4A-4 2019

[x14113]

With Quinn McClain taking a portal 11 miles west, will that open the door for Dover or Waldron to overtake Elkins for a playoff berth in September?

(To say nothing of how it might look at the top...)

[Gray lizard]

I have to think we will see a repeat of what we saw last year.  Same teams in same places from top to bottom.  I dont think Dover will Waldron could be some better. There is a chance we could see Pottsville drop a spot and Dardanelle go up a spot.
I do not look for the 4-4A to be very strong again this year. No teams I know of that have a chance to compete at the State level. I sure hope I a wrong but just the way I see it.

[Coach9586]

Elkins will be a wild card. They lost a really talented Sr. class and with their QB transferring to Fayettville who knows how this team will be.

[Sigmund Sauer]

I feel like the 4-4A conf. championship is going to be a battle between Dardanelle and Ozark for the next few years. Mena and "Elkins" will look to mix it up in the top 3 as well.

[athletic supporter]

I feel like the 4-4A conf. championship is going to be a battle between Dardanelle and Ozark for the next few years. Mena and Prairie Grove will look to mix it up in the top 3 as well.

?? Maybe Pottsville???

[Sigmund Sauer]

?? Maybe Pottsville???

Definitely possible. I thought they would have a big year this past season so maybe I'm just a year behind?

[beach bum]

?? Maybe Pottsville???

LOL .... Yes Prairie Grove definitely does not want the 4-4A travel schedule for sure.

[Sigmund Sauer]

LOL .... Yes Prairie Grove definitely does not want the 4-4A travel schedule for sure.

Lol I fixed it, no idea why I type Prairie Grove almost every time I mean Elkins!

[Gray lizard]

Pottsville will be fair.  I think they will fight for the third spot, but doubt they will compete for championship over the next two years.

[threepeoplematter]

Always seems like the top 2 teams from this conference have the chance to make some noise.  Will be interesting for sure.  Seems highly competitive next year.

[Redlinebacker32]

Dardanelle, Pottsville, and Ozark will be competing for the top 3 spots. Mena and Elkins will be battling for 4 and 5. And Waldron, Dover, and Subiaco will round out the bottom 3. I hear Waldron is having some solid improvements in the weight room this off-season, so hopefully that correlates to a little bit more success this season.

[x14113]

Overall, I anticipate a competitive race in a gradually-tougher conference. A multi-team Turkey Day isn't out of the question.

Title Contenders: Dardanelle, Mena, Ozark--The prospects for any of these three can range from "consensus favorite" to "woefully overlooked." The senior-laden Lizards will want to seize on their best shot at a title in at least a four-year span. The Bearcats return most of their production on both sides, but have holes to fill in the coaching staff. While graduating a 3-year starting QB is usually considered a major hurdle, the Hillbillies have plenty for a successor to work with, including one of if not the highest-rated senior in Class 4A.

On the Fence: Pottsville--The more I reflect on their recent state of affairs, the more I realize just how volatile the Apaches have been during the 2010s. Even with the players coming back (possibly including a certain junior that didn't even dress out last year?), I see little reason to expect any different, at least for 2019. As far as I'm concerned, the biggest questions surrounding Pottsville football concern the very foundation of the program itself, particularly the philosophies on both sides of the ball.

Fighting for Week 11: Dover, Elkins, Waldron--The Elks would've had a tough act to follow as it was, but McClain's moveout opens the door for the Pirates and Bulldogs to return to the playoffs. Whoever makes the most strides on defense between these three will have the leg up.

Looking to Surprise: Subiaco--With their single win last year over a team that made the playoffs, the Trojans are realizing that it is't just them--their conference is that competitive. Then again, when one realizes just how sparse and remote the eastern half of Logan Co. really is, is it any surprise that Subi has been run like a 2A program? Winning a single conference game in the last five seasons still isn't a good look, and graduaating what might be the best senior class in 8 years doesn't help matters.

[Sigmund Sauer]

Overall, I anticipate a competitive race in a gradually-tougher conference. A multi-team Turkey Day isn't out of the question.

