PREP RALLY: CLASS 7A | 8.18.2024
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Cam Cunningham Rogers File Photo
and week-out. We might have another year with some balance. I think there were some surprises last year, and I’ m sure there will be some this year.”
There are no surprises in who the conference’ s coaches think will be the favorites. Bentonville and Fayetteville, both of whom have had their share of league titles over the past few years, are expected to be there again, with an Oct. 18 game at Tiger Stadium possibly determining who gets the crown this fall.
Fayetteville, winner of its sixth state title, has to replace a huge group of seniors, but the Purple’ Dogs still have all-state receiver Jaison DeLamar( 89 receptions, 1,438 yards, 17 TDs) and middle linebacker Rhett
Tidwell( 80 tackles). They also benefit from transfers— quarterback Garyt Odom, linebacker Parker Meese, tailback Christian Battles and defensive back Dax Horton.
Bentonville, meanwhile, will lean upon its defense with returnees Jonah Knapp( 126 tackles) at linebacker and A. J. Looney at a defensive back position. The Tigers’ offense will feature a second Ficklin— junior Chris, played a big role in the Tigers’ win over Bryant— at tailback, three-year starting tight end Eli Brooks, and a pair of returning offensive linemen.
“ The top two are the top two, and they’ ve been there for a long time,” Rogers Coach Chad Harbison said.“ It seems like it’ s us and Bentonville West battling for the
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Rogers must deal with a youth moment as the Mounties have only 13 seniors on the roster, and none of them are position players. West most also have some younger players come through as the Wolverines have two sophomores— Ashton Jones and Ryan Adjum— possible in skill positions and even a freshman on the offensive line in Keegan Dalton.
Northside knows all too well about youth movements, having as many as eight sophomores in the starting lineup last year.
Har-Ber, meanwhile, has an experienced 1,000-yard rusher in Titus Cramer and hopes the addition of senior quarterback
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Evan Baker, who started most of the season at Shiloh Christian, means an improved second season behind Eckley.
Springdale and Rogers Heritage, the two teams that missed out on a postseason game last year, will try to put themselves in mix this fall.
The Bulldogs have experienced players like three-year starter Jack Pounders at quarterback and senior Lajket Kannangaki, who will see time in the defensive line, while Heritage is hoping an improved offseason program will result in a better season.
“ It’ s always going to be tough,” Springdale Coach Brett Hobbs said.“ There’ s no easy week, that’ s for sure.”