AHS may enjoy first winning season in 5 years

August 25, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. | Updated August 25, 2016 at 4:04 p.m.

by Bill Owney

2016-17 Arkansas High Razorbacks
2016-17 Arkansas High Razorbacks

Injuries and a brutal early schedule doomed Arkansas High to an 0-5 start last year, but the Razorbacks rebounded to win three of the team's last five games and make the playoffs for a 12th straight year.

With a small but solid corps of seniors and a talented group of sophomores, Todd Ledford is looking for his first winning season in five years at the school.

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Photo by Gavin Lesnick

Arkansas Economic Development Commission Director Grant Tennille speaks at a Human Rights Campaign news conference Monday.

"Our seniors have been a mainstay, and our sophomores have won at every level," Ledford said, "If we can avoid injuries, this team can get so much better every week."

This season's Hogs will play without graduated all-state tackle Nick McCann, who signed with Texas Tech, and quarterback Keandre Banks, who threw for 1,240 yards.

Coach Ledford runs a spread offense, and senior Tyler Braswell and a pair of sophomores, Drake Browning and Jadas Ross, started fall practice in competition for the quarterback job. Braswell (6-1, 170), the 1,600-meter state champ in track, alternated at receiver and kicker last year. He made 30 extra points and six field goals.

Browning (5-11, 175), was scheduled to lead the junior high team before injuring a knee last fall. Ross (5-8, 145) moves over from wide receiver.

"They're all going to be taking a lot of snaps this fall," Ledford said. "Whoever goes out and shows that he gives us the best chance to win on Friday night is who is going to be playing, but all three are good football players. They'll be playing somewhere."

Senior tailback Cameron Grissom gives the Hogs great speed, but sophomore Jordan Hall is pushing for the starting job. Sophomore Dejordan Mask, who also looks to start at safety, offers some power running capability.

A pair of juniors, Wren Williams and Kendrick Young, have shown the ability to block and catch to earn time at fullback.

The Razorbacks will have plenty of speed outside. Seniors Korleon Campbell (5-11, 170) and Michael Caldwell (6-4, 190, 4.6 speed), a pair of defensive starters a year ago, move to wide-receiver position. Sophomore Irijah Price (6-0, 190, 4.5) impressed the coaches in the spring. Tristen Koller, Nick French and Le'Donavon Patterson offer receiving depth.

"The offense is getting better daily," Ledford said. "I'm happy with how we have progressed so far. We are going to focus on getting first downs and touchdowns. We'll know more about our offense after we scrimmage."

One thing the Hogs might be able to hang their hats on is the offensive line, where four starters may be the key to the success of Arkansas High's pro-style offense.

Junior Austin Nicks trains at center and guard while junior Michael Beard trains at every position. Senior guard Christian Broom returned this fall stronger, and more mature, coaches say.

Junior left tackle Reginald Finley was one of those injured in the early going last year. He returned at full strength (bench press 325 pounds) in the spring. Newcomer Trayvon Robinson (6-5, 275), a senior in his first year of football, showed a lot of promise in the off-season. Sophomores Chase Cook, C.J. Johnson and Rico Thomas are pushing for playing time.

"We feel like we have some depth in there at line," Ledford said. "They've had a great off-season. They have a lot of maturity. They're all great academically."

Braswell will be in his third year as the team's place kicker and Browning looks to handle the punting. Nix and Nick Vaughn are experienced deep snappers.

Another area where the Hogs look to benefit from experience is the defense.










QUICK FACTS

SCHOOL: Arkansas High 2015 RECORD: 3-8 HEAD COACH: Todd Ledford YEARS AT SCHOOL: Fifth COACHING STAFF: Denny Burdine, DC/LB; Steve Baxley, CB; JR Hunter, Safetys; Adrain Ivory, DL; Elgie Richards, QB and OL; Buddy Griffin, OL; Jerry Littleton, Receivers; Jeff Ritter, RB LETTERMEN LOST/BACK: 25/28 STARTERS BACK: 3 offense/7 defense PLAYERS TO WATCH: C/G Austin Nix, G Christian Broom, DE Peyton Watson, MLB/RB Robert James, QB/PK Tyler Braswell, RB/DB Cameron Grissom TOP NEWCOMERS: WR Irijah Price, RB Jordan Hall, OL/DL Trayvon Robinson, CB Traveon Soils
"We have some experience and some new guys on defense who are in the mix," Ledford said. "We're going to have to lean on our defense and our special teams early. We expect them to do a good job."

At Arkansas High the experienced line starts with senior defensive end Peyton Watson. At 6-2, 225 lbs., with 4.6 speed, Watson is a legitimate talent whose nonstop motor can inspire other motors. The other end will likely be senior Taimarean Hayes, who played well on the JV last year.

Senior tackle Jalen Manley had a strong spring. Seniors Kiren Ford and Spencer Reaves, along with sophomores Michael Daniels and Tavares Jackson are battling for big roles. Senior Lawler Johnson moved in from Humble, Texas, where he saw playing time.

Senior middle linebacker Robert James (6-1, 220) had 76 tackles last year. And sophomore newcomer A.C. Williams has impressed the coaches and adds depth at outside linebacker.

Sophomore linebacker Treveon Cleveland is a very good tackler and has a good nose for the football. Cleveland has good speed and pursues the ball well.

In the secondary, Jordan Sanders (6-0, 165, 4.5) is a returning starter at corner. Sophomore CB Traveon Soils (6-0, 165) intercepted nine passes in junior high and three in one practice this spring. Safety Dejordan Mask (6-1, 180, 4.5) was a junior high quarterback a year ago.

With so many fresh faces in the lineup and on the sideline, Ledford said it will take time for this team to jell.

"We're going to run a balanced offense and we're going to need to run with authority and have the quarterback make plays in the passing game," he said. "We're going to have a really good kicking game.

"As some players get used to being the guy that we rely on, the team will draw closer together. They will keep coming together as the season progresses and learn to be a team."

One thing that Coach Ledford will guarantee is that his team will improve from week to week.

"I am looking forward to this team getting better," he said. "I am not going to guarantee wins, but by Week 10, this team will be better than in Week 1."

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