4-A Semi Final Preview Harding Academy-Arkadelphia

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The semi-final matchup between Harding Academy and Arkadelphia tonight has all of the makings of a classic matchup. Each team has talented prospects all over the field. We are going to look at some key players to keep an eye on from each team in this matchup tonight. With both teams having won state championships, I expect this matchup to be a great one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Harding Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='532730' first='Levi' last='Mercer']-Defensive Line-2023-6'3” 215-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercer is a versatile player that sees action on both sides of the ball for Harding Academy. On the defensive side of the ball, Mercer uses his speed extremely well to get into the offensive backfield and bring down the quarterback. He has the speed to disrupt both the run and the passing games of the opposition. Mercer is a prospect to watch tonight. He racked up 22 sacks on the season and Arkadelphia will need to account for him this evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250016' first='Owen' last='Miller']-Quarterback-2025-6'1” 160-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state of Arkansas has a number of talented quarterbacks coming up through the ranks over the next few years. On the season, Miller has thrown for 35 touchdowns and in the process picked apart opposing defenses. He is an accurate quarterback that can fit the ball into some tight windows. Miller has led the Wildcats to an undefeated season, and he has played in plenty of big games. Keep an eye on Miller over the next couple of years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='471070' first='Heath' last='Griffin']-Running Back-2023-6'1” 205-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='471070' first='Heath' last='Griffin'] is a threat in the running and passing attacks for Harding Academy. Griffin does a great job of running the ball between the tackles. He does a good job of setting up his blocks and showing patience before exploding through the rushing lane. A facet of his game that does not get the credit it should is his ability as a receiver out of the backfield. Griffin is a prospect to keep an eye on tonight as Harding Academy looks to slow down an aggressive Arkadelphia defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Arkadelphia Badgers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='75141' first='Donovan' last='Whitten']-Quarterback-2023-6'3” 220-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='75141' first='Donovan' last='Whitten'] is a quarterback that has caught the eye of college coaches because of his stellar play over the past few seasons. He does a great job of throwing the ball with accuracy. Whitten has the arm strength to stretch the opposing defense vertically. Meanwhile, he is a quarterback that knows when to escape the pocket and use his legs to pick up yardage. Whitten is a player to watch tonight as the Badgers take on Harding Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kyle Reed-Running Back-2025-5'9” 166-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arkadelphia is a team that can hurt via the air or on the ground. Kyle Reed is a running back to watch out for that is coming up through the ranks quickly. He has excellent speed and can make a cut and look good defenders look bad. He is another running back that can run it between the tackles or cut it to the outside. Reed is a running back that has the potential to put up some big numbers over the next years and is a player with the potential to play on Saturdays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91985' first='Latonnieo' last='Hughes']-Wide Receiver-2023-5'10” 165-Pounds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most versatile players on either team tonight is [player_tooltip player_id='91985' first='Latonnieo' last='Hughes']. On the offensive side of the ball, Hughes can turn a short pass play into an explosive one. Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball he has a nose for the football. Hughes uses his speed well in the secondary and has no problem picking off passes. Hughes is a prospect to watch out for tonight. This has the potential to be a great matchup that could go late into the fourth quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->