An increase in overall numbers and a strong incoming sophomore class might be just what's needed to help Farmington improve its chances in the 5A-West Conference.
"Depth is the big thing," Cardinals coach Mike Adams said. "Last year we started with nine guys on the line and we finished the season with one of those guys healthy. So we've taken steps to improve our depth and we have some good young sophomores coming in who can help."
Farmington opened fall practice Monday with 63 players, an increase from last year's first workout, and has remained steady between 60 and 65 players each day this week. The focus in the first week of drills is playbook installation and fundamentals, Adams said.
The Cardinals return nine overall starters off last year's 4-6 team, including all 5A-West Conference quarterback Brice Waggle and all-conference running back Justice Hobbs.
Farmington hosts Gravette in a preseason scrimmage at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 18.
Greenwood
Bulldogs ready to bounce back
Greenwood is coming off its poorest season -- in terms of wins and losses -- in more than a decade. But despite last year's 7-4 record, the Bulldogs don't need any extra motivation as they opened fall practice Thursday.
"Even if we had won every game last year, I don't think it would have a made a difference in how motivated our guys are," Greenwood coach Rick Jones said. "We always play hard around here. The biggest issue is we just need to play better football."
The Bulldogs had 95 players dress out for the first fall practice, a slight increase from last season. Jones said several positions will need to be sorted out in the coming weeks as his team must replace six starters on each side of the line of scrimmage.
"Wide receiver for sure," Jones said. "That's a thing predicated on the teams we play, but that's a position we need more players at."
Greenwood is still undecided at quarterback, with junior Luke Hales returning with experience. Jones isn't concerned, however, with the position as the Bulldogs move forward.
"We feel good about the two guys we've got there," Jones said. "We've got good options."
Greenwood hosts Fayetteville in a preseason scrimmage on Aug. 24.
Harrison
New coach focuses on defense
Joel Wells wasn't hired to replace Chad Harbison until May, but he's been able to use some summer team camps and 7-on-7 competitions to help evaluate his players.
Evaluation is key since the Goblins return just eight starters (three on offense) from a team that went 6-5 and reached the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
Wells said one significant change will be more of a focus on defense, particularly since graduation hit the skill positions especially hard. The Goblins averaged more than 41 points per game, but also allowed almost 34 points per game.
"A major emphasis for us is to improve defensively," said Wells, who spent the past four seasons at Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo. "Last year they scored a lot of points, but they gave up a lot of points, too. It's been a huge emphasis for us to get our better players on the defensive side of the ball.
"I like the up-tempo, fast offense and we were able to do that at Kickapoo. But we'll have to pick our spots to play fast. I'm an offensive guy, but if you don't play good defense you're not going to win the big games."
Senior Kanon Kirkland (5-foot-9, 180 pounds) earned all-state as a receiver a year ago. He caught 71 passes for 1,166 yards and 22 touchdowns, but could also take some snaps at quarterback this season, Wells said. Sophomore Noah Dittmanson (6-1, 190) and junior Taner Edward (5-11, 180) will battle for the starting quarterback spot this fall.
Senior Tommy Harp (5-8, 190) started some at running back a year ago, but also missed significant action with an Achilles injury.
Siloam Springs
Panthers plugging holes on O-line
Siloam Springs may be returning three starters on its offensive line, but Panthers offensive line coach Jonathan Johnson said his big guys up front better approach each day as if they're job depended on it.
"The next couple of weeks, we're going to go as if no one has a job right now," Johnson said. "It's kind of going to be up in the air."
The Panthers feel good about what they have returning in seniors Aric Sislo, Colby Brown and Parker Hall, the three returning starters from last year.
Sislo, who is widely viewed as one of the Panthers' best overall football players, appears to be a prime candidate to move from guard to right tackle. The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder would be needed there to help protect senior left-handed quarterback Jordan Norberg's blind side.
Brown (5-foot-10, 225 pounds) can play either guard spot and where he ends up may be based on who emerges from the battle for the other guard spot in senior Ben Hutto (5-11, 190), senior Chase Womack (5-11, 200) and junior Connor Broyles.
Hall (5-10, 255) started most of the season at center last season, only missing time due to a broken right hand suffered in practice. However, Hall came back and snapped with his left hand at the end of the season.
Broyles can also play center, while Sislo got some reps at center in the spring. Broyles, Tallon Nation and junior Kyler Crass are among the candidates to play the other tackle position, Johnson said.
"It's important that these guys be versatile," Johnson said. "If they're able to play on both sides of the ball and that they're able to move out to tackle if need be, that's going to help us some being able to plug and replace some guys."
Johnson said the offensive linemen have always responded well to competition.
"I think they feel like they've got some ownership of that line of scrimmage," Johnson said. "I like this group working going forward. They're a fun group to work with. As far as the battles for playing time, it'll be a couple of weeks before we decide on a pecking order."
Alma
Average doesn't set with Airedales
The first time around as a Class 6A school and a member of the 7A/6A-Central Conference provided Alma's football team and coach Doug Loughridge with a rude wakeup call last season.
"We ran into the best players in the state every week," said Loughridge, whose team finished with a 6-6 record last season. "We are one of the smaller schools in Class 6A, and we were still playing 5A ball against a bunch of 7A schools.
"Every team had a Division I player, and we didn't have any. Every staff was well-coached, and there were a lot bigger numbers. But now the shock and awe of being in Class 6A is over, and we know what to expect this year."
Alma will still have to depend on some of its players playing on both sides of the football, and Loughridge said he must find ways to get Landon Brigance -- who played tailback and linebacker last year -- off the field. Alex Beneux will split time at quarterback with Noah Dotson as well as play safety, and leading receiver Heath Friddle will also play some at outside linebacker.
With so many top players having to play both sides of the football, good conditioning over the offseason was a must. Loughridge was pleased with how his players looked when they arrived Monday for the first preseason workout.
"Their conditioning was much better than I expected," Loughridge said. "We played in three 7-on-7 tournaments and in a league at Fort Smith Southside, so our skill guys are in great shape. Our linemen went to several linemen camps during the summer, and they're in good shape.
"This is a talented group of players, and one of the strongest groups that Alma has ever had. The core of that group is still here, and they want to win. They're not ready to settle for an average record this year, and to do that, we must win the close games."
Sports on 08/07/2015