BENTONVILLE -- Briant Bowerman wasn't the biggest or the strongest player on West Fork's football team last year, but his mental aspect of the game was respectable enough to earn him a starting role as a sophomore.
"What he gave up in size and strength, he was up for it with his knowledge," Tigers coach Brad Lindley said. "He understood what the offense was trying to do by formation, and he had a good understanding of the game. His knowledge of the game helped him be a player and be a factor on Friday nights."
At A Glance
Briant Bowerman
School: West Fork
Class: Junior
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
Notable: A starting slotback who also played tight end, as well as served as the Tigers’ backup quarterback last season. … Caught three touchdown passes last fall. … Also started last season as an inside linebacker, but is expected to move to outside linebacker this season.
Bowerman (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) split his time on offense as a slotback and a tight end, where he caught three touchdown passes last season, and he also served as West Fork's backup quarterback. He also did his job on defense as an inside linebacker, despite being a little undersized.
As with many players on the Class 3A level, experience sometimes comes with on-the-job training on both sides of the football. It didn't take Bowerman much time playing against bigger and older players to realize he needed to change some things during the offseason, which is what he's worked on this summer.
"It was a whole different experience," Bowerman said. "You're playing against people that were two years above you, and it was a lot more physical game.
"You had to work harder for it, too. If you wanted a playing spot and be good at it, you had to work a lot harder."
Bowerman said he spent some time reflecting on everything he did last season and used it as the guideline to prepare for the upcoming fall. The first thing that jumped out at him was the need to become more physical with his play.
With that in mind, he started working on that shortcoming. That meant the need for additional time in the weight room.
"I'm working a lot harder this season, by myself, so I can be more physical out there," Bowerman said. "Right now, I'm working on improving my muscular build, and I've also been working on some speed stuff so I can be a little faster as well.
"I've been in the weight room every day with the school offseason program. When I'm not there, I'm working out somewhere in a gym or with somebody who can help me in those areas."
There will be a position change on defense this season for Bowerman. Lindley said earlier that he will move the junior to outside linebacker, and he likes the changes he's seen in Bowerman so far this summer.
"When he adds the physical tools to what he has mentally, he's going to be a very good football player," Lindley said. "He's a utility guy, and he's a guy that we can feel comfortable with by putting him in a number of positions.
"We can put him anywhere and trust that he understands what his job is. He's a student of the game and understands the big picture and not just one position."
Sports on 07/17/2014