2022 Football Preview | Page 77

The Southside Southerners finished 9-3 last season with big wins over Lonoke and Star City . Southside found a great deal of success at the 4A level but growth in the district propels the Southerners up a classification where they will play in class 5A and be pitted in the 5A East against rival Batesville . The team loses their starting quarterback along with seven other offensive starters . Brian Reardon moved back home to Newport taking their head coaching vacancy . Therefore , Kenny Simpson will reclaim the head coaching job at Southside . Seth Case returns as the team ’ s top skill player . He amassed over 300 yards receiving and rushing in 2021 . Isaac Wallace will look to lead the team on defense as he collected 15 sacks . Savion Hall also returns . He had five interceptions last year . Coach Simpson likes his chances running the football . They will run the gun-t offense . Defensively , the Southerners will lineup in the 3- 4 . They return seven starters so Coach Simpson will rely heavily on his team ’ s defense until the offense can find an identity . Southside also brings back one of best punters in the state in Blayne Warden while returning last year ’ s starting kicker . It ’ s really an unknown in regard to how Southside will handle their move into the 5A East . The matchup against Batesville is an intriguing one , but there is a far bigger picture . Can they compete in the 5A East on a weekly basis ? NEA Sports believes that they can although it may take some time to adjust . Look for Southside to finish in the middle of the pack but miss the playoffs .

The Batesville Pioneers were once considered a top team to win the 5A East but it has been five seasons since

Aug . 26 Searcy Sept . 2 at Maumelle Sept . 9 Harrison Sept . 23 Nettleton Sept . 30 at Paragould Oct . 7 Forrest City Oct . 14 at Wynne Oct . 21 Brookland Oct . 28 at Southside Nov . 4 Valley View that last occurred . Three out of their last four seasons has resulted in a losing record and Batesville comes off their worst season in recent memory finishing 3-7 . Long time coach Dave King moved over to be the school ’ s athletic director . Ryan Morrow takes over as the new head coach . Morrow has kept the majority of his coaching staff intact while continuing to keep things very familiar on offense and defense . Rhett McDonald will return as the team ’ s quarterback . He has filled in for senior Jay Storlie over the last two seasons who has been plagued by knee injuries . Gabe Witt will be the team ’ s top tailback . He has top notch speed and ran for over 600 yards last year . He will be supported by a very solid offensive line which Coach Morrow views as the Pioneers strength . Batesville will play the 3-4 on defense . Coach Morrow also likes what they have on the d-line . The Pioneers will look to win games based on the battle in the trenches . Coach Morrow does have concerns about some of his inexperienced players at skill positions . Batesville will look to turn things around . NEA Sports believes they will battle for the final playoff spot finishing fourth in the 5A East .

Aug . 26 Pocahontas Sept . 2 at Bald Knob Sept . 9 at Heber Springs Sept . 23 Forrest City Sept . 30 at Wynne Oct . 7 Brookland Oct . 14 Nettleton Oct . 21 at Valley View Oct . 28 Batesville Nov . 4 at Paragould