DARDANELLE
The Dardanelle Sand Lizards, with both the offense and defense having numerous returning starters, find themselves in a great position this season to get back to the top of the conference and make it to the playoffs. “After three seasons of winning the conference, we started last season 6-1,” said Phil Vega, head coach. “We lost back-toback weeks to Ozark and Booneville and finished third in the conference. This season, we’re getting back to being at the top of the conference and making a deep run in the playoffs.” After starting the 2017 season with a loss, the Sand Lizards went on to win the next six games in a row, which put them in third place for the 4A-4 Conference (5-2). They ended the regular season with a record of 7-3. In Round 1 of the playoffs, they found their stride until “we ran into the buzz saw that was Joe T. Robinson,” Vega said of Robinson High School. The 7-3 finish includes wins at Paris, 49-7; Clarksville, 31-24; Dover, 56-8; Pottsville, 42-14; West Fork, 42-0; and Subiaco Academy, 59-0. The Round 1 conference win over Riverview, 42-10, started off the playoffs in the right direction, but it was cut short by Robinson, 42-14. Vega plans on carrying this winning mentality into this season with 12 returning starters, including seniors Britton Sadler, linebacker; Brock Finkenbinder, defensive line; and Ali Ramirez, who will play both sides of the line. Junior returning starters include Jordan Metcalf, quarterback/ offensive linebacker; Blake Chambers, running back/linebacker; Brandon Bunton and David Deatherage as wide receivers/ defensive backs; Michael Bower as a wide receiver; Isaac Caro and Christian LomeliEstrada, who will all play both sides of the line; Cole Walter on the offensive line; and Cameron Hurst, offensive linebacker. Also starting for the Sand Lizards are sophomores Zach Keen, offensive line, and Sam Williams, defensive back/wide receiver. “Keep an eye out for Brandon Bunton,” Vega said. “He had 6 interceptions last season.” Having a stronger team of linemen was a goal the Sand Lizards worked on last season, and that carried over as one of their greatest strengths, starting off this season with their offensive line. Because of this strength, they are choosing to use a variety of offensive formations instead of one key formation. This strength also carries over into the Sand Lizards’ defensive line and has allowed them to use a 4-2 defense that allots players a specific role rather than learning an entire defense. This means the returning linemen can take on supervisory roles and learn multiple positions while keeping their skill levels at peak performance and helping to cover soft pockets that can be created by the younger team. While they seem to have a stronger team this year, Vega noted its lack of depth. The leadership this year will be more in the hands of the junior classmen, allowing them the time to grow and learn with the season but not having the full high school leadership of more seniors. Currently, out of the 39 players on the team, eight are seniors. “We lost some seniors from last year’s team, so part of what we are doing right now is just seeing the kids’ work ethic,” Vega said. With the seniors and juniors stepping up, the overall goal for the season is to be at the top of the 4A-4 Conference and make a deep run into the playoffs, the coach said, returning the Sand Lizards to their familiar winning position with an even stronger team next year.