HECTOR WILDCATS:

Wildcats look to improve this year

BY CODY GRAVES STAFF WRITER
August 28, 2011

LITTLE ROCK — After a disappointing season last fall, Hector is looking to turn heads this season.

The Wildcats finished the season 1-9 and in last place in the 5-2AConference.

The school didn’t field avarsity team in 2009.

“We were young and inexperienced,” head coach Andy Cheney said. “We had a lot of first time [football players].”

Despite the rough season, Cheney said the players’ commitment to each other and dedication were highlights.

“The one thing that I feel like was a successful part of last year, coming off a year where we didn’t have a program, was the fact that we came together as a team,” he said.

“We became a lot less of ‘me’ players and started becoming more team players.

I was really proud of that.”

The team does have some returning starters to bring game-time experience this season.

Senior Nick McKinstry will pull double duty on both the offensive and defensive lines, as will senior Garret Hamilton and senior Colton Chambers, who will serve as a linebacker.

Junior Charles Smith will return as a defensive back, and junior Logan Riley will return to the tight end position.

With only 16 players on the team, Cheney said most players will be playing full time.

The lack of depth and rest should takeits toll on the team, and Cheney said he hopes the team’s health will stay strong throughout the season.

“That’s why we’re going to have to work even harder, because most of our boys may never get off that field,” he said. “We’re going to have to get ourselves in shape and just accept that challenge.” It’s been done before; it can be done again, he said.

“We just have to have that mental toughness and tenacity.” Cheney said Bigelow, Magnet Cove and Quitman should be the team’s toughest opponents this season.

“They’re all three going to have solid teams,” he said.

While inexperience will be one of the Wildcats’ shortcomings this fall, Cheney said the team’s determination should be an asset.

“I think we’re going to continue to build upon what we did last year,” he said.

“We’re still going to be a young, inexperienced team.” Through it all, however, Cheney said, he thinks the team will surprise people this season.

“We’re going to compete better gamein and game-out than what we did last year,” he said.

“I believe we’re stronger and faster as a team, and I think that if we can stay healthy with our numbers and we continue to build upon our dedication to each other as teammates, … we’re going to have opportunities to surprise some folks.”HECTOR WILDCATS

SEPT. 2 ........................@ HARTFORD

SEPT. 9 ................................POYEN*

SEPT. 16 ................. @ TWO RIVERS*

SEPT. 23 MELBOURNE JUNIOR VARSITY

SEPT. 30 ...............@ MAGNET COVE*

OCT. 7 .............................QUITMAN*

OCT. 14 ..................... J.C. WESTSIDE

OCT. 21 ....... @ CONWAY CHRISTIAN*

OCT. 28 ....................... @ BIGELOW*

NOV. 4 ................... MOUNTAIN PINE*

River Valley Ozark, Pages 115 on 08/28/2011

River Valley & Ozark 115