BERRYVILLE BOBCATS
2015 RECORD 2-8
COACH Austin Winters
RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 6 defense
KEY PLAYERS OL/DL Layne Chester (Sr., 6-1, 240), OL/DL Brady Smith (Sr., 6-1, 220), RB Jacob Graham (Sr., 5-10, 175), RB/DB Gaven Maxwell (Sr., 5-11, 170), QB Luke Britt (So., 5-9, 180), RB/LB Christian Lemus (So., 5-9, 190), RB/DL Justin Bredeson (Sr., 6-0, 170), TE Devon Smith (Jr., 6-3, 200).
THE SKINNY Winters is a graduate of Springdale High and played under legendary Jarrell Williams. Winters is trying to instill that same hard-nosed ethic into this program. … Graham led the Bobcats in rushing last season (92-408) as both a running back and quarterback. This season Graham will just focus on running back, Winters said. … Devon Smith is a force at defensive end, recording 44 tackles and 6.0 sacks. … Justin Bredeson is another solid defensive standout with 46 tackles last season.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Decatur^Oct 7^at Lincoln*
Sept. 9^at Clinton^Oct. 14^Gravette*
Sept. 16^at Green Forest^Oct. 21^at Pea Ridge*
Sept. 23^at Shiloh Christian^Oct. 28^at Prairie Grove
Sept. 30^Gentry^Nov. 4^Huntsville
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
GENTRY PIONEERS
2015 RECORD 3-7
COACH Paul Ernest
RETURNING STARTERS 4 offense, 5 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Jon Faulkenberry (Jr., 6-0, 180), RB Tanner Christie (Jr., 5-9, 205), RB/DE Myles McFerron (Jr., 5-8, 175), OG/DT Mason Clark (Jr., 6-3, 230), RB/DB Cole Cripps (Sr., 5-9, 160), OG/DT J.T.Crosby (Jr., 6-1,220), C/DT Matthew Martin (Sr., 6-0, 200).
THE SKINNY The Pioneers lost close games to both Huntsville and Gravette that kept them out of the playoffs last season. … Ernest begins his second season at the helm and will lean on dual-threat QB Faulkenberry to lead the team. … Faulkenberry was 93-of-165 passing for 1,251 yards and 7 touchdowns. He ran for 539 yards on 92 carries and 7 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. … Cripps caught 20 passes for 324 yards. … McFerron had 65 tackles last season. … The Pioneers have just 36 players out, so depth could be an issue.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^at Lavaca^Oct 7^Huntsville*
Sept. 9^at Decatur^Oct. 14^at Shiloh Christian*
Sept. 16^Greenland^Oct. 21^Prairie Grove*
Sept. 23^Pea Ridge^Oct. 28^Lincoln
Sept. 30^at Berryville^Nov. 4^at Gravette
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
GRAVETTE LIONS
2015 RECORD 7-4
COACH Bill Harrelson
RETURNING STARTERS 3 Offense, 4 Defense
KEY PLAYERS C/DL Dalton Cook (Sr., 5-9, 228), OT Nelson Payne (Sr., 6-2, 350), OG Joel Fielek (Sr., 5-9, 244), OT/DE Dalton Bass (Sr., 6-0, 190), QB Kilby Roberts (Sr., 6-0, 176), RB Dylan Gruver (Sr., 5-7, 175), WR Donny Lemonds (Sr., 6-2, 210), DE Bret Callahan (Sr., 5-9, 177), DT Bailey Soulé (Jr., 5-11, 243), DB Austin O’Brien (Jr., 5-11, 167), DE Drew Hendren (Sr., 6-1, 190).
THE SKINNY Harrelson has enjoyed the most successful era in school history with multiple playoff berths. … The Lions lost 16 seniors from last year’s team, so there are a lot of new faces this season. … Roberts takes over at quarterback after seeing limited duty last season. … Only one starter returns along the offensive line … The Lions host Ozark in the season opener, then go on the road for three straight games. … O’Brien leads the defense after recording 49 tackles last season. Callahan had 77 tackles and 4.0 tackles-for-loss. Soulé is another defensive standout.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Ozark^Oct 7^Pea Ridge*
Sept. 9^at Booneville^Oct. 14^at Berryville*
Sept. 16^at Jay, Okla.^Oct. 21^Huntsvillee*
Sept. 23^at Lincoln^Oct. 28^at Shiloh Christian
Sept. 30^Prairie Grove^Nov. 4^Gentry
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
HUNTSVILLE EAGLES
2015 RECORD 4-6
COACH Randy Barnhill
RETURNING STARTERS 5 offense, 5 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB/LB Jaron Evans (Sr., 5-10, 170), OL/DL Brannon Smith (Sr., 6-3, 280), RB/DB Alfredo Benavidez (Sr., 5-7, 150), RB/CB J.D. Vaughan (Sr., 6-0, 170), QB Sean McCone (So., 5-9, 155).
