Prep Sports: Area Coaches Prepare For All-Star Week

Most high school coaches in the state already have plans to use the "dead week" period to their advantage and get away for a little rest and relaxation.

That won't be the case for Farmington girls basketball coach Brad Johnson or Rogers Heritage football coach Perry Escalante, both of whom are headed for Conway today to prepare for the Arkansas High School Coaches Association's annual All-Star week.

Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games

at University of Central Arkansas, Conway

Tuesday

Baseball (DH) — Bear Field, 5 p.m.

Softball (DH) — Farris Field, 5 p.m.

Wednesday

Girls soccer — Stephens Complex, 6 p.m.

Volleyball — Farris Center, 7 p.m.

Boys soccer — Stephens Complex, 8 p.m.

Thursday

Girls basketball — Farris Center, 6 p.m.

Boys basketball — Farris Center, 8 p.m.

Friday

Football — Estes Stadium, 7 p.m.

Johnson, who was voted the West girls head coach, already said he plans the next few days to be business as usual -- in more ways than one.

"I'm really looking forward for it," Johnson said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to work with such talented people. It's a culmination of the best players in the state and a great group of coaches on this staff.

"The coaches is a group that I respect, and when we get some time we're going to have a little shop. It's going to be a learning tool for me because I can pick their minds and get some ideas that I can bring back home."

Players will not report until Monday afternoon at the Central Arkansas campus and will have limited practice time between then and their respective games, which range from baseball and softball on Tuesday to football on Friday. The coaches will arrive today in order to meet each other and develop not only a practice plan, but a game strategy.

That time to meet since the coaching staffs were announced -- particularly in football, where they were chosen in January -- has been rare.

"We have met maybe three times since the announcement," said Escalante, who will serve as assistant coach for the West team and work with the defensive linemen. "During that time, we have talked about the kids we will have for the game and the needs the team may have.

"In the case of football, it's a chance to start over for everybody, and I think it's going to make for a very good week."

Escalante has the opportunity to work with three players who graduated from last year's Heritage team. Quarterback Josh Qualls and defensive lineman Colby Isbell were originally chosen for the team, then running back Brandon Gates became a late replacement after another player had to withdraw from the game.

Johnson said he expects the 15 girls whom his staff invited to be there. He will not have any of his Lady Cardinals on the team, but that will not chance his approach to Thursday's game at the Farris Center.

"It's still going to be a matter of pride, and I want to win that game," Johnson said. "Once we get the players on campus, we're going to see what our strengths and weaknesses are.

"We're not trying to re-invent the wheel when we get down there. What we want to do is make sure the players and the coaches are all on the same page and let the girls have fun. It's going to be a fun squad to coach, and I'm looking forward to seeing those girls play."

There have been two change of venues for this year's All-Star games. The soccer games will be held at the Stephens Center track and soccer complex instead of Conway High School, while the volleyball game will be held at the Farris Center.

Sports on 06/22/2014

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