2015 Hornet Preview

After the 14-14 tie score between the Bryant Hornets and the Benton Panthers at the 2014 Salt Bowl, here’s where the Hornets were, according to head coach Paul Calley:

“You get asked every year, what was the turning point of your season. I think it happened in week one. Going into the season, we thought we were going to have a good football team. Coming out of the Salt Bowl, I think that was in doubt and it made our guys go back to work.

“We had no idea the type of team that Benton was going to have,” he continued. “We had no idea they were going to go undefeated all the way to the State championship game. Had we known that, it may not have had the same effect that it had. The kids did not like that feeling at all. Our guys went back to work and we improved each week.”

The Hornets, in fact, were undefeated as well after that Salt Bowl until they ran into Conway in the final game of the regular season.

“I thought Week 10 against Conway was probably our worst game of the year on both sides of the ball but then the week after against Har-Ber was our best game of the year,” Calley noted. And the next week, the Hornets had the eventual Class 7A champion Bentonville Tigers on the ropes well into the second half before falling 17-7.

As the 2015 Salt Bowl approaches, Calley has mentioned the 2014 deadlock to his players.

“I use it to motivate a lot,” he said. “We have not forgotten. We still don’t have the trophy. It is still in Benton and it’s going to stay in Benton until we earn it back.”

Asked about what excites him about his team, Calley responded, “The improvements that we’ve made in the weight room during the off-season, and our speed. I was really impressed with the work ethic of the kids and I think the more results that they saw, the harder they worked. They really surpassed all my expectations. We still have some question marks but I’m just excited about the potential that the team has.”

Two areas where there’s inexperience will have a lot to do with how well the Hornets succeed: the offensive line and the defensive secondary.

Only right tackle Brycen Waddle, who started six games and played in all 12 last year, has much varsity experience on the o-line. At right guard is Daniel Coppock with Zack Knapp at center, Cole Chapman at left guard and Cole Fritschen at left tackle.

“Fritschen missed all of last season with a staff infection and Coppock, Knapp and Chapman, none of them lettered,” Calley noted. “But they’re a tight-knit group. They have grown. They understand what they’re supposed to do.”

Calley also mentioned Noah Love at center or guard, Seddric Sullivan at tackle or guard along with Chandler Davis, Kobi Riffe, Joseph Wyllia and Preston Kyzer. At tight end, Chase Fox and converted quarterback Jaret Jacobs along with Dagen Carden are in the mix.

In the secondary, all four spots will be manned by new starters. At one safety, Phillip Isom-Green emerged to help last year as a sophomore. At corner, a quintet of Pierce Finney, Devon Davis, Collin Welch, Najee Hunt and Tyler Dedmon are vying for time. Along with Isom-Green, Jaelyn Jones, Cameron Vail and Michael Jones will play at safety.

Among the team’s strengths is the defensive front seven including tackles Cameron Murray, a Division I college recruit, and Mario Waits. Calley called them two of the best in the state. He hopes they get help from Dany Murillo, Walker Brown, D.J. Buckner and Peyton Robertson.

At end, Hayden Knowles returns after a breakout sophomore year. Madre Dixon leads a group of prospects on the other side with Kameron Guillory, back from injury, and Nathan Mayes.

Devin Howard and Devin Alpe return at linebacker. Marvin Moody appears to be set at the other outside spot. Greg Williams, Tanner Austin, Nick Smith and Jake Hall will help.

Quarterback Gunnar Burks is a senior that helped out last year, mostly as a runner, before suffering an injury. He averaged almost six yards a carry plus he completed 4 of 5 passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.

The Hornets will use running back DeAmonte Terry some at quarterback too in a “Wildcat” formation. Terry and Sevante Turner return at running back along with Cameron Coleman.

Helping to lead the way will be H backs DeMaja Price and Drew Alpe, who alternated last year and played together effectively particularly in the Bentonville game. Both are outstanding blockers.

The team’s top receivers are back with Evan Lee, Aaron Orender, Turner and Quinton Royal. Landon Smith has emerged as well. Calley called Lee a playmaker and a leader.