2022 Football Preview | Page 72

Coach Randy Phillips and the Trumann Wildcats put together a solid 2021 football season going 8-4 last year . Coach Phillips will look to take a step further this year . The Wildcats had key victories last year against Westside , Gosnell and Rivercrest . He will have to replace some key players in Rian King , Seth Evett , Dawson Shuburte , and Hunter Holladay . King was a top threat for Trumann and will be tough to replace . You got to like what the Wildcats have returning . Murphy Williams returns at tailback as he went 1095 yards rushing and 1106 yards passing . Eli Evett returns as one of the fullbacks . He went for 544 yards rushing . Gavin Morgan returns from injury last year and will add big plays to the team ’ s offense . Parks McNair returns at wide receiver . He had 496 yards receiving last year and made some huge catches all season long . Gavin Greenwell will play wide receiver along with Parks . Jake Osment returns at cornerback where he had a pick 6 against Rivercrest to seal the game last season . He will also get reps at tailback . Justin Price has emerged as a tough , hardworking lineman per Coach Phillips . They are looking to him for some big things . Evan Shrout returns as the squads strongest Wildcat . “ He almost benches a midsized car and squats a small house ,” said Phillips . Jamison Barnhill returns at inside linebacker . “ He works hard and is fearless !” Cade Hatton returns at corner , but will play a lot at wingback on offense . Payton Callahan returns at h-back on offense where he did a tremendous job last year . The Wildcats run the single wing offense which is called the wicked wing down at Trumann . They are strong at the skill positions but Coach Phillips has concerns about the team ’ s offensive line . Defensively the Wildcats will run a 4-2- 5 . “ Last year we did a good job on defense making in-game adjustments . Our key players include : Jamison Barnhill who was top three last year in tackles , Eli Evett top three last year in tackles , along with Cade Hatton and Jake Osment at corners . Keagan Overshine will return and will contribute a lot at inside linebacker . Efrain Garcia returns as our kicker . He did a great job in 2021 . We will have good speed on all special teams . We have a tough non-conference schedule that will tell us a lot about our team . I expect us to compete for a playoff position .” Games are won in the trenches so that could be a concern since there ’ s a lack of experience on both lines . With that being said , Trumann will still be a solid team and will make the playoffs .

The Harrisburg Hornets went 5-6 in 2021 . They regressed a bit from the season prior . They also lose several key seniors to graduation . It has been an unusual offseason for the Hornets . Long time coach Aaron Thornton took over as athletic director at Greene County Tech . Assistant coach Gunnar Wilbanks was named head coach , but he ended up departing to be the defensive coordinator

Aug . 26 at Cross County Sept . 9 Palestine Wheatley Sept . 16 . at Manila Sept . 23 Blytheville Sept . 30 at Rivercrest Oct . 7 Pocahontas Oct . 14 Westside Oct . 21 at Highland Oct . 28 Gosnell Nov . 4 at Trumann

Aug . 26 at Hoxie Sept . 9 Manila Sept . 16 . at Newport Sept . 23 Westside Sept . 30 Highland Oct . 7 at Gosnell Oct . 14 at Pocahontas Oct . 21 Blytheville Oct . 28 at Rivercrest Nov . 4 Harrisburg

at Valley View . That left the Harrisburg administration looking once again for a head coach . Darrick Ware , a Texas native , was hired . Ware served as a head coach in the lone star state . Coach Ware will look several returning players to help lead the team to multiple victories . Two receivers with experience return in Noah Brooks ( 16 catches 170 yards 1 TD ) and Grant Henry ( 22 catches 291 yards 2 TDs ). Other key returning players include : Khalil Todd , Jimmy Johnson , Trey Davis , and Trey Blackwood . Offensively , Coach Ware will implement a new offensive scheme . “ The team is learned a new offensive scheme ,” told Ware . “ We are spread with the ability to both throw and run the ball . Sophomore Eastin Gray , will likely be the starting QB .” Coach Ware will have the team lineup in a 3-4 on defense . “ Untarius Tate and Trey Davis have demonstrated great speed and will likely make a big impact as kick off returners .” Harrisburg has lots of questions marks going into the season with the coaching carousel and a loss of several players . In addition , the Hornets move up to class 4A which could add to the additional questions marks in 2022 . It ’ s hard to peg where Harrisburg will finish . The Hornets could finish in the middle of the pack in the 4A-3 .