Game of the Week Preview: Little Rock Southwest vs Rogers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school football season is kicking off this week. Prep Redzone Arkansas will be at several games this week. Little Rock Southwest makes the trip up to Northwest Arkansas to take on the Rogers Mounties. The Mounties won last year's outing 49-20. However, it is a new season, and this is shaping up to be an interesting contest this Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking first, at the Little Rock Southwest Gryphons. The quarterback position has two impressive options. Makhi Mohammed and [player_tooltip player_id='221262' first='Chase' last='Forte'] each have the athleticism necessary to run the Gryphons' offense. Forte had a tremendous outing in the benefit game against Pine Bluff a week ago. Forte was 16 of 27 for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns. The options are available at the signal caller spot for Little Rock Southwest to put up plenty of points this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the running back spot, the talent is impressive for Little Rock Southwest. Jason Robinson, Luther Tucker, and Nick Ward should all see some carries this upcoming season. Tucker rushed for a little over 900 yards and found the end zone 7 times last season for the Gryphons. Meanwhile, the passing attack has several talented receivers that can impact a game. Logan White, K.J. Smith and [player_tooltip player_id='392403' first='Jabron' last='Lewis'] all have the potential to have big seasons this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, Little Rock Southwest has numerous players with the ability to play on Saturdays. Ja'Shawn Egeston comes off of the edge with impressive speed and cand disrupt both the run and the passing attacks. [player_tooltip player_id='352887' first='Derrick' last='Murdock'] has the athletic ability to play all over the field for the Gryphons. Murdock racked up 16 sacks last season and I look forward to seeing what he does this season from the safety position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, the Rogers Mounties have an experienced roster returning for the 2023 season. The talent on both sides of the ball is impressive. We are going to take a look at the offensive side of the ball to kick things off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers has talented quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='393021' first='Dane' last='Williams'] returning for his senior season. Williams can hurt you in two ways. He has a strong arm and does a great job of finding the open receiver. Williams accounted for 25 touchdowns last season and has the potential to surpass those numbers this season. Williams is a player to watch out for this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mounties have a dangerous rushing attack that Little Rock Southwest will need to account for on Friday night. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='287977' first='Jacob' last='Jenkins'] rushed for over 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jenkins breaks tackles and gets into the open field in the blink of an eye. [player_tooltip player_id='248888' first='Isaac' last='Chapman'] will work on both sides of the ball for the Mounties. Chapman has the opportunity to earn some carries at the running back position this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wide receiver position is loaded for the Mounties this season. Mabrey Verser is a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs. He does a great job of high pointing the football in the end zone. [player_tooltip player_id='193040' first='Graycen' last='Cash'] has great speed and is able to stretch the field deep. [player_tooltip player_id='377020' first='Braxton' last='Lindsey'] is extremely athletic and has the potential to create some big plays in the passing game. Tight end Jansen Garner does an excellent job getting open for Williams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shifting gears to the defensive side of the ball for the Mounties. Benet Tiner is versatile player that does a good job of getting into the opposing offensive backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='248888' first='Isaac' last='Chapman'] is a linebacker that plays all over the field for the Mounties. [player_tooltip player_id='377020' first='Braxton' last='Lindsey'] had a tremendous 2022 season and has the potential to have an even stronger 2023 season. Meanwhile, in the secondary, [player_tooltip player_id='393021' first='Dane' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='248892' first='Mabry' last='Verser'] will likely see some time at the safety spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup has the potential to be one of the better games of the week. Look for the prime-time players article on Saturday and the what we learned article to coming out Sunday night or Monday afternoon. We made it through the summer and football is back. Enjoy it folks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->