Sylvan Hills Bears (AR) 2024 Team Preview:

<p>The Houle era at Sylvan Hills had a disappointing start in 2023, yet the team is progressing with an abundance of promising young talent for 2024. Conversations indicate a lot of excitement and buzz surrounding the team and its coaching staff heading into the new season. 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 6A East</strong></h2>   <p>Sylvan Hills is coming off a 0-10 overall record and 0-9 in conference play, setting their sights on the 2024 playoffs. I discussed with Head Coach Jason Houle about the crucial factor in advancing towards the playoffs following the 2023 season. Houle began by discussing the underclassmen, "Biggest key to taking the next step is getting our young guys in the weight room! We are still very young! We only have 13 seniors out of 95 players. We are still a young team that needs to grow." As a scout and former coach, I was initially shocked hearing that only 14% of the roster were seniors, but I believe it will provide valuable experience for the young athletes. Houle goes on to state "We do have some big-time recruits in [player_tooltip player_id='428896' first='Josiah' last='Rainey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1287330' first='Malachi' last='Summons']! They have both been staples on our defense, but they will also be utilized on offense this year in several different ways. We have a returning QB in [player_tooltip player_id='685765' first='Tyler' last='Hampton'] who has put in the work this off season. We have most of our skill guys back as well, we just got to get our young lineman coached up to be able to give our QB time to make his reads. Are running back room is also good! We are returning all of our running backs from last year. Leading rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1328036' first='Malachi' last='Sherwin'] is back along with [player_tooltip player_id='1328041' first='Kaibrein' last='Buchanan'], and we have added a few very good sophomores in [player_tooltip player_id='1155379' first='Jeremiah' last='Carey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1328046' first='Gaven' last='Rollins']. [player_tooltip player_id='1328054' first='Zaiden' last='Woodard'] is also back who is also a hard hitter linebacker and a load at h back! We have a lot of young guys with great talent and the college coaches are coming through and recruiting our guys, so the future is bright!" The Bears are poised to enhance their performance in the 2024 campaign and, with the emerging talent, they could become a formidable force in the coming years.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2023 Results (0-10 Record – 6A East)</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>8/25</td><td>@ Maumelle</td><td>L 20-0</td></tr><tr><td>9/8</td><td>@ Benton*</td><td>L 48-7</td></tr><tr><td>9/15</td><td>@ Searcy*</td><td>L 42-7</td></tr><tr><td>9/22</td><td>vs West Memphis*</td><td>L 44-14</td></tr><tr><td>9/29</td><td>@ Sheridan*</td><td>L 27-23</td></tr><tr><td>10/6</td><td>vs Jacksonville*</td><td>L 28-13</td></tr><tr><td>10/13</td><td>vs Little Rock Catholic*</td><td>L 42-0</td></tr><tr><td>10/20</td><td>@ El Dorado*</td><td>L 42-13</td></tr><tr><td>10/27</td><td>vs Marion*</td><td>L 61-22</td></tr><tr><td>11/3</td><td>@ Greene Count Tech*</td><td>L 21-19</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='428896' first='Josiah' last='Rainey'] recently committed to Louisiana Tech on June 18th, 2024. Rainey displays good read and react ability while staying inside the hip pocket off breaks, not allowing any room for separation. Impressive fluidity in his movements, allowing him to key on the receiver with vision. Good tackler in space due to good angles and pad level. His awareness and football IQ is noteworthy. Has experience at wide receiver as well. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas State, Arizona State, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Texas Tech, Utah & UT Martin</em></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/_d1josiah_/status/1803172545312493648 </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1287330' first='Malachi' last='Summons'] consistently penetrates the backfield due to his ability to shoot through gaps during blitzes and working off blocks while staying square to make plays. He demonstrates good hand usage to shed blocks or disrupt receivers on their routes. With a sideline-to-sideline motor and good change of direction, he controls his zone and shuts down underneath routes quickly. His power and athleticism allow him to dominate off the edge as well. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Toledo</em></p>   <p>Note – 3.7 GPA / Multi Sport Athlete</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/Malachi_M24/status/1711427508917137529 </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='685765' first='Tyler' last='Hampton'] is one to watch, showcasing solid footwork both inside and outside the pocket. His release is quick and sharp, delivering the ball with accuracy and velocity at short and intermediate levels. Has the arm strength to throw opposite hash to boundary. With good pocket awareness and the ability to threaten with his legs, he poses a challenge for defensive scheming.