Aug . 30 – Melbourne Sept . 6 – at Westside Sept . 13 – at Paragould Sept . 27 - Osceola Oct . 4- Manila Oct . 11 – at Rivercrest Oct . 18 – Piggott Oct . 25 – Harrisburg Nov . 1- – at Newport Nov . 8 – at Walnut Ridge
The 3A-3 has a new look with traditional powers up and down the schedule . Walnut Ridge , Rivercrest , Osceola , and Newport are monster programs and right in the mix again will be the Hoxie Mustangs . Coach Tom Sears ’ squad finished 11-1 last season and won the conference for the fourth time in five years . The Mustang season came to a heartbreaking end with a 14-13 loss to Mansfield in the 3A state quarterfinals . The 3A-3 could very well be the toughest in the state , but Coach Sears and his guys have the same high expectations they set for themselves every season . The Hoxie spread attack will once again be hard to stop as Coach Sears tabs his offensive line and backfield as its strength . The entire offensive line returns after leading the offense to 4,360 total yards last season . Braxton Richardson , Stanley Boggs , Spencer McDougal , PJ Forehand , and Topher Nicholas will set the tone up front for the Mustangs . They will look to open up holes for Prechton Wilkerson who scored 10 touchdowns last season . Wilkerson has been touted by other coaches in Northeast Arkansas as one of the top running backs in the state . They will also look to protect Dillon Guthrie who takes over at quarterback this season . Guthrie is a dual threat quarterback who has gotten stronger in the weight room in preparation for his senior season . A new core of receivers will look to make an impact this season . Robert Martinez , Aiden Rodney , Dylan Barnhill , and Dalen Barnhill all look to haul in passes from Guthrie . Defensively , Hoxie ’ s 5-2 base will strong up front . Richardson ( 36 tackles ) and Boggs ( 18 tackles ) lead the charge up front at the defensive tackles . Mack Slaughter ( 34 tackles ) and Wilkerson ( 28 tackles , 3 INTs ) return at linebacker , while Mattox Glenn will step into a linebacker role this season . Coach Sears is high on his guys . “ We are excited about the teams ’ dedication and accountability to making themselves better ,” he said . “ The 3A-3 will be tough with traditional football programs with very good coaches . We expect to be in the mix .” NEA Sports predicts just that ; the Hoxie Mustangs will be in the mix for a conference title and a playoff berth .
After finishing the regular season at 6-4 , the Blytheville Chickasaws fell in the first round of the playoffs to Ashdown . Second year coach Jett Howard likes his group and is gearing his team up to make another run at the postseason . “ Our ultimate goal is to win a championship , and that doesn ' t happen without winning our small battles throughout the season ,” Coach Howard said . “ Attention to detail is key for us . We have a great senior class full of guys with experience on both the offensive and defensive side .” Leading the returners is dual threat quarterback Jonatavious Johnson . The senior QB passed for 1,030 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and ran for 525 yards , scoring six touchdowns . He will lead the Chickasaw spread attack with a new offensive coordinator . “ We hired a new offensive coordinator which brought a bit of a learning curve but the players have managed well ,” Howard explained . The leading returning rusher from a stable of great running backs is junior Courtney Rogers who rushed for 428 yards and 11 touchdowns . Senior Calvin Daniels
Aug . 30 – Mills Sept . 13- at Nettleton Sept . 27 - at Cave City Oct . 4 – Westside Oct . 11 – at Highland Oct . 18 – Gosnell Oct . 25 – at Trumann Nov . 1 – at Pocahontas Nov . 8 – Southside
and sophomore Jatavion Wilson should factor in the rush attack as well . Seniors Derick King and Eugene Williams lead the receiving corps along with Nadarious Wilson who had two touchdown receptions last season . Jamarion Johnson and Elijah Rogers could line up anywhere on the field , while Chris Hatcher and Jarious Stewart could be at fullback or tight end . Up front , seniors Tyler Whittle and Tyrone Davis join juniors Darius Rogers and Nate King on the offensive line . Defensively , Stewart returns at defensive end , along with King , Rogers , and Whittle up front . Hatcher is back at linebacker where he earned All-Conference honors with 130 tackles last season . Rogers had 56 tackles at outside linebacker last season , while seniors Ahrusumme McChristian and Kenadre Newman could rotate in , as well . King is everywhere in the secondary , along with Williams and Wilson at the corners . Senior Terrian Handy and Johnson help at safety . Blytheville has plenty of experience left , and if they are able to build some depth up front , will be tough to beat . Look for Blytheville to battle in the top half of the balanced 4A-3 and earn a playoff spot come November .