Aug . 30 – at EPC Sept . 6 – Trumann Sept . 13- at Earle Sept . 27 - at Manila Oct . 4 – at Osceola Oct . 11 – Piggott Oct . 18 – at Rivercrest Nov . 1 – Harrisburg Nov . 8 – Hoxie
The Walnut Ridge Bobcats have their sights set high in 2024 . Even in one of the state ’ s toughest conferences , Coach Jeff Blake and company are looking for a conference crown and a deep playoff run . The 3A-3 added 4A State Runner-up Rivercrest and traditional power Newport along with former 4A-3 school Harrisburg to an already top loaded conference . Even so , the Bobcats are ready to show what they can do under the Friday Night Lights . Last season they finished 8-4 as their season ended in a 63-50 shootout with Junction City . Walnut Ridge returns all of their offensive production from last year along with several key lineman . All-State running back Enrique Perez leads the way after rushing for 1,694 yards and 16 touchdowns last season . Junior Jersie Cunningham returns at quarterback , where he threw for 307 yards , rushed for 889 yards and accounted for 16 total touchdowns in the Bobcat single wing . Jayden Saulsbury and Jaxton Brady will give Walnut Ridge a solid duo at fullback . All-State senior Collin Andrews is one of the top offensive linemen
in the state and will be the lead in many of the Bobcat running plays . Seniors Aaron Fellow and Jonathan Hughes along with juniors Eli Sharum and Brogan Tate complete the offensive line , a staple in the Walnut Ridge rushing attack . Defensively , the Bobcats return their top two tacklers from a year ago . Senior Gunner Thielemier led the team with 113 tackles in only eight games at middle linebacker . Tate had 71 tackles for second on the team up front on the defensive line . He will be joined by senior River Hancock , Andrews , Hughes , and Sherum on a dominant defensive front . TJ Owens will handle the kicking duties , along with Christian Gonzalez . With the tough schedule , Coach Blake and Walnut Ridge feel like it will prepare them for the playoffs , where they hope to make a run to Little Rock . NEA Sports predicts the Walnut Ridge Bobcats will battle at the top of the brutal 3A-3 with the chance to win a conference title and be a team with a chance to make it to Little Rock .
Aug . 30 – at Marked Tree Sept . 6 – Batesville Sept . 13 – Salem Sept . 27 – at Piggott Oct . 4 – Rivercrest Oct . 11 – at Osceola Oct . 18 – at Manila Oct . 25 – Walnut Ridge Nov . 1 – Hoxie Nov . 8 – at Harrisburg
The Newport Greyhounds bring their tradition rich history over to the 3A-3 with several other traditionally power programs . Coach Brian Reardon begins his third season with the most experienced group he has had . Ten starters return on each side of the ball from a team that finished 6-6 last season and made it to the second weekend of the playoffs . That experience should prove beneficial for Coach Reardon ’ s Hounds . “ We were very young last year ,” he said . “ This year we are returning 20 starters . We are looking forward to the challenges of moving into a new conference that may be considered the best 3A conference .” Junior Luke Reynolds will handle most of the quarterback duties after starting seven games last season . Reynolds took over when Demetric Denton was injured , but Denton could be utilized in some Wildcat formations . Denton will line up as a receiver , and be a dynamic weapon for the Greyhounds . Senior Tonio Phillips returns at running back after a strong finish to 2023 . Classmate Kiandrea Baker was All-State as a sophomore , but moved last year before returning for his senior season . The Penn State commit is fast and smooth , but can also run you over . Sophomores Taylor Crite and Destin Jackson add depth to an already deep roster . Senior Markeey Collins and juniors Nemo Crite and Dayrin Braxton join Denton at receiver , while senior Antonio Ross starts at tight end . Up front , senior Tyler Ridley is garnering a lot of attention at tackle , with junior Carson Austin at the other tackle . Senior Lucas Salinas will be at center , while senior Hakeem Doss and junior Jay Grady will line up as the two guards . Defensively , Newport is just as experienced . Zantrell Hardaway starts it up front at nose guard . Ridley and senior Zylen Ross line up at the defensive tackles , with Antonio Ross on the end . Jack Sampson is a senior All-Conference linebacker that led the returners with 110 tackles last season . Fellow senior Khalil Johnson will play outside linebacker with sophomore Trey Henderson and junior Hunter Scoggins providing depth . The secondary should be fast and flying around . Phillips returns for the third year at safety , with Denton playing the other safety position . Ian Murphy , Luke Simpson , and Jataelyn Crite will provide depth in the defensive backfield . Collins will start at corner as Jayden Robinson , Nemo Crite , and Braxton rotate in . Sophomore Destin Jackson will handle the kicking duties for Coach Reardon . With so much experience and talent returning , the Newport Greyhounds should have a ton of confidence even in such a stacked conference . NEA Sports predicts that the Hounds will battle for that conference title and make a good run in the playoffs .
Brett McMillon , Agent Lic . # 128676
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