Walnut Ridge

from NEA Football Preview 2022

by Jonesboro Sun

Valley View

The 2022 Walnut Ridge High School Bobcats.

Ashley George | The Times Dispatch

Bobcats enter season with experience

By Nathan Hibbard The TD Staff Writer nhibbard@thetd.com

WALNUT RIDGE — Walnut Ridge head coach Jeff Blake expects experience all over the field to be a strength for his team. The Bobcats are coming off a 4-7 campaign and a fifth-place finish in the 3A-3 conference. Those totals were good enough to earn Walnut Ridge a spot in the state playoffs, where the Bobcats fell in the first round to McGehee. In 2022, Blake’s squad returns nine starters on both sides of the ball, and his roster includes 11 seniors. “These seniors have been around, so it’s pretty easy for them to pick up on stuff and learn it quickly,” he said. Senior running backs Walker Ward (6-0, 155), Kai Watson (5-9, 137) and Logan Sain (5-10, 170) will lead the Bobcats’ offense as they switch to a single wing offense, with Ward expected to take most of the snaps. “Kai and Walker accounted for most of the offense last year,” Blake said. “Logan hurt his shoulder so we missed him a lot last year, but expect him to run a lot this year.” Watson passed for four touchdowns during his junior season and added 11 more rushing, while Ward had seven touchdowns during the 2021 season, one passing, four rushing and two receiving. Both have the potential to play at the next level, according to their coach. “Walker has an offer from Lyon. Kai has had interest, as well. They are also very smart,” he said, noting their good ACT scores will help them, as well. Watson lined up at quarterback for the Bobcats as a junior. Blake said the new offensive scheme allows him to use the varied talents of the three offensive standouts, with all able to take snaps from returning center Wyatt Davis (6-2, 235). “Logan is good too. He throws the ball well too,” he said. “Kai will be playing wingback. We’re going to try to throw him the ball some. He’s a really good receiver.” Joining Watson to head the receiving corps will be senior Jaydon Blaylock (6-2, 160) who recorded 105 yards last season, including one of the Bobcats’ seven touchdown receptions. Junior tight end Mark Hatfield (6-3, 190) is expected to contribute as well. Walnut Ridge will also go without a huddle at times this season. “We’re still going to huddle up some, but we are going to go hurry up some also,” Blake said. “Just kind of give us a change of pace.” The fourth-year coach said his offensive line will also be a strength for the upcoming season. “Up front this is the biggest group we’ve had for sure,” he said. “They will allow us to take chances in our passing game whenever we get the opportunity.” Anchoring the offensive line will be returning starters senior Payton Ditto (6-1, 300) and juniors Dawson Ward (5-10, 200) and Sebastian Hoffman (6-1, 250). Senior Hunter Colvey (5-7, 201) is also returning at fullback. Despite the returning experience, Blake said the Bobcats needed to develop depth. Help in that area could come from a talented group of sophomores who are moving up from junior high. Last season, the junior Bobcats finished 8-2 and were

conference runners-up. “They lost in overtime to Osceola, so that shows you how good they are,” Blake said. “They are a very talented group. I look for good things out of them.” Three of the sophomores have already earned starting roles, including Collin Andrews (6-4, 280). “Collin is our biggest offensive lineman right now,” Blake said. Andrews is joined in the starting lineup by fellow sophomores River Davis (5-7, 150) at outside linebacker and River Hancock (6-0, 165) at defensive end. Walnut Ridge’s defensive line will feature returning seniors Cam Buys (5-10, 185), who had 60 tackles and three sacks in 2021, and Colvey, who recorded 31 tackles and one sack last season. Dawson Ward also returns on the line after racking up 23 tackles as a sophomore. Sain will return at linebacker as will fellow senior Jack Cain (5-10, 216), who had 78 tackles as a junior. Walker Ward returns at safety, and Watson and Blaylock return at corner. Blake said with strong seasons from his veterans, and some help from the newcomers, he expects his team to be in the conference race this season. “I look for Osceola, Hoxie, Manila and us to battle it out for the top four spots,” said Blake. “You got Osceola and Hoxie ‚Äî still the teams to beat. Manila is on the rise. Those three games could be deciding your playoff seeds. We have those games at end of the season. Hopefully we can be playing good at the right time.”