TWO RIVERS GATORS:

Gators hope to return to playoffs

BY DONNA LAMPKIN STEPHENS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
August 28, 2011

LITTLE ROCK — Fourteen returning starters should bode well for the Two Rivers Gators as they attempt to rebound from a disappointing one-win season in 2010.

Coach Josh Harrison’s team beat Hec

tor in the 5-2A

Conference

opener, 24-14,

but lost therest of the league schedule by a combined 289-76.

“We lost key players to graduation, transfer and injuries,” Harrison said. “That took a toll on the season.” Seven starters return on each side of the football this season. The Gators will field a multiple offensive scheme and a 5-2 defense.

“We struggled through ’10,” Harrison said. “We look to be much improved with the return of several key players and the addition of a strong sophomore class.” That sophomore class put together a 7-2 mark for the junior Gators last year.

Although the starting lineup wasn’t complete at press time, Harrison expected several Gators to make an impact. Those include seniors Fabian Robledo (5-10, 190, fullback), Carlos Ramirez (5-8, 190, running back) and Aaron Hughes (5-10, 225, linebacker), who led the team in tackles last season despite missing time with illness and injury.

Other key cogs among the offensive skill positions will include sophomore quarterback Tyler Green (6-1, 175), who led thejunior Gators last year; sophomore fullback Matt Burnett (5-9, 195) and wide receivers senior Logan Frost (5-8, 150), junior John Ellis (5-8, 140) and sophomore Gary Morrison (6-0, 165).

The offensive line will be manned by Hughes at right tackle, junior Toby Green (6-2, 195) at right guard; junior Drew Owens (6-2, 175) at center; Zac Lee at left guard and junior Wyatt Robinson (6-2, 225) at left tackle.

The linebacking corps of Hughes, Hunter Smith, sophomore Jesse Young (5-9, 175) and sophomore Dylon Piles (5-9, 170) should lead the defense.

Team strengths, Harrison said, would include the wide receivers and quarterback.

Weaknesses early are both lines, size and strength.

Still, “we could make a push for a playoff spot,” Harrison said.

Bigelow, Magnet Cove, Mountain Pine, Conway Christian and Quitman advanced from the conference to the Class 2A state playoffs last year. Magnet Cove, which returns just six starters, is tabbed as the favorite by league coaches after a run to the semifinals last year. Bigelow reached the quarters.

Harrison said Bigelow, Quitman and Two Rivers would likely follow Magnet Cove.

The key game on the schedule, he said, would be Hector on Sept. 16. That game will open conference play, and that first one will be crucial, he said.

BREAKING DOWN THE GATORS 1-9 RECORD FOR 2010 7 RETURNING STARTERS ON OFFENSE 7 RETURNING STARTERS ON DEFENSE 1-7 PLAYOFF RECORD

2009 LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 7-2 JUNIOR GATORS’ RECORD IN 2010 36 TOTAL WINS IN LAST SEVEN SEASONSTWO RIVERS GATORS

SEPT. 2 ................................@ DOVER

SEPT. 9 ....... @ CUTTER MORNING STAR

SEPT. 16 ..............................HECTOR*

SEPT. 23 . CONWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL*

SEPT. 30 ............................ BIGELOW*

OCT. 7 ...............................@ POYEN*

OCT. 14 .........................@ QUITMAN*

OCT. 21 ............................... HACKETT

OCT. 28 ............... @ MOUNTAIN PINE*

NOV. 3 ....................... MAGNET COVE*

River Valley Ozark, Pages 114 on 08/28/2011

River Valley & Ozark 114