PRAIRIE GROVE -- With his son slated to be the starting signal caller on the junior high squad, Tigers' coach John Elder has a greater familiarity with the players on his team then he has had in the past. "This season is going to have a much different feel than in the past because I've been lucky enough to have watched this group grow-up and have watched them compete since they have played in peewee football," Elder said. "With that comes a little pressure and anxiety, especially with having a son on the team."
OFFENSE
Freshman John David Elder takes the helm at quarterback for the Tigers this season and is, according to coach Elder, "very game savvy." Southpaw D.J. Pearson will serve as the backup signal caller.
Arguably one of the best running backs in the 4A-1 last season, freshman Anthony Johnson returns to man the halfback spot. Johnson is bigger, faster and stronger and will be the focal point of the Tigers' offense," Elder said. Freshman Jacob Pruett assumes the wingback spot this season while classmate Aaron Preston, who Elder says is one of the best athletes on the team, moves into the role of fullback. Dustin Burton and Garrett Doss will add depth to the Tigers' backfield.
Pearson, good route runner Rylan Shrum and speedy Noah Moore will operate at the wide receiver position. Elder says that freshman tight end DeMarkus Cooper is a great blocker, who is big, strong and has great hands.
Coach Elder bemoans the fact that his offensive line still has a lot of questions. Elder does know that freshman Landon Smith will occupy one of the guard positions, while Landon Waldrop and Joe Reynolds are set to man the tackle spots. Waldrop is a behemoth lineman pushing three bills while Reynolds is very athletic, says Elder. Mason Walker and Gunnar Clement are locked in a fierce competition to earn the center position, while Ben Beason has an opportunity to earn playing time on the Tigers' offensive line.
DEFENSE
Cooper is a returning starter at nose guard, while Lawson Smith is tabbed to man one of the defensive end spots. Walker and Stormi Hankins are both battling to occupy the other defensive end position. Waldrop and Vol Woods should also see snaps in the Tigers' defensive trenches.
Johnson moves from outside linebacker to inside linebacker this season and will be joined by Burton and Pruett. Doss and Preston are slated to man the outside backer spots. Beason, Stone Bryant and Ethan Scates will provide depth in the linebacking corps.
In the Tigers' secondary, Pearson is tabbed to man the free safety position while John David Elder is penciled in for one of the cornerback spots. Moore, Shrum, Clay Spinks and Colin Bryant are all locked in a dogfight for the other cornerback position.
CONCLUSION
The junior Tigers finished with an impressive 7-2 record in 2013. In the past five seasons they have earned a pair of conference titles and have consistently been one of the top teams in the 4A-1 conference. With a freshman-laden ball club highlighted by the running prowess of Johnson, the Tigers are sure to find themselves in the hunt for another conference crown come November.
Sports on 08/27/2014