25 Aug 2010 501 Football Extra: Hot Springs Trojans

Chris Vereen joins the Trojans from DeQueen, bringing the Flexbone attack to replace Bill Timmons’ Spread.

“We’re very excited,” said Vereen, whose Leopards went 7-5 last year, reaching the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs as the fourth seed from the tough 7-4A. “The administration, athletic director, superintendent – we’re getting new field turf, new scoreboard, new weight room, so it’s very exciting.”

Timmons’ last Trojan team finished 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the 5A-Southwest but ended on a high note with a win over arch-rival Hot Springs Lakeside. Five starters return on offense from that team, with six back for what will be a Split 4 defensive scheme.

“We’ve got some building to do, but we’ve got some tools,” Vereen said.

Those tools start with a pair of seniors in the backfield. Quarterback Deandre Hood (5-10, 160) accounted for 1,400 yards passing as a junior. Running back Chris Hughes (6-1, 185) led the team with more than 1,500 all-purpose yards.

Team strengths include skill players and a large senior class. Weaknesses include linemen and a lack of depth.

“We will change to a more run-oriented offense and try to control the tempo of the game,” Vereen said. “Defensively, we must stop the run.”

Camden Fairview, which finished runner-up to Monticello for the 2009 Class 5A state championship, is considered the favorite in the Southwest, and Magnolia is the consensus No. 2 pick.

After that, who knows?

“I believe any team can finish third to eighth after that,” Vereen said.

The top four teams will advance to the postseason.

So far, the new coach likes what he’s seen.

“Our attendance has been excellent this summer at our team camps,” he said. “We went to one or two a week, and the effort is getting better. Of course, there’s a new system that they’ve got to learn, but we’re very pleased with the strides we’ve made.”

5 Players to Watch: Chris Hughes (Sr. RB), Eric Mitchell (Sr. FB/LB), Deandre Hood (Sr. QB), Tyree Sampson (Sr. WR) and Barry Wimberley (Sr. C).

0

1 Must-see Game: Hot Springs Lakeside on Nov. 5. “It’s a rivalry game with a possible playoff berth at stake.” – Chris Vereen

2010 Schedule

Sept. 3        Pulaski Robinson
Sept. 10    at Glen Rose
Sept. 17    Jacksonville
Sept. 24    Arkadelphia*
Oct. 1        at Hope*
Oct. 8        at Little Rock Christian*
Oct. 15        Magnolia*
Oct. 22        at Central Arkansas Christian*
Oct. 29        Camden Fairview*
Nov. 5        at Hot Springs Lakeside*

*5A-Southwest