SPRINGDALE -- There may only be a few sophomore starters in the lineup when Springdale High begins fall camp Aug. 3.
But there will be nearly 15 in the two-deep for first-year Bulldog coach Zak Clark as he enters his first head coaching job.
Springdale High Bulldogs
Last Year’s Record: 0-10 overall, 0-7 in 7A-West Conference play
Returning Starters: 2 offense, 4 defense
Key Losses: QB Fuller Chandler, WR Salvador Sandoval, WR Chris Owens, WR Zach Burton, S Jorge Alba, LB Jaime Argueta, DL Raul Gonzalez
Player To Watch: Junior receiver Kyler Williams is set to be Springdale’s top offensive weapon after contributing as a sophomore despite playing behind a trio of talented seniors.
Season Opener: Sept. 4 at Greenwood
"The young class that's coming up has done really well this summer," Clark said. "There's 14 of them in the two-deep. Most of them are twos, so that's good. But quite a few of the young kids are going to play."
Clark inherited a sizeable rebuilding job when he took over the program in January. This fall, the Bulldogs return only two starters on offense and four on defense from an 0-10 season and third straight missed postseason a year ago, including losing most of their top playmakers on offense.
There is optimism within the program surrounding the junior high classes in the pipeline, along with the sophomores who'll get their first glimpse at varsity action this season. The sophomores recently competed well at a team camp and have made an impression with their work ethic and attitude.
"We're going to play the best player, No. 1, no matter how old he is," Clark said. "Right now, we've got a lot of older kids that are better. There's only probably one or two sophomores that have a chance to start right out of the gate. But above all, we're going to go with the guys that are going to compete. So those young guys are pushing."
Running back Jacey Medina is one of the sophomore standouts and should get his fair share of opportunities to make an immediate impact. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder could fill a void at a position where the Bulldogs returning leading rusher, junior Lucky Bannavong, totaled 32 yards last year.
"He's just young," Clark said. "He's really talented. He's by far and away our best, most-talented (back). He can really run. He's got a different gear than everybody else. He's just used to getting the ball and bouncing outside. As his vision gets better, he'll play quite a bit for three years."
Sophomore safety/nickel back Colby Ritchie (5-10, 150 and fullback/H-back Dylan Sisemore (5-10, 200) could compete for starting jobs, Clark said.
And the sophomores aren't the program's only potential impact newcomers. Senior receiver Cole Malugen (6-2, 170), a transfer from Jonesboro, could play a key role. His emergence would be big for a receiving corps that is headlined by junior Kyler Williams, senior Hunter Necessary and sophomores Alex Thompson and Nick Parchman. The big question mark on offense doesn't have to do with the unit's skill players.
"On offense, it's going to come down to o-line," Clark said. "If we can run the ball and protect long enough to get it off."
The line will be tasked with protecting senior quarterback Jack Lindsey, a Fayetteville transfer who'd already played under Clark, his uncle, experience that has allowed him to be a calming, steadying presence on the field as the program undergoes the coaching transition.
Lindsey is arguably the only upperclassman on the roster who has been a part of winning teams at a varsity level. The offseason in the weight room, spring practice, summer workouts and this fall will be about trying to change the stigma of losing and the issues that develop along with it.
"The big thing's going to be changing mentality," Clark said. "We're going to have to play the guys that are going to compete. Right now, some of the older guys are pretty good and getting better. But when things go bad, it's almost 'Here we go again.' It's tough. You've got to have (the culture) in place before you win. You don't win and then the culture turns around."
Which is where the sophomore enthusiasm has shown through, providing an optimism as the Bulldogs and Clark prepare for the first phase of rebuilding.
"I'm pleased with how our sophomores come ready to work and get after it," Clark said. "We needed that to happen. With these eighth and ninth graders we have right now, the program will get better. Right now we're fighting trying to figure out how to just compete. Doesn't matter what the score is, down and distance. Put the ball down and let's go play."
Sports on 07/24/2015