THE RIVER VALLEY REPORT FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.11.2024

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game preparing to play a game on Friday he would be the guy that we would go in with. In this situation, it started out as a quarterback competition because neither one of them had played in a high school game as a quarterback.”

Defensively, Welborn anchors the middle of the interior as a three-year starter.

“ We lost some production from last year, but we bring back some guys so we have some retention on that side,” Henry said. Also up front, Charlie Vaughn saw some playing time as did Braden Daws, who played in the secondary until moving up front as an extra lineman against Lake Hamilton’ s run-oriented offense.

John-Michael Fisher returns at linebacker with senior Bryan Ramos possibly starting.

Caden Webb has also come on and is expected to have a big year.

“ I’ m anticipating a good year from him at the linebacker spot,” Henry said.“ He was the definition of seeing the opportunity,

and the situation helped him whether it’ s JV games or reps, and he excelled on those.” Talen Jones will play a cornerback spot.“ We’ ll have to find somebody at the other corner because T-Ray was that corner,” Henry said.“ Some of the best competition we have is probably at corner.”

Ian Rowe joins the team from the baseball Pointers and will compete with several sophomores.

At safety, Landon Evans returns after 86 tackles a year ago and an interception.

“ He’ s started for us for two years,” Henry said.“ Hopefully, that will pay dividends for us in the back end. We’ ll have some new guys back there. It’ s kind of where we’ re going to play them and fit in.”

Wilcox returns in the secondary and Brody Myers could move from corner to safety. Abe Cone, Blayne Pruitt, Korbin Johnson and Donovan Akins are all sophomores who provide depth in the secondary.

Van Buren wide receiver Trenton Cooley( 0) runs after a catch as Alma defensive back Josh Releford( 15) pursues, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, during the first quarter of the Battle of the Bone at Blakemore Field in Van Buren.( River Valley Democrat-Gazette / Hank Layton)

VAN BUREN POINTERS

2023 RECORD 5-7, 3-5 6A-West COACH Moe Henry( 3rd year, 7-15) RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 6 defense KEY PLAYERS RB Cameron Keller( Sr., 6-0, 175), OL Ethan Hurst( Sr., 6-1, 265), WR Trenton Cooley( Sr., 5-10, 165), SS Weston Wilcox( Jr., 6-2, 190), NG Alex Welborn( Sr., 6-4, 330), LB Caden Webb( Sr., 5-9, 180)

*— Denotes 6A-West Conference game. All kickoffs 7 p. m. unless noted.

Head coach Moe Henry

John-Michael Fisher

Alex Welborn

Trenton Cooley

Cameron Keller

Ethan Hurst