Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
ROGERS HIGH MOUNTIES
2018 RECORD 3-7, 2-5 7A-West Conference COACH Mike Loyd
RETURNING PLAYERS 9 offense, 4 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Hunter Loyd (Sr., 6-4, 200), OL R.J. Long (Sr., 6-3, 290), RB Sammy Zamarron (Sr., 5-7, 172), WR Mason Ross (Sr., 5-9, 174), OL Carter Cox (Jr., 6-3, 290), OL Aaron Salinas (Sr., 6-3 280), WR/ DB Chris Francisco (Jr., 5-7, 140), OL Jack Gilbreath (Sr., 6-3 285), DL Brian Wade (Jr., 6-0 220).
THE SKINNY The Mounties have several offensive weapons returning to try to compete in the top half of the 7A-West Conference, beginning with quarterback Hunter Loyd, who already has multiple D-1 scholarship offers, . … The senior suffered an illness of unknown origin over the summer, losing more than 20 pounds. He’s well now, but gaining weight slowly. …Receiver Mason Ross and offensive linemen R.J. Long and Jack Gilbreath also have scholarship offers in hand. … Lineman Aaron Salinas and running back Sammy Zamarron are also drawing college attention. … Ross caught 58 passes for 858 yards and 7 touchdowns and will again be a top target for Loyd. Zamarron rushed for 700 yards a year ago, but the position is a bit thin on depth as one moved away and another was an academic casualty. … Senior Cedric Brown (5-10, 175) is a solid linebacker, but could also factor in the backfield and Long, who has committed to the U.S. Air Force Academy, could also get the ball in his hands some at tight end or fullback. … Gavin Pitts and Chris Francisco should play in the secondary but could also see time at receiver.
COACH SPEAK “For us, this is probably the fastest crew we’ve had,” Loyd said. “First time since I’ve been here we’ve got some size who can match up with anybody in our league. This is a group, they expect to win. They aren’t intimidated by anyone on our schedule. There are three parts of this. They gotta believe in the staff. They gotta believe in what you’re installing. The final part is they have to believe they can win. There’s been doubt and skepticism before. These kids think they can play with anybody and they can.”