Conference: 1-4A

Coach (Alma mater, year graduated, years at school, record at school): Bobby Bishop (Green Forest, 1978, 2nd year as head coach, 7-4 record)

Assistant coaches (Alma mater, year graduated): Defensive Coordinator Mark Brigance (Waldron, 1995); Receivers/Defensive Ends Don Earnest (Dardanelle); Secondary Kole Carpenter.

Stadium: Bobcat Stadium

Record last year: 7-4 overall, 5-2 conference

Points scored, points allowed last year: 202-148

Last playoff appearance: 2006

Playoff appearances since 1968: 12

Playoff record: 6-12

State championships: 0

Offense: I Formation

Returning offensive starters (2006 stats): TB Nehemias Lopez (5-8, 168, Sr.), 1,026 yards rushing and all-conference in 2006. Also plays safety on defense, and returns punts and kicks. Bishop says he has great work habits, is very durable and loves the game.

Defense: Multiple

Returning defensive starters: S Nehemias Lopez, his coach calls him the quarterback of the secondary and says that he breaks on ball well and a sure tackler; DE Clint Morton (5-9, 210, Sr.), is tough and physical and the team "wild man" according to his coach; Rover Chase Gott (6-0, 170, Sr.), Bishop says he is a good tackler, hard worker and a smart defender.

Other key players: QB Jordan Parton (5-11, 155, Sr.); TE/DE Colin Judy (6-3, 215, Sr.); OL/DL Shawn Helmlinger (5-10, 220, Sr.); OL/LB Michael Jones (5-11, 220, Sr.); OL/DL Sam Bennett (5-11, 260, Jr.); RB/DB Trenton Garrett (5-8, 135, Sr.); QB/DB Matt Trulove (6-2, 185, Jr.); OL/DL Chris Hall (6-0, 230, Sr.); RB/LB Weston Holman (5-10, 155, Jr.); RB/LB Justin Doss (5-9, 170, Jr.); OL/DL Ty Sanders (5-9, 190, Sr.); OL/DE Matt Ball (5-11, 160, Jr.); E/DB Shane Kesler (6-1, 165, Jr.); C/DE Treven Butler (6-1, 150, Jr.); OL/DL Chris Plumlee (5-9, 165, Sr.); K/P Eric Richter (5-8, 135, Jr.).

2007 Outlook: Coach Bobby Bishop spent 10 years as the junior high coach (from 1986 to 1995) at Berryville and 2005 as the defensive coordinator for the Bobcats before stepping into the head coaches position for 2006. Berryville responded with second-place finish (tied with Greenland) in the 1-4A and a home playoff game. Unfortunately for Bishop, 20 seniors graduate off that squad. All-conference running back/safety Nehemias Lopez returns for Bishop and the Bobcats. The challenge for the Bobcats will be to find replacements all over the field, but thinks his younger players are hungry and ready to go. Will 2007 be a step towards establishing a playoff tradition in Carroll County or a rebuilding year?

Comments by coach: "Passing game is where we have to see dramatic improvement. Last season we were a power running team. We were very inconsistent throwing the football. In order to be more balanced, our quarterbacks have to step up and make better decisions. Attitude and heart are this teams strengths. Work habits are very good. They are hungry to win. Team quickness is also a strength. We will be much smaller and much quicker than last years team. We lost 20 seniors off last years team of 41 players. It will be a rebuilding year, but we feel that last years success will carry over to this season. Our kids have bought into our system and believe in what we we're doing. The kids are very positive. We fell that we can be very competitive again this season. It should be a very competitive conference this season with Farmington and Gravette at the top. Prairie Grove and Greenland should also be in the upper half. Huntsville, Gentry and Union Christian will all be much better this season. I feel that if we play extremely sound football and get a few breaks along the way, we should have a viable shot to make the playoffs again this year."