Aug . 29 – Poplar Bluff Sept . 6- Searcy Sept . 13- at West Memphis Sept . 27- Paragould Oct . 4 – at Harding Academy Oct . 11 – Wynne Oct . 18 – at Brookland Oct . 25 – GCT Nov . 1 – Nettleton Nov . 8 at Batesville
The Valley View Blazers are looking to once again defend the 5A East title after winning their fourth conference championship in six years last season . The league has strengthened even more this year with addition of 4A State Champion Harding Academy and the return of Greene County Tech , but Coach Sean Cockrell loves his team speed and leadership and believes in this group in blue . The Blazers finished 10-2 last season , falling to state runner-up Shiloh Christian in the 5A State quarterfinals . With the loss of several key pieces to graduation , some of the returners will have to step up into bigger or different roles this year . Senior Drew Gartman was an All-State receiver before his season ended with a collarbone injury , but the Arkansas State baseball commit will take over the offense at quarterback . Gartman has taken several snaps as the backup over the last two seasons and has shown flashes of speed and accuracy . The shortstop has a killer arm and has the ability to fire the football all over Central Dealerships Stadium . Now , he will be QB1 with several weapons around him . Senior running back Anthony Feliz returns after 656 yards and four touchdowns last season . He has great speed and can break one at any time . Junior Peyton Hicks and Sophomore Carter Wallace will also get some touches out of the backfield . Senior Andrew Jones is back as a main target for Gartman . Jones had 22 catches for 395 yards and five touchdowns last year in an injury riddled season . Now , healthy , Jones looks to be a big playmaker for the Blazers . Senior Tripp Dale will see time at receiver , as will junior Parker King , who played some receiver last year , but will play a more prominent role this season . Up front , senior Daniel Cole anchors the offensive line joined by Jacob Wewers , Talon Caldwell , Hudson Rogers , Houston Walker and Judd Miles in rotation . Defensively , Valley View lost several key parts to the league ’ s stingiest defense . Junior Noah Wendell is one of the top returners at defensive end . Wendell had 23 tackles last season and will look to make an impact up front . Payton Thomason , Holden Murphree , Everett Thomas , and Lamar Morgan will rotate up front . All-State linebacker Jade Taylor made big play after big play a season ago . Taylor had 51 tackles ( 10 for a loss ), two fumble recoveries , an interception , and three blocked punts . Senior Nick Gammill is a leader on defense and can play many positions . Ryder Routledge , Ryland McNamee , and Ryan Mitchell will rotate in at linebacker as well . All-Conference cornerback Rylan Ramsey had 45 tackles and five interceptions last season , and shows big play capabilities . Senior safety Laird Cullen is back as a three year starter earning All-Conference with 38 tackles , four interceptions , and nine pass deflections as a junior . Jaiden Rhodes , Gavin Estes , Luke Crecelius , Daniel Richardson , and Ricky Moffett could all be in the secondary at any point . Senior Brody Dix will handle the kicking duties after a perfect year of extra points and Mitchell will handle punting duties . Coach Cockrell said that overall this is the fastest team he has had , but still has some inexperience in positions . A tough non-conference schedule should prepare those guys for the 5A East . The Valley View Blazers should once again be at the top battling for a conference title with hopes of making a deep playoff run .
The Paragould Rams are looking to build on last year ’ s season under second year head coach Randy Phillips . The Rams finished 2-8 in the always tough 5A East , but had several close games during the season and are hoping to get over the hump in some of those games this time around . Coach Phillips will rely on good running backs and key returners on the offensive line in the Rams single wing offensive attack . “ It is predicated on a physical style play that also utilizes misdirection ,” Phillips said . “ We have three really good backs and a good group of backups .” Cole Chipman leads that stable of backs after eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards last season . Mikey Pekrul is also back after rushing for over 500 yards , and Coach Phillips predicts both backs to surpass 1,000 yards this year . Lucas Hardin , Zach Freeman , Michael Lawrence , Asher Worsham , and Cash Wiggington will be a vital part of the rushing attack up front . On the defensive side , the Rams will use a 4-2-5 scheme with increased speed and strength . Sophomore Rayton Ysawa has emerged as a solid middle linebacker , while fellow sophomores Jarrett Ray and Van Cox will also look to contribute . Aiden Chipman returns to handle the kicking duties , with Ysawa backing him up . With key pieces returning and a few new faces making contributions , Coach Phillips and the Paragould Rams are looking to compete for a playoff berth . NEA Sports predicts they will battle for that fourth spot out of the 5A East .
Aug . 30 – Manila Sept . 7 – at Kennett Sept . 13 – Hoxie Sept . 27 – at Valley View Oct . 4 – Batesville Oct . 11 – at Nettleton Oct . 18 – at Harding Academy Oct . 25 – Wynne Nov . 1 – at Brookland Nov . 8 – GCT