Dynamic Duo

For the 2024 Bryant Hornets, things appear to be setting up nicely. 

Along with several key returning starters on both sides of the ball, Coach Quad Sanders’ squad kicks off the season with an advantage any team in Arkansas would be thrilled to have: strong senior leadership in the offensive backfield.

“I’m hoping it’s a lot of fun, but I won’t be able to tell you until mid-December,” Coach Sanders said. “It’s a real privilege being able to coach these guys. I think they’re eager to learn and get back on track.”

Joining returning senior quarterback Jordan Walker for one final ride (after 2023’s 10-2 season that ended with a 52-35 loss to Bentonville in the Arkansas 7A semifinals) are the powerful running back tandem of Daniel Anderson and Myron Thrash.

“Last season didn’t end the way we wanted, so it feels like we’ll be playing with a chip on our shoulder,” said Thrash. “We’ve all been putting in the work and focusing on what we need to, coming into this year with something to prove.”

Within the Hornet running backs room, Thrash is seen as the power back, possessing an instinct for pushing the ball forward whether the team needs an extra yard for the first down or the chance for a big gain.

“I can be patient in the backfield, but I also like to be very aggressive,” Thrash said. “I tend to be a little harder, taking contact between the tackles.”

Last season, Thrash ran 95 carries for 829 yards and 11 touchdowns. “This offseason, I’ve been focused on my workouts, the right diet, and watching film to see where we can improve. Every little thing I can do to give us a better chance to win, I’m doing it.”

Thrash’s partner in the backfield is fellow senior Daniel Anderson, a three-star standout running back with real breakout speed. Like Thrash, he sees the upcoming 2024 season as an opportunity to get the Hornets back to the standard they’ve come to expect.

“I don’t see last season as a disappointment, but I’ve heard that some do,” he said. “So, one of our goals is to get this team back to the level of success we’ve had in the past. We want to start strong, play strong, and finish strong.”

As Bryant’s feature back in 2023, Anderson amassed 243 yards on 35 carries and2 touchdowns. His success earned him All-State honors and several scholarship offers from schools across the country.

Anderson and Thrash create a formidable backfield for Bryant, and with junior running back/receiver Zach Kertis-Jones flexing between his two positions, the Hornets’ ground and air attack could be something to see.

“Being as deep as we are at running back, it makes us very unpredictable,” Thrash said. “I may be hot at one point, but something changes and the defense thinks they have us figured out. But we can rotate between Daniel, Zach or someone else, and the same play can look completely different.”

Like Thrash, Anderson sees endless possibilities for the Bryant offense in the coming season.

“We have an exciting backfield, but we all know it’s going to take more than just a few of us,” he said. “Jordan is going to be great, and our receivers are going to step up in the passing game. We lost some seniors on the offensive line, but that group will be ready to go. We have high expectations for what they’ll do.

“It’s our job as senior leaders to make sure we keep everyone focused throughout the season,” he added. “It’s easy to get distracted or think about other things, and that’s where we come in to keep everyone on the same page.”

Head Coach Sanders says while his running backs room is deep, with a combination of young and veteran talent, he’ll be calling on his senior leaders to keep things moving.

“Daniel and Myron complement each other very well. They’re a strong tandem: what one doesn’t possess, the other does; but they both do everything so well,” he said. “They’ve both turned into physical, straight ahead running backs, yet both have great breakaway speed. Throw Zach into the mix, and we’re looking for big things from this group.”

And several colleges are hoping for big things, too. During the summer, Thrash received offers from both Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State. “It’s nice to get those offers,” he said. “I look forward to seeing what else may happen and to making a good decision.”

Also, earlier this year, Anderson accepted a scholarship offer from Notre Dame. “The program and university are both amazing,” he said. “I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else but there these next few years.”