New era begins for Wolves, Cobras

The start of high school football practice this week signals a new beginning and a clean slate for all teams, none more so than Lake Hamilton and Fountain Lake.

Monday’s first practice day, mandated by the Arkansas Activities Association, marked the beginning of new eras for the Wolves and Cobras.

Tommy Gilleran is entering his first season as head coach of the Wolves, following a 13-year run at Fountain Lake that included a Class 3A championship in 2009.

Gilleran is Lake Hamilton’s second coach in as many seasons, succeeding Jeremy Reed who left for Yukon, Okla., after a 6-5 finish last year. The Wolves have five players battling for the starting quarterback job, but return eight starters on offense, including all-conference performer Will Burgess at right tackle.

Burgess holds offers from Arkansas Tech, Central Arkansas, Missouri State and Ouachita Baptist. Lake Hamilton hosted first-round playoff games in each of the last two seasons but hasn’t won a conference championship since 2011.

While Gilleran settles in at his alma mater, J.D. Plumlee looks to fill the big shoes left behind at Fountain Lake. A Lakeside graduate and former Malvern assistant, Plumlee is entering his first season as a head coach after spending last year as offensive coordinator for Class 6A champion Russellville.

The Cobras struggled to a

2-8 finish last season, but return nine starters on offense and

10 on defense. Senior Stephen Turner takes over at quarterback, aided by a plethora of offensive weapons.

Andrew Roberson rushed for

1,310 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while Parion Johnson had 37 catches for 841 yards and seven touchdowns.

Elsewhere in the county, Lakeside is seeking its third straight conference 5A-South championship. The Rams won six of their last seven regular season games before falling to Little Rock McClellan in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row.

After returning to the postseason for the first time since

2012 in T.J. Burk’s first season as head coach, Jessieville has its sights set on even more this year.

The Lions return five starters on offense and defense, but must navigate a difficult schedule that includes reigning state champions Mount Ida and Prescott.

Hot Springs and Cutter Morning Star each flashed signs of playoff contention last season, but struggled with consistency. Junior Chris Stewart shifts from running back to quarterback for the Trojans, looking for a better start after losing five of their first six games last year.

CMS bounced back from an 0-10 campaign to finish 4-6 last season, but the Eagles had just one win in a competitive 2A-5 conference. Dakota Lepitre returns at defensive end for the Eagles after racking up 90 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Mountain Pine is looking for a fresh start under second-year coach Sam Counce. The Red Devils struggled with numbers for most of last season, ultimately cancelling their final six games to finish 0-10.

Lake Hamilton transfer Fay Haywood should contribute on offense after scoring nine touchdowns for the Wolves last season.

Teams will have four weeks of practice before the start of the regular season. Lakeside opens against Pulaski Robinson on Aug. 28 at War Memorial Stadium while the rest of the county opens on Sept. 2.

Local golf

EL DORADO — Despite only one golfer breaking into double-digits, the Lakeside Lady Rams won the Simmons Bank Wildcat Invitational here Monday.

Benton finished in second place with a 296, and Camden Harmony Grove took third with a 298.

Lakeside freshman Abby Lea Huett shot an 87 to finish the day as runner-up medalist to Harmony Grove’s Sidney Pigott, who shot an 80.

Carly Orr shot a 100, while teammates Macy Landry and Calynn Horner carded 108 each.

Bryant won the boys side of the tournament, wrapping up the day with a 294, while the Rams finished third with a 316 behind Benton’s 305.

Griffin Wuensch carded a 77 to lead the Rams. Nathan Ahlers and Will Griffin each shot 79, Beau Browning 81 and Carson Garner 84.

Hot Springs did not field a team, but individually Zach Brown shot an 83 and Jake Tester 85.

The Rams travel to Texarkana Thursday for their next preseason tournament.