PEA RIDGE -- A year ago, Pea Ridge was looking for starters in 21 spots, and Blackhawks coach Tony Travis was looking to possibly fill four of those spots with Dakota Winn and Dakota Canaday.
Winn had moved from tailback to receiver and was also looking at time in the defensive secondary. Canaday was penciled in at fullback and linebacker.
"We felt that both of them would help us in all three phases, offensively, defensively and on special teams," Travis said.
But in a span of 24 hours last August, both Winn and Canaday suffered season-ending injuries. Winn was the first to be injured, breaking his right arm on a special teams drill and then having surgery. The next day, Canaday suffered a torn MCL in his right knee, which he rehabbed without surgery.
"To lose them back-to-back was a pretty big blow," Travis said.
But both were back at full speed Monday night as the Blackhawks took part in a team camp at Farmington. Winn (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) is likely to play both ways this fall. Canaday (5-10, 185) will anchor the linebackers but added depth at fullback may allow the senior to rest some when the Blackhawks have the football.
"It's nice to have those two back because they have been part of the football program for a long time," Travis said. "You can tell that they are happy to be back and be healthy. Canaday has probably played more on the defensive side this summer in our camps, but he can play fullback when we need him to. We are going to do as much as possible to one way it for him."
Winn said he knew almost immediately his junior season had ended with the injury.
"I knew it was broken because I lost all feeling in my fingers," Winn said. "I thought, 'There goes the season.' It was tough because I knew I was capable of starting. It was tough at first, but I knew that I would be 100 percent for my senior season."
Canaday also feared the worst after being injured. Canaday attempted a comeback the eighth week of the season, but he tweaked his knee in practice and did not return to the field.
"I was ready to play before and get a starting position, but then they told me it was an MCL," Canaday said. "It kind of got me down, but I looked at the bright side that I would play my senior year. My teammates really pushed me to work harder for this year even though I was injured."
Winn said he has enjoyed the switch to receiver but added he likes the defensive side of the football best.
"Defense is my favorite because I like to hit people," Winn said.
Canaday also likes the defensive side of the football but will do what is best for the team.
"I like hitting people," Canaday said.
Travis also said he hopes that senior tight end/defensive end Tristan Trundle (6-4, 190) will return at some point this season. Trundle suffered a broken leg during a passing drill the first week of June.
"Right now, he is rehabbing and keeping his strength," Travis said. "He is also helping out our young tight ends. So, he is playing a coaching role for us right now."
Sports on 07/22/2014