Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE MAVERICKS
2018 RECORD 6-6, 3-4 7A-Central Conference COACH Jeff Williams
RETURNING STARTERS 4 offense, 8 defense
KEY PLAYERS QB Parker Wehunt (Jr., 5-11, 190), RB Johntarrius Washington (Jr., 5-11, 190), OL Marlon Briggs (Jr., 5-11, 320), DE Jeremiah Van Hook (Sr., 6-2, 230), DT Shawn Rogers (Jr., 6-2, 265), FS Elijah Lyles (Jr., 5-7, 140), DB Dakota Wareham (Jr., 5-9, 155), LB Landon Chaffey (Jr., 6-1, 210).
THE SKINNY The Mavericks will have a different look in 2019 as they shift from a pass-oriented spread to a hammering ground game. Southside’s experience upfront and talented backs, plus eight starters back on defense will be huge pluses, coach Jeff Williams said. … Junior Parker Wehunt will take over at quarterback after Taye Gatewood’s graduation. Wehunt was a linebacker last season and brings that physical mentality to quarterback. … Defense is where the Mavericks will shine, and none shine brighter than junior linebacker Landon Chaffey, who had more than 100 tackles in 2018. … The defensive line is rock-solid, anchored by tackle Shawn Rogers, who led the team in tackles-for-loss last season. … Free safety Elijah Lyles leads the back end of the defense after moving from linebacker in the spring. … The Mavericks have the best punter in the 7A-Central in Adam Puckett, who could be a huge weapon in the all-important field position battle.
COACH SPEAK “The last two years we were really explosive offensively,” Williams said. “We were able to throw the football around. This year we are very young, so we are going back to the old days a little bit. We’re going to run the football and use play-action and do some things. We’re going to have to be good on third down, so we’re going to need to throw it some, too. We have nine starters back on defense, so we feel really good there.”