Aug . 25 – at Pocahontas Sept . 1 – Bald Knob Sept . 8- Heber Springs Sept . 22 – at Forrest City Sept . 29 – Wynne Oct . 6 – at Brookland Oct . 13 – a Nettleton Oct . 20 – Valley View Oct . 27 – at Batesville Nov . 3 – Paragould
Most teams face growing pains when moving up classifications in football , but the Southside Southerners were up to the task last year finishing 6-4 and 4-3 in the physical 5A East . Coach Kenny Simpson ’ s squad just missed the playoffs in their first year in 5A and hope to break through to the postseason with the help of several returning starters . Southside returns seven starters in the shotgun wing T offensive system . Savion Hall started the last three games at quarterback last season . The uber athletic Hall was a state champion high jumper and 400 runner , and poses a dual threat to opposing defenses averaging over 100 yards passing and over 100 yards running in each of those three games . Isaac Wallis is another good athlete that is being heavily recruited and holds an offer from Division 1 Eastern Kentucky University . Seth Case returns after a 1,000 yard season , rushing for 1,099 yards at an outstanding 9.1 yards a carry . Tate Hedden anchors the offensive line along with 6 ’ 6 ” tight end Jaylen Jennings . Junior Lewis Calhoun returns as the team ’ s second leading rusher a year ago . The Southerner defense was the league leader in points allowed a season ago and return key pieces up front . The entire defensive line in the 3-4 set returns . Wallis had 15 sacks and seven interceptions a year ago and junior Andrew Plummer returns after recording over 90 tackles at linebacker . Fellow junior Chris Robinson is also back after an 80 plus tackle season . Coach Simpson says this defense has even more speed and talent than a year ago . All returners and deep snappers return to the Southerner special teams , and they will look to sophomore soccer players Braden Simpson and Joel Busby to replace one of the top kickers and punters from last season . Coach Simpson and company believe they have some unfinished business after losing so many close games and losing out on the playoffs due to a points tiebreaker . “ We feel we left a lot on the table last year . A lot of the offseason has focused on how we can turn ‘ right there ’ into a win .” Southside will battle for the 3-4 spot in the 5A East and will make a strong push at making the playoffs . UPDATE : Right before we went to print , it was confirmed that Batesville running back Gabe Witt is now a Southerner . This addition could elevate Southside to a conference title contender .
After a brief hiatus from playoff football , the Batesville Pioneers got back to their traditional playoff ways last season . Coach Ryan Morrow ’ s Pioneers reached the postseason and finished the season 8-4 in a deep and balanced 5A East . Nothing will change this year , as the 5A East will once again be tough , and the Batesville Pioneers will be
Aug . 25 – at Searcy in the mix . Coach Morrow has a stable of skill guys but will need an unproven offensive line to gain Sept . 1 – Maumelle quick experience throughout the season . Experience isn ’ t an issue on defense with three linebackers Sept . 8 – at Harrison returning with 100 tackles or more a year ago . Mike Townsley finished last season with 160 tackles , Sept . 22 – at Nettleton while Conner Foree and Beau Baxter had 100 tackles each . Foree was also the Pioneers leading receiver on offense Sept . 29 – Paragould with 400 yards receiving and four touchdowns . Ty Fairchild also returns on the defensive side of the ball for Batesville . Oct . 6 – at Forrest city
Offensively , the Pioneers will feature a group of running backs in their pro-style offense . Gabe Witt was to return as
Oct . 13 – Wynne Oct . 20 – at Brookland the leading rusher from a year ago rushing for almost 900 yards and 10 touchdowns . Unfortunately , he is no longer on the team . That leaves Townsley , sophomore Owen McLaughlin , and Damian Nelson will also get touches out of the
Oct . 27 – Southside backfield . Jace Jeffery should factor in with some touches on offense as well . Senior Riley Gregg will be the team ’ s Nov . 3 – at Valley View quarterback for the upcoming season . Batesville returns junior place kicker Aldo Gallardo and adds sophomore Jackson Elam on special teams . Both kickers can hit field goals from beyond 40 yards and give Batesville options on the kickoff . With experience and playmakers back on defense , it should be difficult for opposing offenses to put up points , and if the new look offensive line can grow quickly , there are enough playmakers on offense to put up points . NEA Sports believes Batesville will be tough on defense but sees several questions marks on the offensive side of the ball . They could be on the outside looking in as far as making the postseason .