Players wanting to return to Arkansas High football

TEXARKANA, Ark. — Arkansas High head head football coach Trey Outlaw hasn’t been wondering the hallways at the high school looking for players for his up-and-coming football team.

Well, on second thought, maybe he has.

“Yep, I’m out there roaming the hallways and trying to corral some great players,” Outlaw joked from outside his office at the Razorback Field House.

In actuality, the would-be football players are coming to coach Outlaw. Several athletes who have not played football in several years, are wanting to jump on the winning bandwagon at Arkansas High, just like the old days.

“I have played football since my sophomore season,” said junior Cameron Sanders. “I broke my wrist that year and I haven’t played football since.”

Sanders said his wrist has healed and he wants to join his friends and buddies on the Razorback footbal team that was 4-6 in Outlaw’s first year at the helm.

“I think coach Outlaw has inspired a lot of my friends to come back and play football, and I want to do that, too,” Sanders said. “I want to be a part of the team that turns the things around. I want to be a part of Arkansas High’s winning tradition in football.”

Quavo Ross, another junior, agrees.

“My friends who did play football this past season have been asking me to come back out and play for Razorback football again,” he said. “I haven’t played football since the ninth grade, but I’m excited about coming out and playing my senior year.

“It’ll be good to play with all my friends, again, because we all believe in each other and love each other.”

Makel Watson is also a senior-to-be for Arkansas High next fall.

“I played football back in the ninth grade, but I’ve played basketball every year,” Watson said. “Basketball is my best sport, but I really like football, too. I plan on playing football and basketball next season.”

Outlaw said numerous athletes are asking him to rejoin the football team.

“We had about 47 to 50 players last year, and right now, in offseason, we’ve got 114,” Outlaw said with a smile. “We’re getting much better participation and it’s starting to show in our other sports, too, like basketball, tennis, track and field. We don’t just play football here, and one of my jobs as athletic director, is to make sure we have as much participation in all the sports, boys and girls.”

Watson, a 6-foot, 180-pounder, says he hopes to play tight end or some type of receiver on next year Hog squad.

“I liked playing tight end the best because it allows me to hit the defense first,” Watson said. “I ain’t afraid of the physical hitting, because that’s all part of the game.”

Watson also said he doesn’t mind the long practices and lifting weights to gain strength.

“Coach Outlaw runs a disciplined program and everybody understands that,” Watson said. “He knows how to make us better players and a stronger football team. The guys are really behind him.”

Sanders says he is about 5-11 or 6-foot and weighs between 145 and 150 pounds. His speed makes him a target at wide receiver.

Nathan Wall returns at quarterback for Arkansas High, and Sanders knows Wall very well.

“He throws great passes, whether short outs or long

bombs,” Sanders said. “It’s going to be my job to get open for him because he’s got a very strong arm.”

Ross, a 5-8 1/2, 135 pounder, also is a wide receiver who hopes to return to the gridiron.

“The Razorbacks missed the playoffs by one game last year and we’re hoping to make the playoffs and make another deep run — maybe even a state championship,” Ross said. “We believe in coach Outlaw and the whole student body is behind him, because he has such a winning attitude. He’s an inspirational coach, that’s for sure.”

The trophy cases are loaded with state championship trophies the Razorbacks have won over the years, in all sports, not just football.

“I betcha we can find another place for a state championship trophy,” Outlaw said.