Amid key losses, Hope reloading in 5A-South

HOPE, Ark.-Life after McTelvin "Sosa" Agim is more calm according to seventh-year Hope coach Jay Turley.

Now that the blue-chip prospect is wearing Razorback red in Fayetteville and no longer terrorizing the 5A-South from his defensive end spot, the Bobcats will look a little different but should pack the same punch.

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Sue E. and Big Red, the Arkansas Razorback mascots, do a little dance or two for me at the U of A stadium.

Hope will surely benefit from having a quarterback returning that threw for 3,600 yards and 39 touchdowns a year ago in senior all-stater Austin Stubber, and the weapons he will have at his disposal could allow him to eclipse those numbers in 2016.

"Even though we lost some guys at the wide receiver position, we've got a really good two-deep group there that's done well all summer and into fall camp, and it's probably one of the more athletic groups I've had since I've been at Hope," Turley said.

Kadarius Munn is a player to watch at wideout, as well as Nashville move-in T.D. Walton and Quontravious Caldwell.

"Another guy to watch is Jaylon Conway, who had some eligibility issues last year but got those fixed," Turley said. "We'll also rely on Nate Carter and Jarrell Henry, and we got in a move-in in Jay Ellis, who is C.J. Ellis' cousin and moved here from Ohio."

Up front, the Bobcats return three of their five starters, including Desmond McDonald at left tackle and Rodney Phillips at left guard.

The other side has right guard Devron Collins and right tackle Laymon Howell, a sophomore who Turley calls one of the more improved players on the roster from his freshman to sophomore year. At center, Zack Johnson mans the controls.

Since Hope airs it out almost constantly, running back Lincoln Conway will primarily catch passes out of the backfield and be used for pass protection.

"We're going to put points on the board and move the ball down the field," Turley said. "I feel like we'll be able to score on anybody."

Defensively, Hope employs a 3-3-5 scheme and even though it lost Agim and others, the defensive line will still be a strength.

Demarqion Sasser, a move-in from Hot Springs, will be counted on, as well as Armond Potts, younger brother of Davon Potts.

"(Potts) didn't play last year because of immaturity, but he's really surprised us," Turley said. "He's long and his motor is super good."

Potter returns at linebacker, as well as Deandre Scott. Both players started nearly every game of Hope's 12-game season in 2015.

The secondary will also be an area of strength for the Bobcats as well.

"Our cornerback, Charles Horton, is back and playing like a senior should play," Turley said. "Kadarius Munn will be a two-way player for us, and we've got (Jay) Ellis at the other corner. Both T.D. Walton and Jaylon Conway will play some corner, and we can count on (Quontravious) Caldwell and (Jarrell) Henry to play some safety. It's the best secondary I've had at Hope."

Jonathan Garcia, a junior, will handle all of the placekicking and punting duties.

Turley believes the conference is wide open, but that Watson Chapel should be considered the favorite.

"They're the favorite to me," Turley said. "They're one of the bigger schools in 5A, and they always get a lot of kids out and always seem to have athletes, plus their coach does such a good job."

"Of course, Camden Fairview is always scary. They've got a new coach and there's some uncertainty there. (Jared) McBride does a great job at Lakeside and De Queen is much improved. Hot Springs is solid as well."

The season begins Sept. 2 with Nashville, and then Hope plays Ashdown at home and travels to Prescott before opening 5A South play at De Queen.

"It's another killer schedule," Turley said. "We'll be ready to go once the league starts."