SPRINGDALE -- Luke Hannon is a prime example of a player who's made the most of an opportunity.
It began last year when Hannon was supposed to spend most of his sophomore season with the junior varsity team. That changed when Sain Mathew hurt his shoulder against Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge. Hannon was called over to practice with the varsity, mostly as a backup to senior Tim Faubus.
Profile
Luke Hannon
School: Springdale Har-Ber
Class: Junior
Height: 5-10
Weight: 172
Notable: Third in the 7A-West with 340 yards rushing and one touchdown on 49 carries carries. … Has five receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown … Also a member of Har-Ber’s track team. … The son of a pastor and heavily involved in church activities.
"I had just played in a JV game the night before when I got a text about five minutes before practice," Hannon said. "I was expecting to lift weights but I was told to go over and practice with the varsity. That was a surprise because I hadn't practiced with the varsity all summer."
Hannon got another surprise later that week when Faubus tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Har-Ber's first offensive series at Fort Smith Southside. Former running backs coach Rick Davies then turned to Hannon, who was standing nearby on the sidelines.
"He looked at me and said 'you're in,'" Hannon said. "I was really nervous at first but I just got out there and played Har-Ber football."
Har-Ber beat Southside 35-27 behind Hannon, who rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. Mathew regained his starting position the next game and Hannon played sparingly the rest of the way as a backup.
"That game gave me a lot of confidence, but we really had a solid offensive line that year," Hannon said. "It told me if you do things right, and do what the coaches say, you can have success running the ball."
Hannon is by far Har-Ber's most productive player three games into his junior season. He has 340 yards rushing after gaining 140 yards against Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst and 149 yards against Conway. He's scored two touchdowns, including a 53-yard reception in the season-opener against Webb City, Mo.
"Luke does a good job running the ball and he's one of our better receivers," Har-Ber coach Chris Wood said. "He's valuable in a number of roles, from the tailback position to slot receiver. He's definitely gotten off on the right foot so far."
Har-Ber lost all three of those games to start 0-3 for the first time in its nine-year history. But the Wildcats have remained upbeat with the start of 7A-West Conference play Friday at Rogers. The Mounties are 1-2 following a 37-21 defeat at Jefferson City.
"Our record could be much better if we'd played someone else, but I'm really glad we played those teams," Hannon said. "We're not down at all because we're back to 0-0. The playoffs start right now."
Har-Ber will have to play much better than last year against Rogers, which used its ground game to punish the Wildcats 59-42 at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium. The Mounties then beat Siloam Springs and Rogers Heritage before falling 25-24 in the playoffs to Fort Smith Southside.
Har-Ber also made the playoffs before losing 52-42 in the second round to Conway.
"Our minds have been renewed after playing a tough non-conference schedule," Hannon said. "We'll definitely be ready for Rogers."
Sports on 09/25/2014