THE SKINNY Barnhill replaces former coach Tom Tice. Barnhill was the offensive coordinator under Tice last season. Barnhill is a former All-American player at Arkansas State, and coached at both Jonesboro and Mountain Home. … The Eagles narrowly missed the playoffs last season, losing to Gentry in overtime and to Lincoln by one point. … Evans ran for 698 yards on 112 carries and scored three touchdowns last season. … As a team, the Eagles averaged 222.2 yards rushing per game last season, but only 53.5 passing. … McCone quarterbacked the junior high team to the conference title last season.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Green Forest^Oct 7^at Gentry*
Sept. 9^Farmington^Oct. 14^Lincoln*
Sept. 16^at Elkins^Oct. 21^at Gravette*
Sept. 23^at Prairie Grove^Oct. 28^Pea Ridge
Sept. 30^Shiloh Christian^Nov. 4^at Berryville
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
LINCOLN WOLVES
2015 RECORD 4-7
COACH Don Harrison
RETURNING STARTERS 7 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Harrison Swayne (Sr., 6-1, 200), RB Caleb Lloyd (So., 5-10, 210), C Trea Harrison (Jr., 5-11, 230), TE Dalton Lee (Sr., 6-2, 190), RG Marcus Gooding (Sr., 5-10, 235), RT Zach Duncan (Jr., 6-2, 270), MLB Pace Maddox (Sr., 5-10, 225), DB Braden Umberson (Jr., 6-1, 175).
THE SKINNY The Wolves rebounded from a 2-8 mark in 2014 to earn a playoff berth last season in Harrison’s first year. … Lincoln returns most of its offensive starters from last season, while the defense will feature a lot of new faces. … Swayne is one of the top players in the 4A-1. Last season Swayne accounted for more than 2,200 all-purpose yards as a dual-threat quarterback. … Lloyd had a tremendous season as a freshman, rushing for 995 yards and 9 TDs. … The Wolves return a number of starters on the offensive line, led by junior C Trea Harrison, the coach’s son.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Westville, Okla.^Oct 7^Berryville*
Sept. 9^at Keys, Okla.^Oct. 14^at Huntsville*
Sept. 16^Mansfield^Oct. 21^Shiloh Christian*
Sept. 23^Gravette^Oct. 28^at Gentry
Sept. 30^at Pea Ridge^Nov. 4^Prairie Grove
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
PEA RIDGE BLACKHAWKS
2015 RECORD 11-3
COACH Stephen Neal
RETURNING STARTERS 9 offense, 5 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB Zaine Holley (Sr., 5-8, 180), QB Jakota Sainsbury (Jr., 5-11, 170), RB Drew Winn (Jr., 5-10, 170), OL/DL Beau German (Sr., 6-1, 275), WR Ryan Higgins (Jr., 5-9, 175), TE Britton Caudill (Sr., 6-3, 215).
THE SKINNY Pea Ridge made a run to the Class 4A state semifinals last season, and returns nine offensive starters. … Holley returns after rushing for 1,652 yards on 273 carries and scoring 26 touchdowns for the Blackhawks last season. … Sainsbury takes over as the full-time starter at quarterback after sharing duties last season. Sainsbury was 56-of-110 for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns passing, and added 220 yards rushing with 5 TDs. … New coach Neal was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma powerhouse Tulsa Union. … Neal brought in former Shiloh Christian offensive coordinator Crosby Tuck in the same role, but plans to keep the power run game offense that the Blackhawks used last season.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Booneville^Oct 7^at Gravette*
Sept. 9^Green Forest^Oct. 14^at Prairie Grove*
Sept. 16^at Farmington^Oct. 21^Berryville*
Sept. 23^at Gentry^Oct. 28^at Huntsville
Sept. 30^Lincoln^Nov. 4^Shiloh Christian
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
PRAIRIE GROVE TIGERS
2015 RECORD 13-2
COACH Danny Abshier
RETURNING STARTERS 5 Offense, 6 Defense
KEY PLAYERS OT/DE Jack Stone (Sr., 6-5, 230), LB/WB Dustin Burton (Jr., 5-11, 210), HB/FS Anthony Johnson (Jr., 5-9, 180), WR/DB Isaac Disney (Sr., 6-0, 150), LB/FB Reed Orr (Sr., 5-10, 205), FB/LB Kyle Sam (Sr., 5-9, 180), QB/DB Zeke Laird (Sr., 5-11, 180).
