HARRISON GOBLINS
Conference: 5A-West
Head coach: Tom Tice
Record last year: 7-4, 4-3
Points scored, points allowed: 297-255
Playoff appearances since 1968: 20
Last playoff appearance: 2006
Playoff record: 18-19

Key returning starters: QB Matt Brown, LG Anthony Guadagnini, RB Matt Crowder, C Khelon Hayes, WR Austin Tate, WR Jason Boehm, WR/S Tyler Patrick, WR Matt Walters, NM Blake Gilliam, DT Scottie Fisk, LB Zach Wagoner, CB Garrett Beeler.

Outlook: Since closing out the last decade with a state championship in 1999, the Golden Goblins have just one playoff win. Veteran head coach Tom Tice and his Gobs expect that to change this season. Harrison returns eight starters on offense that now operates out of the spread formation. While many might think that’s a major change for Harrison, Tice was the first coach in the state to go to the Run-and-Shoot when the wide-open offense was sweeping through college football ala the Houston Cougars. With receivers Matt Walters, Austin Tate, Jason Boehm and Tyler Patrick all back along with quarterback Matt Brown and running back Matt Crowder, the Goblin's Spread offense could be in full throttle. Brown and Crowder were both all-state last year as juniors. Defensively, Harrison won't be shabby either. The Gobs return six on that side of the ball with two up front in Blake Gilliam and Scottie Fisk, linebackers Zach Wagoner and Crowder, and defensive backs Garrett Beeler and Tyler Patrick. Tate, Hayes, Fisk and Gilliam started last year as sophomores. They could be joined by a fellow juniors Nathan Hudson, who has recovered from a shoulder injury and will likely start at the other linebacker slot, and running back Jacob Grigg, who was clocked in the 40 in 4.55 seconds at the Razorback clamp and is a 4.0 student. This junior class, which was 8-2 as freshmen, numbers 30.

Comments from Tice: "One of our keys will be keeping Brown healthy because he can make things happen. Crowder can do whatever he wants on the field. He is a force, offensively and defensively. I think this is one our most talented teams we’ve had in a while. But we could be a better team and in our league we could have a worse record that last year. We were into the fourth quarterback with (co-champs) Greenwood and Morrilton, and lost. Hopefully, we can finish that type of game. Attitude and staying away from injuries are going to be big. I like our team."