24 THE RIVER VALLEY REPORT FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.11.2024

KEVIN TAYLOR

SPECIAL TO RIVER VALLEY DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Nick Stovall’ s coaching tree would be the envy of any coach in Arkansas— young or old.

The first-year Lavaca head football coach was tabbed as Mark Headley’ s replacement earlier this year after the latter announced his retirement.

Stovall was part of one of legendary coach Rick Jones’ state titles as a player at Greenwood and also coached with Ricky May at Waldron.

“ I played at Greenwood, where in 2008 we had 80-plus kids on the team, and it was kind of‘ next man up.’ It’ s been different, but in a good way,” Stovall said.“ I get to have relationships with kids that a lot of coaches don’ t get to have. When you only have 26, you have a pretty good experience with all of them individually. There are a lot of things I’ ve learned, and some I’ ve applied, that are from Greenwood. Our summer camp is modeled after‘ Fast Dogs.’ I’ ve learned a lot of things from Ricky May, too.

“ I’ ve had a lot of good experiences with head coaches who are good at their job.”

The Arrows ran out to a 6-1 record seven games into the 2023 season before finishing 6-5. This year’ s schedule appears to be a little more balanced, though the 3A-1 Conference is anything but.

There are no‘ off nights’ in a league that includes heavyweights like Booneville, Charleston, Mansfield and Hackett, the four of whom combined for 37 wins in 2023.

“ This conference speaks for itself,” Stovall said.

Including Lavaca, five of the eight teams finished with winning records in 2023.

There are no records regarding quarterbacks who bench-press 300 pounds. But the Lavaca Golden Arrows have at least one.

Senior Cutler Winters accounted for 1,757 total yards and 23 touchdowns last season. Oh, he also bench-presses 305 pounds.

Senior Hunter Israel( 5-11, 186) is expected to carry the ball 20 to 30 times a game, Stovall said.

“ He’ s the most athletic guy we have on the field,” the coach said.

Hard-working senior Alex Townley caught nine passes for 61 yards last season before a season-ending injury sidelined him for much of the campaign.

Physical junior Kade Kendrick( 5-10, 254) will anchor the Golden Arrows’ defensive unit as the team’ s nose guard.

Senior guards Austin Stockdale( 6-4, 203) and Gage Lautzenheiser( 5-11, 185) will anchor the offensive line.

As for being the head coach, the 33-yearold Stovall is eager for the challenges that await.

2023 RECORD 6-5, 3-4 3A-1 Conference COACH Nick Stovall( 1st year, 0-0)

LAVACA GOLDEN ARROWS

RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 5 defense

“ We’ ve tried taking it up a notch, where we’ ve done a lot of things that we haven’ t done in the past and the kids are buying into it,” he said.“ Replacing someone( Headley) that’ s been there for 26 years and has the respect of the community and the athletes, is not a small task. There are big shoes to fill there.

“ The good news is he’ s still around and he’ s been supportive.”

KEY PLAYERS QB Cutler Winters( Sr., 5-10, 191), RB / LB Hunter Israel( Sr., 5-11, 186), OG / DL Austin Stockdale( Sr., 6-0, 203), NG Kade Kendrick( Jr., 5-10, 254), OL / DL Rayden Burlison( Sr., 6-1, 244), OL / LB Gage Lautzenheiser( Sr., 5-11, 185), OL / LB

*— Denotes 3A-1 Conference game. All kickoffs at 7 p. m. unless noted

Head coach Nick Stovall

Auston Hamilton

Alex Townley

Austin Stockdale

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