Ber and Fayetteville a year ago. Siloam Springs also notched a first-round win over Searcy in the 6A playoffs, before losing to state runner-up Pine Bluff in round two.

"It's been a difficult spot, but our kids understood," Ross said. "Being by far the smallest in numbers is really a difficult spot to be in. At least now we have three other schools close to our size. But it's still going to be difficult week in and week out.

"To be frank, it amazes me how hard our kids work. We keep preaching attitude and effort. Even though our record may not show it, we're a quality team and a quality program."

Hooten's Arkansas Football's coaches poll picks Siloam Springs seventh out of eight teams, ahead of only Van Buren, which also moved from the West.

The Panthers return 12 starters (6 offense/6 defense) from last year's 3-8-1 team. Quarterback Chris Lampton is back, after throwing for 1,817 yards and 19 touchdowns. All-state linebacker David Goodman, who was also named to the Hooten's 6A Super Team and all-conference defensive back Parker Baldwin anchor the defense. Both Goodman (6-2, 245 pounds) and Baldwin (6-2, 200) will also play some on offense.

The 7A/6A-Central looks very different from a year ago as half of the league is new. Conway, Greenwood, Little Rock Catholic and Russellville are the holdovers, while Bryant and Alma come in with the two West castoffs.

Fort Smith Northside and Southside went back to the West, while Little Rock Parkview and Hall moved to the 6A-South.

Conway, which lost in the 7A semifinals last year, is the coaches' pick to win the conference, followed by powerhouse Greenwood, Bryant, Little Rock Catholic, Alma and Russellville.

The top part of the league is well-stacked as the Wampus Cats return nine starters on offense Left tackle Colton Jackson (6-6, 291) has already committed to Arkansas and is rated as the No. 5 prospect in the state by Hooten's.

Greenwood had its 50-game winning streak snapped in the 6A semifinals last year. Bryant won the 7A/6A-South a year ago and returns 10 starters. Catholic went 5-6 last season, losing in the first round of the 7A playoffs to Springdale Har-Ber.

Sports on 07/09/2014

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