Despite graduations of the school’s career rushing and passing leaders, Heber Springs has many options this season with an abundance of talented personnel at skill positions. They began working on making the pieces fit the puzzle at Monday’s season opening practice.
“For the first day I thought we looked really sharp,” said sixth-year Coach Steve Janski, who holds a record of 36-23 at HSHS. “It was hot but it’s supposed to get even hotter later in the week. I was a little worried about the new guys but they moved around really well.”
Tailback Braylon Mitchell, quarterback Wes McMullen, versatile lineman Ryan Palenske, team leaders Billy Grammer and Zach Nelson and sure-handed receivers Hunter Derrick and Will Gilbrech are gone, leaving a few outstanding seniors combined with a talented group of juniors and sophomores eager to step in and have their number called.
It is somewhat reminiscent of the 2006 team, which featured running backs Curtis Decker and Ryan Grist. Only this edition packs more punch with bigger running backs and two quarterbacks capable of leading the team. Judging from Monday’s practice, the offense could have similar entities to the sixth-year coach’s teams of 2006 and 2007, although Janski prefers to keep new schemes in house for now.
Those bigger backs include junior Markeyvus Mays, who saw most of the first-team duty on Monday, junior Jake Blackwood, sophomore Ethan Bly and junior Geoffrey Anderson. Plus, sophomore Clint Ligon has breakaway speed similar to Grist and Decker. Ligon and Anderson teamed with Mays on the first team in certain schemes on the opening day of practice, which was limited to shorts and helmets.
Blackwood is also a staple on the Panthers’ defensive line, while Bly moved from defensive end to middle linebacker, where he will help out returning two-year starter Mason Williams, who led the team in tackles in 2008. Anderson fills the weak side linebacker spot, where he started as a sophomore.
The young backs are still learning, meaning the offensive line could play a large role in the Panthers’ success. “We lost three really good linemen,” said Janski. “The young guys have to step up. We have more speed on the offensive line than we have had in the past, which is hopefully going to help our ground game.”
Joseph Tharp, a preseason All 4A selection, and Jimbo Bodron anchor the offensive line while Rose Bud sophomore transfer Derrik Fisher and juniors Aaron Palenske, Colton Lindsey, Austin Childers and Nathan Martz are strong contenders for a starting spot. Palenske helped out on Heber’s interior defensive line as a sophomore.
The line war is certainly going to pick up when the Panthers don full pads on Thursday, but for now, Janski likes the competition at strong side linebacker the best. “Alec Guest and Cameron Vandivor are really battling for what we call the ‘Sam’ linebacker spot. It’s been fun to watch those two go to work.”
Perhaps the biggest question of quarterback is still unanswered but Janski likes what he sees out of both prospects. Ludwig seems to have a leg up as starter right now considering he takes nearly all of the first-team reps.
“Quarterback is another position that has been fun to watch,” said Janski. “We have two good quarterbacks with different styles and different strengths. Michael can run and throw and Landon has the best natural arm I’ve had since I’ve been here. I hope we can get into a situation where we can use both quarterbacks because they have such different talents they can bring to the table.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Janski said he has been encouraged by his secondary. Senior free safety Andrew Hill, cornerbacks Jesse Lawrence and Tyler Helms, and strong safety Caleb Carmikle looked sharp on Monday. All are returning starters with the exception of Helms.
“We feel good about the secondary. Andrew has developed into a player that has some colleges looking at him. Caleb has been a staple for our defense the past two years and has become a good leader, Jesse had great production last year and Tyler has really come along and shown some great skills,” said Janski.
Heber goes with full pads for the first time since spring practice on Thursday as they continue to build towards the season opener versus Mountain View on Friday, Sept. 3 at Panther Stadium. Heber is scheduled to scrimmage Central Arkansas Christian and Greenbrier on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at Greenbrier.
The Panthers practice each day this week and next from 7-9:30 a.m. before taking a 30-45 minute refreshing break in the fieldhouse and returning to the field for another hour and a half or two hours.
