Hornets look to dominate on defense, coach says
Last fall Bryant made school history by landing in the playoff semifinals for the first time. This year, the Hornets hope to make history again and play for a Class 7A state championship.
“I think it is good to have high expectations early in the year,” second-year Bryant coach Buck James said. “It gives you a sense of urgency as you are preparing in the summer. No football team gets there on just talent. There is some luck and a lot of hard work. Last year, we stayed healthy and understood what we were doing and capitalized on opportunities. Our expectation all along was to get to a semifinal game or a state championship game, but it happened sooner than we expected.
“Our guys worked hard to get to that level. We feel like we are going to have a chance again this year and are way ahead of where we were last year at this time. We are just going to work hard and hope that we can be playing Thanksgiving weekend. If you can do that, you have had a great season.”
The defense set the tone early for the Hornets last year and became even more dominant throughout the year, James said. A core nucleus from that unit returns and could be one of the better defenses in the state, he said.
Two versatile senior safeties, Cameron Vail and Mike Jones, will lead the way, the coach said.
Vail (4.4 speed) is one of the more athletic and versatile players in 7A, James said. He has been offered a scholarship from the U.S. Air Force Academy and is being recruited by other NCAA Division I programs. Vail, who had 55 tackles and two interceptions last fall, will also see time punting, returning kicks and playing Wildcat quarterback and receiver, the coach said.
Mike Jones, who racked up 14 tackles in a semifinals playoff loss to North Little Rock last year, earned all-conference honors at the other safety. He racked up 46 tackles and two picks for the season. He worked during the offseason on pass catching and will see more action at receiver. He also returns punts, James said.
Junior Andrew Hayes (36 tackles and two interceptions) started every game at cornerback last year. Seniors Antonio Rice and Rondale Messer man the opposite side, with Messer seeing some time at safety.
Junior Jakob Neel returns at middle linebacker, where he recorded 115 tackles, including 10 for loss, last fall. Senior Nick Smith earned a spot at inside linebacker. Antonio Todd (81 tackles and three sacks last year) and senior Brooks Ellis will play on the outside. Senior Cazzie Pringle (300-pound bench press) and Jake Wright will add depth at linebacker, James said.
Kajuan Robinson (6-3, 300) anchors the defensive line, the coach said. Robinson, a junior basketball player, recorded 40 tackles in his debut football season. Senior tackle