SPRINGDALE HAR-BER AT PULASKI ACADEMY

Bruins Stadium, Little Rock KICKOFF 7 p.m.

RECORDS Season opener for both teams

ON THE AIR The game will be livestreamed on the Wildcats Sports Network

PLAYERS TO WATCH Har-Ber — QB Blaise Wittschen (Sr., 6-0, 170), WR Hunter Wood (Sr., 6-1, 180), WR Micah Seawood (Sr., 6-1, 170), RB Jay Burns (Sr., 5-10, 180), OL Jack Struebing (So., 6-1, 260), LB Jadarrius Brown (Sr., 6-3, 225). Pulaski Academy — QB Braden Bratcher (Sr., 6-0, 185), RB Izarius Woods (Jr., 6-0, 210), WR Jayden Kelley (Sr., 6-2, 190), OL Thomas Vaughan (Sr., 6-5, 290).

BETWEEN THE LINES Last season was Har-Ber’s worst since it’s inaugural campaign in 2006 (2-8), and the tailspin started with a 50-14 loss in the opener to Pulaski Academy. It ended when HarBer was forced to forfeit three games and missed the playoffs. … The Wildcats

have spit out last season’s debacle like sour milk and attacked offseason workouts with a new purpose. Today’s game will be a measuring stick for Har-Ber. … Pulaski Academy did not win the Class 5A title for the first time since 2014 last season, so the Bruins are also anxious to get the season started. … Har-Ber has as many playmakers on offense as any team in the state, the key will be staying healthy and playing together. … Wildcats quarterback Blaise Wittschen battled through injuries last season to complete 81 of 166 passes for 1,195 yards. Those numbers should rise considerably this season. … WRs Micah Seawood and Hunter Wood are as explosive as any tandem anywhere and should put up big numbers in 2019. … RB Jay Burns was an unknown until the mid-point of the season in 2018 when he put up a pair of 300-plus yard rushing performances. … PA will be the most explosive offense Har-Ber will face this season. QB Braden Bratcher is the latest in a long history of top quarterbacks for the Bruins. Last season Bratcher was 316 of 466 passing for 4,733 yards and 57 TDs. And he is far from the only playmaker for PA. … RB Izarius Wood will be the primary back as last year’s leading rusher Jayden Kelley moves to WR.

HOOTEN’S RANKINGS Har-Ber is No. 7 in Class 7A. Pulaski Academy is No. 1 in Class 5A.

HOOTEN’S LINE Pulaski Academy by 8 OUR TAKE Har-Ber 45, Pulaski Academy 35