FOUKE, Ark. - Entering the second year under head football coach Jerry Littleton, the Fouke Panthers are hungry to compete for a playoff spot.
The Panthers narrowly missed the postseason last fall and have been working to improve, especially once Conference 5-3A comes around at the end of September.
"We've got a quote that we've used a lot: do your job," Littleton said. "If a guy does his job, and his teammate does his job, and everybody takes care of what they're responsible for, everything should work out fine."
Littleton and his staff aren't telling kids to not play to the best of their ability, but for them to perfect their responsibilities and techniques at every position.
"Of course, you want your guys to play hard every snap, and last year we had a few games we would get down a few points and come back," Littleton said. "But we're really stressing the little things to this group.
"You've got to do this on this specific play, and you've got to trust that your teammate is going to do this. Sometimes, our kids try to do too much, instead of taking care of their assignment and relying on the guys around them to do the same. They've got to trust their teammates."
Fouke brings back 16 lettermen from 2019's 4-6 squad. There are six offensive starters and four defensive players back.
OFFENSE
"On offense, we've got Kanon Garrett, our x-receiver, back; he was all-conference last year," Littleton said. "We've got 4 of our 5 offensive linemen coming back. Other than that, everybody's pretty much a brand new starter for us on offense."
Braden McAdams is another receiver who started the last seven games for the Panthers, and Trent Crabtree, who has started for two years on defense, will help Fouke at slot receiver. Senior Dylan Attaway is figuring into the other slot receiver after not playing last season.
"We're definitely excited to have four O-linemen back," Littleton said. "We're going to put a lot of investment in them, running the ball and protecting the quarterback. We'll go as far as they take us.
"Being in the second year of the offense, everybody knows what we're running and what we expect. We're not having to teach a whole new system, and that's going to help acclimate our new guys."
Up front will be seniors Kyle Upton (6-0, 220) and Carson Crabtree (6-2, 313), along with juniors Conner Smith (5-11, 215) and Dalton McFerrin (6-0, 210). McFerrin is the center and will be snapping to junior quarterback Kye Monroe (5-11, 170).
Juniors Devin Floyd (5-10, 220) and Tyler Howell (5-10, 215) will add depth on the offensive line, as well as on defense.
DEFENSE
"Being the size school that we are, most of our offensive line will flip around and play defensive line, as well," Littleton said. "We'll rotate them in and out, to keep them fresh."
Senior Landyn Thompson (6-0, 314) will occupy the defensive line interior position, and Zach East (5-11, 180) will help at an end.
"They weren't starters last year, but Landyn and Zach helped us a lot on the D-line," Littleton said. "They've got some varsity experience, and we feel like our guys up front will be one of our strong points. We're replacing all but one starter in the secondary."
Trent Crabtree is a 3-year starter in the secondary, and Jordan Dell (5-11, 185) was honorable mention all-conference at linebacker. Dell is joined by fellow returning linebackers Phenix Thomas (5-10, 170) and Koby Power (5-9, 170), a junior and senior, respectively.
Attaway will help in the secondary, along with sophomores Dylan and Ethan Thornton (each 6-1, 170). Colton Easley (5-8, 160) also adds depth in the secondary.
At linebacker, Aiden Roberts (5-11, 180) will help, along with senior Jordan Austin (5-11, 180).
PLAYING FOR KEEPS
"Even with everything that we've had to deal with every school has dealt with over the summer, it's been a smoother start to our fall camp than last year," Littleton said. "We still haven't had a full spring and offseason with them, but the kids are understanding of what we want, the expectations and the system.
"Right now, we don't know what's going to happen the next day, and so we press upon them to cherish every single second and every play we run. To be able to get out on the field, wear that helmet and go hard every snap because, if we've learned anything from the coronavirus situation, anything can be taken away at any moment."