THE SKINNY The Tigers enjoyed the best season in school history in 2015, winning 13 games and advancing to the state title game. Prairie Grove lost a ton of exceptional seniors from that squad, including TE Dylan Soehner, who signed with Iowa State. But the expectation remains the same, and that is to win the 4A-1 title. … Laird moves to QB1 after backing up last year. Laird was 7-of-12 for 95 yards and 2 TDs in limited time. … Orr (71-420), Johnson (38-360) and Sam (51-330) will lead the Wing-T rushing attack. … Disney had a big season in 2015 (18-644, 8 TDs) and returns to lead the receiving corps. … Laird recorded 113 tackles with 2 interceptions at safety last season. … Johnson had 64 tackles, and Disney had 38 with 6 interceptions.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Farmington^Oct 7^at Shiloh Christian*
Sept. 9^at Vian, Okla.^Oct. 14^Pea Ridge*
Sept. 16^West Fork^Oct. 21^at Gentry*
Sept. 23^Huntsville^Oct. 28^Berryville
Sept. 30^at Gravette^Nov. 4^at Lincoln
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
SHILOH CHRISTIAN SAINTS
2015 RECORD 7-4
COACH Jeff Conaway
RETURNING STARTERS 10 offense, 6 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Connor Reece (Sr., 5-10, 180), RB/LB Broc Berus (Sr., 6-1, 210), WR Tyler Roth (Sr., 6-1, 170), WR Jake Nelson (Jr., 6-0, 180), C Chase Bowerman (Sr., 6-1, 265), G Cameron Ford (Sr., 6-3, 285), LB Jace Herman (Sr., 6-1, 205)
THE SKINNY Reece completed 61 percent of his passes for more than 2,600 yards and 24 TDs with 7 interceptions last season. The third-year starter rushed for nearly 300 yards and 7 TDs. … Berus is the “best athlete on the field,” Conaway said, and takes over full-time tailback duties after John-Mark Carruthers transferred to IMG Academy over the summer. Berus, who led the team with 97 tackles at linebacker last season, had 91 carries for 508 yards and 12 TDs. … Berus is dangerous as a pass catcher out of the backfield and will compliment a strong receiving core that’s led by Roth and Nelson. They combined for 104 receptions for 1,960 yards and 16 TDs in 2015. … Ford is a four-year starter while Bowmerman is a three-year starter on the offensive line.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^at Elkins^Oct 7^Prairie Grove*
Sept. 9^at LR Christian^Oct. 14^Gentry*
Sept. 16^Pottsville^Oct. 21^at Lincoln*
Sept. 23^Berryville^Oct. 28^Gravette
Sept. 30^at Huntsville^Nov. 4^at Pea Ridge
*— Denotes 4A-1 Conference game
BOONEVILLE BEARCATS
2015 RECORD 4-7
COACH: Scott Hyatt
RETURNING STARTERS 7 offense, 7 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB/DB Hayden Fennell (Sr., 5-6, 140); FB/ILB Caleb Draper (Sr., 5-9, 195); RB/DE Grant Rodatz (Jr., 5-9, 215); OL/DL Devin Davis (Sr., 5-10, 255); OL Isaiah Hattabaugh (Sr., 6-3, 270)
THE SKINNY: After a two-year run in the Class 3A ranks, Booneville returns to 4A status, where it won the state championship in 2013 … Almost half of the team’s 35-man roster is made up of sophomores that went undefeated in junior high the last two years. … Despite a losing record — Booneville’s first in nine years — the Bearcats made their 19th consecutive playoff appearance. … Draper, who broke his leg as an eighth-grader, came back at full strength for the first time last fall and ran for 1,204 yards and 14 TDs last year and had 42 tackles as an inside linebacker. … Hyatt is eight wins shy of 100 for his head coaching career.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^at Pea Ridge^Oct. 7^at Dover*
Sept. 9^Gravette^Oct. 14^Waldron*
Sept. 16^Vilonia^Oct. 21^at Dardanelle*
Sept. 23^at Pottsville^Oct. 28^at West Fork*
Sept. 30^Ozark^Nov. 4^Subiaco Academy
*— Denotes 4A-4 Conference game
OZARK HILLBILLIES
2015 RECORD 3-7
COACH Jeremie Burns
RETURNING STARTERS 3 offense, 7 defense
KEY PLAYERS OL/DL Hunter Jackson (Sr., 6-3, 265); OL Jed White (Sr., 6-3, 225); RB/LB Baylor Ree (Jr., 6-1, 180); OL Tyler Hayward (Jr., 5-11, 235); RB/DB Daniel Richard (Sr., 5-10, 185); DE Triston Marvel (Sr., 5-7, 165); DB Ryan Bramucci (Sr., 5-9, 155)
