Page 11 - 2016 Football

Safeties Continued from Page 4
alot of tackles this year.”
One of the team’s most improved players might be
junior Peyton Perry.
“Peyton is a very intelligent
El Dorado NEWS-TIMES – Thursday, September 1, 2016 – 11
football player, also. Peyton has made huge strides in the offseason. He’s a real credit to our offseason,” said Sprawls.
“Last year, Peyton was a back- up JV player. And, he is battling tooth-and-nail for a starting spot on our varsity defense, right now. He’s just had a great offseason in the weight room. He ran track in the spring. He takes a ton of pride in what he does. He’s probably the fastest safety I have and he’s
in that regard. You don’t want to take the aggression out of him. It’s better to have to say slow down than speed up.”
Jerric Jefferson and Deon Smith provide a three-man rotation at the two inside spots along with Kentravious Moore, who starts on the offensive line.
“Take care of their gap,” Johnson said of their roles. “Make sure their gap is taken care of before they go off to find somebody else to help.”
During the preseason, El Dorado’s defensive front has appeared to be a strength. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in athletic ability and versatility.
also a physical kid. If anything, Peyton may be a little too over- anxious, right now. He’s one of those guys, every now and then I have to say, “Whoa?’ But, I never have to say, ‘Go.’
was at this time last year.” Perry provides versatility to the position. When Bishop Foster is in the game, he will be manning the free safety posi-
tion.
“Bishop Foster is a tall, long,
rangy kid. He has an excellent knack for getting to the foot- ball. He plays well in space. He
this year and then Cabot, I just talked to Coach Bolding from Pine Bluff. He scouted Cabot because they open with them. He said they’re really good. So, we’re going to get tested early in the year. We’re going to play Camden and they know our system well. But, I think all that’s going to help us.”
With a new league and new opponents, the 2016 sea- son has a lot of mystery to it. The Wildcats haven’t played Russellville since 2002 and Cabot since 1997. At last report, there was no record of El Dorado ever playing Siloam Springs in football.
For Reed, it’s the one that got
has a great understanding for our zone concepts and our cov- erage concepts,” said Sprawls. “With Bishop, we may have to work angles or stuff like that but he knows it front and back. We’re really happy with him. He’s another kid who had a good summer and offseason.”
away that bothers him.
“I don’t like not playing Pine
Bluff. I like that ball game,” he said. “I thought that was the best ball game we played last year. Until the finals, no one got close to them all year. I think they beat us six or seven and it was just like every other El Dorado-Pine Bluff game. So, I don’t like that. I think that’s a rivalry that goes back a long time.
“But, I don’t have any control over it. I think for our fans, it’ll be neat to see some different teams come in here.
“I believe we have an awe- some home schedule for our fans.”
D-Line Continued from Page 5
“He’s a fearless kid who picks up on the coverages well. And, again, he is, night and day, a better football player than he
Miller.
Inside, Terry Hampton, who
has been offered by Arkansas State, leads the charge at tackle. Hampton had 37 tackles in a reserve role last season.
Hampton follows in a long line of dominating interior linemen.
“He can definitely step into that role. He’s strong. He’s another one that doesn’t get tired. We’ve had to pull back on him. Sometimes he’ll get so deep they’ll cut back and run where he used to be,” said Johnson.
“His first step and his explo- siveness is amazing. He’s gifted
Outlook Continued from Page 2
As usual, the Wildcats will try to navigate a rough road. As usual, they believe they will be in the hunt for a state champi- onship at the end of that road.
“I think that’s realistic for us, though,” said Reed. “Last year was the first time we didn’t get to, at least, the semifinals since my second year here. And, we were third or fourth down-and-4 inside the 10 with a minute to go to go ahead. I know our league has changed.
“Generally, you go into the season, for the most part, know- ing what each team has coming back. Well, there are three total unknowns in our conference
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