The 26th annual edition of Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine has been available at area retail outlets since mid-June. The award-winning publication has become a much-anticipated tradition over the past quarter-century for Arkansas gridiron fans, and this year's tome is 432 pages in length.
While the magazine's cover art for statewide distribution features a photo of new University of Arkansas Head Coach Chad Morris, additional regional covers included the Greenwood Bulldogs. GHS Head Coach Rick Jones and his FASDOGS program is also highlighted in a lengthy article (7 pages) starting on page 102.
The Bulldogs are the defending Class 6A state champions. Their lopsided victory over Pine Bluff last December ended two years of frustration after losing the title game each of the previous two seasons (2015-16). It was the seventh state title for the Bulldogs under Coach Jones, and the eighth overall since 2000.
Interviewed by this reporter during the spring, Jones said his Bulldogs, despite returning 10 starters, could be picked as low as third in the 6A West conference in 2018, with Benton and El Dorado favored ahead of Greenwood. Humility is a nice quality in a head coach, but Hooten's clearly didn't buy it.
The magazine once again picked the Bulldogs to win the 6A West and has Greenwood ranked #2 in Class 6A overall behind Pine Bluff. If those predictions hold true, look for a rematch between the Zebras and 'Dogs in the state title game next December. That would certainly be okay with Greenwood fans.
Jones and his staff have five starters returning on both sides of the football, but the biggest challenge will be replacing the entire starting offensive backfield after the graduation of all-state quarterback Connor Noland and all-state running back Kenny Wood, both of whom will be playing college football this fall.
But the cupboard is far from bare, especially at running back, with senior Marc Jones still in the fold after serving as a backup the past two seasons, and the emergence of two strong sophomore candidates in Hunter Wilkinson and Caden Franks. Senior Aydin Chatfield also earned some carries in the spring.
At quarterback, Jones has several candidates to choose from, including junior Jace Presley, who started for the junior varsity team last season. He would seem to have the inside track on the position, but also under consideration is sophomore Landry Jurecka, who was injured last year, and senior Peyton Holt, the all-state receiver who is likely the best athlete on the GHS campus, starring in three sports.
Holt, who also plays basketball and baseball, had 101 receptions last fall for 1,354 yards and 17 TDs. He's already committed to play college baseball for Louisiana-Layfette, and played quarterback in junior high while at Russellville.
Aside from his athleticism, Holt's biggest asset is his familiarity with the offensive scheme and his overall big-game experience. The starting QB decision will be made during pre-season drills in August.
Another strong point for the Bulldogs this coming season is the return of three senior starting offensive linemen, Noah Fox, Colton Simpson, and Cole Ceniceros. Senior end Josh Barlow also returns and will likely be the go-to receiver if Holt moves to quarterback. (Update: Sadly, Josh Barlow was lost to a season-ending injury during the first week of pre-season practice.)
Senior kicker Grant Ennis also returns and has already garnered interest from college recruiters. Ennis made 11 of 13 field goal attempts and 74 of 76 extra points last season.
On the defensive side, five starters also return. Senior Morgan Hanna, junior Coleton Erwin, and senior Josh Maze are the top returning candidates on the D-line, while Travis Cox and Sam Sandifer, both seniors, will anchor at linebacker. Senior Aaron Ohl returns at strong safety and senior Trey Woods at cornerback in the defensive secondary.
There are also plenty of younger players hoping to make an impression this summer and through pre-season practice in August. The Greenwood junior high program has been very strong over the years, providing the varsity coaching staff with a wealth of players to fill yearly vacancies and needs.
Hooten's has Greenwood, Benton, El Dorado, and Russellville ranked 1-4 in the 6A West. The Benton Panthers have 13 returning starters, including nine on offense, but must replace most of its 2017 defense.
El Dorado has just seven returning starters, but has a long tradition of football excellence, including several state titles. Russellville, in its second year under Head Coach Jeff Weaver, formerly of Greenwood, returns 11 starters, though only three on offense, but should be a playoff qualifier.
Lake Hamilton, Siloam Springs, Sheridan, and Little Rock Hall round out the conference pre-season picks, according to Hooten's. Hall replaces Texarkana, which dropped down to Class 5A for 2018.
In the 6A East, Pine Bluff, West Memphis, Jonesboro, and Searcy are the top teams, respectively, followed by Marion, Sylvan Hills, Mountain Home, and Jacksonville.
Other area teams of note according to Hooten's include Morrilton and Alma, picked first and fourth, respectively, in the 5A West; Ozark, picked first in the 4-4A conference; along with Booneville, Charleston, and Mansfield, picked first, second, and fourth in the 1-3A conference.