Starting over
Defending state champions lose seniors, head coach
A senior-laden team and veteran coach led the Glen Rose Beavers to the 2007 3A state championship, but graduation and a new system may have made repeating difficult.
After the season, former head coach Billy Elmore took the Arkadelphia job, and Mark Kehner was almost immediately promoted to head coach. The system of play will look similar to Glen Rose fans, as Kehner was an assistant under Elmore during his tenure at the school.
The Beavers must replace an offense that averaged 37.7 points per game a year ago and most of a stingy defense that allowed just 13.9 points per game.
Leading the way offensively will be senior quarterback Jacob Rhodes. Kehner said he is confident in Rhodes’ talent, but worries about the lack of game-time experience. Junior Paul Ditzig will be his backup.
At running back, Kehner will be looking at two backs — his son, sophomore Steven Kehner, and senior Trevor Newcomb. Through spring and summer practices, the starting nod has gone to the younger Kehner, who saw time in the playoffs last season as a freshman.
Senior Dustin Norwood (6-2) played defense for the majority of last season but will start the 2008 campaign as one of the main offensive threats at wide receiver, along with returning starter senior Bo Mitchell (5-9). Others expected to contribute include senior Brandon Reed (5-8) and sophomore Cody Hixon (6-3).
At least on the offensive line, Kehner will be able to relax with the thought that he has plenty of starters back. Four of the five offensive linemen started last season and were key to the success of the team.
Returning at right tackle will be Jacob Lankford (5-10, 250), center will be Jimbo Scrimshire (6-0, 250), left guard will be Brad Porter (5-10, 225), and left tackle will be Casey Shultz (6-0, 220). The only newcomer to the starting lineup will be Brant Abbott (6-2, 255).
On the defensive line, speed and experience is the name of the game with Norwood and senior Shane Hutcheson returning.
Returning starter Jarrod Keen will be back at defensive tackle after gaining 20 pounds in the offseason. The last spot on the line still has not been decided in practice.
In addition to Scrimshire, Mitchell and Reed at linebacker, Tyler Mantooth will make offenses think twice about running his way with his reckless abandon during ball pursuits.
Whether or not this year’s team can match the mark set by last year’s team is still a question for those surrounding the Glen Rose program.
“The previous bunch set the bar high,” Kehner said. “We have to build leadership to get us back there.”
This article was published Sunday, August 24, 2008.