Gravette to lean on big offensive line

Ben Goff/NWA Democrat-Gazette Jackson Soulé listens to instructions during an August football practice at Gravette High School.
Ben Goff/NWA Democrat-Gazette Jackson Soulé listens to instructions during an August football practice at Gravette High School.

GRAVETTE --- From 2005 to 2011, the Gravette Lions won 59 games, while appearing twice in the Class 4A Quarterfinals (2005, 2011) and once in the 4A Semifinals (2007). Along the way the Lions won a 1-4A title and finished runner-up three times.. The 2012 and 2013 seasons, however, saw GHS fall on hard times as the two teams combined for seven wins. In 2014, much behind the rushing attack led by departed 1-4A Back of the Year Cedric Duarte (1,500 yards in 2014), the Lions returned to form as they finished the regular season above .500, at 6-4, before falling to eventual state champion Warren in the first round of the playoffs.

Entering his 10th season at Gravette, head coach Bill Harrelson (64-40 overall) believes his 2015 squad has the pieces in place to continue the re-discovered success from last year, and he knows the formula for doing just that rests in the massive offensive line and the four returning starters he has there.

"Having four starters back on the offensive line is big," Harrelson said. "Nothing beats experience and they have worked extremely hard in the offseason to get quicker and stronger and definitely will be a team strength."

The size and experience starts on the right side with returning senior starters Willie Robinson (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) and Noah Moore (6-2, 352) who, between the two, make up almost 700 pounds of blocking for the skill players. Harrelson said the two have great chemistry after playing beside one another in 2014.

The one loss on the offensive line is at the ever-important center position as the Lions will look to replace Mathew Stelting, a graduated all-conference performer. Harrelson believes the coaches have found their answer in junior Dalton Cook (5-11, 245).

"Dalton does a great job manning the position and making the proper calls for the rest of the linemen," Harrelson said. "We are really excited about him and the progress he has made."

On the left side of the line, Harrelson said it will be a rotation of sorts, as a few players on that side will need to get quality reps on defense as well. The head coach wants to make certain everyone is as fresh as possible when the Lions have the ball.

"Christian Dodge (6-2, 285, senior) and Justin Oswalt (6-0 255, senior) will likely rotate at left guard," Harrelson said. "Oswalt manned the position for us last season, but he is pretty valuable to us on defense, and so is Dodge, and we will try and rotate them to keep them as rested as possible."

Rounding out the line at left tackle will likely be senior Rex Lemonds (5-9, 275) who gained experience last year in spot duty along with junior Nelson Payne (6-3, 350). Payne missed much of his sophomore campaign due to injury.

"Rex has really great feet for his size and brings some experience to the position," said Harrelson. "Nelson Payne is a young man who bench presses 310 pounds and will definitely be someone we will count on heavily."

For the first time since 2011, Harrelson is looking forward to bringing back a quarterback with starting experience in senior Bryce Moorman (5-10, 160). Moorman threw for 768 yards and seven touchdowns -- four rushing touchdowns -- in 2014 and looks to build on a strong summer.

"This is the first time we have had a returning starter at quarterback in a few years," said Harrelson. "Bryce started seven games for us last season and has really worked to improve his arm strength and is the established leader on the team as he did not miss a summer workout."

Harrelson is also excited about the underclassmen at the quarterback position who, he believes, will be providing great competition each and every day at practice.

"Kilby Roberts (5-11, 160, junior) has gotten a lot stronger and he is fast," said Harrelson. "He is a 4.7 (40-yard dash) guy who can make plays with his arm and his feet."

Sophomore Austin O'Brien (5-10, 160) comes up from leading the junior high team last season to provide athleticism at the position.

"He is the hardest guy on the team to tackle," said Harrelson. "He would be tough to tackle in a phone booth."

While the loss of all-state running back Duarte (2,700 career rushing yards) will definitely be felt, the Lions do return plenty of experience in the backfield and Harrelson believes the ground game is in good hands with seniors Jordan Burnett (5-11, 195) and Jackson Soulé(6-0, 205).

