17 Aug 2014 Bauxite: Miners improving in 7-4A

Conference: 7-4A
Coach: Shane Clancy
’13 Record: 1-9 (0-7)

Progress isn’t always apparent in a team’s record. That was the case for Bauxite in 2013. The Miners won only one game, but several positives came out of the season.

“We made some strides in the right direction,” Coach Shane Clancy said. “We had a bunch of sophomores get playing time last year that we think will help us out this year.”

The Miners return four starters on offense and seven on defense.

Expected offensive starters include: quarterback Zach Baxley; running back Blaze Vinyard; wide receivers Ben Madison, Mason Brown and Estevan Padilla; tight end Jacob Treat; and offensive linemen Dristen Chamberlin (left tackle), Zach Marshall (left guard), Carson Morado (center), Harrison Hampton (right guard) and Luke Stephens (right tackle).

Last fall, Madison hauled in 70 receptions for 924 yards and six touchdowns, Rooks had 94 carries for 823 yards and eight touchdowns and Taylor had 39 receptions for 523 yards and six touchdowns. The Miners averaged 30.1 points per game.

“We will need to be able to run the football more effectively this year with a more power running game,” Clancy said. “We will need this to set up the play action pass because we do not have a quarterback that can make the long pass.”

Expected defensive starters include: noseguard Matthew Harp; tackle Zach Marshall; defensive ends Dominque Watson and Ethan Collie; linebackers Tyler Stokes, Shawn Washington and Lennon Smith; safeties Ben Madison and Jeffery Stormett; and cornerbacks Hayden Gillespie and Brian Flores.

“We will need to improve our overall tackling as a unit,” Clancy said. “We will need to eliminate big plays that hurt us last year and not give up as many points per game. The 7-4A is a tough conference from top to bottom. We will be looking to compete for one of the spots to make the playoffs. Nashville and Malvern will be heads and shoulders above the rest of the conference.”

5 Players to Watch:
Ben Madison (Sr. WR/DB)
Harrison Hampton (Jr. OL)
Zach Marshall (Jr. OL/DL)
Jeffery Stormett (Sr. DB)
Blaze Vinyard (Jr. RB)

0

1 Must-see Game:
“Robinson. Everyone is excited for the opening game of the year.” — Clancy

2014 Schedule:
Sept. 5        at LR Robinson
Sept. 12    at Glen Rose
Sept. 19    Jessieville
Sept. 26    at Malvern
Oct. 3        Ashdown
Oct. 10        at Mena
Oct. 17        Fountain Lake
Oct. 24        Waldron
Oct. 31        at Arkadelphia
Nov. 7        Nashville