Arkadelphia Badgers 2023 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arkadelphia Badgers finished with 11-1 record on the season last season. The Badgers have been one of the most consistent teams in the state of Arkansas over the past few years. Trey Schucker and his staff have done a great job of making the Badgers a state power. Arkadelphia will be a team to watch out for this upcoming season and we are going to give a preview of them before the season starts up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking first, at the offensive side of the ball. Arkadelphia will have new signal callers vying for the quarterback spot this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1192098' first='Maddox' last='Fendley'] and Cade McBride each have the potential to earn snaps this season. McBride has seen time on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball last season. Both Fendley and McBride have the arm strength to keep opposing defenses honest. The quarterback position is in good hands whether McBride or Fendley play the majority of the snaps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arkadelphia rushing attack is going to open plenty of eyes this season. [player_tooltip player_id='149589' first='De'Angelo' last='Buckley'] accounted for 432 yards on the ground last season. Buckley also punched the ball in the end zone 7 times a season ago. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='533490' first='Kyle' last='Reed'] amassed 585 yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago. Reed and Buckley are a dangerous one-two punch that is going to cause plenty of headaches for opposing defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, the Arkadelphia receiving corps has several prospects with the talent to play on Saturdays. Evan Bailey has the versatility to play the tight end spot or be split outside to play the wide receiver. Bailey uses his athleticism well to create separation from opposing defenders. [player_tooltip player_id='363590' first='Michael' last='Brownlee'] is a wide receiver that can take it the distance from anywhere on the field. Jaxon Jester has the potential to open some eyes this season as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Switching gears, to the defensive side of the ball for the Badgers. Arkadelphia has a talented defense with plenty of prospects to watch out for this season. K.D. Young has earned all-state honors at the tackle position on the defensive side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='221270' first='Nykkisson' last='Wimberly'] is versatile prospect that has the speed to get into the offensive backfield and disrupt the run and passing attacks. At linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='806083' first='Chase' last='Vantilborg'] had over 100 tackles last season and is always around the ball carrier. Meanwhile, safety Nick Williams is an enforcer in the secondary and has no trouble separating the ball from the ball carrier. Arkadelphia has the talent to push for a deep playoff run this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch this Season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Williams-Safety-5'9” 160-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='386441' first='Kelbern' last='Middleton']-Cornerback-5'9” 150-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806083' first='Chase' last='Vantilborg']-Linebacker-6'2” 180-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaden Brown-Linebacker-5'11” 220-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221270' first='Nykkisson' last='Wimberly']-Defensive Line-6'0” 240-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>K.D. Young-Defensive Line-5'10” 255-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='363590' first='Michael' last='Brownlee']-Wide Receiver-6'3” 165-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxon Jester-Wide Receiver-6'0” 205-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Bailey-Wide Receiver-6'3” 195-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215085' first='Jay' last='Purifoy']-Running Back-5'8” 160-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533490' first='Kyle' last='Reed']-Running Back-5'11” 180-Pounds-2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149589' first='De'Angelo' last='Buckley']-Running Back-5'10” 175-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192098' first='Maddox' last='Fendley']-Quarterback-6'0” 165-Pounds-2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cade McBride-Quarterback-6'1” 205-Pounds-2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->