Kershner one game away from setting sail for Navy

Dardanelle’s Chris Kershner has his picture taken following orientation at the Farris Center in Conway earlier this week. Kershner originally committed to Central Arkansas before deciding on Navy, where Kershner was told he’d be used as a running back.
Dardanelle’s Chris Kershner has his picture taken following orientation at the Farris Center in Conway earlier this week. Kershner originally committed to Central Arkansas before deciding on Navy, where Kershner was told he’d be used as a running back.

CONWAY -- Before heading to the U.S. Naval Academy, Chris Kershner has one more opportunity to wear a Dardanelle Sand Lizards helmet.

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Chris Kershner

Kershner, along with teammate Caleb Hicks, will represent Dardanelle on the West team in today's 61st annual Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star football game at Estes Stadium on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

All-Star Football

WHEN 7 p.m. today

WHERE Estes Stadium, Conway

TICKETS $6

SERIES East leads 32-26-1

LAST YEAR Game canceled (weather conditions)

COACHING STAFFS East: Head Coach Chris Kennon (McCrory), assistant coaches Charles Baty (Pocahontas), Ben Fisher (Blytheville), Mark Kelley (Searcy), Jamie Mitchell (North Little Rock), Glen Campbell (McCrory). West: Head Coach Tony Travis (Rogers Heritage), assistant coaches DJ Crane (Danville), Jody Grant (Bentonville), Lonnie Hester (Hackett), Scott Neathery (former Benton coach), Jeff Weaver (LR Christian), Lafe Caton (Pea Ridge)

KEY PLAYERS East: Holdyn Barnes (Cabot), Tre Bruce (Pulaski Academy), Breylin Smith (Conway); West: Allie Freeman (Episcopal Collegiate), Chris Kershner (Dardanelle), Cason Maertens (Benton)

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The East holds a 32-26-1 series lead after last year's game was canceled because of weather conditions.

Getting the opportunity to play with some of the state's top seniors from the 2015 season excites Kershner.

"It's an honor to be around all of these athletes that are here," Kershner said.

Kershner was a first-team Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps selection at defensive back. He recorded 61 tackles, 6 pass breakups, 4 interceptions and scored 4 touchdowns for the Sand Lizards. Kershner, who played wide receiver and running back in the Sand Lizards offense as well as quarterback on occasion, also accounted for 26 touchdowns offensively, including 17 rushing.

Over the past three seasons, he delivered several sterling performances for Dardanelle. But it was his Week 8 showing against Pulaski Robinson that put Dardanelle in a position to win its second consecutive 4-4A Conference championship.

Kershner rushed for 289 yards and 5 touchdowns on 20 carries and returned an interception 30 yards for another touchdown as the Sand Lizards defeated Robinson 44-20. That game helped Kershner earn the Democrat-Gazette's Feat of the Week for Week 8.

"For the situation and the game that we needed from him, it's the best performance he's ever had," then-Dardanelle coach Josh Price, now at Stuttgart, said in October.

Dardanelle went 25-2 over the past two seasons, with a Class 4A semifinal appearance in 2014 and a quarterfinal berth in 2015. Kershner said it was great to be part of the Sand Lizards' success and that he enjoyed the community feel of Dardanelle.

"It's very close-knit," Kershner said of the Yell County town. "Everybody gathers around football. People you don't even know come up to you. Everybody's supportive."

Kershner originally committed to UCA before deciding on Navy. The Midshipmen will not announce their official 2016 signing class until next month, but Kershner is expected to spend his first year at the Naval Academy Preparatory school before beginning his freshman year at the academy.

Navy went 11-2 in 2015 and finished 18th in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll. It was the Midshipmen's highest finish since 1963 when Roger Staubach was at the academy. Navy also recorded its 14th consecutive victory over Army.

Kershner said he had no plans to join the Navy, but the offer to play for the Midshipmen and attend the academy was too good to pass up. He is thinking about going into the Navy or the Marines when he graduates from the academy to become an officer. Students must complete five years of military service after they graduate.

During the recruiting process, Kershner was told by the Navy coaching staff, led by Coach Ken Niumatalolo, that he will be used at running back.

"They haven't had as much speed as what they would like to," Kershner said. "That's why they recruited me. I hope I can bring that to the table."

Sports on 06/24/2016

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