Highland Rebels (AR) 2024 Team Preview:

<p>The Highland Rebels of Arkansas are gearing up for the 2024 season with a promising lineup. 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-3</strong></h2>   <p>The Highland Rebels are celebrating their first winning season in eight years, boasting a 7-4 overall record and 5-2 in conference. However, their season concluded abruptly with a devastating 21-20 first-round loss to Monticello. Head Coach Sterling Stowers and the Rebels aim to bounce back and carry their momentum into the 2024 season. In light of that, I inquired with Coach Stowers about the next move for Highland to make a deep playoff run. Stowers said "The next step for us is to just continue getting better every day. We have 19 starters back so that's a positive. There's excitement around program that hasn't been around for a few years. Our Jr. high is coming off a 9-0 Conference championship season so adding those guys will definitely help us." The news of 19 starters returning lit up my eyes. It's a rarity in high school football to have that many returnees, but it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the Rebels in the long run. He noted that [player_tooltip player_id='1318981' first='James' last='Jensen'], a quarterback for the class of 2027, began as the starting QB for their junior high team last year and moved up to start the last three varsity games in the secondary. It could be quite interesting to watch, particularly with experience returning including All-State running back/linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1318989' first='Keagan' last='Statler'] and All-State defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1318992' first='Kalei' last='Tokanang']. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2023 Results (7-4 Record – 4A-3)</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>8/25</td><td>vs Walnut Ridge</td><td>L 28-27 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>9/1</td><td>@ Riverview</td><td>W 43-12</td></tr><tr><td>9/8</td><td>vs Piggott</td><td>W 20-12</td></tr><tr><td>9/22</td><td>@ Gosnell*</td><td>W 26-25</td></tr><tr><td>9/29</td><td>vs Trumann*</td><td>W 13-0</td></tr><tr><td>10/6</td><td>@ Blytheville*</td><td>L 32-30</td></tr><tr><td>10/13</td><td>vs Rivercrest*</td><td>L 43-6</td></tr><tr><td>10/20</td><td>@ Harrisburg*</td><td>W 54-14</td></tr><tr><td>10/27</td><td>vs Westside*</td><td>W 43-7</td></tr><tr><td>11/3</td><td>@ Pocahontas*</td><td>W 14-6</td></tr><tr><td>11/10</td><td>vs Monticello**</td><td>L 21-20</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">* Conference & ** Playoffs</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players To Watch:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1318989' first='Keagan' last='Statler'] showcases a physical, downhill running style, coupled with the agility to evade defenders. He displays good post-snap vision, quickly identifying gaps to explode through with good acceleration and foot quickness, effectively separating from first level defenders. Statler is consistent at breaking tackles, due to his good contact balance, pad level, lower body strength and leg drive. Not to mention he has the change of direction and lateral agility to find cut back lanes. The All-State running back aims to elevate Highland's profile and his own recruitment in 2024.</p>   <p>2023 Stats: 213 Carries, 1,615 yards (7.6 AVG) & 19 TDs</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/kstatler01/status/1757129700344741955 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1318992' first='Kalei' last='Tokanang'] is explosive off the line of scrimmage with the ability to work from the 3-7 tech. Tokanang displays the ability to win 1v1 as a bull rusher or by utilizing his quickness to beat his man off the edge. Good lower body strength and hand placement to create leverage, shed blocks or quickly engage and then drive back the OL, combined with good pad level, allowing him to put pressure into the pocket. This All-State defensive lineman is a force in the trenches. </p>   <p>Note - 4.8 Shuttle</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/KaleiTokanang/status/1791880619988750821 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1318981' first='James' last='Jensen'] is a dual-threat quarterback, known for his solid athleticism, physicality and strong arm. As a runner, he displays good vision for reading the defender and making decisions, attacking downhill with good burst and agility, and he's not hesitant to take a hit. Demonstrates poise in the pocket, even when pressured to move outside, maintaining focus downfield and executing accurate throws. Quick release with good velocity to fit the ball into tight windows. Has experience in the secondary as he started the last three varsity games at defensive back where he displayed good react and react ability to arrive at the catch point and either force an INT or PBU. </p>   <p>Note - 4.8 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/JamesJense60263/status/1755758420953571590 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1251950' first='Carson' last='Stanford'] displays a good sideline-to-sideline motor and demonstrates his ability to tackle in the open field. Good read and react ability, attacking downhill with a quick first step. His ball-tracking skills are solid at forcing an interception or pass breakup. Additionally, Stanford brings experience as a running back and wide receiver.</p>   <p>Note - 3.6 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/Carson83673802/status/1745466265945387319 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1319009' first='Trent' last='Sullenger'] showcases solid athleticism, fluidity and quickness out wide. Displays a quick release due to his foot quickness, speed and acceleration allowing him to eat up space quickly. His fluidity and balance bring his stop-and-go capability that causes defenders to commit. Good and strong hands due to good hand-eye coordination, ball tracking, and body control, enabling him to catch the ball from his frame, over the shoulder and secure catches in contest. He can also adjust mid-route to snag passes that are behind or too high, high pointing the football or lay out for a catch. His attributes also translate into solid route running. </p>   <p>2023 Stats: 18 Rec, 237 yards (13.2 AVG) & 1 TD</p>   <p>Note - 4.0 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/trent_sullenger/status/1745486933713650005 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule:</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>8/30</td><td>@ Piggott</td></tr><tr><td>9/6</td><td>@ Mountain Grove (MO)</td></tr><tr><td>9/13</td><td>vs Riverview</td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td>vs Gosnell*</td></tr><tr><td>9/29</td><td>@ Trumann*</td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td>vs Blytheville*</td></tr><tr><td>10/11</td><td>@ Southside*</td></tr><tr><td>10/18</td><td>vs Cave City*</td></tr><tr><td>10/25</td><td>@ Westside*</td></tr><tr><td>11/1</td><td>vs Pocahontas*</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">* Conference </figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Notes/History:</h2>   <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Sterling Stowers (1st year as HC, heading into 2nd season)</strong></p>   <p>Last Year: 7-4, 5-2 </p>   <p>State Championships: (1) 1981 </p>   <p>Conference Championships: 14 </p>   <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 2012 </p>   <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2023 </p>   <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 26 </p>   <p>Playoff Record:15-25</p>

The Highland Rebels of Arkansas are gearing up for the 2024 season with a promising lineup. Keep an eye on PRZ Arkansas daily for more team previews as the 2024 football season approaches.