Title Contenders: Dardanelle, Mena, Ozark--The prospects for any of these three can range from "consensus favorite" to "woefully overlooked." The senior-laden Lizards will want to seize on their best shot at a title in at least a four-year span. The Bearcats return most of their production on both sides, but have holes to fill in the coaching staff. While graduating a 3-year starting QB is usually considered a major hurdle, the Hillbillies have plenty for a successor to work with, including one of if not the highest-rated senior in Class 4A.

On the Fence: Pottsville--The more I reflect on their recent state of affairs, the more I realize just how volatile the Apaches have been during the 2010s. Even with the players coming back (possibly including a certain junior that didn't even dress out last year?), I see little reason to expect any different, at least for 2019. As far as I'm concerned, the biggest questions surrounding Pottsville football concern the very foundation of the program itself, particularly the philosophies on both sides of the ball.

Fighting for Week 11: Dover, Elkins, Waldron--The Elks would've had a tough act to follow as it was, but McClain's moveout opens the door for the Pirates and Bulldogs to return to the playoffs. Whoever makes the most strides on defense between these three will have the leg up.

Looking to Surprise: Subiaco--With their single win last year over a team that made the playoffs, the Trojans are realizing that it is't just them--their conference is that competitive. Then again, when one realizes just how sparse and remote the eastern half of Logan Co. really is, is it any surprise that Subi has been run like a 2A program? Winning a single conference game in the last five seasons still isn't a good look, and graduaating what might be the best senior class in 8 years doesn't help matters.

Sounds pretty impressive, is that the Sanders boy?

[x14113]

Sounds pretty impressive, is that the Sanders boy?

No, Tyler Sanders will be a junior.


The senior in question is TE/DT Bryant Burns. He received his first FBS offers (Army, App State) earlier this week.

[Sigmund Sauer]

No, Tyler Sanders will be a junior.


The senior in question is TE/DT Bryant Burns. He received his first FBS offers (Army, App State) earlier this week.

Awesome, congrats to that young man. Keep us updated on his offers.

[Gray lizard]

Dang X. How do you get your information?  You know things I am just hearing about today in Pville.

[x14113]

MaxPreps might've spilled the beans a little bit on that one. 

Mind, that same preseason roster also has Kurtis Kemp listed, so take that as you will.

[x14113]

Looks like we may have a situation developing in Pirate Country.

Keep your eyes peeled.

[Sigmund Sauer]

Looks like we may have a situation developing in Pirate Country.

Keep your eyes peeled.

I'll bite, "Situation?"

[x14113]

I’ll bite, “"Situation"?”

The 2A board should have some more info.

[Sigmund Sauer]

The 2A board should have some more info.

Found it. I figured as much. I checked the coaching changes thread first. Seems it may end up there........

[Gray lizard]

The 2A board should have some more info.

Ok I give up.  What is the news? If in the 2a post not very clear.

[x14113]

Nothing's been confirmed at last check, but word on the street is that HC Greg Smith is being courted to Spring Hill.

Let's see how it plays out.

[Gray lizard]

Nothing's been confirmed at last check, but word on the street is that HC Greg Smith is being courted to Spring Hill.

Let's see how it plays out.

That might be a good thing for the pirates.

[HorseFeathers]

That might be a good thing for the pirates.

I haven't watched them in a couple years, but maybe they'll run more than 3 plays now

[x14113]

Looks like the whispers have some traction:

Dover has a HC opening posted on SchoolSpring.

Whether Smith is headed south has yet to be confirmed.

[Gray lizard]

I am I seeing correct Dover will compete all other sports 3A in the next cycle? If so that will add some travel time.

[x14113]

I am I seeing correct Dover will compete all other sports 3A in the next cycle? If so that will add some travel time.

Not really—the Pirates will simply replace Ftn. Lake in the 3A-4, in which Booneville would be considered the longest trip, assuming all else is stable.

