Hamburg Lions (AR) 2024 Team Preview:

<p>Head Coach [player_tooltip player_id='1629518' first='Blake' last='Johnson'] is entering his third season with the Hamburg Lions, aiming for a playoff run. The team is packed with talent and several college prospects, making the 2024 season highly anticipated for the outside looking in. Keep an eye on PRZ Arkansas daily for more team previews as the 2024 football season approaches.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Overview: Class 4A-8</strong></h2>   <p>Hamburg is coming off a rough 3-7 overall record and 3-5 in conference play, setting their sights on the 2024 playoffs. Three of their seven losses were by a total of 8 points, which would have put them into the playoffs if they had won those games. It can be tough to imagine that, but they're entering this season with something to prove. I discussed with Head Coach [player_tooltip player_id='1629518' first='Blake' last='Johnson'] about the key to make a run for the post season. Johnson began by discussing the offense and returning skill players, "We have a lot of skill players coming back this fall! You have mentioned a couple including [player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401197' first='Ke'Ovion' last='Brown'] will be big parts of our offense, along with Soph QB [player_tooltip player_id='1322328' first='Kaeden' last='Thomas'] 11.3 100 guy as a freshman and is really growing in the offense after playing 5 games as a freshman last season! Also have Sr [player_tooltip player_id='400728' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] big body receiver that can run who is picking up a lot of college interest!" Between Lewis, Brown and Smith alone, plenty of FCS/FBS talent. Johnson goes on to state, "Then our guy that makes us go is LB [player_tooltip player_id='739078' first='Peyton' last='Sellers'], led state in Tackles in reg season last year, has 5 offers so far and picking up more each week! We look forward to a couple more young guys to help out on defense in DB [player_tooltip player_id='1286615' first='Keyvion' last='Duckery'] and LB [player_tooltip player_id='1332161' first='Jace' last='Harrington']!" Sellers recruitment has exploded as of late, and Duckery is another young prospect to keep an eye on. Johnson finishes up saying, "Key for 2024, this will be my 3rd season here and I feel like our kids our 100% bought in to the program and scheme, they have been grinding all spring and summer in the weight room and on the field! So far team camps this summer have been good, finished 3rd overall at the Fayetteville 7v7 and we are going to continue to work! I feel good about our senior leadership going into this season and look forward to making a playoff push!" Since December, [player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] and more caught my attention off this Lions roster and I fully expect a big turnaround with an explosive offense. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2023 Results (3-7 Record – 4A-8)</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>8/25</td><td>vs Ashdown</td><td>L 18-15</td></tr><tr><td>9/1</td><td>@ Arkansas (Texarkana)</td><td>L 38-7</td></tr><tr><td>9/8</td><td>vs McGehee*</td><td>L 29-28</td></tr><tr><td>9/15</td><td>@ Crossett*</td><td>L 41-20</td></tr><tr><td>9/22</td><td>vs Dumas*</td><td>W 14-7</td></tr><tr><td>9/29</td><td>@DeWitt*</td><td>L 45-28</td></tr><tr><td>10/6</td><td>vs Monticello*</td><td>L 34-30</td></tr><tr><td>10/13</td><td>@West Helena*</td><td>W 42-0</td></tr><tr><td>10/20</td><td>@ Star City*</td><td>W 42-26</td></tr><tr><td>11/2</td><td>vs Warren*</td><td>L 42-28</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">* Conference</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Players To Watch:</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401206' first='Nikel' last='Lewis'] is an FBS/FCS talent that I expect his recruiting to skyrocket during the 2024 season. Lewis displays very good speed, fluidity and athleticism in the backfield. Good post-snap vision to read first level defenders and locate the running lane quickly. Demonstrates a one-cut ability with impressive burst to break away from the second level after making the first initial cut. With that ability, change of direction and vision, he's able to locate cutback lanes quickly if needed. Good balance to withstand contact with good vision and patience behind the line of scrimmage. Attacks with active feet, leg drive and good acceleration through contact. Good upper and lower body power and strength to consistently break tackles. A dangerous YAC threat due to his quickness and acceleration up field. Scheme versatility which will intrigue college coaches. </p>   <p>Note - 4.43 40</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IManmeeze/status/1722739031463633280 </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401197' first='Ke'Ovion' last='Brown']s is another FBS/FCS talent that brings experience at wide receiver and return specialist, providing explosive plays and the versatility to perform in the secondary. At wide receiver, he displays a quick release vs Off-Man or Press Coverage, due to his foot quickness and speed, coupled with acceleration and balance, allowing him to eat up space quickly and use of hands