"Jordan is in his sixth year in the program at running back and he came in last year and gave us a lot of quality carries when we needed him to," said Harrelson.

Burnett had 65 carries for 415 yards and three touchdowns in 2014 and Harrelson said he has lost weight and gained some speed.

"He (Burnett) has slimmed down to about 195 pounds and is running in the high 4.6 to low 4.7 range," Harrelson said.

Soulé will be counted on to man the H-Back position. He will be charged with lead blocking, pass catching, rushing the football, and maybe even throwing a pass or two. Last season saw him rush for 206 yards and three touchdowns and catch 14 passes for 276 yards and two scores.

"Obviously Jackson is a very valuable player for us. He kicks, he punts, he rushes, he catches, he passes the ball," said Harrelson. "He can do so many things with the ball in his hands and we will try and make sure he has a lot of opportunities to do just that."

Senior Michael Fowler (6-0, 170) has worked hard to gain strength and speed and will also see reps at the H-Back position.

Harrelson said seniors Jace Russ (5-8, 170) and Trevor Pierce (6-0, 165) also both log reps at running back.

In Harrelson's offensive system, having a bevy of wide receivers at his disposal is very important and 2015 seems to be giving him just that. Returning to their spots from last season are senior Layne Martinez (5-10, 165) and, according to Harrelson, the fastest player on the team in senior Brady Rolsma (5-9, 165).

Factoring into the receiver equation will be seniors Kevin Deady (6-0, 175) and Jordan Shaw (6-2, 155) along with junior Dylan Gruver (5-6, 150) who Harrelson says is "pound-for-pound the strongest player on the team."

Defensively the Lions only return four starters but Harrelson feels that side of the ball has developed well and he is looking for big things from several new faces.

"Right now it looks like Drew Hendren (6-3, 197, Junior) will start on the defensive line along with Dodge and Oswalt," said Harrelson.

Also figuring into the interior line will be senior Matt O'Brien (5-6, 200). According to his head coach, O'Brien has worked very hard to improve each and every year and has developed strength and quickness.

"We are counting on him to make plays for us on the defensive line," said Harrelson.

Harrelson said several other starting offensive linemen such as Robinson, Moore, and Lemonds will rotate in along the defensive line.

In the past, Gravette has thrived utilizing a fast running back-type at defensive end. Look for athletic newcomer, junior Brett Callahan (5-10, 175), to play that now traditional role of the "speed end" as Harrelson describes him as the "hardest hitter on the team" and someone whose "motor never stops running."

At linebacker, senior Chris Young (5-7, 180) looks to have a breakout season manning the "Mike" position. Harrelson said Young has paid his dues learning from past great linebackers and getting a ton of experience during junior varsity action.

Soulé and Russ round out the other inside linebacker positions.

"We expect big things out of both of them as they are returning starters and seniors," said Harrelson.

In the secondary the Lions return two starters in Rolsma (48 tackles and two interceptions) and Martinez (45 tackles) at the cornerback spots. Harrelson said expect Austin O'Brien to log a lot of playing time there as well.

"O'Brien will be someone we look to at several positions in the back end," said Harrelson. "He can give us quality minutes at a lot of spots."

At the safety positions, Harrelson said to look for Shaw and Pierce to man the free safety and strong safety positions, respectively.

"Shaw has really grown into a big hitter and he comes downhill well," said Harrelson. "He has good length, height, and range and Pierce really came on during spring practices and proved he is ready to help us out on defense."

Soulé will likely handle all the kicking and punting duties and Martinez has experience as the punt returner.

The Lions open their season Sept. 4, on the road against 4-4A member Pottsville. Gravette will be looking to avenge a 36-10 loss at the hands of the Apaches in 2014. Conference play starts Sept. 25 at home versus Lincoln and new head coach Don Harrison.

Sports on 08/26/2015