Aug . 30 – at Paragould Sept . 6 – Marked Tree Sept . 20- EPC Sept . 27 - Walnut Ridge Oct . 4 – at Hoxie Oct . 11 – at Harrisburg Oct . 18 – Newport Oct . 25 – at Piggott Nov 1 – Rivercrest Nov . 8- Osceola
The Manila Lions finished 3-8 last season and fell in the first round of the playoffs at Junction City . Head coach Ben Fisher is excited with the progress his team is making in his second season . “ We should be better with it being year two in the system , but our conference got a lot tougher with the addition of Rivercrest , Newport , and Harrisburg along with the traditional top teams in Hoxie , Walnut Ridge , and Osceola , and an improved Piggott team ,” Fisher said . Junior Isaac Moore returns at quarterback where he threw for over 1200 yards as a sophomore . Moore is an athletic runner who throws the ball in the Lions spread attack . Four of the five starters return on the offensive line , which should be a strength for Manila . Seniors Chase Spencer , Landon Harris , and Byron Kisner all return up front along with juniors Kaleb Burmingham and Clayton Hawkins . Senior Matthew Walker will get a lot of carries at running back , with K . D . Tipton backing him up . Several receivers could be targets for Moore . Trey Platz , Hudson Harrison , Brody Morris , Luke Roberts , and Blade Platz could all rotate in . The Lions return their two leading tacklers from last year on defense . Dawson Howard recorded 121 tackles , while Tipton had 112 from the linebacker ’ s position along with Chris Storey . They will line up behind Kisner Harris , Birmingham , and Spencer on the defensive line . Morris will start at free safety with Dakota Miles , Jordan Miller , and Harrison all in the secondary . The Lions have an uphill climb to claim the final playoff spot in the tough 3A-3 Conference .
The Rivercrest Colts lived up to all the hype last season finishing 12-3 and 4A State Runner-up . The Colts will reclassify back to 3A , but it won ’ t be easy for the red and gray in the 3A-3 . Arguably the state ’ s toughest conference will line up some of the traditional powers . However , with several key pieces returning from last year ’ s run to the Rock , Coach Johnny Flemming and company should be one of the favorites to return to the title game . “ We will be young on the line offensively ,” Fleming said . “ If they are able to come along and progress , we have a chance to have a good ball team . We have plenty of skills guys and will be able to put them out in space and go . It will be a little bit of a rebuilding year but this team has a very high ceiling .” Senior Cavonta Washington returns to run the offense for a third season . Washington passed for 2,081 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 359 yards and four touchdowns . Washington will have an arsenal of weapons at his disposal . Junior Tekylum Sanders looks to expand his role at running back , along with classmate Naeem Ranier . At receiver , seniors Michael Facson and Keiran
Sept . 6 – Gosnell Sept . 13 – EPC Sept . 20 – at Forrest City Sept . 27 – at Harrisburg Oct . 4- – at Newport Oct . 11 – Hoxie Oct . 18 – Walnut Ridge Oct . 25 – at Osceola Nov . 1 – at Manila Nov . 8 – Piggott
Morris will factor in the offense , as will junior Buddah Harris who pulled down 43 passes for 691 yards and six touchdowns last season . Jakavion Williams returns in the slot to add yet another target in the Colts power spread . Williams had 17 catches for 262 yards and four touchdowns . Seniors Nolan Williams and Andrew Lomack look to add some experience to a young and inexperienced offensive line . There is no shortage of experience on the defensive side of the ball , as Rivercrest returns several starters . Lomack brings experience up front at nose guard , with Cleveland , Sanders , Ralph , and Noah Adams lining up with him . Sanders returns at linebacker after recording 82 tackles last season . Morris also returns , and he and Sanders should form a dynamic duo . The secondary should be a strength for the Colt defense . Safeties Young and Morris return after posting big numbers last year . Young had 70 tackles , five interceptions , and scored four touchdowns from the defensive side . Morris added 57 tackles and three interceptions . Williams will handle the punting duties , while Hunter Ellis , Joe Louis , or Washington could all kick . Mike Facon and Sanders will be dangerous returners for opponents as will Young and Morris fielding punts . With so many weapons returning , look for the boys from south Mississippi County to handle it well and make a run to the top of the 3A-3 and possibly back to the championship game .