Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
MOUNTAINBURG DRAGONS
2018 RECORD 8-3, 5-1 2A-4 Conference COACH Tom Harrell
RETURNING PLAYERS 6 offense, 6 defense KEY PLAYERS QB Ethan Gregory (Jr., 6-0 160), RB Malachi West (Sr., 6-3 250), OL Damien Kissler (Sr., 6-1 220), OL Ridge Bonewell (Sr., 6-6 250), DL Billy Jones (Sr., 6-2 220), DL Tristan Murchison (Jr., 5-11 230), DB Ethan Jones (Sr., 5-7 150), OL Dolen Patterson (Sr., 5-9 270).
THE SKINNY Coach Tom Harrell begins his 30th year as head coach and becomes the longest-tenured coach in Arkansas with the retirement of Cabot’s Mike Malham Jr. … Harrell has led the Dragons to a combined 17 wins over the past two seasons since going to a version of the Single-Wing on offense. … The Dragons will need to replace speedy Austin Taylor, who rushed for 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, but quarterback Ethan Gregory returns as the trigger man in the unusual offense. The junior rushed for 662 yards and 16 TDs and threw for 892 more to go with 13 TDs through the air. … Powerful Malachi West accounted for 739 yards on the ground on just 97 carries (7.6 avg.), but could tote a heavier load this season. … Senior Ethan Jones started at cornerback the past two seasons, but will likely move to offense to take Taylor’s spot. … Junior Tristan Murchison suffered a broken foot late in the season, but returns to help anchor the line.
COACH SPEAK “We’ve had good years the last two years,” Harrell said. “Lineman-wise, I think we’re gonna be pretty good. Skill people, the quarterback’s back and he had a great year last year. We’ve got the big back. Hopefully, we can find pieces that kinda fit the rest of it. We’ve had kids that kinda waited their turn behind other guys and it’s their turn. Not playing many guys both ways, I think it’s helped our numbers. I know it’s helped us in September and early October games. You throw in the kicking game I get about 90 percent of them on the field.”