THE RIVER VALLEY REPORT FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.11.2024
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time you have that competition, it makes them better.”
Karnes caught 70 passes for 947 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago, while Arrington caught 38 passes for 575 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games.
Senior Scott Holland and junior Cooper Bland also figure in the mix in a deep receiving corps.
“ We’ ll rotate some guys,” Young said.“ We want to play six or seven guys.”
Seniors Ashton Stein and Christian Flemming and junior Cody Taylor return up front and are joined by Eddy Castelo, a move-in from Northside. Junior Akira Fujibayashi could fill in at the other spot. With four veteran linemen and four receivers who are Division I capable along with a versatile Kane Archer, it adds up to what could be a record-breaking offensive year.
“ Kane’ s good by himself, but you put him with a really good offensive line, which we have, and put him with as solid a group of receivers as we’ ve ever had,” Young said.
“ We feel like we have eight guys that can play for us on a Friday night. It’ s going to be fun. You put a good O-line with good receivers and a good quarterback, we like what we do scheme-wise offensively. I think we have potential to give them problems.”
Running back is the lone position on offense that has yet to be filled. Junior Wesley Raggio saw the most time last year, rushing for 293 yards and three scores on 37 carries, but junior Deacon Cameron also saw some varsity time last year. Sophomore Mario Dunbar is coming up after starting on the ninth-grade last year. Maddox McCallip, a move-in from Southside, could also play some there.
“ Running back is a big position,” Young said.“ We have four or five guys that legitimately have a shot at being our running back. I’ m excited to see those guys once we get pads on.”
Greenwood opens the season on Aug. 30 at Bentonville West and plays the home opener on Sept. 6 against Fort Smith Northside.
Greenwood wide receiver Isaiah Arrington( 0) celebrates with fellow wide receiver Grant Karnes( 3) after scoring a reception touchdown, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, during the second quarter of a scrimmage against Fayetteville at Smith-Robinson Stadium in Greenwood.( River Valley Democrat-Gazette / Hank Layton)
GREENWOOD BULLDOGS
2023 RECORD 14-0, 8-0 6A-West COACH Chris Young( 5th year, 47-8) RETURNING STARTERS 7 offense, 4 defense KEY PLAYERS LB Cash Archer( Sr., 6-1, 218), WR Grant Karnes( Sr., 6-1, 180), WR Isaiah Arrington( Sr., 6-0, 170), Kaylor Jasna( Sr., 5-11, 185), S Zack Zitsmann( Sr., 5-10, 175), Zach Edwards( Sr., 5-11, 200), OL Cody Taylor( Jr., 6-3, 293), QB Kane Archer( Jr., 6-2, 207)
SCHEDULE |
Aug. 30 |
at Bentonville West |
Oct. 11 at Siloam Springs * |
Sept. 6 |
FS Northside |
Oct. 18 |
Lake Hamilton * |
Sept. 13 |
Springdale Har-Ber |
Oct. 25 |
at Van Buren * |
Sept. 27 |
at Shiloh Christian * |
Nov. 1 |
at FS Southside * |
Oct. 4 |
Russellville * |
Nov. 8 |
Mountain Home * |
*— Denotes 6A-West Conference game. All kickoffs 7 p. m. unless noted.
Head coach Chris Young
It’ s Football Season in the River Valley
OZARK 479-667-3825 WALDRON 479-637-5641
Grant Karnes
MENA 479-394-3373 POTEAU 918-647-2224
Zachary Edwards
SALLISAW 918-775-5519 GREENWOOD 479-996-4335
Kaylor Jasna
BRANCH 479-965-2237 SUBIACO 479-934-4207
Ashton Stein
Isaiah Arrington