Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FAYETTEVILLE BULLDOGS
2017 RECORD 7-5, 5-2 7A-West COACH Billy Dawson RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense, 7 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Darius Bowers (Sr., 6-2, 205), John Bandy (Sr., 6-2, 215), WR Connor Flannigan (Jr., 5-10, 155), WR Barrett Adams (Sr., 5-11, 180), OL Cameron Ervin (Sr., 6-3, 250), DT Keondre Conley (Sr., 6-3, 245), DB J Beasley (Sr., 5-9, 185), Coleman Johnson (Sr., 6-2, 230).
THE SKINNY Dawson begins his second season with the Bulldogs after arriving from Russellville, where he led the Cyclones to the Class 6A state championship in 2016. He also won three state championships with Nashville. … Fayetteville lost four consecutive games then won six consecutive before losing to Bryant for the second time in the playoffs. The Bulldogs play at Bryant on Sept. 14. … Darius Bowers is drawing a lot of recruiting attention after passing for nearly 3,400 yards and 34 touchdowns as a junior. Bowers said he won’t announce a decision for college until after the season. …. Dawson calls offensive lineman Cameron Ervin the best in the league and says junior Connor Flannigan could develop into one of the league’s best receivers. Flannigan caught 24 passes for 392 yards last season. …. Senior safety J Beasley heads an inexperienced secondary after making 54 tackles a year ago. COACH SPEAK “Barrett Adams and Connor Flannigan are two guys who bring a lot to the table. We’ve also got Luke Charboneau and some young kids at receiver who are going to be really good. I’m really pleased with our depth on the defensive line. We can play eight kids there and I like our linebacking crew. We’re inexperienced in the secondary, but I think we’re getting better back there.”