Senior leadership expected to be key for Lakeside Rams
Hot Springs Lakeside will rely heavily on its senior class as the team looks to defend its conference championship in 2017.
“We’ve got a good group of senior leaders, and we have all-state running back Dupree Swanson returning,” Lakeside head coach Jared McBride said.
As a junior, Swanson rushed for nearly 1,500 yards with 23 touchdowns a year ago. Michael James, who earned all-conference status, was second on the team with 74 carries for 537 yards with seven touchdowns.
“They are both very good physical blockers,” McBride said. “They block well for each other, and they are powerful runners.
“They are very physical running backs, both downhill running types.”
Lakeside finished the season 6-5 overall — sharing the conference title — after beginning 0-3. They made it to the first round of the playoffs before losing to Little Rock McClellan.
“We are always trying to get better and always trying to learn,” McBride said. “We want to learn from our losses and mistakes and learn how to compete in the playoffs.
“We need to compete against really athletic ball clubs.”
Returning at quarterback for the Rams is junior Taylor Gilham, who started three games last season.
He completed 40 of his 72 passes for 682 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions.
“He’s a good leader and a very smart kid,” McBride said. “He is a dual threat: He is mobile, and he is a good passer.”
Gilham also scored three times on the ground, tallying 99 yards on 25 carries.
Senior Torin Davis returns at tight end after hauling in 10 catches for 127 yards last fall.
Juniors Jonah Nester, Adrian Masias and Logan Tipton make up the line at center, tackle and guard, respectively.
“We have a pretty solid group at the line,” McBride said.
“We will have plenty of room for improvement, and for us, it has to be consistency,” he said. “We have to be healthy and keep our guys on the field.
“We have to maximize the senior leadership that we have. If we can stay in ballgames, we will be OK.”
Seniors Logan Gower, Brandon Chambers and junior Keelan Fleming are the only returning starters on defense, so the coach said the Rams will have some spots to fill.
A year ago, Chambers made 24 tackles, including three for loss, and he had two interceptions.
“We are excited about the young guys we have,” McBride said. “We want to get them plugged in as quickly as we can — get them experience in nonconference games so we will be ready for conference play.”