After 2 runs at semifinals, Bryant wants in on title game
Bryant’s two deepest playoff runs in school history have come under third-year coach Buck James, who is hopeful that his Hornets will land in the Class 7A state-title game this year for the first time. “We are blessed to have a lot of talent on this team, and we have a chance to be very good, but we could be very good and still not have a great record because of the schedule we play,” James said. “We are going to be tested, but we feel good about our team.” Senior Ren Hefley (6-2, 190) began 2017 as a starter but broke his collarbone in Week 6. Hefley (4.2 grade-point average, 30 ACT), who was elected class president, returned in Week 12 and finished 129 of 221 with 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions for the season. Junior Jake Meaders (5-11, 165) started five games under center, and thanks to assistant coach Kirk Bock’s tutelage, Bryant “didn’t miss a beat” with Meaders (32 ACT). He passed for 244 yards and a TD at Cabot and 269 yards and 3 scores against Conway. James said Hefley has regained his place on the depth chart but that Meaders will take snaps at quarterback in games and has emerged as one of the top receivers. Senior all-state running back Latavion Scott (5-9, 200) ran for 1,341 yards and caught 32 passes for 324 yards in 2017. Senior Braylon Butler (5-10, 170) and junior Ahmad Adams (6-1, 200) both took snaps in the Hornets’ backfield a year ago. Senior receiver Randy Thomas (6-1, 180) is a two-year starter and was third in receiving yards last season. Senior Josh Robinson (6-2, 170) emerged during the 7-on-7 season as a playmaker, the coach said. Sophomore River Gregory (5-10, 165) lines up in the slot where classmate Hayden Schrader (6-1, 185) also worked at receiver in the spring. Butler will play in the other slot when he’s not in the backfield. Senior Grant Botti (6-0, 200) struggled with injuries last year but should be at full strength this year and will see time, James said. Senior Brandon Jett (5-10, 165) impresses with exact routes and will contribute more this year. Junior Jaeger Burks (5-8, 140) will also compete for time in fall camp, the coach said. The Hornets return a strong, experienced line unit, James said. Senior all-state tackle Blaise Smith (6-2, 290) is a three-year starter and bench-presses 410 pounds. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has made an offer to Smith, who squats 600 pounds, the coach said. Senior Jake Burton (6-3, 305), who lost 30 pounds and bench presses 330 pounds, takes over at guard after logging most of his experience on the JV squad. Seniors Josh Stevens (5-9, 285) and Austin Trimble (5-11, 285) are embroiled in a battle for the starting center position, James said. Stevens has started eight games the past two seasons, subbing for an injured starter, but Stevens was injured in a car accident in the spring and spent several weeks recovering. He bench-presses more than 300 pounds and squats more than 500. Trimble has gained 60 pounds since last season and squats more than 500 pounds, the coach said. Senior guard Clay McElyea (6-2, 275) earned all-conference honors last season and bench-presses more than 300 pounds and squats more than 500. Senior right tackle Logan Burton (6-2, 285) returns for his third season as a starter. He bench-presses 330 pounds and squats 500 pounds. Senior tackle Jacob Oliver (6-6, 275), who deadlifts more than 500 pounds, moved in during the middle of last season from Springfield, Missouri, and will add depth, James said. Senior Martin Ramirez (5-10, 180), a twotime all-state soccer player, handled most of the kicking duties a year ago, the coach said, booting a 32-yard field goal against Cabot. Junior Grayson Scoles (5-11, 180) kicked extra points during the playoffs. Sophomore Austin Ledbetter (6-1, 175), who was offered a baseball
scholarship from the University of Arkansas as a freshman, could punt after playing quarterback in junior high last year, the coach said. The Bryant defense will have to adjust to new leadership this season. James’ longtime assistant Darrell Burnett took the head coaching job at Hot Springs High School in June. James conducted a quick search and hired Quad Sanders, who was a defensive assistant at NCAA Division II Western State Colorado University after a stint coaching the defensive line at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The former University of Central Arkansas defensive lineman got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. Senior tackle Kajuan Robinson (6-2, 305) has become one of the premier defensive linemen in the state, starting a good portion of the games since he first tried football as a sophomore. Robinson (385-pound bench press, 460-pound squat) totaled 24 tackles, including 5 sacks, in 2017. Robinson has drawn heavy interest from Memphis, Arkansas State and Louisiana Tech, James said. Classmate Josh Salgueiro (5-11, 255) lines up at the other tackle, the coach said. Salgueiro (400-pound bench press, 580-pound squat) racked up 28 tackles a year ago. Senior Nate Wallace (6-3, 265) returns at one end, James said. Wallace, who has gained 70 pounds over the past two years, bench-presses 360 pounds and totaled 47 tackles, including 9 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Junior Austin Bailey (6-2, 255), a converted linebacker, started at the other end last year as a sophomore and power-cleans 320 pounds. Versatile senior Logan Reed (5-11, 225) earned all-conference honors as a deep snapper last fall but will also fill in on the defensive line, as well as at guard and fullback, James said. Senior all-state middle linebacker Jakob Neal (6-0, 220) has a chance to break the Hornets’ all-time tackle record, but he will have to wait until mid-October to get on the field after tearing his ACL, the coach said. Neal, who has a scholarship offer from UAPB, racked up 122 tackles in 2017. Juniors Cameron Scarlett (5-8, 170) and Hunter Stallman (5-8, 185) also worked in the middle this spring. Senior Jake Wright (5-10, 170), who plays baseball, returns to outside linebacker after amassing nearly 50 tackles in 2017. Athletic junior Catrell Wallace (6-6, 215), who has 4.6 speed, mans the other outside spot and has attracted recruiting attention from Memphis after collecting 33 tackles and 3 sacks last year. Wallace also lines up at end on occasion, James said. The secondary is the most inexperienced group on the team, the coach said, but veteran cornerback Andrew Hayes (6-0, 173) helps. Hayes (4.5 speed) is beginning his third year as a starter after totaling 36 tackles and 2 forced fumbles last fall. James said Hayes has scholarship offers from Louisiana-Lafayette, Central Arkansas, Eastern Illinois and Tennessee-Martin. Juniors Derrick Rose (5-10, 165) and Christian Cain (5-10, 165) are battling for the other cornerback job, the coach said. Senior Jabin Gulley (6-1, 185) earned a starting nod at safety in the spring after transferring from White Hall. Gulley (4.5 speed) was one of the Bulldogs’ top offensive weapons last fall with more than 500 yards receiving. Junior Tamarion Wallace (6-2, 175) impressed coaches in the spring with his range and won the other safety spot after playing JV last fall, James said.
We are going to be tested, but we feel good about our team.” BUCK JAMES BRYANT HEAD COACH