16 Aug 2017 BAUXITE: Miners experienced heading into Patton’s second year
Conference: 7-4A
Coach: Daryl Patton
’16 Record: 0-10
The young Bauxite Miners struggled in Daryl Patton’s first year over the program, but last year’s challenges could bear fruit this year.
“It was a tough year,” Patton said. “But we got better weekly. We started 16 sophomores.”
Nine starters return on offense. Junior Seth McDowell leads the Dead T offense. Seniors Jonah Sorvillo and Colton Robinson, juniors Eason Sandage and Dawson Dabbs and sophomore Hayden Edwards rotate in the backfield. Brandon Hopkins and Carson Collins see action at tight end. Senior Damon Irvin and sophomore Bubba Richards give the Miners options at receiver. Offensive linemen include seniors Drake Edwards and Trace Talley; juniors Zack Lasage, Blake Garrett, Seth Everett and Broc Seyfert; and sophomore Jake Sky Eagle.
The Miners also return nine starters on defense. Collins, junior Colton Thornberry, senior Hunter Palmer, Lasage and Hopkins rotate on the defensive line. Garrett and Talley man the inside linebacker spots, while McDowell, Sandage and junior Marshall Golleher swap time at outside linebacker. Dabbs (corner), Sorvillo (corner), junior Elijah Cruz (safety), Robinson (safety) and junior Emanuel Harvey (safety) fill out the secondary.
“We play in a great conference — the best in the state,” Patton said. “We have better experience, strength and numbers, but we’re still a year away from where we need to be. We will be much more competitive this year.”
5 Players to Watch:
Dawson Dabbs (Jr. RB/DB)
Seth McDowell (Jr. QB/LB)
Eason Sandage (Jr. FB/LB)
Trace Talley (Sr. OL/LB)
Zack Lasage (Jr. OL/DL)
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1 Must-see Game:
“Haskell Harmony Grove Week 1. It’s the Saline River Shootout!” — Patton
2017 Schedule:
Sept. 1 Haskell Harmony Grove
Sept. 8 Glen Rose
Sept. 15 at Dumas
Sept. 22 Malvern
Sept. 29 at Ashdown
Oct. 6 Mena
Oct. 13 at Fountain Lake
Oct. 20 at Joe T. Robinson
Oct. 27 Arkadelphia
Nov. 3 at Nashville
