7-A West Preview: Bentonville West Wolverines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are days away from the 2022 football season kicking off in the state of Arkansas. Over the next few days, we are going to preview a few teams as they gear up for the coming season. Coach Bryan Pratt always puts team out there is explosive on the offensive side and will terrorize you on the defensive side of the ball. Meanwhile, we will also give you some prospects to keep an eye out for this season. Kicking off our coverage with the Bentonville West Wolverines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The prediction for the upcoming season is for the Wolverines to make a deep playoff run. Experience is returning on both sides of the ball, and this team has the potential to challenge for a conference championship. The skill positions on the offensive side of the ball are well represented with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='149592' first='Jake' last='Casey'] returning after throwing 21 touchdown passes a season ago. At the running back spot, [player_tooltip player_id='135689' first='Carson' last='Morgan'] is a player to watch out for this season. The wide receivers for the Wolverines are experienced and can stretch the field when needed. Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='411125' first='Ty' last='Durham'] returns for his senior season and junior [player_tooltip player_id='411132' first='Jaxson' last='Brust'] is going to be a player to watch out for this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, the Wolverines have plenty of talented prospects returning. One of the most talented linebackers in the state has the potential to close out his high school career in style. [player_tooltip player_id='153619' first='Braden' last='Jones'] is a tackling machine that has excellent speed and is a player that opposing offenses must account for during the game. In the secondary, [player_tooltip player_id='303140' first='Harris' last='Vinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='133156' first='Nick' last='Bell'] are players that can terrorize opposing wide receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some prospects that you are going to want to keep an eye on this season for the Bentonville West Wolverines. A few prospects you may already be familiar with and some this may be your first introduction to them before the kickoff of the football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149592' first='Jake' last='Casey']-Quarterback-6'4” 180-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bentonville West quarterback has proven to be an accurate quarterback with a strong arm. He threw for almost 2,400 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. Casey knows when to escape the pocket and does a great job of keeping his eyes down the field to make the throw. Casey has the potential for an impressive season with the Wolverines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='135689' first='Carson' last='Morgan']-Running Back-6'1” 205-Pounds-2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most versatile athletes for the Wolverines going into this season is running back [player_tooltip player_id='135689' first='Carson' last='Morgan']. He is an explosive runner that has good vision. Morgan does a great job of identifying the rushing lane and exploding through it. Morgan can be used effectively in the passing game, as the past few seasons have shown. The school that lands [player_tooltip player_id='135689' first='Carson' last='Morgan'] gets a prospect that has the potential to take over a game on Saturdays in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='411125' first='Ty' last='Durham']-Wide Receiver-6'0” 180-Pounds-2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Durham is a wide receiver thathas a knack for getting open and working his way back to the quarterback. He has the speed to stretch the field and help open up the offense. Durham caught 49 passes for almost 800 yards a season ago and I expect him to improve upon those numbers this season. Keep an eye out for Durham this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='411132' first='Jaxson' last='Brust']-Wide Receiver-5'9” 170-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brust is a smooth route runner that can create separation using his route running. Brust caught three touchdowns a season ago this has the potential to be a strong season for the Bentonville West wide receiver. Brust will be a player to watch out for this season with the Wolverines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149537' first='Lane' last='Jeffcoat']-Offensive Line-6'9” 285-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With division one offers to his credit, Jeffcoat has the potential to be one of the most dominating offensive linemen in the state. He has the mix of power and speed that division one programs love. From a pass blocking perspective, he uses his feet well and explodes out of the stance. I look forward to seeing what he has in store for this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153619' first='Braden' last='Jones']-Linebacker-6'1” 205-Pounds-2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones racked up over 100 tackles last season. He has great speed and is always around the ball carrier. The young man does not quit on the play. Jones is a prospect that can pressure the passer and effectively shut down the running game. Jones has already earned all-conference honors, and this is a season I expect him to earn all-state honors. He has the potential to have a huge season this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='133156' first='Nick' last='Bell']-Defensive Back-5'9” 165-Pounds-2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines have speed all over the field and that is especially true with defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='133156' first='Nick' last='Bell']. Bell earned all-state honors a season ago and that is accomplishment I would expect him to earn again this season. Bell is not afraid to get physical with opposing wide receivers and he has the ability to take the ball back the other direction. Look out for Bell this season in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Wilbanks-Defensive Back-5'10” 165-Pounds-2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can usually identify Wilbanks by the pop of the pads. The young man knows how to hit and make tackles. He is a prospect that does a great job of separating the ball from the ball carrier. Wilbanks is a player that does an excellent drop of dropping back into pass coverage. However, Wilbanks is a player that has no problems moving up and making the tackle on a running back or tight end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->