WHO MADE THE LIST?
The sports staff of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and consultation with area coaches selected the top 11 players in the 12-county region in the newspaper’s coverage area.
The List is loaded with an abundance of talented players, many on the radar of college coaches. The players selected for The List were not chosen by position, but simply the top 11 players regardless of where they line up on the field.
Linebackers Andrew Bartgis of Bentonville High and Tristin Brewer of Pea Ridge are dominating defenders with high character and with even higher motors who their teammates look to for leadership.
— Chip Souza @NWAChip
ANDREW BARTGIS
Bentonville High
CLASS Senior
HEIGHT 5-9
WEIGHT 170
POSITION Outside linebacker
THE NUMBERS Bartgis contributed from the moment he won the starting role last season and recorded 11 tackles in the season opener. He followed that with a 14-tackle performance against Bentonville West, as well as recording a quarterback sack and picking up the key fumble deep in Tigers territory. He finished the season with 116 tackles to lead the team.
HE SAID IT “It’s about 10 weeks, 10 games. It’s kind of scary that there’s a timeclock on it now. You really don’t think about it when you’re a junior or a sophomore. Now every practice becomes really precious, for sure. And I have to lead. We have a lot of young guys playing, but we also have some players that are good leaders.”
THE LIST
Andrew Bartgis -- Bentonville High
Darius Bowers -- Fayetteville
Tristin Brewer -- Pea Ridge
Darin Davenport -- FS Southside
Taye Gatewood -- FS Southside
Peyton Holt -- Greenwood
Gabe Huskey -- Harrison
Jadon Jackson -- Bentonville West
Will Jarrett -- Bentonville West
Brandon Ulmer -- Booneville
Stevie Young -- FS Northside