to fight off jams and presses. Post-release, he can quickly create separation over the top due to good foot speed. His ability to separate on breaks is due to good change of direction, body control, balance, and burst. Good hands due to good hand-eye coordination, ball tracking, and body control, enabling him to catch the ball from his frame and secure catches in contest or drag his foot towards the sideline. He can also adjust mid-route to snag passes that are behind or too high, high pointing the football. His attributes also translate into efficient route running and a YAC threat, due to his elusiveness, lateral agility, change of direction, and burst, which allow him to execute sharp cuts or quickly get up field. Do not miss out on this young man. </p>   <p>Note – 3.7 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/keovion5/status/1722087394243907922 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='739078' first='Peyton' last='Sellers'] has a sideline-to-sideline motor and good football IQ that will lead your defense. Sellers attacks downhill with physicality and good angles to pursue the ball carrier. Stays square, displays good hand placement to work off of blocks and force a stop at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield. Good read and react ability with impressive feel in coverage. His ability to change direction quickly is effective, allowing him to arrive at the catch point to force a PBU. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist & Southern Arkansas</em></p>   <p>Note – 3.5 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/peyton2246/status/1803738563332145298 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='400728' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] is a big-bodied wide receiver with strong hands and good hand-eye coordination, allowing him to high-point the football and make contested catches. His stature, body control, and athleticism make him a formidable 1v1 jump ball and red zone threat, complemented by his quick release. He also has good yards-after-catch (YAC) ability, due to his change of direction, balance, and burst to accelerate up field quickly.</p>   <p>Note - 3.2 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/poodie870/status/1797329821569024285 </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1286615' first='Keyvion' last='Duckery'] displays good read-and-react skills, with the ability to change direction quickly to break on the ball against the run and make tackles in space. Good speed and fluidity, allowing Duckery to transition quickly and stay inside the hip pocket of the receiver, preventing any separation and forcing pass breakups. Additionally, he showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor with physicality. A rising prospect to watch. </p>   <p>Note – 3.5 GPA</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KeyvyDuckery/status/1722422279336763577 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Notable Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2>   <p>2025 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1332156' first='Lawson' last='Carter']</p>   <p>2025 Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='400736' first='Caleb' last='Neal']</p>   <p>2026 Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1332158' first='Parker' last='Shipley']</p>   <p>2026 Defensive Back [player_tooltip player_id='1332159' first='Tyrece' last='Martin']</p>   <p>2026 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1332161' first='Jace' last='Harrington']</p>   <p>2027 Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1322328' first='Kaeden' last='Thomas']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule:</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>9/6</td><td>vs McGehee</td></tr><tr><td>9/13</td><td>@ Dumas</td></tr><tr><td>9/20</td><td>vs Magnolia</td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td>@ Monticello*</td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td>vs West Helena*</td></tr><tr><td>10/11</td><td>@ Warren*</td></tr><tr><td>10/18</td><td>vs Crossett*</td></tr><tr><td>10/25</td><td>@ Star City*</td></tr><tr><td>11/1</td><td>vs DeWitt*</td></tr><tr><td>11/8</td><td>@ Stuttgart*</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">* Conference</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Notes/History:</strong></h2>   <p><strong>HEAD COACH: [player_tooltip player_id='1629518' first='Blake' last='Johnson'] (6-13 at Hamburg, heading into 3rd season)</strong></p>   <p>Last Year: 3-7, 3-5</p>   <p>State Championships: Zero</p>   <p>Conference Championships: 13</p>   <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 1997</p>   <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2020</p>   <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 26</p>   <p>Playoff Record: 17-26</p>

Head Coach Blake Johnson Blake Johnson 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR/LB Fayetteville | 2027 State AR is entering his third season with the Hamburg Lions, aiming for a playoff run. The team is packed with talent and several college prospects, making the 2024 season highly anticipated for the outside looking in. Keep an eye on PRZ Arkansas daily for more team previews as the 2024 football season approaches.