Sept . 1 – at Osceola Sept . 8- Nettleton Sept . 15 - Riverview Sept . 22 – Harrisburg Sept . 29 – at Westside Oct . 6 – Highland Oct . 13 – at Gosnell Oct . 20 – Trumann Oct . 27 – Pocahontas Nov . 3 – at Rivercrest
The 4A-3 conference may be one the deepest and most talented in the state , but with an experienced defense back and possibly the state ’ s best one-two punch at running back , the Blytheville Chickasaws aren ’ t afraid of the competition . Jett Howard will take over as head coach for Blytheville , who finished last season with a 5-6 record and a first-round loss to Warren in the playoffs . Coach Howard hopes with so much talent , speed , and experience returning , the Chicks can make a run at a conference title , and a deep postseason run . “ This season we are looking to set a foundation for the Chickasaw program that we can build upon in the future seasons to come . I won ' t sugar coat it , we expect to win every game ,” Coach Howard said . “ I believe that is the mindset that we need to have to be successful , knowing that the game is the culmination of the off season and summer workouts . We pour a lot of time and energy into those things . I believe we have a great coaching staff and a great group of players that all have a desire to be successful , and with that being said we ' re planning on winning a championship .” Tim Brown , Jr . and Ingram Battles will be a dynamic duo opposing teams are tasked to contain . The two running backs combined for almost 2,500 yards a year ago , with Brown rushing for almost 1,500 yards and Battles running for just shy of 1,000 . The two will once again be the feature in the Chickasaw spread offense which should cause opposing defenses matchup nightmares with its speed . On the defensive side of the ball , All- Conference linebacker Chris Hatcher and defensive back Tyrin Walker lead the way for a group who returns several players who took snaps last year . Hatcher had over 100 tackles last season and has developed into a vocal leader on the Blytheville sideline . Walker is a versatile back who can play corner or safety and make plays all over the field . Derick King is a player Coach Howard said has developed a lot , and they look for him to be a playmaker on both sides of the ball . NEA Sports predicts the Blytheville Chickasaws to be in the 4A-3 title picture and make some noise in the playoffs .
The Nettleton Raiders finished 7-4 a season ago and earned another playoff berth in the Steven Hampton era . The Raiders hope to add a talented group of sophomores with some key returners to once again reach the postseason , and possibly return to the top of the 5A East . Leading the way for Nettleton is all-everything Curtez Smith . The senior All-State athlete had 63 catches for just under 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns and 89 carries for 500 yards and 10 touchdowns . As one of the most explosive players in the state , Smith can do it at receiver , running back , and at quarterback as well . Smith will also be a threat returning kicks and punts , so don ' t blink when he is on the field . Junior quarterback Maddox Hampton also returns after an all-conference sophomore season . Hampton threw for 1,870 yards and 22 touchdowns and looks to top that with numerous weapons at his disposal
in the Raider spread offense . Quordarius Thompson is another all-conference player returning at wide receiver after catching 50 passes for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago . Coach Hampton loves his depth at the skill positions , but is looking for more depth on the offensive line . Zach Davis and Garrett Campbell return to lead the Raiders up front along with Ian Landrum , Jerry Huggins , and Clark Phillips . Nettleton will have tremendous speed on the defensive side of the ball . Junior defensive end Keon Stallings will lead the defensive line up front with Jemarcus Johnson and Kayden Newson on the inside . Junior Kohen Ligons returns at linebacker after a solid sophomore season , along with Kylan Shelton at outside linebacker who battled some injuries a season ago . Tyler Craig will step in at the inside linebacker position for the Raiders this upcoming season . The Raider secondary has a chance to be explosive with several returners and several talented sophomores patrolling the defensive backfield . Don ’ t be surprised to see Curtez Smith patrolling the field at safety making plays as well . Mason Walhn will
Aug . 25 – Mountain Home Sept . 1 – Pocahontas Sept . 8 – at Blytheville Sept . 15 – Bye Sept . 22 – Batesville Sept . 29 – at Brookland Oct . 6 – at Paragould Oct . 13 – Southside Oct . 20 – at Forrest City Oct . 27 – Valley View Nov . 3 – at Wynne
take over kicking duties , and Clark Phillips will return as deep snapper for the special teams . With so many returners and an athletic group of sophomores who went undefeated in winning the conference title , Coach Hampton and his staff are looking forward to what they can accomplish this season .
Sept . 1 – Joe T Robinson Sept . 8 – at Lonoke Sept . 15 – at Stuttgart Sept . 22 – Southside Sept . 29 – at Valley View Oct . 6 – Batesville Oct . 13 – at Paragould Oct . 20 – Nettleton Oct . 27 – Wynne Nov . 3 – at Brookland
The Forrest City Mustangs struggled through a 1-9 season a year ago , but Coach Ronald Lewis feels this season will be better . “ I believe this season will be better than the last . Teaching on the fly last year presented its challenges . Having an off-season and being able to slow down has helped our program tremendously . I fully expect us to be fighting for a playoff berth week 10 ,” Coach Lewis said . Having several returning starters should help the Mustangs better navigate the tough 5A East . Dakwon Scott and Dalyn Washington both return after taking snaps at quarterback last year . Scott threw for 610 yards and ran for 115 yards while Washington stepped in and threw for 485 yards . Montreal Matthews is back at running back after rushing for 375 yards while Roshawd Washington at wide receiver after catching 30 passes for 495 yards . Willie Fowler and Kylin Daniels return up front on the offensive line . On defense , Jamontay Flenoy returns at linebacker after recording 72 tackles and three sacks . Joshua Patillo leads the defensive line as a defensive end after having 64 tackles and three sacks last season . Devin Brown ( 25 tackles , 1 sack ) and Tamarian Burks ( 20 tackles ) will join Patillo up front while William Graham ( 45 tackles ) joins Flenoy at linebacker . Nehemia Stone will lead the Forrest City secondary where he had 21 tackles and two interceptions last season . With an offseason under his belt , Coach Lewis hopes that a better understanding of his system will lead to more wins and a playoff berth .