Backs are riding high in midseason
Arkansas High is receiving its return on investment.
The Razorbacks hired Barry Norton as the head coach before the start of the season and haven’t looked back.
“I’m having a great time here,” Arkansas High head football coach Barry Norton said. “I don’t remember the rebuilding process at Texas High years ago but I’m sure it’s similar to this. It’s a culture change. It’s rejuvenated me as a coach.
The culture change was one of our biggest obstacles. Putting systems in place and having structure. Our kids have bought in and now it is a way of life for them. Our administration has given us great support, along with the community.”
The Hogs (4-3, 2-2) have surpassed their win total from a season ago. Arkansas High has a plethora of offensive weapons, along with a surging defense.
Junior Irijah Price leads the receiving corps with 29 snags for 512 yards and six scores.
Junior DeJordan Mask has caught five passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns with limited snaps.
“It’s important for our kids to understand that doing the little things matter,” Norton said. “After spending 30 years in Texas, I’m starting to see the quality of coaching and football in Arkansas is comparable. We had to come in and change the mindset of our kids. Taking over a program that hasn’t won much, you have to come in and make the changes necessary, so you can say you have earned the right to win.”
Junior Drake Browning has answered the call of duty for AHS in 2017. Browning has played quarterback, receiver, has taken a handoff and also handles the punting duties for the Hogs.
Browning has 7 catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Browning also has 71 carries for 386 yards and three touchdowns. The AHS hybrid is averaging 35.0 yards per punt.
Sophomore Sean Foreback has split time under center with Browning through the midway point.
Browning has completed 31 passes on 71 attempts for 528 yards and four touchdowns. Foreback has thrown 20 completions on 48 attempts for 306 yards and three touchdowns.
Junior Jordan Hall leads the AHS backfield with 97 totes for 571 yards and five touchdowns.
“The Texas High game was a turning point for us,” Norton said. “That was our building block to say we’ve earned the right to win. I’ve stressed to kids that we need a few more signature wins rolling into the playoffs. So much success depends on kids believing.
“When I was at West-Orange Stark, there was a belief we would win every game. It was all based on the fact that we’ve earned the right. Next year, our kids will be able to say they have earned the right. We’re going to invest heavily in our offseason. I tell our kids all the time, you can’t expect to receive anything in the stock market if you don’t invest.”
Junior Treveon Cleveland leads the AHS defense with 89 tackles. Cleveland is one of the leading tacklers in the state.
Kendricks Young is not far behind for the Hogs with 74 tackles upon the midseason point.
Junior Demetrias Charles has garnered seven sacks for Arkansas High through seven games.
Cameron Collier leads the ball-hawking secondary with three picks. Collier has 66 tackles on the season and a fumble recovery.
Mask and Tyrie Black have each snatched two picks each in the defensive backfield.
The Hogs host the defending Conference 6A state champions Rusellville (3-4, 2-2) at Razorback Stadium on Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
“The Junior class is a good class,” Norton said. “You are what your record says you are. We were 3-8 last year, so it doesn’t really matter what happened when you were young. What we’ve done is asked the kids to fulfill their role on this team. Roles change week to week and I think the kids have responded well. Our kids just want to win.
“Tre Cleveland and Kendricks Young have had a tremendous season for us. Those guys come in everyday with a big smile on their face and there is a correlation with that and their success. Everyone needs to be a leader, some can lead more but we need everyone to lead. Austin Nix has down a great job for us leading our offensively group. We’re not so talented that we can just show up, we must still hone our skills weekly. Ideally, we want to win out and have a home playoff game. We want the best possible seeding in the playoffs and hopefully, play ourselves into a trip to Little Rock.”