GREENBRIER
Greenbrier returns seven starters on offense and six on defense for 2021, and that experience could make the Panthers 5A-West contenders again. After a 1-3 start, Greenbrier won five of its last six games in 2021, and Randy Tribble’s team finished 7-5 with a return to the Class 5A state playoffs after a rare recent miss in 2019. The Panthers, third seed from the West after tying for runner-up in the conference race at 5-2, survived Brookland in the play-in game, 43-28, before falling to Magnolia, 76-55.
In 2021, back to lead the Panthers for his senior season is quarterback Cooper Wilcox (6-0, 195), who threw for 1,260 yards and 15 touchdowns and averaged 8.4 yards per carry (57 for 480 yards) as a junior. He also started five games as a sophomore.
“He had a very solid junior year,” Tribble said. “He has put on 15 pounds of muscle. He will have a big year both passing and running.”
Senior Nick Huett (5-11, 210) rushed for 926 yards and 12 TDS as the No. 2 running back last season behind all-stater Trey Havens, starting three games when Havens was out. Huett notched 231 yards against Monticello and 228 against Magnolia. He’ll share the RB load this fall with senior Dawson Spencer (5-9, 185), the coach said.
The receiving corps will be one of the jewels in Tribble’s Spread offense, he said, with all but one starter returning.
“This can be a very solid and explosive group of receivers,” Tribble said.
Junior Carter McElhaney (5-8, 150), also a star sprinter, “has great speed and will be improved this year,” Tribble said. McElhaney led the Panthers last year with 473 yards and 4 scores on 25 catches, averaging 18.9 yards per reception. Senior slot receiver Thatcher Strack (5-9, 170) caught 17 passes for 321 yards as a junior. Tribble said Strack had great quickness and was impressive in his summer work. Senior outside receiver Reid Nixon (5-8, 155) caught 18 passes for 289 yards last year. Senior inside receiver Jacob Mathis (6-1, 195) caught 10 passes for 249 yards and 4 TDs before an injury ended his season after three games.
“Mathis is a really good blocker and is very explosive,” Tribble said.
Rounding out the receiving corps are senior Keaton Whitley (5-11, 180), senior Preston Riddle (6-1, 170), senior Shannon Howard (5-9, 170) and junior Matthew Barnard (5-7, 150).
In comparison, the Panthers’ offensive line lacks some experience after graduating three veterans last year, the coach said.
“They were a really special group last year, specializing in zone blocking,” Tribble said. “We rushed for 270 yards per game. We lost the middle three but return two excellent tackles in Josh Robinson and Dustin Hall.”
Robinson (6-5, 270) returns on the left side. He has a scholarship offer from Toledo,
[The O-line was] a really special group last year, specializing in zone blocking. We rushed for 270 yards per game. We lost the middle three but return two excellent tackles in Josh Robinson and Dustin Hall.” RANDY TRIBBLE GREENBRIER HEAD COACH
and Tribble said he was on several other teams’ short lists. Hall (6-1, 297) will move from right tackle to center. The coach said he was a leader and had a great summer of work. Expected to contend for other starting positions on the line are senior Jackson Spears (5-10, 255) at guard, senior Nick Winberry
(6-1, 270) at right tackle and junior Eli Ruple (6-1, 275) at guard, Tribble said.
“This group has improved over the summer and will be a very solid group,” he said.
Defensively, the Panthers return their two leading tacklers from last season among their linebacking corps. Huett led the tackle chart with 75; Spencer added 66 tackles and two interceptions.
“Mathis was a backup last year before being injured before the first conference game and is expected to start at one of the four linebacker positions this year,” Tribble said. “Seniors Charlie Czech (6-1, 180) and Clark Coats (5-10, 180) and a couple of incoming sophomores will add to the mix.”
Similarly, Greenbrier returns good experience in the secondary. Riddle and senior Jaxson Harp (5-8, 165) look to man the corners. Strack and Nixon will add depth. Sophomores Kane Griffin (5-9, 170) and Miles Miller (5-9, 140) are quality young players who should also contribute at the corners, the coach said.
Howard, who recorded 33 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception last fall, will lead the defensive backs. Barnard, senior Whitley and sophomore Jace Harp (5-8, 150) will compete for playing time at safety. Tribble said he expects incoming sophomores to add depth and competition in the defensive backfield.
Only one starter from last season’s threeman defensive front returns. Senior Jeremy Parker (6-2, 285) started at nose guard as a junior. Senior Gabe Rowe (6-1, 190) moves from linebacker to defensive end; Tribble said Rowe had strengthened the position. Junior Jake Hardgrave (5-10, 185) has developed and will play at end. Junior Brandon Murphy (6-4, 245) will add depth on the D-line. Senior Andrew Williams (5-11, 190), junior Peter Park (5-10, 180) and senior offensive linemen Josh Robinson (6-4, 270) and Dustin Hall (6-2, 305) will most likely also go on the D-line, the coach said. He expects sophomores to add depth on the line as well.
Tribble said senior Bradley Turnage (5-10, 150) will handle kickoff and field-goal duties, and Huett, Howard and Wilcox will work at punter.
Tribble said Harrison will likely be the team to beat in the 5A-West. League coaches agree, according to a statewide publication. Greenbrier, Morrilton and Vilonia are picks to contend for playoff berths. Farmington, Clarksville, Alma and Pea Ridge round out the rest of the coaches’ preseason poll.