2024 NEA Sports Magazine Football Preview 2024 NEA Sports Magazine Football Preview | Page 60

Aug . 30 – at Mtn . View Sept . 6- ICC Sept . 13 - Melbourne Sept . 27 – Blytheville Oct . 4 – at Southside Oct . 11 – Pocahontas Oct . 18 – Westside Oct .. 25- at Highland Nov . 1 - Gosnell Nov . 8 - at Trumann
The Cave City Cavemen endured an 0-10 season a year ago and now make the jump up to the 4A-3 conference . For Coach Danny Brustrom , there is some excitement with the return of every starter besides the kicker . With so much experience returning , Coach Brustrom and company are looking for a quick turnaround and a berth in the playoffs . Senior running back Shawn Walling is back after an All- Conference season a year ago . Coach Brustrom describes Walling as a strong , downhill runner who rushed for 755 yards and six touchdowns . Walling will follow an experienced o-line led by senior Gage Huff who returns after offseason shoulder surgery . Joining Huff up front are classmates Adrian Finney , Keagan Covin , and Jaxon Colvin . They are a vital part of the Caveman Wing T . Seniors Levi Jones and Clayton Walling could both see snaps at QB , and Cave City could show multiple looks with the Single Wing and some Gun T . Defensively , the Cavemen will switch to a 3-4 base with the depth they have at the skill positions . All 11 starters return along with an athletic group of sophomores who will look to contribute . Senior Chris Robinson leads the way defensively at defensive end . Robinson had an All-Conference season with 50 tackles ( 10 for a loss ) and five sacks . Walling comes off the other end of the line with Trenton Casey , Carson Steven , Huff , and Keagan Covin . John Lewellan , Brock Smith , James Cox , and Cameron Doyle make up the linebacking corps , while Clayton Walling and Aydin Barnett lead the secondary . Cave City will have to replace four year starter Millie Beller at kicker .. Coach Brustrum is excited to compete with his team . “ We are going to compete for a playoff spot . We believe some people are going to be surprised by the product we put on the field .” Coach Brustrom and the Cavemen could surprise some people in the 4A-3 this season .
The Marked Tree Indians were one win away from the state championship game before eventual state champion Bigelow ended their season at 10-3 . Coach Waylon Dunn and company are as hungry as ever to get back there and punch their ticket to Little Rock . It won ’ t be easy , as the 2A- 2 is once again balanced and deep . The Indians will be one of the favorites with seven starters returning on each side of the ball . Senior Kenyon Carter leads the way at quarterback after passing for 2,400 yards and 37 touchdowns last season . One of his favorite targets , fellow senior JJ Risper is also back . Risper had 800 yards receiving last season and hauled in 14 touchdown passes . TJ Hodges returns after rushing for 1,700 yards last season and scoring 29 touchdowns . Tate Swink , Thompson Smith , Javion Harris , and Brayden West will provide depth at running back , while Devon Smith , Ledarrius Brown , Landon Lewis , and JaK ’ aymion Williams make up the receiving corps with Risper . Ryan Wages earned All-State at guard last season . He will be joined up front by Payton Willoughby , Jakorious Anderson , Gavin Teague , Deshawn Hopkins , and Christian Revelle . Defensively ,
Aug . 30 – Newport Sept . 6 – at Manila Sept . 13 – at Gurdon Sept . 27 – at Lee Oct . 4 – at Earle Oct . 11 - at Des Arc Oct . 18 – McCrory Oct . 25 – ICC Nov . 1 – at Cross County Nov . 7 – EPC
Wages returns up front as well where he recorded 105 tackles last season . Jonah Walker will be at linebacker where he had 98 tackles a year ago . Swink was another stingy linebacker with 95 tackles , while Risper and Willoughby will make their presence felt . Williams and Lewis make it tough for opposing quarterbacks to find open targets . Williams had five INTs at cornerback last season , Lewis had five at safety , two of which he returned for touchdowns . Dajuan Smith will line up at the other safety , and several others could rotate at corner to complete the secondary . Swink will punt for the Indians , Risper will deep snap , and Williams and Anderson will handle kickoffs . Coach Dunn knows what lies ahead for his Tribe , but he knows how successful they could be . “ We will try to win a conference championship , make the playoffs , and stay healthy in an ultra-competitive conference ,” he said . Look for the Marked Tree Indians to be at the top when it ’ s all said and done and make a run to the Rock .