since I’ ve been here, I wouldn’ t want to have to gameplan against him when he is at quarterback. He is special there when he touches the ball every play.”

Gentry, too, is under new leadership with first-year Coach Tyler Clark, but continuity was retained with him. He was the offensive coordinator last season when the Pioneers extended their playoff streak to seven seasons in a row.

Talan Williams showed his big-play abilities at the quarterback position with a 400-yard passing game last year and returns to trigger the offense. Williams and Gentry now push for a playoff win after seven firstround exits.

“ It’ s always good to have some continuity with our kids,” Clark said.“ It’ s always easier when you know the kids and they know you. You have that relationship built. Getting a playoff win would be a big deal for us.

Our previous head coach, Justin Bigham, deserves a ton of credit. He did a great job turning the program around. Now I feel like it’ s on the current staff to build on that and see if we can’ t get to the next level.”

Outside of 2020, Green Forest last made the playoffs in 2014. The Tigers hope this is their year with fullback Ridge Gordon- Swofford leading the way. Last year’ s 4-6 season was the most wins in a season since 2013.

“ We feel the momentum from last season,” Green Forest Coach Greg Tibbitt said.“ Our numbers are up with 55 kids on the roster, which is the biggest in our history. We are proud of last season. We have a lot of guys back. We have some expectations. We want to be a lot better this year.”

Berryville( 3-7) is coming off its most wins since 2019 and looks to continue that

momentum, while Huntsville( 0-10) seeks to get back in the win column and build its tradition.

4A-4 Conference

Ozark departs the 4A-1 and is now in the 4A-4 looking to continue its success under Coach Jeremie Burns as the conference favorites. The Hillbillies have achieved seven or more wins and made the playoffs in each of the past eight seasons. Ozark also has finished second or better in their conference in the past six years.

The Hillbillies will again be guided by Koby Wilbanks, who emerged as a star in his first year starting at quarterback.

“ Opponents have to scheme him up and try to stop him,” Burns said.“ That’ s where we start with our offense. I’ ve heard a few coaches say they are already scheming him up for this year. We’ ll have to find a few

new wrinkles. But we know he is going to have another good season.”

Lamar looks to contend with senior quarterback Caleb Green triggering a spread offense now. The Warriors look to open up the playbook after at times over the years not throwing more than three passes in a game.

“ Caleb gives us a chance,” Lamar Coach Josh Jones said.“ If he gets in the open field with some room, he has the speed to take it to the house. Moving to the spread, that should open up his opportunities to run as well. I feel we have a lot of offense. We’ ve got some receivers that will be problems for people. This is a good bunch.”

Waldron has a new coach for a third consecutive season now with Doug Milholen. The Bulldogs, who finished 0-10 last year, look to continue to grow with stability now.