2022 Football Preview | Page 10

The Westside Warriors will look to have a far better season in 2022 after a disappointing 4-7 finish last year . The Warriors lose a trio of key players in Edward Wilson , Michael Ivy , and Spencer Long . With that said , this is the group that had an outstanding run back in junior high . They have been highly touted by the Westside faithful . Gus Yearta serves at quarterback as the teams runs out of the power-I and the wishbone . If he throws then it ’ s likely through play action as he has a decent arm . He also serves as one of the team ’ s defensive backs . He does well to make plays on both sides . Cameron Hedger is a speed back . If he can get to the outside he ’ s tough to stop . Darvin Fowler works at running back . He takes it up the middle as a hard runner . Fowler serves as a run stuffer on defense . FB / LB Connor Crain is an impact player on defense . The offensive line lacks experience and will be a weakness at least early on in the year . Defensively , Westside is pretty stout . They return seven starters and work from a 3-4 formation . Coach Bobby Engle would like to see his special teams crew to be far more physical and force some turnovers . Team chemistry , discipline , and buying in are going to be the primary keys for the Warriors in 2022 . They struggled last season . Westside sits behind Pocahontas and Rivercrest on the totem pole with Trumann in the mix as well . Look for Westside to win more than four games from a season ago while finishing in the middle of the pack .

Aug . 26 at West Memphis Sept . 2 at Lake Hamilton Sept . 16 Center Hill , MS . Sept . 23 Cabot Sept . 30 Bryant Oct . 7 at FS Northside Oct . 14 North Little Rock Oct . 21 LR Southwest Oct . 28 at Conway Nov . 4 at LR Central

Aug . 26 at Brookland Sept . 2 Hoxie Sept . 16 at Heber Springs Sept . 23 at Trumann Sept . 30 at Blytheville Oct . 7 Rivercrest Oct . 14 at Harrisburg Oct . 21 Pocahontas Oct . 28 Highland Nov . 4 at Gosnell

The Jonesboro Golden Hurricane had a good season in 2021 as they finished 7-4 sharing a conference title . Unfortunately for Coach Randy Coleman , he loses a slew of talent as multiple players have graduated with many headed to division one colleges to play at the next level . In total , the Hurricane lost 17 starters from last year ' s team including : QB Rykar Acebo , WR Kavon Pointer , WR Jesse Washington , TE Tyrin Ruffin , FS John Paul Pickens , LB Andre Reed , and CB Erik Wilson . To further compliment matters , Jonesboro will move up into class 7A . They will be a smaller fish in a much larger pond by this move making every single week a constant dog fight to capture a win . Coleman has some players returning that he is expecting big things out of in 2022 . They include : offensive lineman Cole Abernathy and Rashead Staton , a pair of solid running backs in Brock McCoy and Markevious Pickett and also defensive end Frederick Giles Jr . “ We are changing offensives for the first time in 14 years ,” explained Coach Coleman . “ We are changing to a gun-based triple option offense similar to Coastal Carolina .” He listed McCoy , Pickett , Abernathy , Staton , Alex Hyneman , and Mark Gabbie as important cogs to the offense . “ We remain a 4-2-5 defense . Fred Giles and Will Thyer are the key returners . Harrison Herget returns as deep snapper . Will Barnett will be kicker , and Will Thyer is the punter . It will be a very tough initial season in the 7A Central , especially with the loss of so many players from last year ’ s team . We will compete but will need to play perfect football in order to finish in good standing in our conference .” The Hurricane are likely to see growing pains as they move up . NEA Sports projects Jonesboro to miss the playoffs .