Sept . 1 – at Manila Sept . 8- at Walnut Ridge Sept . 15 - Osceola Sept . 22 – Clarendon Sept . 29 – at McCrory Oct . 6 – at Cross county Oct . 13 – Earle Oct . 20 – at Marianna Oct . 27 – Des Arc Nov . 3 – Marked Tree
The East Poinsett County Warriors rode a 10-3 record all the way to the 2A State Semifinals last season , and are one of the favorites to raise the state championship trophy in War Memorial come December . To do so , Coach Brandon Powell and his squad will have to navigate arguably the toughest 2A conference in the state with multiple teams that can make a run . Leading the way is the state ’ s record holder for rushing yards Dennis Gaines . The all-state senior running back rushed for 3,232 yards and 44 touchdowns last season and will be the first option in the Warriors ’ spread attack . Gaines holds an offer from Central Arkansas while posting the nation ’ s 4th best rushing yardage last year . Senior Cooper Argo looks to move to quarterback after playing wide receiver last season , and junior slot receiver Tyrus Real may take some snaps as well . Gaines ’ younger brother Jacob Gaines will back up his older brother at running back as a sophomore , along with junior Tristan Lard and fellow sophomore Dee Buchanan . Through the air , EPC will have several options led by seniors Omar McCuiston and Hunter Kimbrell . McCuiston is a matchup nightmare as he showed in the playoffs , and should have plenty of opportunities as opposing defenses load the box to stop the run game . Senior tight end Tyler Moore can block and catch while sophomore Lane Dirlam will see time there as well . Up front , the offensive line will be young but talented . Senior Michael Collins is back to lead the o-line at left guard along with fellow senior Moises Penaloza at center . Sophomores Doug Reel , Bari Shepard , and Cayden Kimbrell will be thrown into the fire quickly , while senior Landon Nichols will provide some experience at tackle . Along with leading the state in rushing , Dennis Gaines will lead the Warrior defense after recording 121 tackles lining up at different positions all over the field . Tyler Moore , who had 54 tackles last year , will join Gaines at linebacker , as will junior Zane Spencer and sophomore Lane Dirlam . Up front several of the offensive line guys will flip sides to the defensive line including Michael Collins who had 77 tackles a year ago . Penaloza had 53 tackles and will line up with Doug Reel , Kimbrell , Black , Buchanan , Shepard , and Nichols up front . In the secondary , Omar McCuiston ( 54 tackles ) will create a no-fly zone with Argo ( 42 tackles ), and Tyrus Reel ( 27 tackles ). Junior Ladainian Hillis will also rotate in with Kimbrell , Jacob Gaines , Lard , and Devin Magee . Expectations are sky high in the Lepanto and Tyronza area , but Coach Powell and the EPC Warriors are ready to take on all comers . They will have a tough road in the brutal 2A-2 , but look for East Poinsett County to be at the top of the conference battling for a title , and make a run at a 2A state championship come December .
Aug . 25 – at Salem Sept . 1 – Helena Sept . 8 – Corning Sept . 22 – at Des Arc Sept . 29 – at Marked Tree Oct . 6 – Marianna Oct . 13 – at EPC Oct . 20 – McCrory Oct . 27 – Clarendon Nov . 3- at Cross County
Coach A . C . Coleman has developed a motto for his Earle Bulldogs for the upcoming football season , “ Small in number , but BIG in talent .” The Bulldogs finished in a four-way tie for second last year , beat a number one seed in the opening round , and advanced to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs . They will once again have a roster full of speed and talent and will look to make another run to a conference championship in the loaded 2A-2 conference . Senior wide receiver and Vanderbilt commit , Joseph McVay , returns after a stellar season catching for 1,563 yards and 25 touchdowns . The All-State selection will be at the top of the list of explosive offensive threats for sophomore quarterback Taron Hurst . Hurst takes the reins of the spread offense after his older brother , and three-year starter , Tyrome Hurst III , graduated . Taron is a gamer , as well , leading the junior high to a conference championship . Earle graduated several receivers from last season , but reloaded with a number of talented underclassmen . McVay will be joined by juniors Keonte Harris and Jalen Robinson , as well as sophomores Derrick Lately , Jr . and Clifton Wren . Senior Javeion Scott ( 6 ’ 5 ”, 280 ) will lead the charge up front on the offensive line . The ground game will be just as explosive with Brian Powell , Jr . and Cameron Smith returning to the back field . Coach Coleman likes to refer to these two as a “ Thunder and Lightning ” backfield with Smith laying the wood and Powell , Jr . slashing and dashing . Coach Coleman feels his defense will be young after the loss of several contributors from a year ago , but likes the speed and talent he will have . Look for McVay at linebacker and Smith at defensive end to make plays on the defensive side of the ball . Sophomore , Zavion Maples , takes over the kicking duties for Earle and possesses a big leg that can consistently put the ball in the endzone . The Bulldogs have a tough schedule within a tough conference , but Coach Coleman and his staff are expecting to be right there at the end with his explosive and exciting team . Look for Earle to battle for the conference title and make another run in the postseason .