Bucks looking ahead after tough 2020 season
David Osborn's first season as Smackover's head coach had its ups and downs.
For the first time since 2006, Smackover won only one game, and their season ended when they had to cancel their first-round playoff game against eventual 3A state champion Harding Academy due to coronavirus protocols.
But the future could be a bright one thanks to solid numbers at the junior high level coupled with the on-field success of the Bucks' seventhteam.
“It was a season of major momentum swings one way or another,” Osborn said. “During the year, we did not play a game with our entire team for a mixture of reasons. Having multiple games canceled and players and coaches out throughout the year was a challenge for sure.
“I hated the way the season ended for our seniors with our game at Harding being canceled. Going back and reflecting on the season, I definitely see things I could have done differently, areas to improve on and we will be looking to learn from this season.”
Osborn said the Bucks will be giving a great deal of attention to the weight room in the offseason.
“Without a doubt we are going back and increasing our focus in the weight room,” Osborn said. “One of our goals has been to build a program from 7-12 and we have been hitting all of those areas hard in the weight room.
“Going back to a program I used with our teams when I ran the offseason in the past (2010-2017) working on increasing our strength as a team. While I used a program that we created, the main goal is simply to create bigger, faster, stronger athletes. I would really like to get to the point that we are competitive in powerlifting meets again.
“So far, the junior high has really taken to it with 24 of the 26 in the program (not in basketball) making gains in the first month on all lifts and on body weight. On top of that, my goal is going to be to stress our mental toughness. I hate using that phrase, but part of the offseason design is going to be to put the athletes in situations that are adverse and see how we respond.”
One area that Osborn wants to work on in particular is on the lines.
“We are going to focus on all positions, but really going to lock in on both offensive and defensive lines,” Osborn said. “We were young in both of those areas last year and it showed at times. Our last weeks of practice, we changed a few things up and the front was looking really good going into the Harding game.
“Going to spend a lot of time developing strength, hip flexibility and fundamentals at those positions this spring and summer. I'm hoping we can get some spring football in this year to help that out as well. I feel like we
will be deep in our skill positions again. We had several graduate, but have a lot coming back and some quality guys coming up from junior high.”
The Bucks had two AllConference selections in senior Austin Goodwin and sophomore D'Kylan Hildreth.
“Austin has been a starter for us at quarterback for the past two seasons and at free safety for the past three,” Osborn said. “He is a leader on the field and we definitely will miss him next year. On the defensive side of the ball, he is able to make adjustments when needed and is a physical presence on the field with over 70 tackles. Over the years, he has completely changed some games with his ability to play downhill and lay the big hit.
“For DH, the sky's the limit for him. He is one of those kids that any time he touches the ball, he can take it to the house.”
Although the Bucks struggled in 2020, Osborn likes what could be lying ahead for the program.
“Overall, I feel like we are in a position to keep improving,” Osborn said. “Our seventh grade went undefeated on the season with a good group that seems to mesh really well together. They have size on the offensive and defensive fronts and a ton of skill guys.
“Our junior high ended up 2-4 with the four losses coming to the same two teams. They had big wins over Junction City and Mineral Springs. The numbers in junior high were up this year and it's a group that if they continue to work, they will have a good future for them as they develop. The key will be to keep those guys in the program and not lose them as they move to the 10th grade.
“As far as the senior high goes, we are losing quite a few, but with the crew coming up from the ninth grade and if we get some development of our 10th- and 11th-graders we will have a chance to be improved. The key for us will be to have a good offseason, not have school get shut down and continue to build on our offensive and defensive plans.
“From the beginning, my goal has been to build a program 7-12 and even though it's been a wild year, I feel like we are working toward that. You can see continuity in the program from top to bottom, which you have to have to be successful.”