Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
4A-1 Class 4A
There’s no looking back for Shiloh Christian coach Jeff Conaway, whose team is the favorite in the 4A-1.
“We lost some really good seniors, a running back that was very dynamic,” Conaway said. “We lost a couple of really good offensive linemen, two good receivers. What I like about this group is we’ve got 23 seniors. It’s a big number, I think the biggest we’ve ever had.”
Quarterback Eli Reece emerged last season and passed for 2,600 yards and 32 touchdowns. Top receiving target Truitt Tollett is also back after catching 77 passes for 1,183 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Shiloh Christian returns seven offensive and six defensive starters. That number would have been higher if Northwest
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Division II Newcomer of the Year Jaiden Henry had not moved to Van Buren when his father, defensive backs coach Moe Henry, was hired as the defensive coordinator there. The loss of Jaiden Henry was softened some with the addition of sophomore Kaden Henley, whose father was added to the coaching staff. Henley started at Lawton High School last season as a freshman linebacker.
The Saints may be the favorite in the 4A-1, but there will be plenty of opposition. Lincoln was 8-3 last season and hopes to make some noise before it slides down to Class 3A next season.
“What I like about this group is we’ve got 23 seniors. It’s a big number, I think the biggest we’ve ever had.” — Jeff Conaway, Shiloh Christian head football coach
“We know we’re a 3A team, the AAA has already told us,” Lincoln coach Don Harrison said. “But we’re not focusing on that. We’re focused on doing our job in 4A. We have a saying around here that we focus on our specifics and not our circumstances.”
Specifically, Lincoln has five starters back each way from a team that had its best season since 2015.
Prairie Grove and Pea Ridge have each played in the state championship game in the past five years and will have a big say in how the conference shapes up.
Prairie Grove had an un-Tigerlike season last year at 5-6 but should be in contention again. Pea Ridge, playing its final season in 4A before making the move to 5A, returns senior running back Sam Beard, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season.
“The 4A-1 is known for being a tough conference week in and week out, and that won’t change this season,” Blackhawks coach Stephen Neal said. “Our hope is that we can continue to do well in the 4A-1 against the top teams. By no means are we thinking about 5A. The 4A-1 is tough enough for us as it is.”
“The 4A-1 is known for being a tough conference week in and week out, and that won’t change this season.” — Stephen Neal, Pea Ridge head football coach