20 Sep 2017 Koch, Wildcats ride strong start
by Mark Oliver
When it comes to high school athletics, Harding Academy’s Dalton Koch has had quite the career. Sporting state championship rings in football and baseball, the senior wide receiver/safety eyes his final season on the gridiron as a chance to claim more hardware.
“My favorite football memory is winning a state championship my sophomore year,” Koch said. “Ever since then, we’ve been ready to win another.”
Koch was selected to this year’s 501 Football Team — 25 players representing all 11 counties of the 501. The team, sponsored by Conway Ortho and Sports Medicine, Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank, boasts the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the field. Koch was nominated by his head coach, Neil Evans.
“Dalton is instinctive, disciplined and a great tackler,” Evans wrote in his nomination. “He is a great teammate, a student of the game and lets his play take care of itself. He’s loved by the whole student body, and I expect him to be an all-state caliber player.”
Averaging 25 points per game, the Wildcats (2-1) have their sights set on improving each week to secure a big finish at War Memorial Stadium.
“Things are going very well for us this year,” Koch said. “Before the year began, our goal was to be the most physical team on the field each week, and we’re accomplishing that. Our team is bigger and faster than last year, and we’re playing smart football and tackling well. Our coaches drive us to be successful, and I’m looking forward to what this season brings for Harding Academy.”
Reminiscent of their 2015 championship season, Koch says there are already many similarities between that year and this year.
“The summer before my sophomore year, our team went to Georgia for a 7-on-7 tournament and grew really close as a team,” Koch said.
“That bonding helped play a large part in our success that year. This year, we traveled to Louisiana for an LSU football camp, and it was a similar bonding experience for our team. Many of our players were together for the title win, and our strong start has us excited to head forward and compete as a team to do what we know how to do.”
This week, the Wildcats open Class 2-3A conference play against White County-rival Bald Knob.
“Bald Knob is a big game for us, and we’re super pumped for it,” Koch said. “Last year, a few big plays allowed them to get the best of us, and they went on to win the conference championship. This year, we’re ready to bounce back, play our guts out and avenge last year’s loss.”
When his number is called, Koch steps up to fill many roles for Harding Academy. Through three games, Koch has reeled in 11 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. The senior also leads the defense with 24 tackles, two interceptions and has converted five of six extra-point attempts this season.
“My motto this year has been to never take a play off,” Koch said. “Playing both ways is difficult, but getting out of breath is only temporary. If I give my full effort every play, my teammates can pick up on that, and, together, we can reach our goals.”
Off the field, Koch is a member of FBLA and plays baseball at Harding Academy and serves in the youth group at College Church of Christ in Searcy. After school, Koch plans to attend Harding University with an emphasis in pre-medicine.
“Work hard in everything you do,” Koch said. “No matter if you’re in the spotlight or behind the scenes, both are important, and giving your best effort in either role can pay off. People notice hard work, on and off the field.”
Harding Academy plays host to Bald Knob at 7 p.m. Friday.
