2022 Football Preview | Page 44

The Riverside Rebels once again have high hopes going into the 2022 tennis season . Juniors Seth Couch and Harrison McAnally advanced to the state doubles quarterfinals last year . Sophomores Thatcher Durham and Cash Gillis also reached the state doubles quarterfinals . They will look to make a run at a state title . “ Seth has greatly improved his serve and forehand power this summer ,” said Coach Terry Conner . “ Harrison continues to improve on net defense and his service game . They have the experience to be great team leaders . Thatcher has made improvements to his service game and his quickness around the court gives him a strong advantage . Cash is a very good net defender and is very accurate with his shot placement .” In singles action , junior Elijah Guntharp advanced to the singles state tournament last season . “ He has shown great improvement with his ground strokes this summer ,” explained Conner . Junior Jessie Schoolfield has worked hard this summer and has developed a great all court game . He has become one of the top singles players on the team . Sophomore Brayeson Timms and junior Jacob Tipton will be returning to provide some depth to the roster . Both have experience and are showing great improvement according to Conner . On the girl ’ s side , sophomores Malorie Booth and Brooklyn Berry finished in fourth place in doubles at the state tournament last year . “ Malorie has improved her game in every category this summer . She is not only part of the top doubles team , but also is the top singles player . Brooklyn is a very strong net player and defensive player . She will also be playing a big part in doubles and singles .” Juniors Olivia Rolland and Holland Davis advanced to the state doubles tournament last year . “ Both are very competitive and have worked hard to improve . Juniors Olivia Stormes , Legend Cash , Gracie Washington and sophomores Kaylee Cox , Hannah Smith , Madison Hood , and Reagan Calvert round out the returning players . “ We have great group of athletes with an abundance of talent . As always , we are looking to do well during the regular season and advancing to post season play . Both the boys ’ and girls ’ teams are very strong and should do well in the conference and have the ability to advance in the state tournament . I want our athletes to do their best , have fun , learn , and grow as players . I have seen year after year how determined , motivated , and hardworking these kids are .” Riverside ’ s boys and girls have two of the top doubles ’ teams in their conference . The Rebels also have potential top-level players in singles action as well . “ We have several boys that are strong in singles , and we have several prospects on the girl ’ s team that will be competitive in singles . We are also fortunate to have a lot of depth on both teams . We always have room for improvement , and these athletes are constantly working at becoming better players . Right now , I feel these teams are very strong and ready to provide us with an exciting season .”

The Earle Bulldogs went 4-5 in 2021 . Once a powerhouse , the Bulldogs will look to get back on track in 2022 . Earle loses all-state defensive lineman Jaylen Matthews and starting running backs Ardell Smith and Keywon Wren . Three-year QB Tyrome Hurst III threw for 1107 passing yards and a dozen touchdowns last season . Colton Nicks and Jeremiah Brown combined for 26 pancake blocks . Leading tackler senior Tommy Harris recorded 97 tackles . Junior WR Joseph McVay stands at 6 ’ 2 . He had 286 yards receiving with three touchdowns . He is an incredible athlete and could easily be a breakout player to watch as he high jumps 6 ' 4 and runs a 4.52 . “ We run a multiple shotgun offense ,” stated head coach A . C . Coleman . “ Strengths is a senior dominated offensive line with huge lineman . ( We have ) Jeremiah Brown 6 ’ 1 360 , Colton Nicks 6 ’ 2 320 , Davion Holmes 5 ’ 7 270 , Aqueelo Allen 6 ’ 2 330 , and Jamieson Scott 6 ’ 5 270 . We have a three-year starting in QB Tyrome Hurst III along with a possession slot WR in Keyamar

Sept . 2 Osceola Sept . 9 @ Nettleton Sept . 16 @ Riverview Sept . 23 @ Harrisburg Sept . 30 Westside Oct . 7 @ Highland Oct . 14 Gosnell Oct . 21 @ Trumann Oct . 28 @ Pocahontas Nov . 4 Rivercrest

Moore . Another very aggressive and athletic receiver in senior Carmelo Scott . There ’ s a slew of tenth grade wide receivers competing for the last spot with Karon Alston , Arkellis Smith , James Jarrett , and Raylon Evans . Weakness is an unproven backfield with two sophomore running backs in Brian Powell Jr . and Cam Smith . We have started calling them thunder and lightning . As of recent , Aquello Smith an eleventh grade lineman has transferred and will probably be starting for Marion on both sides of the ball . Junior Jayden Williams 5 ’ 4 260 will take his place at right guard .” On defense the Bulldogs will play out of a 4-4 formation and 3-3 stack . Earle has a lot of speed on defense with concerns in regard to inexperience at several positions . “ Senior defensive tackle Colton Nicks is a potential all state lineman . Senior Shawn Davis plays defensive end and linebacker . He is very aggressive . Tommy Harris and Keyamar Moore hold down the inside linebacker spots . We have a very speedy secondary in senior Dearrius Williams , Raylon Evans , James Jarrett III and Joseph Mcvay . We believe that we will contend for the conference title and have great play on both sides of the ball .” Look for Earle to make the playoffs and finish in the upper half of the conference .

Compliments of

Kiech-Shauver Miller Gin

Company

Monette , AR 870-486-5415

Riverside Medical Clinic

803 Hwy . 18 Lake City , Ar 72437 870-237-1055

Dr . Kristi Price , M . D . Go Rebels !