Aug. 29 – EPC Sept. 5 – at Trumann Sept. 12- Earle Sept. 26- Manila Oct. 3 – Osceola Oct. 10 – at Piggott Oct. 17 – Rivercrest Oct 31 – at Harrisburg Nov. 7 – at Hoxie
The Walnut Ridge Bobcats finished 7-4 last season losing to Rison in the first round of the state playoffs. The Bobcats lost several key players including SAU signee Collin Andrews and all-state running back Enrique Perez. They do return multiple players that should have a good season in the state’ s toughest conference.“ We are ready to get started,” stated Walnut Ridge Head Coach Jeff Blake.“ We have had great 7 on 7’ s, great camps and just a great summer so we are hungry and ready to go.” One of the key pieces returning is quarterback Jersie Cunningham. Cunningham runs first and passes second as he passed for over 400 yards but ran for 1052 over 181 carries and seven touchdowns. Jersie expects to have a big season while helping to teach his younger teammates the game. Junior Jace Blake started last season at receiver. He suffered a season ending injury around the middle portion of the year. He moves over to the running back position. Riley Richey will serve as the team’ s top receiving target. Senior Brogan Tate received all-state honors last year. He will be the team’ s top blocker looking to open up holes for Jeff Blake’ s plethora of speedy athletes. From a defensive standpoint Defensive Coordinator Jason Ward returns a top talent in 6’ 4 275 lb junior Trevor Augustine as he will play defensive end when he’ s not catching passes at tight end on offense. Tate will play the other end. The Bobcats lack experience at defensive tackle. Aden Jones will play outside linebacker. Carter Morse will play middle linebacker as he racked up 35 tackles across six games last year. Black will roam at free safety. Coach Blake will have to rely on youth at corner which could be problematic at least early on. The Bobcats are still going to be dangerous. They have the offensive firepower the hang with anyone and will look to control the clock still primarily running the football. There are concerns on defense as they gave up a lot of points last season. The team has averaged eight wins the last three seasons. Can they take the next step? NEA Sports projects them to make the playoffs and be a sleeper pick to do even bigger things.
The Newport Greyhounds are built for speed, power, and points— and they plan to unleash all three in 2025. After finishing 9-3 overall and 5-2 in the brutal 3-3A conference, Head Coach Brian Reardon returns with a roster capable of taking the next step toward a deep postseason run. All eyes will be on returning All-State quarterback Luke Reynolds, one of the most dynamic dual-threats in the state. Last year, Reynolds threw for 1,544 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 698 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground. His ability to extend plays and finish drives makes him the engine of Newport’ s explosive offense. The Greyhounds’ attack averaged 46.3 points per game in 2024 under offensive coordinator Josh Austin, and the pieces are in place to keep the fireworks flying. Wideouts Semaj Morgan and Dayrin Braxton bring big-play ability on the perimeter, while a huge boost comes from transfer running back Trey Greer out of Riverview, who adds another weapon to an already
Aug. 29 – Marked Tree Sept. 5 – at Batesville Sept. 12 – at Salem Sept. 26 – Piggott Oct. 3 – at Rivercrest Oct. 10 – Osceola Oct. 17 – Manila Oct. 24 – at Walnut Ridge Oct 31 – at Hoxie Nov. 7 – Harrisburg
loaded backfield. Up front, veteran linemen Jay Grady and Carmello Ellis provide the size and grit to let the Greyhounds’ playmakers shine. Defensively, coordinator Kole Carpenter’ s 3-3 stack scheme returns with confidence and experience, led by linebacker Destin Jackson, a hard-hitting anchor in the middle. The road won’ t be easy. Back-to-back midseason showdowns with defending league champ Osceola and perennial contender Rivercrest will likely determine whether Newport can rise to the top of the 3-3A. With Reynolds leading a high-octane offense and a defense eager to prove itself, the Greyhounds have the bite to back up the bark in 2025— and could make serious noise when November rolls around. Look for the Greyhounds to finish at the top of the conference and have a shot to make a run to Little Rock.
The Blytheville Chickasaws are turning the page in 2025, bringing in veteran head coach Rod Stinson to restore tradition and toughness to the program. After a 3-7 season a year ago, Stinson knows the first step is building culture and consistency with a roster that will be super young— only six Sep 5 – at Osceola seniors return. Leadership will come from those seniors, especially Courtney Rogers Sept. 12- Nettleton( RB / LB, 6’ 1, 190), a powerful runner with a relentless motor who picked up an Arkansas Tech offer this summer. In the trenches, Nate King( OL / DL, 6’ 0, 270) returns
Sept. 26- Cave City Oct. 3 – at Westside Oct. 10 – Highland as a steady two-way force and emotional leader, while Darius Roger( OL / DL, 5’ 10, Oct. 17 – at Gosnell
240) brings toughness to the offensive front and adds depth defensively after a
Oct. 24 – Trumann strong offseason. Offensively, Blytheville will line up in the Wing-T, using its depth Oct 31 – Pocahontas at the skill positions to spread the workload and keep defenses guessing. Defensively, the Chickasaws will Nov. 7 – at Southside roll out a 4-2-5, built around depth and rotation up front where the D-line is expected to be the unit’ s strength. Stinson’ s arrival brings credibility and proven experience, and though the Chickasaws’ youth will be tested early, the pieces are in place to grow quickly. The new staff is focused on establishing discipline and work ethic, and with underclassmen already buying in, Blytheville looks ready to fight its way back into the 4A conversation. The Chickasaws may be young, but with a veteran coach at the helm and a core of tough, talented seniors, 2025 could be the year Blytheville lays the foundation for a major turnaround.