Koby Wilbanks

SCHOOL Ozark POSITION Quarterback / safety CLASS Senior HEIGHT 6-1 WEIGHT 175 FIND ME ON X @ k _ wilbanks13 THE DIGITS Earned all-state honors in his first year starting at quarterback rushing 212 times for 1,917 yards and 27 touchdowns. He completed 81 of 139 passes for 1,232 yards and 27 touchdowns. Wilbanks also had 44 tackles and 4 interceptions. FAVORITE CLASS Chemistry FAVORITE PREGAME MEAL Chicken strips I LISTEN TO Bryson Taylor and Travis Scott because I like R & B. But country too with Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan I BINGE WATCH“ Suits,”“ The Flash,”“ The Green Arrow,”“ Outer Banks” and“ Stranger Things.” I’ M TERRIFIED OF spiders I WOULD NEVER, EVER Put pineapple on a pizza I DRIVE A white 2012 Chevy truck MY HERO IS My dad, Jason. He means everything to me. He made me who I am today. I wouldn’ t be here without him honestly. He is probably my No. 1 fan. WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS Friends and family. It just brings everyone together with a strong bond that you’ ve never had before. I love that. IN 10 YEARS I WILL Hopefully be in the NFL. That is my biggest dream since I was in the 3rd grade.

Landon Martin Elkins File Photo

HAROLD MCILVAIN II SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

ELKINS— The landscape atop the loaded 4A-1 Conference has without question shifted in recent years. Elkins’ rise to becoming not only the best 4A team in the area, but one of the best in the entire state, happens to be the reason why.

Two years ago, the Elks were a breakout team winning just their third league title at the time since 1993. Elkins, as the hunted team, last year showed it was here to stay with another conference crown and a school record 13-win season. The only blemish was a loss to eventual 4A champion Harding Academy in the state tournament semifinals.

Don’ t consider Elkins satisfied. The Elks, under fourth-year coach Zach Watson and with some new faces in key positions, now look to continue building their team into not just an emerging program but a budding dynasty.

“ Kind of our big messagewhich I got from Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions, is that it just takes more,” Watson said.“ That’ s our motto this year. It’ s going to take more film study, more time in the weight room and more time on the small details to get us over the hump. Our guys have bought into that. If we can live up to that, we have a chance to get to Little Rock and finish that thing out the way we want.” Elkins will greatly miss many players from last year’ s team, including all-state

quarterback Dizzy Dean( 2,575 passing yards and 34 touchdowns) and all-state running back Da’ Shawn Chairs( 1,790 yards and 42 touchdowns). But Elkins now seeks to reload at those spots.

Senior quarterback Landon Neal entered fall camp with a lead at the position. He showed his playmaking abilities on the defensive side last year, finishing with a team-high 10 sacks. Fellow senior JaQuae Walden looks to step up at running back. He had just 18 carries last year, but seven of them went for touchdowns. Walden, too, flashed his athleticism on defense with 86 tackles, 22

See Elks, Page 28

The new degree of comfort ®