Sept . 6 – at Mtn . Grove Sept . 13 – Riverview Sept . 27 – Gosnell Oct . 4 – at Trumann Oct 11 .– Blytheville Oct . 18-at Southside Oct . 25 – Cave City Nov 1 .– at Westside Nov 7 .– Pocahontas
The Highland Rebels and Coach Sterling Stowers are looking to get back to the playoffs and advance even further this season . The Rebels finished 7-4 last season , and with a heartbreaking loss to Monticello in the first round , they are motivated to make a deeper run this time around . Coach Stowers says his team strengths are their team speed and returning experience , while they are looking for depth at some positions . Keagan Statler is a key returner on both sides of the ball . Statler rushed for over 1,600 yards in the Rebel spread attack , and with all five lineman returning up front , look for Statler to have another big season . Kalei Tokanang , Ayden Garner , Hunter Christy , Kolby Bushey all return up front along with Hayden Smith and Jerry Hinrichs . Zac Huckabee is a two-time All-Conference quarterback who can move the ball in different ways . Huckabee is a dual threat quarterback who threw for nine touchdowns and ran for eight . Surprisingly , Huckabee will move over to play wide receiver where Coach Stowers looks for him to have a spectular season . Sophomore Austin Christy will move over to man QB1 duties . Christy is dubbed as a very athletic , smart kid . He ’ s coachable and can make plays with his feet when needed . Jimmy Jensen ( could see time at quarterback ), Ronnie Brewer , and Trent Sulinger add to the receiving core , along with tight end Wade Munroe . Defensively , Highland will be in a base 3-4 look where Statler provided over 70 tackles last season . Tokanang had 63 tackles a year ago with 19 of those being for loss . Outside linebacker Wyatt Jason and defensive back Brewer also return after All-Conference seasons in 2023 . Jensen will hope to expand his role after 18 tackles in the last two games of the year . Senior Aiden Daggatt will line up at nose guard , with Tokanang and Raymond Demison flanking him on the defensive line . Bobby Cooper , Hayden Hyslip , and Cole Boyer will all help in the secondary . With so much returning talent , look for the Highland Rebels to battle at the top of the 4A-3 conference and be a tough out come playoff time .
Sept . 13 – at Cross County Sept . 20 - Mountain View Sept . 27 - Newport Oct . 4 – Harrisburg Oct . 11 – at Walnut Ridge Oct . 18 – at Hoxie Oct . 25 – Manila Nov . 1 – Osceola Nov . 8 – at Rivercrest
Aug . 30 – at GCT Sept . 6 – at Rivercrest Sept . 13 – Osceola Sept . 27 – at Highland Oct . 4 – Pocahontas Sept . 11 – Trumann Oct . 18 – at Blytheville Oct . 25 – Southside Nov 1- – at Cave City Nov . 7 – Westside
The Piggott Mohawks are looking to turn things around after an 0-9 finish last season . Coach Clinton Haley is looking for his guys to compete every week . “ After a few down years we are hoping to get Mohawk football back on the right track ,” Coach Haley said . “ We are looking to compete week in and week out in our non-conference and conference matchups .” The Mohawks have some returning experience in their power spread attack . All-Conference senior William Lucas returns as the team ’ s leading rusher and receiver last season . Lucas will be looked to do it all again in the run and pass game . Junior Ben Latimer will return for his third stint as the starting quarterback . Coach Haley is looking for Latimer to increase his completion percentage . Senior Ozzy Garcia and sophomore Dagan Frerking will get several touches out of the backfield and provide leadership on both sides of the ball . Seniors Kenyan Littrell and Landon Gilbee will lead the line up front , which will be vital to open up holes and protect the quarterback . Littrell and Gilbee will also be up front on the defensive line . Littrell was the team leader in sacks a year ago . Frerking returns at strong safety after leading the team in tackles last season . Garcia will also be at safety to bolster the defense and will also handle the kicking duties , while Lucas will handle the punting . Piggott will need that senior leadership and experience in the new look 3A-3 with so many traditional powers . Coach Haley is hoping to put up a couple of wins and maybe even surprise some folks with his team this season . Look for the Mohawks to battle each and every Friday night and get over the hump with a win or two .
The Gosnell Pirates finished last season 6-4 and fell just a few points short of making the postseason . That left a bitter taste in head coach Lewis Earnest ’ s team , and they have worked all offseason to get back to where they belong . With several starters returning from last year , the Pirates are one of the favorites to claim the crown in the 4A-3 conference . One place Coach Earnest is having to search for a replacement is quarterback . Junior Chase Perkins and sophomore Jamar Allen have both worked out at QB1 and could both see some snaps . One area the Pirates are not worried about is a deep stable of running backs . Junior Kylan Young returns after running for 264 yards and five touchdowns last season . Senior Daniel Smith will be thunder to Young ’ s lightening . Smith caught 10 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver last year and should line up at receiver some as well . Sophomores Marcus Anderson , Jr and JD Young each reached 1,000 yards in junior high and could make an immediate impact for the Gosnell spread offense . Coach Earnest has no shortage of weapons at receiver either . Junior Jai Jacobs
caught 29 passes for 393 yards and five touchdowns , and even played quarterback , rushing 53 times for 352 yards and nine touchdowns . Jacobs ’ versatility will be used all over the field as Coach Earnest could line him up anywhere at any time . Seniors Steven McDay and Percy Wright are veteran receivers that have started several games , while junior Imari Young provides depth . Up front , senior Riley Grisham returns for his fourth season starting at left guard . Classmate Conner Watson is also expected to start for his fourth year straight . Junior Colin Holmes and Hunter King , and sophomores Isaisis Guerrero and Thomas Reddick round out the offensive line . Junior Hunter Riggs will return at tight end as a blocker and pass catching threat . Defensively , Gosnell returns nine starters and should be tough to move the ball against . It starts up front with seniors Kaden Reed and Payton Stegall , and juniors Asairias Gonzalez and James Spier . The linebacking corps will be a tough group to handle . Senior Vanterrues Lucas led the team with 110 tackles and two interceptions earning All- State honors . Perkins started there some last season and could contribute , while fellow junior Anthony Wright has experience as well . In the secondary , Jacobs will start at corner with junior Isaiah Donnerson , while Imari Young , McDay , and Anderson could rotate at safety . On special teams , Oskar Pena will handle the kicking duties . The 4A-3 will once again prove to be a tough conference , but the Pirates are ready for Friday night lights . NEA Sports predicts that Gosnell will battle near the top and earn a trip back to the playoffs .