[Gray lizard]

Not really—the Pirates will simply replace Ftn. Lake in the 3A-4, in which Booneville would be considered the longest trip, assuming all else is stable.

I was not worried about Dover travel time. 

[x14113]

I was not worried about Dover travel time. 

Heh! Yeah, Dover's replacement in the other 4A-4 will be a bit out of the way.


My money's on JTR or FL.

[x14113]

Per Twitter, Ozark's Bryant Burns has committed to Army.

[Gray lizard]

Per Twitter, Ozark's Bryant Burns has committed to Army.

Great for the young man and best of luck.

[x14113]

It's official: Smith to Spring Hill.

https://couriernews.com/MobileContent/Default/Sports/Article/Dover-head-football-coach-moves-on/-3/15/55424

[Jwolf12]

It's official: Smith to Spring Hill.

https://couriernews.com/MobileContent/Default/Sports/Article/Dover-head-football-coach-moves-on/-3/15/55424

They're getting a great man and great coach. His son is a solid up and coming coach as well. Good luck to the Bears.

[Gray lizard]

An article in the local paper hints Pottsville may shift away from the Dead T some what next season. This is due to "QB can sling the ball ".  We will see.

[HeadBussa08]

as far as the 4a-4 is concerned if Ozarks coming group of sophs stay together i seriously doubt Ozark will lose a conference game for the next 3 years.

[SUGARTOWN]

as far as the 4a-4 is concerned if Ozarks coming group of sophs stay together i seriously doubt Ozark will lose a conference game for the next 3 years.

Yep, that Ozark JV has been a juggernaut for decades.

[HeadBussa08]

Yep, that Ozark JV has been a juggernaut for decades.

I've heard that as well lol

[x14113]

as far as the 4a-4 is concerned if Ozarks coming group of sophs stay together i seriously doubt Ozark will lose a conference game for the next 3 years.

So long as we take it week by week, I really like our chances for several years to come.


Won't be easy, though, with everyone else taking their best shot.

[Gray lizard]

Big change in Pottsville.  The offence will not look the same as the past years.  They are slinging the ball all over the field in team camps.  With good success from my information. Wait and see if it continues.

[CantDrive055]

Big change in Pottsville.  The offence will not look the same as the past years.  They are slinging the ball all over the field in team camps.  With good success from my information. Wait and see if it continues.

Who seems to be calling the offense? I saw today at a team camp in Charleston that one of their coaches left for Clarksville.

[Gray lizard]

Who seems to be calling the offense? I saw today at a team camp in Charleston that one of their coaches left for Clarksville.

Coach Jones has been the play caller in the past.

[x14113]

Big change in Pottsville.  The offence will not look the same as the past years.  They are slinging the ball all over the field in team camps.  With good success from my information. Wait and see if it continues.

Sounds like they are doubling down on Carpenter to run the offense for the next two years.

Let's see if they expand from that 02 personnel package.

[HorseFeathers]

Had a friend tell me today that subiaco has a son of Cedric Cobb's playing for them...any truth to that?

[Sigmund Sauer]

Had a friend tell me today that subiaco has a son of Cedric Cobb's playing for them...any truth to that?

It is true. Fine young athlete but not quite where his pops was at this age. Time will tell. They all develop at a different pace.

[HorseFeathers]

It is true. Fine young athlete but not quite where his pops was at this age. Time will tell. They all develop at a different pace.

How old is he? And just curious as to why he's at subiaco?

[Hasbeen92]

How old is he? And just curious as to why he's at subiaco?

Maybe he's Catholic

[Sigmund Sauer]

Maybe he's Catholic

I'd hate to speculate exactly why he's there. Many avenues to go to the Academy and the structured atmosphere is what is life changing for many youth. I believe he's going into he 10th grade. His stats aren't super impressive, but they struggle with numbers so he doesn't have the supporting cast that other skill players may be accustom to in 4A.

[friscokid]

One of Michael Irvin's sons also played for Subi in the Aughts.

[athletic supporter]

One of Michael Irvin's sons also played for Subi in the Aughts.

And they were still awful