Playoff push, solid offseason leave Badgers optimistic

ARKADELPHIA — Despite a rough start to conference play last season, the Arkadelphia Badgers routed their final two

4A-7 opponents to qualify for the state playoffs.

Arkadelphia lost in the first round, 30-24 to eventual state runner-up Pea Ridge, after the Blackhawks scored a touchdown off a blocked field goal in the final minutes.

Despite the 2016 setbacks, this year’s Badger squad is undaunted, says coach J.R. Eldridge.

“That was new territory from where we had been the last three years,” he said. “But what I love about our kids is that they just continue to compete. They competed until our season was over. I think that says something about the character of our kids.”

Eldridge says the Badgers come off a solid offseason.

“(We had) great participation and commitment level during the summer,” he said. “We went to five different team camps throughout the summer. I feel like we’ve made some good progress, got better at our base offense, base defense.”

The Badgers return much of the young talent from last season’s team, sophomore quarterback Cannon Turner (6-0, 185) adding 15-20 pounds of muscle during the offseason.

“He had a great season as a ninth grader,” Eldridge said. “We’re excited about him. He’s extremely smart and is a good leader.”

Junior running back Zion Hatley (6-0, 185) “really exploded during the second half of the season ahd had some good games.”

Senior Jack Burnham (511, 200) returns as an H-back/ fullback with the option of an additional receiving route, and junior Alec Ruble (5-9, 185) fills in at slotback.

Junior Logan Lucas (5-9,

175), said Eldridge, “can really play anything from quarterback all the way out,” Eldridge said. “He’s played everything on offense. He’ll be good.”

Senior Alec Lewis (5-11, 22), junior Gavin Deaton (6-1, 180) and sophomore Logan Becker

(6-1, 141) are among Turner’s targets, joining Javonte Brown

(6-2, 180), who was injured at the end of the year. Eldridge also expects sophomore Dyon Hunter to be a strong asset for the team.

“He’s had a great spring, a great summer,” the coach said. “He can play any of the wide receivers.”

Senior center Trent Keeling (5-11, 245) anchors the offensive line while classmates Seth Willmon (5-11, 270), Gage Yelverton (5-11, 260), Tanner Smith (6-1, 275) and Patrick Dobbins (6-0, 220) rotate at guard. Smith also fills in at guard with seniors Carson Almond (5-10, 240) and Waylon Cargile (5-10, 225).

“All those guys got reps in games last year, so, basically, we’re returning our whole offensive line,” Eldridge said. “I’m excited about that.”

Sophomores Rickey Rogers and Jayson Campbell (6-1, 183) join senior Jordan Jarboe (61, 180) at defensive end while seniors Landen Irby (5-11, 270) and De’Marco Britton (5-11,

210) shore up the center of the D-line with sophomore Lorenzo Lawson (5-10, 220).

“We’re a little bit younger on the defensive line,” Eldridge said.

The Badgers return junior Josh Wallace (5-11, 185) at middle linebacker, Josh Burnham

(5-11, 200) and sophomore returning star Kyren Harrison

(5-9, 185) outside. Senior Dillon Scott (5-10,

165) returns at corner for his third season as a starter and junior Carlos Haynie (6-0, 170) at safety. Senior Carson Smith (510, 170) landed the other safety position after a good spring and summer.

Junior Victor Tademy (6-0,

165) transferred from Tompkins High School, a 6A school in Katy, Texas. His father, Tony, joined the Henderson State University coaching staff as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after starting the football program at Tompkins and serving as linebackers coach at TCU for eight seasons.

“He’s going to be really good on defense and special teams,” Eldridge said. “He’s going to be a good football player.”

Junior kicker Gabe Goodman (6-0, 140) played behind Nathan Warner last season.

“I’m really excited about Gabe Goodman,” Eldridge said. “He had a good season last season. Gabe’s going to be a great kicker for us, both off the tee and PAT/field goals.”

Scott and Hatley both return on special teams as well. Hatley led the kickoff-coverage team in tackles and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Alec Ruble (5-9, 185) also returns on special teams, captaining the group along with Goodman.

Eldridge noted three possibilities for the punter — Turner, Goodman and Lewis. “All three of those guys we could use at punter,” Eldridge said. “We used Canon and Alec last year, but Gabe has really gotten good.”

The Badgers start a tough nonconference schedule against Stuttgart, knocked out of the playoffs last season by eventual 4A champion Warren.

“I think the bottom line for us is to take one game at a time and being able to move on from the previous game and know that you’re not defined by your last game,” Eldridge said. “You’ve got to prove it every single week. Every team on our schedule is capable of that, and we’re capable. We’ve got to really focus … on respecting every opponent and treating every game with the same value because every game is valuable.”