Paragould

from NEA Football Preview 2022

by Jonesboro Sun

Nettleton

The 2022 Paragould High School Rams.

Amy Glenn | Paragould School District

Rams, new coach ready for new season

By Michael Wilkey Daily Press staff writer mwilkey@paragoulddailypress.com

PARAGOULD — The goal for the 2022 Paragould Rams is to play smart football, play hard football and win games in a competitive 5A East Conference, their coach said this month.

David Gunn, who is in his first year coaching the Rams, said the team has been working out this summer and began practice on Aug. 1.

Since then, Gunn said the focus has been to teach the players the basics and build the foundation for a strong program. The team has won only six games since the 2016 campaign, but Gunn is optimistic for the future.

The team finished 0-9 last year, but Gunn said that record is not what they are reflecting on.

“The players are being taught how to work and give a great effort on the field,” he said.

Paragould had 522 yards passing last year and picked up 868 yards rushing, as well. The Rams had a total of 2,114 all-purpose yards during the 2021 season.

The effort has been to build from the bottom up and create a program that people can be proud of, Gunn said.

Gunn, who was an assistant at Arkansas State University for 11 years and played football at Arkansas, said there has been some interest from longtime fans visiting training camp this year.

Gunn said the team will be running a 4-3 on defense and multiple schemes on offense this year. He said he is still working on putting together his starting lineup but said the team will be ready in time for the first game against crosstown rival Greene County Tech on Friday.

“The kids are learning how to work,” Gunn said, noting the effort given on the field is an important step to creating a successful program.

The team has nearly 50 players on the roster this year, with several key returning players.

Winn (5-10, 186) led the Rams last year with 517 allpurpose yards, with most on

special teams, while juniors Corbin Bailey (5-6, 144) and Kaden Calhoun (6-2, 193) return with 114 and 62 yards rushing, respectively.

Junior Carter Beliew (6-1, 245) also had 77 yards receiving last year.

The team plays in the eightteam 5A East. Gunn said the district has always been one of the best in the state, with a football rich tradition with teams like Batesville, Wynne and Nettleton, noting that Wynne and Batesville have won state titles in the past.

However, Gunn said teams have to show up in order to win.

“It is a district where anyone can beat anyone on a Friday evening,” he said.

Gunn said the Rams are looking forward to kicking off the season with a home game against Greene County Tech, noting the game is one of the state’s biggest rivalries.

After the GCT game, Paragould travels to Piggott Sept. 2 and then hosts Hoxie Sept. 9. After a week off, Paragould visits Valley View Sept. 23 and then has a home game against Batesville on Sept. 30 and a road game against Nettleton on Oct. 7.

The final four games of the year have Paragould traveling to Forrest City Oct. 14, hosting Wynne Oct. 21, traveling down Highway 49 to face Brookland on Oct. 28 and hosting Southside, who moves up from the 2-4A, on Nov. 4.

After a few weeks of practice and workouts during the summer, Gunn said his team is ready for the fall campaign.

“We have practiced long enough,” Gunn said.