Only four starters return for Wildcat football squad
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<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School football team was devastated by graduation losses from last year’s 5-5 squad. Only four starters from offense and defense return.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">However, the cupboard is not bare for the Wildcats’ 2015 season.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We don’t have a ton of seniors, but we’ve got a lot of good quality,” A-J coach Brett Detering said. “We did have a good offseason. We’ve talked about conditioning and what we had to do. I certainly feel like they’ve done the things they need to do.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Though practice officially began Aug. 10, the players were involved in a strenuous offseason weight-lifting program.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We’ve gone through this before,” said Detering, referring to other seasons he’s coached at A-J when the numbers were down. “Low in numbers and lack of depth is something not new to us. That’s the way it goes sometimes. But I think we got some things to build on. I believe they will be fine.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Leading the Wildcats this season at quarterback will be senior Jake Stark, 6-1, 185 pounds.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">He started two games at QB last season before being replaced by Zane DeWitt.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The backfield experience will come from returning starter junior Alec Gold, 6-0, 195 pounds. Other running back hopefuls are senior Collin Prather, 5-9, 185 pounds; junior Caleb Clover, 5-10, 150 pounds; and junior Dylan Fox, 5-10, 155 pounds.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“Those four should handle the running back duties,” Detering indicated.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Returning senior starter Dakota Earnhart, 6-5, 190 pounds, should lead the receiving corps.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Other targets for Stark down field are senior Brayden Benefield, 5-9, 190 pounds; junior Caleb Clover, 5-10, 150 pounds; senior Zach Parr, 5-9, 175 pounds; and junior Jake Wright, 5-10, 220 pounds.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The offensive line will be built around two returning senior starters: Ryan Hileman, 6-0, 300 pounds, and Michael Hoedebecke, 6-4, 220 pounds.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The defense will be built around returning starters Hileman on the line; Stark and Prather, both defensive backs, and junior linebacker Trenton Turner, 5-10, 190 pounds.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Other defensive stalwarts are linebacker sophomore Jayce Turner, 5-10, 190 pounds; defensive backs Stark, Prather, Fox, Parr, Earnhart and sophomore Bryce Osman, 6-0, 170 pounds.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Others expected to shore up the line are juniors Austin Dillow, 6-2, 225 pounds; Aaron Lence, 6-1, 250 pounds; Kris Potter, 5-8, 240 pounds; Eric Reed, 5-8, 240 pounds; and Nick Jimenez, 5-10, 285 pounds and lone senior Zach Van Hooser, 6-2, 315 pounds.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Another newcomer to the line who is expected to contribute is junior Jake Wright, 5-10, 220 pounds. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“Our juniors don’t have varsity experience,” Detering said. “We’ll see how it works out.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Earnhart and Parr should handle kicking duties, while Stark returns as the punter from last season.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Wildcats will be shooting for their 15th consecutive playoff berth this season.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“The playoffs are always a goal,” Detering said.</span></p>