Sophomores get their chance to shine

Bentonville coach Jody Grant said the rising sophomores from last year’s unbeaten team will get their chances to see how they can compete with the older players this spring.

“This is a very talented class,” Grant said. “We feel like there are some in this group that could come and help us immediately. We’ve worked out this group with our varsity during our Friday morning workouts so these varsity guys can see what’s coming, and they know that.

“There are quite a few that will compete for jobs. Normally that would concern you as a head coach, but this is a special group of sophomores. That’s not that big of a concern.”

Grant said there are about 125 players participating now in spring workouts, and that number may jump to 140 to 145 when those participating in various spring sports complete their seasons in that sports. The Tigers’ main focus will be to see who is willing to rise and fill the voids in the starting lineup that graduation has created.

“We’re going to be looking for that early on,” Grant said. “Just because they are currently penciled in as a guy means they’re going to just get it. They have to earn it, and that’s what we look forward as a staff in the early stages of spring football.”

“We’re replacing a lot of new faces. We have a new quarterback and a new offensive line, except for in a couple of spots. On the defensive side, we have to replace both corners and two linebacker positions, as well as some of our defensive line. We have to find those that want to win those jobs and take responsibility.”