Coach Austin Jarrett takes over at Harrisburg in hopes of turning things around after a 2-8 season a year ago . Not only is the staff new , but many of the Hornets that will step on the field will have seen limited time in their career . Coach Jarrett will look to spread the ball round in a spread offense that is anchored by its seniors on the offensive line . Senior tight end Mark Gabbie will join fellow seniors Jordan Turner , Colton Harris , and Trey Blackwood leading the Harrisburg attack up front . Coach Jarrett and his staff are trying to create a more physical mindset on defense , so they have focused on sound , fundamental play since taking over . Senior Ethan Chambers and Junior defensive backs Andrew England and Evan Henley will
Aug . 25 – Cross County Sept . 8 – at P-Wheatley Sept . 15 – Manila Sept . 22 – at Blytheville Sept . 29 – Rivercrest Oct . 6 – at Pocahontas Oct . 13 – at Westside Oct . 20 – Highland Oct . 27 – at Gosnell Nov . 3 – Trumann
look to lead the Hornet defense this season . England had 65 tackles a year ago , and Gabbie had 40 playing both sides of the ball . Conner Henderson will be spotted all over the field this season , playing a little bit of everything for the Hornets , making plays wherever he can . Coach Jarrett has high expectations for his team and is looking to change the mentality of his program . “ We have high expectations . We are expecting to go blow for blow with the big boys and be in the game in the 4th quarter . That ’ s the mentality we have to have ,” he said . In the highly competitive 4A-3 conference , the Hornets will have to have that mindset to improve and have shot at the postseason .
There is plenty of buzz about the Trumann Wildcats this season . After earning a playoff berth a year ago , finishing 5-6 , and returning several key pieces , many are saying watch out for the Wildcats . Gunner Cook takes over as head coach for Trumann , and he has a lot of experience and some talented underclassmen to rely on . Leading the way are four returning offensive lineman , Evan Shrout , Justin Price , Thomas Chavarria , and Brody McDaniel . They will be the catalyst in the Wildcat power spread offense which sees Jake Osment take over at quarterback . Osment had 450 yards and four touchdowns in a backup role last season . Osment also returns to a very experienced defense where he recorded 48 tackles a year ago . All-conference selection Gavin Greenwell also returns to both sides of the ball . Greenwell led the team with 81 tackles at safety , while also being one of the featured receivers on offense . Cade Hatton is back after catching passes for 671 yards and seven touchdowns out of the slot position last season . Hatton also had 59 tackles in the defensive backfield . Coda Cameron will also return at receiver and defensive back , while Tony Postell will take over at running back and return at linebacker . Gavin Cubit will join Postell in the backfield at the fullback position . Leading the defense up front will be Carson Smith and Efrain Garcia who will see time at tight end . Garcia will also handle the kicking duties on special teams , where Coach Cook hopes to utilize a talented group of sophomores . The task of navigating the 4A-3 conference can be daunting , especially this season , but look for the Trumann Wildcats to be right in the mix , battling for another playoff berth .
Aug . 25 – Hoxie Sept . 8 – at Manila Sept . 15 – Newport Sept . 22 – Westside Sept . 29 – at Hi ghland Oct . 6 – Gosnell Oct . 13 – Pocahontas Oct . 20 – at Blytheville Oct . 27 – Rivercrest Nov . 3 – at Harrisburg
The Gosnell Pirates rode an 8-2 record into the playoffs last year and with a talented group of returners , Coach Lewis Earnest hopes to compete for a conference championship and make a deep run in the postseason . To do so , the Pirates will have to replace 14 graduates , including nine on the defensive side of the ball . The Gosnell defense will be young , but Coach Ernest hopes to see them grow as the year goes . The sophomore class is very talented coming off an undefeated junior high season , so look for that growth to be at a rapid pace . Highly recruited senior Cam Phillips leads the way on both sides of the ball . On defense , Phillips roams the secondary for Gosnell and has garnered lots of attention from some of the biggest college programs in the country . On offense , he is a dynamic receiver , who can put points on the board whenever he touches the ball . Fellow Seniors Carson Tally and Trey Guy look to lead a young but talented defense for the Pirates . Tally returns at linebacker , while Guy will be up front at nose tackle . On offense , Phillips leads an explosive group of receivers in the Gosnell spread offense . Chad Stewart , Jai Jacobs , Steven McDay , and Imar Young along with Cam Phillips could pose a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses . Javonte Williams will
Aug . 25 – at Piggott Sept . 1 – Brookland Sept . 8 – at Osceola Sept . 22 – Highland Sept . 29 – at Pocahontas Oct . 6 – at Trumann Oct . 13 – Blytheville Oct . 20 – at Rivercrest Oct . 27 – Harrisburg Nov . 3 – Westside lead the line up front on the strong side at tackle . Sebastian Lara will take over kicking duties this year for the Pirates . The 4A-3 is always tough , but this season , it is exceptionally strong . That has not changed Coach Ernest and his staff ’ s outlooks . “ Our expectation is to win the conference , and we know that is going to be tough . We have good numbers and a lot of depth this year . We have worked harder this summer than we have ever worked , and we have pushed them harder than we have ever pushed them , so I think we will see a good product on the field ,” Coach Ernest said . The 4A-3 maybe the deepest conference in the state , and NEA Sports predicts the Gosnell Pirates to be right in middle of the conference race .