ALMA AIREDALES
2015 RECORD 7-5
COACH Doug Loughridge
RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 2 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Noah Dotson (Sr., 6-0, 230), WR Brayden Johnson (Jr., 6-4, 200), C Michael Blythe (Sr., 5-8, 230), RB/DB Brayden Harris (Sr., 5-10, 155), RB/LB Jaedon Mitchell (Sr., 5-10, 175), DE Garrison Jensen (Jr., 6-0, 200).
THE SKINNY Returns to 5A after finishing third in the 7A/6A-Central in 2015. … Dotson took over at quarterback in Week 2 and turned in an all-state season by completing 62 percent of his passes for more than 2,220 yards with 14 TDs and 6 INTs. He also rushed for 578 yards and 3 TDs. … If needed, backup Jensen is capable of running the offense as he led a 71-yard drive and rushed for a touchdown to beat Conway 40-35 when Dotson was sidelined last season … Mitchell is the top defensive returner after logging 115 tackles, but is one of only two “true full-time starters” returning on defense, Loughridge said. … With 26 seniors, Loughridge said the Airedales are essentially “replacing seniors with seniors,” which he believes will be a huge positive.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 30^Van Buren^Oct 7^at Morrilton*
Sept. 9^Springdale^Oct. 14^Clarksville*
Sept. 16^at Greenwood^Oct. 21^Harrison*
Sept. 23^Vilonia^Oct. 28^at Greenbrier
Sept. 30^at Farmington^Nov. 4^at Maumelle
*— Denotes 5A-West Conference game
CLARKSVILLE PANTHERS
2015 RECORD 1-9
COACH Khris Buckner
RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 5 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB/LB Rease Howard (Sr., 5-10, 210), TE Josh Sullivan (Sr., 6-5, 190), OL/DL Jose Jimenez (Sr., 6-2, 290), OL/DL Chuy Jimenez (Jr., 5-11, 270), TE/DE Casey Barr (Sr., 6-2, 190), OL/DE Blake Nelson (Sr., 6-1, 230).
THE SKINNY Buckner returns to his alma mater, where he was an all-state and all-star quarterback in 1995. He previously turned around struggling prep programs in Oklahoma and Nebraska, with his last stop in Wilburton, Okla., where he guided the team to a 5-5 record in his first season after it finished 1-9 a year earlier. … Buckner said his team plans to lift weights everyday, even on game days, in an effort to develop a “tough mentality.” … Sullivan switches from receiver to tight end in the team’s new Wishbone offense and could draw college recruiting interest. … Senior Austin McPhillips hasn’t played football since his freshman year, but has taken over starting quarterback duties.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Lamar^Oct 7^Maumelle*
Sept. 9^at Ozark^Oct. 14^at Alma*
Sept. 16^at Dardanelle^Oct. 21^Greenbrier*
Sept. 23^Farmington^Oct. 28^at Vilonia
Sept. 30^at Harrison^Nov. 4^Morrilton
*— Denotes 5A-West Conference game
FARMINGTON CARDINALS
2015 RECORD 5-5
COACH Mike Adams
RETURNING STARTERS 4 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB Caleb Williams (5-9, 175, Jr.), WR Trenton McChristian (5-6, 140, Sr.), OT Tanner Barnes (6-1, 220, Sr.), DE Justin Clark (6-1, 220, Sr.), S Kelton Price (5-9, 170, Sr.)
THE SKINNY The Cardinals look quite different on both sides of the ball this season. … The offense must find a replacement for two-time all-conference quarterback Brice Waggle and all-state running back Justice Hobbs, who both graduated. Senior Jake Oskey (5-10, 160) and junior Trey Waggle (6-0, 165) are the options and quarterback, while Adams feels confident with the depth in the backfield. … The Cardinals must replace four starters on the offensive line, while the defense should be led by a strong back seven group, featuring returning starters Oskey at linebacker and Kelton Price at safety.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^at Prairie Grove^Oct. 7^Greenbrier*
Sept. 9^at Huntsville^Oct. 14^at Vilonia*
Sept. 16^Pea Ridge^Oct. 21^at Maumelle*
Sept. 23^at Clarksville^Oct. 28^Morrilton*
Sept. 30^Alma^Nov. 4^Harrison
*— Denotes 5A-West Conference game
HARRISON GOBLINS
2015 RECORD 4-6
COACH Joel Wells
RETURNING STARTERS 3 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS RB Josh Williams (Sr., 6-0, 200), QB/SS Noah Ditmanson (Jr., 6-3, 190), OL/DL Colby Morgan (Sr., 6-3, 260), WR Cameron Cain (Sr., 6-2, 170), OL/DE Kyle Howerton (Jr., 5-11, 260), WR/FS Caleb Huskey (6-1, 175).
THE SKINNY Wells enters his second season after leading the Goblins to a fourth-place tie in the league in 2015. The Goblins won two of their last four games, which included a narrow 28-25 loss at Farmington in Week 10. … Ditmanson led the team last season with 728 yards on 172 carries. He rushed for 150 yards in a 35-0 win at Greenbrier in Week 7. … Williams, who power cleans 270 pounds, rushed for 426 yards and 9 TDs. He had 115 yards and 2 TDs in a season-opening 42-21 win at Mountain Home. … Morgan anchors the defense at tackle, and Wells said he can be dominant if he can play aggressively. … Howerton was an all-conference defense end after racking up a team-high 40 tackles as a sophomore.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2^Mountain Home^Oct 7^at Vilonia*
Sept. 9^at Siloam Springs^Oct. 14^at Greenbrier*
Sept. 16^LR Christian^Oct. 21^at Alma*
Sept. 23^at Morrilton^Oct. 28^Maumelle
Sept. 30^Clarksville^Nov. 4^at Farmington
*— Denotes 5A-West Conference game