Aug . 25 – at Rector Sept . 1 – Cross County Sept . 8- at Cutter M . Star Sept . 15 - Rector Sept . 22 – Marshall Sept . 29 – at Cedar Ridge Oct . 6 – at Mountain View Oct . 13 – Rose Bud
The Corning Bobcats will make the move to 8 man football this upcoming season . Coach Farrell Shelton and the administration began looking at making the change last year , and started talking to parents , alumni , and other coaches in the division , who Coach Shelton said were more than helpful in answering any questions they had . Coach said they did not make the change based on winning , but rather based on what was best for the players and one group they talked to a lot were this team ’ s seniors . Senior wide receiver and defensive back , Jason Liau , is credited with given the answer that set the tone in the transition . Coach Shelton said Liau told him , “ Coach , whether it ’ s 8-man or 11-man , I ’ m showing up to play football .” That has been the attitude , and the Bobcats are ready to take on this new adventure . Most players will play on both sides of the ball with Seth Smith and Colben Pettus both getting some snaps at quarterback and linebacker . Joining Liau at receiver will be Isiah Howell and Jakob Cox . Howell will play linebacker on defense , and Cox will be in the defensive backfield . Hayden Cox and Josh Jansen should get some touches in the gap offensive run scheme of the Bobcats . Cox will play on the defensive line as well , as Jansen will be in the secondary . Seth Green and Rodney Rapert see time at tight end and linebacker , while Peyton Cartwright , Carter Williams , Danny Watson , Carson Dowdy , and Ethan Guthrie will man the offensive line . Dowdy , Williams , and Watson will join Hayden Cox on the defensive line while Green , Cartwright , and Guthrie will play linebacker . Coach Shelton will try to utilize the team ’ s best speed on defense , by showing a 2 man front on the line utilizing linebackers and defensive backs behind them . With new challenges comes new opportunities , and the blue-collar attitude of the Corning Bobcats hope to capitalize on this new opportunity .
Aug . 25 – at Newport Sept . 1 – Blytheville Sept . 8 – Gosnell Sept . 15 – at EPC Sept . 29 – at Piggott Oct . 6 – Palestine-Wheatley Oct . 20 – at Walnut Ridge Oct . 27 – at Hoxie Nov . 3 – Manila
The Osceola Seminoles finished 8-4 and won the 3-3A conference a year ago , and Coach Jamie Carter and his tribe are poised for another run at a league title . To do so , the Noles will have to replace some key performers on both sides of the ball . If tradition holds true , Osceola typically doesn ’ t rebuild , they just reload . One big position looking for someone to step up is at quarterback . Sophomores M . J . Washington and Tyler Bell will compete for the job this upcoming season . Both youngsters have strong arms and can run to provide dual threat options for the Osceola offense . In either case , the quarterback will have multiple weapons at their disposal . Junior tailback Jeremiah Jacobs will be the first option out of the backfield after splitting carries a year ago . Jacobs will provide speed and agility , while junior Zion Simpson will provide a more physical runner at tailback . All-Conference wide receiver Keenan Jackson caught 42 passes for 725 yards and 11 touchdowns last year and is looking to provide even more explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball . Jackson is being heavily recruited back several schools including Buffalo , UAB , Liberty , and UAPB . Sophomore A . J . Brown along with juniors Aidan Haymon and Jerry Long will provide the quarterback several options , while sophomore Will Spencer can catch out of the tight end position . Up front , junior center Keviss Love anchors a solid offensive line with senior Jakaveon Washington returning at guard to provide lanes and protection . Junior Donavan Littleton can move at right tackle , and sophomore Kyran Mitchell will see some time on the line . Defensively , Osceola is led by junior nose guard Harris Mannings . Mannings is quite possibly the Seminoles ’ strongest and most explosive player , and he will be joined by Love , Washington , Littleton , Spencer , and Mitchell on the big , athletic defensive front . Several more players will play both ways including Jacobs and Washington at linebacker , and Brown , Bell , and Hayomon in the secondary . With only six teams in the 3A-3 this year , Coach Carter has an extra non-conference game to get his team ready for a run at another conference title and deep run in the playoffs . NEA Sports predicts the Seminoles to be at the top of the conference battling for another title .