Lions hungry for more after postseason berth
JESSIEVILLE — Reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2012, Jessieville exceeded all expectations in T.J. Burk’s first year as head coach last season.
With five returning starters on offense and defense, the Lions look for more this year after closing the season on a three-game losing streak, 55-21 at Elkins in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
“There’s a lot of excitement; making the playoffs for a lot of these kids was a big deal last year since they had never made it before,” Burk said. “We’re just trying to build on what we did last year. There’s a lot of community support; they’re excited about it and I think it’s going to be a good thing for us.”
Garland County’s lone returning starter at quarterback, senior Adam Saveall went through ups and downs in his first year under center. Saveall passed for 964 yards with seven total touchdowns and nine interceptions, completing 14 of 20 passes for 135 yards in a comeback win over Haskell Harmony Grove in Week 6.
After losing 11 seniors, Burk envisions another role for the signal caller this season.
“We’re looking for him to be more of a leader,” said Burk. “At times last year, he struggled with some decisions; we’re hoping he’s better in the decision-making process now. We’re looking for him to be an extension of the coaches on the field. If something goes wrong, he’s the guy that has to get back in that huddle and get everything right. Last year he had to rely on some other guys to be the leaders, but we’re expecting him to step up and take that role.”
Graduation of leading rusher Andrew Galloway and Steven Benson opens the door for others in the backfield. Colton Ault and Dylan Wright return, each averaging more than four yards per carry last season, while sophomore Austin Carl should contribute after leading the 8-1 junior Lions with more than 1,000 yards.
“I’m pretty confident about our backfield,” Burk said. “We’ve got two guys coming back in Colton Ault and Dylan Wright who got some touches last year, and we’re comfortable with either one of them carrying the ball. We’ve also got Austin, and we’ve moved him around a little bit; he’ll still play in the backfield, but we’re also looking at him for receiver to replace some of the guys we lost out there.”
Seniors Hunter Ault and Mason Bradshaw, junior Austin Chandler and sophomores Joey Benson, Gabe Graves, Leslie Rooke and Brady Smith take over for Ruben de Haas and Kaleb Moody in a newlook receiving corps. Benson and Chandler also split time at tight end.
Three-year starter Dale Scott (6-2, 245) anchors the line at left tackle, paving the way for an offense that averaged almost 26 points per game.
“As a three-year starter and being that this is his second year in the system, he understands everything that’s going on,” said Burk. “He understands the schemes, and that’s why we have him at left tackle protecting the blind side. As far as technique, footwork and using his hands, he’s one of the best that’s come through here
in a long time.”
Junior Jeffrey Scott (5-11, 200) returns at left guard, joined by junior Tyler Holloway (6-1, 210) at center and sophomore Aaron Murders (5-11, 205) at right guard.
Senior Logan Perkins (6-0, 205) and junior Eric Robertson (6-0, 280) rotate at right tackle while Bryan Morgan and Fountain Lake transfer Lorenz Fehrenbacher could also see time on the line.
“There’s a few other guys that can step in and play, but we’d like to have a little more depth behind them,” Burk said. “We’re going to have to stay healthy up front; that will be a big key for what we’re trying to do this season.”
While Burk’s spread offense garnered most of the attention last season, defense dictated the game for the Lions. Jessieville surrendered just 13 points per game in its six wins compared to 39 points per game in its five losses.
“I think the defense was our strong point last year; we’re an aggressive defense and we had some athletes, especially on the defensive line, that could make some plays,” said Burk. “Our defense drives what the offense does. As long as we can get on and off the field on defense, then we feel pretty confident about being able to move the football and score.”
Playing defensive end, Dale Scott registered 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Robertson takes over for Josh Zamudio at nose guard and Perkins mans the other defensive-end spot.
“Up front is going to be the key for us; if we can get pressure, then we don’t have to cover near as long in the secondary,” Burk said. “Our main focus will be to stop the run, put some heat on quarterbacks and hopefully force them into some bad decisions and turnovers.”
The linebacking unit received a big boost when Oliver Nasilai returned in the offseason. A Brigham Young University verbal commit, Nasilai had 128 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and seven sacks over the last two seasons at Springdale Har-Ber, earning all-state honors in 2016.
“I think it gave those guys a little boost of energy, knowing that we’re going to have somebody in the middle that can correct a lot of things for us,” said Burk. “He’s a plugger; he gets in there and he’s not going to miss tackles. If he gets his hands on you at 250 pounds, there’s not much you’re going to be able to do.”
Hunter Ault tallied 47 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a team-high four sacks last season at outside linebacker. Senior Justin Herron, junior Luke Wilson and Carl also work out at linebacker.
Sophomore B.J. Holloway is the projected starter at the hybrid “tiger” position after gaining reps late last season.
“B.J. is a smart kid and he understands defense,” Burk said. “Being that he started every game for us last year in junior high, he knows what we expect out of our tiger. He’s really good at coming downhill and playing the run, and he’s been pretty good against the pass. He moved up because of some injuries last year, so he’s got a little bit of experience there that most sophomores wouldn’t have.”
Chandler returns at safety alongside Graves and Wright. Senior Gage Triolo and Colton Ault man the cornerback spots while seniors Lathan Brian and Edwin Kacynski provide depth in the secondary.
The Lions open the season Sept. 1 at Mountain Pine, eyeing another hot start after winning six of their first eight games last season.
“In a league like ours where it’s stacked from top to bottom, it’s very important to win early,” Burk said. “The sooner you can clinch a spot (in the playoffs), the less stress you have at the end of the season. You’ve got to take it one game at a time, but every week is important in a conference as stacked as this one. If you can make it out and get in the playoffs, anything can happen. Hopefully we can make it a little further this year and look to build on what we did last year.”