Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
BENTONVILLE WEST WOLVERINES
2018 RECORD 7-5, 6-1 7A-West Conference COACH Bryan Pratt, fourth year
RETURNING PLAYERS 6 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Dalton McDonald (Jr., 6-0, 165), RB/ LB Jonas Higson (Sr., 6-3, 220), WR Stephen Dyson (Sr., 5-10, 160), OL Ben Gann (Sr., 6-0, 255), OL Trenton Davis (Jr., 5-11, 240), LB Nick Whitlatch (Sr., 6-0, 185), SS Maddux Thornton (Sr., 6-1, 185), CB Brandon Humes (Sr., 5-9, 150), K Trey Travis (Sr., 5-8, 150).
THE SKINNY The Wolverines’ strength lies in the offensive line as all five starters return, led by an all-state performer in Ben Gann at one tackle and an all-conference selection in Trenton Davis at the other tackle. That group is bolstered by senior Jadon Muskrat (6-4, 270), who moved in from Choctaw, Okla., and has already verbally committed to Tulsa. … Dalton McDonald now assumes the quarterback position after playing in seven games (five starts) and throwing for more than 1,200 yards and 13 TDs. … Stephen Dyson was the team’s second-leading receiver before suffering a leg injury against Bentonville. … Bryan Pratt expects to see more offensive production from players such as Jonas Higson, Nick Whitlatch and Brandon Humes, all of whom played on defense last season. … West adds two transfers from Bentonville — Luke Miller and A.J. Moss — who will provide immediate help in the skill positions. … The defense is led by Whitlatch and Thornton in the secondary as they finished with 125 and 94 tackles, respectively, and by Higson, who had 117 tackles, including 22 in the playoff game against Conway.
COACH SPEAK “We have some skill guys we have to replace, and some young kids have to step up,” Pratt said. “This has been different. It’s more like an established program, and we’re trying to get to the next level. Every year we’re trying to get better and better, from the first year of hosting a playoff game to the second year having a bye and third year of playing in the semifinals. The next step is playing for a state championship, and that one’s not an easy task. We have an uphill row to hoe, but we’ll be fine.”