Class 2a preview

Danville, Lavaca additions upgrade 2A-4

Hackett, Mountainburg again seen as top league contenders

LAVACA — High school football in the 2A-4 Conference just became more difficult.

Lavaca, previously in the 3A-4 Conference and in Class 3A for the last 10 years, has dropped down to Class 2A and joined the 2A-4. Golden Arrows’ second-year coach Brian Schlinker was thrilled when he heard the news.

“We want our expectations to be high every season,” Schlinker said. “But I do think your expectations change when you go from 3A to 2A.”

Lavaca experienced both ups and downs in Class 3A. The Golden Arrows won nine games in both 2007 and 2008, but have had just two winning seasons since 2010. Last year, in Schlinker’s first season as coach, Lavaca finished 4-6 and 1-6 in the 3A-4 Conference, with five straight losses to close out the year.

The move down to the 2A-4, however, brings new energy, and big goals.

“We’re replacing some key people,” Schlinker said. “But I still think we have some talent coming back.”

Junior Garrett Eck (5-11, 170) should take over at quarterback. Cody Harris (5-11, 240), a junior fullback, gives the Golden Arrows a workhorse in the backfield. And senior Janson Graves (5-9, 170) is a threat at wide receiver.

Lavaca could struggle with youth in certain spots, but a physical offensive and defensive line should help in the transition down to Class 2A. Senior Ashton Chronister (6-1, 250) and juniors Tripp Lile (5-10, 200) and Logan Chosy (6-0,

250) will be counted on the trenches.

“Our defensive line is going to be big and strong,” Schlinker said. “It’s going to be a strength.”

Lavaca won’t be the only strong addition to the 2A-4 Conference this season. With Hector moving to the 2A-5 Conference and Union Christian leaving the conference to play in eight-man football in an Oklahoma league, Danville — previously in the same 3A-4 Conference as Lavaca — enters the conference as well.

Danville graduated 12 seniors, but 13 starters return off a team which finished 8-4 and won the school’s first playoff game in four years.

“Danville is tough,” Johnson County Westside coach Jeff Stewart said. “They have more sophomores than we have seniors.”

Hackett and Mountainburg won playoff games last season out of the 2A-4 Conference and both teams again appear to be top contenders for the postseason. The Dragons, led by 30th year coach Tom Harrell, return 15 starters overall and nine on defense.

“This conference is always changing,” Harrell said. “There’s not going too many weeks off now. With Danville, Hackett and us and then you throw in Lavaca who will be physical, it’s going to be tough.”

2A-4 Conference 2015 Final Standings

Team Conf. Overall

Hector .................................12-1 ................. 7-0 Hackett ...............................10-2 .................6-1 Mountainburg ......................8-3 ..................5-2 Johnson County Westside .6-5 ..................4-3 Union Christian ...................3-6 ..................3-4 Magazine ............................2-7 ..................2-5 Decatur................................1-8 .................. 1-6 Western Yell County ...........0-9 ..................0-7

Hooten’s Conference Poll

2A-4

  1. Danville

  2. Hackett

  3. Mountainburg

  4. Lavaca

  5. Johnson County Westside

  6. Magazine

  7. Western Yell County

  8. Decatur

Vernon Tarver can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAVernon.

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