The Siloam Springs football team could be a squad to watch out for in 2014, according to a statewide magazine.
The Panthers, coming off a 3-8 season in 2013, were picked to finish seventh out of eight teams by the coaches of the 7A/6A-Central Conference as was recently released in the 22nd annual Hooten's Arkansas Football magazine.
Veteran Hooten's writer Barry Groomes said the Panthers could be better than that if certain cards fall their way.
"There's about four to five players that have to stay healthy," said Groomes, who wrote the previews for the 7A/6A-Central. "If that happens, I think Siloam Springs has a chance to be a shocker."
The Panthers open the season ranked No. 11 out of 16 teams in Class 6A as picked by the magazine staff.
Groomes said the Panthers should be well prepared to move into the 7A/6A-Central after having competed the last two years as the only 6A team in the 7A/6A-West. Now they'll be in the 7A/6A-Central with 6A schools Greenwood, Alma and Russellville and 7A schools Bryant, Conway, Little Rock Catholic and Van Buren.
"Playing in the 7A-West can't do anything but strengthen the program with the level of competition," Groomes said. "I like the fact that they won a playoff game last year. I think that's going to be beneficial."
Senior tight end/linebacker David Goodman was listed on the 2014 Super Team, while senior quarterback Chris Lampton, senior linebacker Dylan Land, senior safeties Parker Baldwin and Tyler Burke are listed as "unheralded stars."
"The quarterback is coming back in Lampton," Groomes said. "I know Coach Ross is really high on David Goodman at linebacker. I think there are some players to help compete in Class 6A."
Conway was picked to win the 7A/6A-Central, followed by Greenwood, Bryant, Little Rock Catholic, Alma, Russellville, Siloam Springs and Van Buren.
Groomes pointed out that Siloam Springs is the only team in that conference that has beaten Greenwood in recent years -- a 38-31 victory in 2010 -- and the Panthers have also beaten Van Buren and played Alma and Russellville tough.
A two-page preview on the Panthers can be found inside the magazine.
The magazine, which features 210 high school previews as well as state college previews, can be purchased for $16.99 at Harps in Siloam Springs.
Sports on 07/04/2014