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></p>   <p>Note – Multi Sport Athlete</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/Tyler_11Hampton/status/1809379143210905905 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1328036' first='Malachi' last='Sherwin'] is the kind of prospect that surprises you due to his lack of offers, given that he is genuinely a LEGIT prospect. Sherwin displays good vision to read the defensive front post-snap quickly with patience to follow blockers and then attack the hole with good up field burst. North and south runner who can become elusive in space. Showcases good speed and lateral agility to make a man miss in the second level or to become a one-cut back and create. Good contact balance, body control, leg drive and active feet to break tackles and gain positive yards. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></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/Malachi_Sherwin/status/1780416263438655967 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1328054' first='Zaiden' last='Woodard'] is a tremendous lead blocker at fullback (H) consistently creating running lanes with his physicality. Has the quickness and athleticism to get out in space. Solid downhill attacker with good angles and foot quickness to shed his blocks and make a play in space. A true team player that will succeed in multiple positions. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</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/ZaidenWood34/status/1778185757959622696 </div></figure>     <p>[player_tooltip player_id='653939' first='Kohlin' last='Billings'] excels as an athlete, playing both defensive back and wide receiver. Displays good read and react ability, allowing him to read and diagnose plays, arriving at the catch point quickly. He exhibits a quick break on the ball, demonstrating good change of direction and lateral agility, positioning himself make a play on the football. Solid hip fluidity and speed in the secondary, with solid open field tackling. Offensively, he is a smooth route runner and a YAC threat, due to his elusiveness, lateral agility, change of direction, and burst, enabling him to make sharp cuts or accelerate up field quickly.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: Hendrix & Lyon</em></p>   <p>Note – Multi Sport Athlete</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/_KohlinBillings/status/1792315270205243834 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1214352' first='Tyler' last='Blakely'] displays good speed, athleticism, and fluidity. As a YAC threat on the outside, Blakely has good body control to adjust mid-route. He also shows good hand-eye coordination, concentration, and the ability to maintain possession through contact. His route running is solid, consistently creating separation, and he has a keen sense for finding the soft spots against zone coverage.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></p>   <p>Note - Multi Sport Athlete</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/tylerblakely12_/status/1730345740902322359 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1227654' first='Joe' last='Thompson'] is yet another athlete from the Bears team capable of dominating on both the offensive and defensive sides of the game. Whether that is at defensive back, safety or wide receiver, his speed and athleticism is lethal. Has the ability to play back in the deep thirds or near the line of scrimmage, becoming physical. Solid read and react ability, allowing him to read the quarterback's eyes and diagnose plays, arriving at the catch point quickly.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: None ATM</em></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/JoeThompson__1/status/1736057074377797787 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Notable Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2>   <p>2025 Punter [player_tooltip player_id='1328075' first='Tyler' last='Scott']</p>   <p>2026 Wide Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1243257' first='Lakobe' last='Brent']</p>   <p>2026 Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='1328041' first='Kaibrein' last='Buchanan']</p>   <p>2026 Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1328114' first='Reggieon' last='Walker']</p>   <p>2026 Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1152827' first='Kristian' last='Jackson'] </p>   <p>2027 Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='1328046' first='Gaven' last='Rollins']</p>   <p>2027 Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='1155379' first='Jeremiah' last='Carey']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule:</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>8/30</td><td>@ Maumelle</td></tr><tr><td>9/6</td><td>vs Vilonia</td></tr><tr><td>9/13</td><td>@Russellville</td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td>@Marion*</td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td>vs Benton*</td></tr><tr><td>10/11</td><td>vs El Dorado*</td></tr><tr><td>10/18</td><td>@ West Memphis*</td></tr><tr><td>10/25</td><td>vs Jonesboro*</td></tr><tr><td>11/1</td><td>@Sheridan*</td></tr><tr><td>11/8</td><td>vs Little Rock Catholic*</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: Jason Houle (0-10 at Sylvan Hills, heading into 2nd season)</strong></p>   <p>Last Year: 0-10, 0-9</p>   <p>State Championships: 1 (1980)</p>   <p>Conference Championships: 6</p>   <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 2020</p>   <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2021</p>   <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 31</p>   <p>Playoff Record: 14-30</p>

The Houle era at Sylvan Hills had a disappointing start in 2023, yet the team is progressing with an abundance of promising young talent for 2024. Conversations indicate a lot of excitement and buzz surrounding the team and its coaching staff heading into the new season. Keep an eye on PRZ Arkansas daily for more team previews as the 2024 football season approaches.