2022 Football Preview | Page 60

The Blytheville Chickasaws once again endure another offseason head coaching change , but for the sake of familiarity , Coach Ben Fisher returns to lead the Chicks . 2021 was forgettable as Blytheville finished 2-8 . They lose a pair of key Chickasaws in Tyler Landry and Tru Walker . The Chicks return two key seniors in RB Ingram Battles and OL Wills Gullic ( 6 ’ 6 300 ). Two other key players that Coach Fisher will need big things from are Travis Luster and Tim Brown . Blytheville will run out of the spread on offense . Fisher believes the team ’ s strength includes what he has at running back to compliment the four returning offensive linemen . He has concerns due to lack of depth along with inexperience at quarterback and wide receiver . On defense , the Chickasaws will play out of a 4-3 formation . Fisher likes the speed and physicality on that side of the ball but worries about inexperience in the secondary and once again a lack of depth . Blytheville also looks to replace an all-conference kicker and punter and the door is presently wide open for those positions . “ We have a lot of growing to do as a team ,” said Fisher . “ If we can do what we are coached to do and take care of things in our control , we will be successful .” NEA Sports projects the Chickasaws to miss the playoffs .

The Rivercrest Colts have a rich tradition of winning . That is not going to change in 2022 as the Colts will be right at the top of their conference and looking to make another run in the state playoffs . Rivercrest finished 8-3 last season . They

Sept . 2 @ Manila Sept . 9 Valley View Sept . 23 @ Pocahontas Sept . 30 Harrisburg Oct . 7 @ Westside Oct . 14 Highland Oct . 21 @ Gosnell Oct . 28 Trumann Nov . 4 @ Blytheville

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

lose Octavio Chirinos on the line along with key skill players in Lath Lathom , Clay Burks , Michael Sharp , Tray Jones , and Brandyn Brownlees . Coach Johnny Fleming will look to guys such as senior G / DT Trent Kimbrough , senior RB Jayden Stovall who they hope is back to full strength , senior RB TJ Scott , senior WR Austin Elrod , senior WR / CB Kevin Morris , junior RB / LB Marcus Slayton , junior Kobi Turner , junior QB / S Michael Rainer , junior WR / DE Wyatt Lancaster , and senior DT Tristen Turner ( 6 ’ 2 , 357 ). The Colts will play from the spread with emphasis on running the ball . “ We think we can throw the ball too ,” explained Coach Fleming . “ Strengths are the skill people and speed . Concerns are offensive and defensive line . Michael Rainer had over 800 yards receiving . Trent Kimbrough had around 50 tackles from his defensive nose position . Marcus Slayton is at linebacker , and Jayden Stovall has as good of a speed as anyone in the state . TJ Scott can play any position in the secondary .” Defensively the team will play out of the 5-2 with options to change depending on the team they are playing . Lancaster will handle the punting duties . Josh Johnson and Slayton will battle for the extra point and field goal duties . “ We have a tough non-conference schedule that will hopefully get us prepared for our conference schedule . Just like every season , we have high expectations . We expect to battle for a championship and go deep in the playoffs .” NEA Sports projects the Colts to finish second in the conference while making a nice run in the playoffs .

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