Aug. 29 – Mtn. View Sept. 5 – at ICC Sept12-at Melbourne Sept. 26 – at Blytheville Oct. 3 – Southside Oct. 10 – at Pocahontas Oct. 17 – at Westside Oct. 24- Highland Oct 31.– at Gosnell Nov. 7- Trumann
The Cave City Cavemen made the move to 8-Man football at the end of the summer, which has provided a new excitement inside the program. Coach Tommy Cody takes over as the head Caveman. Junior Dawson Johnson worked at quarterback in the spring while Junior Crocket was coming off shoulder surgery. Crocket could start at receiver with Aydin Barnett and Kamden Malensek. Nic Lopez will start in the backfield, but could move anywhere on the field to create room for his playmaking abilities. Tristan Wyles led the team in rushing a season ago and will be full strength after an injury this spring. Dakota Barnett anchors the offensive line at center while John Lewellen, Carlino Bahena, and Max Trego will all join him up front. Defensively, Lewellen is the nose guard with Trego and Bahena up front. Kaleb Johns leads the linebackers with Cole Wilson and Bradley Howerton. Lopez makes plays at safety with Crockett while Johnson and Barnett round out the secondary. It will be a new, exciting season in Cave City with new opponent s, new traditions, and new goals. Look for some exciting football coming from the Cavemen.
The Marked Tree Indians entered 2024 with high hopes but unfortunate injuries cost them a chance at having a great season finishing 6-5. The Indians lose a ton of players from a very talented group and with that will come some growing pains.“ We did lose a lot,” told Head Coach Waylon Dunn.“ We lost a lot offensively and defensively. We got other kids and it is their turn to step up and make a name for themselves. We hope to have a good season and make the playoffs.” Offensively there are questions marks for the Indians but there’ s optimism.“ From an offensive standpoint we have a new quarterback, and we have had a three year starter. We are trying to figure out who is going to fit in where. We have a couple of kids working at quarterback for us. One is PJ Powell. He has started for us since the 7 th grade. He’ s a good athlete. He can throw a touchdown to win the game or throw an interception, and you’ d never know which one happened because he’ s a very even keeled kid. Chance Duke is a move in. He’ s a senior with good poise and a good arm. They are both going to play, and we fill good about that position.” Jayvon Harris and Deangelo Risso will see time running the ball. Harris earned
Aug. 29 – at Newport Sept. 5 – Manila Sept. 12 – Gurdon Sept. 26 – Lee Oct. 3 – Earle Oct. 10- Des Arc Oct. 17 – at McCrory Oct. 24 – at ICC Oct 31. – Cross County Nov. 6 – at EPC
some carries last year while Risso moves up from the junior high squad. A trio of juniors will primarily be catching most of the passes. They include: Jaiden Andrew, DJ Stacy, and Brayden Ivey. Andrews is likely to be the top target.“ We fill good about our skill position kids. We have three starters back on the offensive line.” Lyric Watson moves from center to TE. Juniors Christian Revelle and Kaden Sullivan will start at guard. Jakoriuos Anderson( 6’ 4 260) will be the anchor on the o-line playing tackle.“ We have got to get better defensively, and we were not good at that last year,” exclaimed Dunn.“ We have to get better. We aren’ t going to know until we get the pads on and that’ s our concentration area.” Anderson will play on the defensive line. Senior Peyton Willoughby played linebacker last season. He is a bit undersized but he plays with tremendous heart. The blue collar veteran will look to lead a young and inexperienced group.“ As far as where we fit in, the conference is tough. I mean you got EPC who is two time defending state runner-up with Cross County and Earle that’ s going to be very good. Des Arc has a tradition that’ s always going to be good. It’ s a dog fight every night and you can’ t beat yourself with turnovers and penalties.” NEA Sports projects the Indians to make the playoffs and battle at the top half of the conference behind EPC and Cross County battling Earle and Des Arc for playoff positioning.
Aug 29- Thayer, MO Sept. 5 – Brookland Sept. 12 – at Riverview Sept. 26 – at Gosnell Oct. 3 – Trumann Oct 10.– at Blytheville Oct. 17-- Southside Oct. 24 – at Cave City Oct 31.– Westside Nov 7.– at Pocahontas
The Highland Rebels didn’ t just knock on the door in 2024— they nearly kicked it in. A 9-2 record and a 6-1 mark in the brutally competitive 3-4A conference proved that Head Coach Sterling Stowers has his alma mater trending toward championship territory. Now entering his third season at the helm, Stowers believes his squad has the weapons to finish the job. The Rebels’ spread offense is pure Stowers— fast-paced, explosive, and loaded with playmakers. All-State star Jimmy Jensen headlines the attack after a season in which he scored 12 total touchdowns, proving equally dangerous as a receiver( 372 yards, 4 TDs) and runner( 192 yards, 8 TDs). Triggering the offense is steady All-Conference quarterback Austin Christy, who threw for over 1,000 yards and 11 scores last season. On the other side of the ball, Highland’ s 3-3 stack defense is designed to keep offenses guessing, and it’ s anchored by returning All-Conference standouts Lexxon Johnson( 56 tackles) at outside linebacker and Reymond Demison on the defensive line. Throw in All-Conference wideout Nate Huckabee( 388 yards, 3 TDs), and this roster is stacked with game-changers on both sides of the ball. In the always-tough 3-4A, every week is a battle, but two dates are circled in red: the rematch with Southside, the Rebels’ only conference loss in 2024, and the regular-season finale against archrival Pocahontas. Those games could decide the league crown— and the coveted No. 1 playoff seed. With veteran leadership, offensive firepower, and a defense built to disrupt, the Rebels are set to make Friday nights in Highland a must-see event this fall. Look for the Rebels to finish at the very top with a chance at a conference title.