HORATIO, Ark.-Way back in the 1920s the New York Yankees' opposition faced what folks labeled "Murder's Row" which included Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
Well, Horatio and head coach Robert Collum have similar feelings about it's 5-3A schedule this fall, which includes defending state champion Prescott, Glen Rose, Gurdon, Centerpoint and Jessieville.
"We don't want to put the cart before the horse so to speak, but we're hoping to sneak up on a few people this season," Collum said. "Our three non-conference games with Dierks, Murfreesboro and Foreman will be big tests for us. I can't look down the schedule and say any game is one that we should win easily. All ten weeks will be a tough run, and we'll know a lot more about our team after the first three."
Numbers have traditionally hurt the Lions since they moved up to 3A. Collum has 35 prospects this fall, including 13 lettermen and 13 starters.
Eight of those starters are on defense, and that's the side of the ball Horatio should be the strongest going into the 2017 season.
"Defense probably is our strength starting the season, and we're in a new philosophy with a 3-4," Collum said. "We have more linebacker type bodies and the traditional big bodies up front. We're not very big this year, but we feel we have guys who can pursue to the ball better.
"Our new defensive coordinator (Stephen Sprick) has done a great job of getting our guys prepared. We've picked up on assignments and terminology real well. We felt like we had two real good weeks of practice and got a lot of reps going into our scrimmage."
Spricks was at Dierks last season. The Lions' other varsity coaches are Tyler Sheppard, Dustin Bakenhus, Sean Cowling and Lance Spigner.
The returning starters on defense are senior safety Taylor Chavez (5-11, 160); senior safety Zach Izzo (6-1, 175); senior linebacker Mike Jones (5-11, 220); junior linebacker Trey Pickett (5-11, 180); junior linebacker Kelton Turner (5-10, 170); senor linebacker Joaquin Gonzalez (5-7, 175); senior cornerback Omar Ramirez (5-11, 150); and junior lineman Donovan Martin (6-1, 195).
Other defensive lettermen back include senior end Wyatt Marshall (6-0, 160); junior cornerback Tanner Short (5-11, 150); senior corner Jonathan Gonzalez (5-8, 175); and sophomore lineman Steven Curtis (5-8, 170).
Horatio is similar to other schools in Southwest Arkansas, operating out of the flexbone on offense. The Lions are blessed with a four-year starter at quarterback in Izzo.
"Izzo has been calling the plays since he was a sophomore, and he's been in this offense before," Collum said. "He's very intelligent and makes good decisions with the football. He's like an extra coach on the field. Izzo is tough and takes a beating playing both sides of the ball. When he leave he's going to be tough to replace."
The Lions' offensive line will not be as big as usual, but Collum boasts about their overall quickness and speed.
Returning in the line are junior guard Peydon Emerson (5-7, 200) and junior tackle Donovan Martin.
Senior Alex Robies (5-9, 180) is a candidate at center, while senior Parker Rowe (5-9, 160) is at guard, and junior Michael Hallmark (6-1, 190) returns at tackle. Several newcomers could figure into the picture.
"One thing that I'm big on, and preach on, is that the other team may have more kids than we do on the sideline, but they can only play eleven at a time," Collum said. "We have to be in great shape because a lot of our kids will play both ways. Some of them will never come off the field."
The Lions were in the flexbone two years ago, and Collum has switched back because it gives Horatio its best opportunity to be competitive in his opinion.
"I've been here eight years and Horatio has operated out of six different offense during that time," he said. "The flexbone fits our kids better than anything else."
Lining up behind Izzo will be Chavez, junior Hunter Griffin and senior fullback Mike Jones (5-11, 220).
"Chavez was our leading receiver last year," Collum said. "We've got a couple of new kids (Kevin Walker and Kinley Anderson) that came out this year who will be competing for the halfback spots with Chavez."
Collum is also counting on Brandon Figueroa, Parker Rowe, Jacob Taylor and Jairo Mendoz to contribute. Alex Robles missed last year with an injury, but is back. Gabe Stephens and Steven Curtis also figure to get some playing time.
The Lions' kicking game remains a question mark. Collum indicated nobody had stepped up and won the job with only two weeks of practice left before their season opener at Dierks.
"We anticipate Izzo or Marshall handling our punting chores," he said. "Senior Jonathan Gonzalez could be our kick off guy."
Prescott is the obvious pick in 5-3A, but Collum believes Glen Rose will be close behind.
"It's going to be tough, but we should be better," he said.
QUICK FACTS
SCHOOL: Horatio
2016 RECORD: 3-7
HEAD COACH: Robert Collum
YEARS AT SCHOOL: 9
COACHING STAFF: Stephen Sprick, DC; Tyler Sheppard, LB/WR; Dustin Bakenhus, DB/RB; Sean Cowling, L; Lance Spigner, DB.
LETTERMEN LOST/BACK: 8/13
STARTERS BACK: 5 offense, 8 defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB/S Zach Izzo, RB/S Taylor Chavez, L Peydon Emerson, L Donovan Martin, LB Mike Jones, WR/CB Omar Ramirez
TOP NEWCOMERS: Kevin Walker, Wyatt Marshall, Kinley Anderson, Steven Curtis, Gabe Stephens