THE SKINNY Ozark lost its last five games and failed to make the playoffs for a third straight season. … Burns said the numbers are down this year, with the Hillbillies having a roster in the lower 40s compared to the upper 40s last year. … Ozark has plenty of experience in the trenches with a number of returning linemen. … Jackson, who missed the last four games last season after he chipped his knee cap, can play left guard or center. … Marvel, undersized as a defensive end, led the Hillbillies last season in tackles for loss.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^at Gravette^Oct. 7^Subiaco Academy*
Sept. 9^Clarksville^Oct. 14^at West Fork*
Sept. 16^at Charleston^Oct. 21^Pottsville*
Sept.23^Waldron^Oct. 28^at Dardanelle
Sept. 30^at Booneville^Nov. 4^Dover
*— Denotes 4A-4 Conference game
SUBIACO ACADEMY TROJANS
2015 RECORD 2-8
COACH Mike Berry
RETURNING STARTERS 4 offense, 3 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB/DB Peter Sayre (Sr., 5-8, 160); QB Zach Franz (Sr., 6-1, 190); OL/DL Steven Schluterman (Sr., 6-1, 210); WR/LB Aaron Brooks (Sr., 5-10, 165); QB Zach King (Sr., 5-10, 145); OL/DL Deacon Hardwicke (Sr., 5-11, 190);
THE SKINNY Subiaco has overhauled its offense in the offseason, going from the wing-T to the Spread formation. … Sayre, a member of the Trojans’ baseball team, emerges as a leader despite not playing football since he was a freshman at Fort Smith Trinity Junior High. … Franz, who hasn’t played football since junior high, and Brooks are not only first cousins, but they are the grandnephews of former Arkansas Razorback Martine Bercher, an all-American in 1966. … Hardwicke makes a position change and will be at left tackle after starting at left guard last fall.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^at Brinkley^Oct. 7^at Ozark*
Sept. 9^Lamar^Oct. 14^Dardanelle*
Sept. 16^Open date^Oct. 21^at Waldron*
Sept. 23^at West Fork^Oct. 28^Pottsville
Sept. 30^Dover^Nov. 4^at Booneville
*— Denotes 4A-4 Conference game
WALDRON BULLDOGS
2015 RECORD 0-10
COACH Ricky May
RETURNING STARTERS 8 offense, 6 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB/DE Matthew Shaddon (Sr., 5-11, 180); QB/DB Trey Williams (Jr., 6-1, 154); TE/LB Dillon Pickens (Jr., 5-9, 176); FB/LB Joel Cagle (Jr., 5-7, 195); RB/LB Cole Huddleston (Jr., 5-8, 152)
THE SKINNY Waldron is no stranger to the 4A-4 Conference, having been a league member from 2006-07 and again from 2010-13 … The Bulldogs have the dubious honor of owning the state’s longest current losing streak at 43 games, with their last win being a 29-21 decision over Subiaco Academy on Oct. 14, 2011. … RB/DE Tristan Brumbelow was not only Waldron’s leading rusher with 571 yards and three TDs, but had 55 tackles as an all-conference defensive end. … Shaddon moved from quarterback to halfback and had more than 100 yards rushing in each of the Bulldogs’ final four games.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^at Mansfield^Oct. 7^Pottsville*
Sept. 9^at Cedarville^Oct. 14^at Booneville*
Sept. 16^Mena^Oct. 21^Subiaco Academy*
Sept. 23^at Ozark^Oct. 28^at Dover
Sept. 30^West ForkNov. 4^Dardanelle
*— Denotes 4A-4 Conference game
WEST FORK TIGERS
2015 RECORD 8-4
COACH Brad Lindley
RETURNING STARTERS 3 offense, 5 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB/LB Graham Langston (Sr., 5-11, 230), RB/LB Taylor Poplin (Jr., 6-1, 180), WR/DB Devin Worley (Sr., 5-11, 170), OL/DL Chance Poplin (Sr, 6-2, 205), DB Logan Helms (Jr., 5-9, 140), OL/DL Brayden Stephens (Jr., 6-1, 200), OL/DL Timmy Farmer (Sr., 6-1, 210).
THE SKINNY Coming off back-to-back 3A-1 conference titles, the Tigers make the jump to Class 4A, but their roster size went the opposite direction to less than 30. … Langston, who played some fullback last season, moves to quarterback and will also start at middle linebacker. … Lindley acknowledged the Tigers’ offense will shift to a more run-oriented attack after the graduation of all-state quarterback Colten Wise, who threw for 1,500 yards a year ago.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Greenland^Oct. 7^at Dardanelle*
Sept. 9^Elkins^Oct. 14^Ozark*
Sept. 16^at Prairie Grove^Oct. 21^at Dover*
Sept. 23^Subiaco Academy^Oct. 28^Booneville
Sept. 30^at Waldron^Nov. 4^at Pottsville
*— Denotes 4A-4 Conference game