2022 Football Preview | Page 32

The Manila Lions put together their best season in school history last year . The Lions finished 9-3 overall while going 6-1 in the conference with their only loss coming against annual powerhouse Hoxie . Manila was led by first year head coach Cain White . Coach White led the Lions to their first ever playoff victory against Danville . The Lions lose several key players from last year ’ s team which include : All-Conference / All-State RB / FS Dustin Clark , All-Conference / All-State FB / MLB Peyton McQueen , All-Conference RT / DE Brent Wilson , All- Conference RG / DT Brandon Parrish , and All-Conference RB / CB Kurt Overton all to graduation . With that being said Coach White returns some big-time players which include : FB / MLB Brian Neal II ( 76 tackles in 9 games , 16 tackles vs . Booneville in 2nd Round of Playoffs . 5 Rush TD in 2021 ), RB / OLB Eli Lackey ( 130 + career tackles , will be 4-year starter at OLB ), TE / MLB Mason Mullen ( 42 tackles , 2 Rec . TD ' s in 2021 , OL / DL Nathan Parrish , OL / DL Hunter Miles , WR / CB Koltan Kisner , and RB / OLB Gabe Bennett ( 48 tackles 4 TFL in 2021 ). ” We will be based out of the flexbone ,” told White . “ Areas of strength is depth in the backfield , while areas of concern are having a " home run hitter " or guy that can go the distance . Felipe Lozano will start at quarterback after serving as backup in ' 21 . Brian Neal II and Mason Mullen split time at fullback to go along with both starting at middle linebacker . Eli Lackey , Gabe Bennett , Collin Crook , and Jacob Baugher provide a solid twodeep look at both slot back positions . Mullen will be the tight end when our tight end package is used . Koltan Kisner will be a 3-year starter at wide out . Trey Platz plays the other wide out . Hunter Miles and Nathan Parrish anchor an offensive line that averages 267 pounds .” Coach White likes what returns on the defensive side of the ball and specifically at linebacker . “ 95 % of the time we will run a four-front transitioning from a 4-4 to a 4-3 based on scenario . Area of strength is our linebacker corps , which I firmly believe could be one of the best in 3A . Seniors Eli Lackey ( 6 ' 1 215 , 315 lb bench ), Brian Neal II ( 6 ' 0 215 , 4.8 40 ), and Mason Mullen ( 6 ' 1 225 , 305 lb bench ) will have a race to see who can get to 100 tackles fastest . Area of concern is depth at the corner position . Gabe Bennett returns at OLB / SS had a key sack in the 4th quarter vs . Osceola and had 48 tackles . The trustworthy and intelligent Koltan Kisner starts at corner . Donavon Brooks , Jacob Buagher , and William Watson compete for the other spot . Trey Platz , Felipe Lozano , and Luke Roberts split time at free safety . Josh Baugh , Wade Evans , and Nathan Parrish all return after starting at least five games on the defensive line in ' 21 .” Special teams will include several of the key players on offense and defense . “ Mason Mullen is our kickoff man . Elijah Fourthman handles extra point duties . Matthew Walker will deep snap . Gabe Bennett and Felipe Lozano battle for the punting spot . Koltan Kisner will hold extra points . Jacob Baugher will return punts . Baugher , Trey Platz , and Luke Roberts will split time returning kicks .” The Lions presently have 43 players on their roster as Coach White has really inspired student athletes to show up and play some football . “ Our goal is to reach Week 11 ( state playoffs ) for the second year in a row . I believe we can get our school and community back to the playoffs if we win turnover battles and stay healthy . ( We ) only gave up 17 points per game in ' 21 . If we can be under 20 in ' 22 , I believe we could be in position to get another home playoff game . Though we are slightly less athletic , I feel going into season two as a head coach , we are going to be a bit more methodical and consistent on the offensive side of the ball .” NEA Sports projects the Lions to finish fourth in the conference while once again making the playoffs .

Aug . 26 at Osceola Sept . 2 Beebe Sept . 9 at Stuttgart Sept . 16 Trumann Sept . 23 Quitman Sept . 30 at Salem Oct . 7 at Atkins Oct . 21 at Melbourne Oct . 28 Yellville-Summit Nov . 4 Perryville

Aug . 26 Rivercrest Sept . 2 EPC Sept . 9 at Trumann Sept . 16 Harrisburg Sept . 23 at Piggott Sept . 30 at Corning Oct . 14 Palestine Wheatley Oct . 21 at Hoxie Oct . 28 at Walnut Ridge Nov . 4 Osceola

The Greyhounds have a new head coach in former Newport graduate Brian Reardon as he returns home . Coach Mark Hindsley heads to fill the Brookland Bearcat vacancy which opened the door for Reardon to head home . Coach Reardon inherits a solid group of football players going into the 2022 football season . The Greyhounds finished 6-5 last season winning their first two playoff games before being knocked out by Prescott . Newport returns six starters on both sides of the football . On offense the Greyhounds will be led by quarterback Dejai Marshall . Marshall is a dual threat quarterback that has nice wheels . CJ Young will see a ton of carries as the teams top running back . Young is a dynamite player that will be tough to stop . Division one prospect Isiah Kendall will be the team ’ s top wide receiver . Kendall hauled in 369 receiving yards and a trio of touchdowns while only playing half of Newport ’ s games a season ago . He stands at 6 ’ 5 , 180 while running a 4.6 . The Hounds also return all-conference receiver Kylan Crite . Crite is a spectacular wideout and makes for an immense dual threat for Marshall to throw to when paired with Kendall . Crite had the team ’ s top numbers in 2021 racking up 700 plus receiving yards on 41 catches with nine resulting in touchdowns . Defensively , Newport will work out of the 3-4 . All-conference tackle Aabel Robinson will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks while working to stop the run . He recorded 36 tackles and seven sacks last year . Jeremiah Godair recorded 46 tackles and four sacks finishing all-conference last season at linebacker . With Harding Academy moving up to 4A , Newport becomes the clear-cut favorite to win the 3A-2 Conference although Melbourne will look to upend them . NEA Sports predicts Newport to do just that winning their conference and making a solid run in the playoffs .

EVERYONE WANTS FATHEAD !

1204 HWY 367 N . Newport , AR 72112

2925 S . Caraway Rd . Jonesboro , AR 72401 870-932-0990