On the first day of fall practices last week, Zak Clark said he would find out more about his Bulldogs in weeks two and three. That time is now here.
Springdale High hit the practice field Monday evening for the team's sixth session this month. Monday was the first of six practices this week for the Bulldogs, who plan to hold a scrimmage Saturday at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
"This is the time where we find out who can push through being hot and tired," Clark said, "and be a guy you can count on in the fourth quarter."
Last week was an encouraging one, Clark said, and the coach has high hopes the momentum continues to build all the way up to the first contest of the season at Conway on Sept. 2. Springdale is and will continue to install some new wrinkles on offense, but the biggest takeaway from the first week came by way of the Bulldogs' defense.
"The defense did a really good job, I thought, of retaining information and handling the different things we threw at them," Clark said.
Springdale plans to scrimmage more than once this week. The first being Wednesday for around an hour, the coach said, with the Saturday scrimmage capping the end of the second week.
ROGERS HIGH
QB Horton adjusting well
Mounties coach Mike Loyd acknowledged quarterback Max Horton is dealing with significant changes going from the flexbone to a spread offense, but the 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior is making progress.
"Max is getting better every day," Loyd said. "Max has been in the flexbone. So with quarterback fundamentals and the spread, it's like starting with a sophomore. The young man is a leader and works hard. The thing I like about him is the blitz doesn't bother him. I've had a couple five-star quarterbacks, a couple still playing now that in 7-on-7 were great. When it's 11-on-11 it's not the same.
"Max is 220 pounds and could probably go over and start at mike linebacker. I kinda like having quarterbacks with that mentality. When you get a program going I think your program is about as tough as your quarterback. Max Horton is as tough any kid we have. Nobody's outworking Max Horton."
Junior Colin McWhorter also caught Loyd's eye in the first week of practice working a cornerback and also getting a look at running back and receiver.
"He's been a pleasant surprise," Loyd said. "He's going to be a heck of a player."
Loyd acknowledged the first week was good to help his player acclimate to the standard he wants every day.
"I had to get a few of them's attention on Friday," Loyd said. "My deal is every day to go out and get better. I don't know Friday if we got better and they called out on it and they got a little extra stuff. They are figuring out less than 100 percent won't be tolerated."
The Mounties will get at least a couple of days this week in full pads and likely scrimmage a little bit late in the week.
-- Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
FAYETTEVILLE
Bulldogs still in search of depth
Fayetteville doesn't lack in talent at many positions. First-year coach Bill Blankenship sees a couple of areas, specifically, though, where the Purple Bulldogs need to add more depth.
"We've got Akial Byers there on the defensive line, but we need to add some more depth around him," Blankenship said. "That's one area where we need to find some more guys.
"At running back, Terrance Rock is a quality guy, but we need some more consistency and depth there at running back as well. Stacey Gunn is a guy who can help, but we still could use some more depth."
Fayetteville puts on the pads for the first week of full contract scrimmage this week. The Bulldogs will practice in the morning again today before switching to a 7 to 9 p.m. schedule beginning Wednesday when coaches return to inservice work week.
-- Vernon Tarver • @NWAVernon
BENTONVILLE WEST
Wolverines sluggish to start second week
One of Bentonville West's coaches referred to what he saw on the field as "a typical Monday."
That was not what coach Bryan Pratt wanted to see as the Wolverines began their second week of preseason workouts.
"We were a little sluggish out here," Pratt said. "I don't know what the deal was. One of my coaches said it's a typical Monday and it will take a while to get them ready to play.
"With us being sluggish, it was a little upsetting after a week. That's why we are so hard on them because our expectations are pretty high. We don't want to be average."
One thing West players won't see during practice sessions are workouts in full pads. Pratt said it's been eight years since he held a practice like that, and the Wolverines worked out in shoulder pads and helmets Monday.
West did spend some time Monday putting in some new details on both offense and defense, but Pratt sees the fast pace he likes to practice could eventually get to his players at time.
"There are going to be some times when they feel like they can't make it," Pratt said. "We talked about that little voice on their shoulders and getting to ignore that voice. If they will push through, we'll be fine.
"We still have 14 more practices before we go out and play somebody. We feel like we have a chance to get better each day, and that's what we will try to do. This was one of those days when we felt like we didn't get better."
-- Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
Sports on 08/09/2016