Photo from Morning News of NW Arkansas
Photo from Morning News of NW Arkansas
AAAAA West Previews
Springdale Bulldogs (7-4, 4-3 West)
Offense: Spread
Defense: "50"
Key starters lost: QB Damon Moody, WR JuShawn Cooper, WR Ben Faires, RB Zac Bowlin, OL Jeremy Hammond, OL Josh Wilson, DL J.R. Binam
Head Coach: Gus Malzahn
Springdale got off to a fast start only to take their lumps early in the conference season. Following a 3-0 start, Springdale fell in overtime at home to Southside. After a hard fought 6-0 overtime win over rival Fayetteville, the Red Dogs lost consecutive heartbreakers to Russellville and Bentonville. At 1-3 in conference, Springdale faced missing the playoffs, but the Dogs rallied to win the final 3, capped by a 43-0 rout of Rogers in the season finale. With fans and newspapers proclaiming the red-hot Bulldogs' great chance to reach the state championship out of the West's 4-hole, Texarkana used a brutal running attack to hammer Springdale 49-31 in the first round of the playoffs.
Offense
Coach Malzahn will have to find a way to replace the 2 scariest receivers in the West in a long time, Cooper and Faires. Heath Nelson will be the go to guy, he is 6'2" and has good hands. Nelson was a force in 7 on 7 play and he will probably lead the conference in receptions. Dustin Johnson, who is also a quarterback, will probably see most of his time at receiver, where he can use his team-best 4.6 speed. Brett Buresh was right behind Nelson as the star of 7 on 7, and he will likely start on the outside. Another weapon for Springdale at receiver is Bobby Smith, who is also a defensive back. Smith will probably play at outside receiver along with a trio of tall juniors, 6'4" John King, 6'2" David Mosley, and 6'2" Dustin Carroll.
Justin Mounce is a good little RB for the Red Dogs and he can catch it out of the backfield well. Mounce burned Van Buren with 161 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. Zach Butler will replace Mark Young as the Bulldogs' power running threat. Butler is a 200 pounder who will give Springdale a nice compliment to the waterbug style of Mounce.
The line is a question mark and they need to address that so that the new QB has time to throw. That new QB is Brandon Martinez, who came on for an injured Damon Moody in the Bentonville game last year. Martinez is tall (6'2") and has a strong arm along with making good reads.
The line will be anchored by senior guards Dustin Youngman and Tyler Parks, who both rotated up front last fall. Tyler Van Hook was the JV center in 2001 and will battle with the 2001 sophomore team center, Jake Frauenthal, for the starting job. 265 pound Danny Finch looks like the heir apparent at left tackle, while Jason King, also a tight end, and Daniel Lea will compete for the right tackle sport.
Defense
Springdale returns 6 starters on defense, including Sonic Super Team defensive tackle Nate Hancock, who missed part of 2001 after suffering an injury against Southside. Hancock is big (280 pounds) and strong (330 pound bench) and will likely terrorize opposing quarterbacks if he can stay healthy. The other tackle looks to be Brian Dunnaway, who asserted himself with a huge off-season. The nose guard spot will be a toss-up between 330 pounder Corey Hills and undersized warriors Joe Embry and Craig Ragland.
The linebackers will be the strength of the unit. Clark Donat was an all-conference performer last year, racking up 84 tackles and returning a fumble for a touchdown against Shiloh Christian. Andrew Venable joins Donat at inside linebacker after leading the Bulldogs with 91 tackles as a junior. Dustin Ishy was penciled in as a starter at inside linebacker last fall before having shoulder problems and missing the entire year. Ishy will team with Brad Cosey, who started 5 games as a sophomore, at outside linebacker.
Smith worked some at cornerback last year but may see more time at receiver this fall after his production in 7 on 7 play. Johnson is a returnee at safety and Brock Hobbs will probably start at the other corner opposite Smith.
Special Teams
Terry Anderson is one of the better kickers in the conference. Anderson booted 4 field goals in the win over Rogers and put one in from 40 yards at Texarkana in the playoffs. Brandon Lahay, who is also a fullback who excels at catching the ball out of the backfield, is back at punter where he averaged over 40 yards per punt. Neal Skelton gives the Red Dogs an uncommon luxury in high school, a kicker who puts his kickoffs in the end zone.
Outlook
It will be tough for the Bulldogs to live up to the preseason hype, as they are very inexperienced on offense and not very strong in the secondary. In 7 on 7 play, the Bulldogs have allowed Russellville to score a touchdown on every possession in 3 games, which is not a good sign in the pass-happy West conference. It looks like the Red Dogs will be better against the run with their stud linebackers and Hancock controlling the line. Martinez does have a lot of potential at QB, and with Springdale's depth at receiver and another year in the Malzahn system, look for the Dogs to return to the playoffs and challenge for the conference crown. Springdale opens the season at the Kickoff Classic against defending AAA state champion Warren, beginning a brutal nonconference schedule that includes crosstown rival Shiloh and national powerhouse Jenks, OK. The conference slate opens with the 3 toughest games at the start, with a road trip to Southside followed by home dates with Fayetteville in the 103rd Battle of the Bulldogs and conference favorite Russellville.
Strengths: Linebackers, kicking game, and depth along the lines. Athleticism and familiarity with the system.
Weaknesses: Inexperience, especially on the offensive line. Must replace Faires and Cooper. Defensive backfield.
Projected record: 7-3, 5-2 West
| Date | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 2 | Warren | WMS, Little Rock | |
| Sep. 13 | Shiloh Christian | U of A | |
| Sep. 21 | Jenks, OK | Springdale | |
| Sep. 27 | FS Southside | Fort Smith | |
| Oct. 4 | Fayetteville | Springdale | |
| Oct. 11 | Russellville | Springdale | |
| Oct. 18 | Bentonville | Bentonville | |
| Oct. 25 | Van Buren | Van Buren | |
| Nov. 1 | FS Northside | Springdale | |
| Nov. 8 | Rogers | Rogers |
Sources: Hooten's Arkansas Football (2001 and 2002), Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Morning News of Northwest Arkansas, Benton County Daily Record, Russellville Courier, game programs, personal notes, and my own two eyes.