FIVE TOP PLAYERS

DJ Withers, Joe T. Robinson DL, Sr.

Joe T. Robinson has had its fair share of athletes in recent years. The Senators’ defense is led up front by DJ Withers.

The defensive end had 44 tackles last season as the Senators won the Class 4A state championship.

Withers has orally committed to Kansas and judging by the talent at Robinson, he won’t be the last current Senator to sign with a FBS school either.

Mason Brotherton, Mena TE, Sr.

One of the state’s top players can be found in western Arkansas. Mason Brotherton has pledged to Kansas to play college football. Until then, Brotherton is in Mena for one more season before he suits up for the Jayhawks.

In 2019, Brotherton caught five touchdown passes for the Bearcats, a Class 4A playoff team.

Dax Courtney, DeWitt TE, Jr.

He’s only going to be a junior, but Dax Courtney is already turning heads in the state.

Courtney has orally committed to the University of Arkansas for the Class of 2022.

Last season as a sophomore, Courtney caught 36 passes for 623 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Dragons, who advanced to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Courtney has two more seasons left before he heads to Fayetteville, which is good news for DeWitt and bad news for the rest of the 4A-8 Conference.

Keyshawn Stewart, Nashville RB, Sr.

In Nashville’s offense, Keyshawn Stewart can do it all.

The Scrappers running back can run the ball, catch the ball and throw the ball if needed.

Stewart finished with 1,015 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2019. He also passed for 398 yards and 5 touchdowns, and caught 6 passes for 101 yards and 2 scores.

Nashville expects to go deeper in the Class 4A playoffs this season and it will depend on Stewart staying healthy.

Travelle Anderson, Gosnell RB, Jr.

Gosnell Coach Lewis Earnest raves about Travelle Anderson, and with good reason.

Anderson shined as a sophomore in 2019 for the Pirates, rushing for 1,025 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The load will pick up for Anderson in 2020 as Gosnell looks to improve on their Class 4A second-round appearance last season.

Anderson has been offered scholarships by Kansas and North Texas, among others.