Walnut Ridge Bobcats (AR) 2024 Team Preview:

<p>The Jeffery Blake era at Walnut Ridge has seen a steady increase in their win total each season, culminating in a successful 8-4 season in 2023 and reaching the second round of the state playoffs. With a lot of talent returning from last year's team, Walnut Ridge is a team to watch for a deep postseason run in 2024. 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 3A-</strong>3</h2>   <p>Walnut Ridge is coming off a successful 8-4 overall record and 4-1 in conference play, setting their sights on a deep playoff run in 2024. I discussed with Head Coach Jeffery Blake about coming off an impressive season, heading into a new conference, what would be the key to having another winning season with a deep playoff run in 2024. Blake began by discussing the returning athletes, "We return 17 Starters, our top two rushers in Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1333974' first='Jersie' last='Cunningham'] and All State Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1334033' first='Enrique' last='Perez']. All Conference Defensive Lineman Johnathon Hughes, [player_tooltip player_id='1314179' first='River' last='Hancock'], And [player_tooltip player_id='1317062' first='Brogan' last='Tate']. All State Offensive Lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='355489' first='Collin' last='Andrews'] who also anchors the Defensive line. Return our Leading Tackler in Middle Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1334036' first='Gunner' last='Thielemier']. Get back Jaydon Saulsbury who was looking to have a Breakout Year last year after getting Injured against Salem Week 3. Looking for River Davis and Aden Jones to Have breakout Years at Outside linebacker, Both Started Last Year. Jaxton Brady and Anthony Hughes look for significantly more playing time and Production this year. Both are very reliable players and play multiple spots. "He continued to discuss the up and comers along with key replacements and more. Blake stated, "We Move up a 9th grade group that is coming off back-to-back Conference Championships. Moved up [player_tooltip player_id='1305484' first='Jace' last='Blake'] for Osceola Last Year and Riley Richey Moved up and played a lot on the defensive Side of the Football as 9th Graders. Look to build on last year, need to replace some offensive Lineman that we lost to graduation and a Tight end. [player_tooltip player_id='1333983' first='Trevor' last='Augustine'] 6'4 260 10 Grader looks to take over at Tight end. He has impressed in 7 on 7s this summer and is a dangerous blocker on the edge. We need to stay Healthy and playing in our conference, if you finish toward the top of it, you will be more than prepared for a deep playoff run. One of the Toughest 3a Conferences in the state." Personally, enjoyed this in-depth insight of Walnut Ridge and what to expect. Returning 17 starters is crucial for any program and will bring loads of experience down the stretch. The Bobcats are a team to watch for and not overlook throughout the course of 2024. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2023 Results (8-4 Record – 3A-3)</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>8/25</td><td>@ Highland</td><td>W 28-27 </td></tr><tr><td>9/1</td><td>vs Cave City</td><td>W 39-0</td></tr><tr><td>9/8</td><td>vs East Poinsett County</td><td>W34-30</td></tr><tr><td>9/15</td><td>@ Salem</td><td>L 28-15</td></tr><tr><td>9/22</td><td>@ Palestine-Wheatley*</td><td>W 43-0</td></tr><tr><td>9/29</td><td>@ Harmony Grove</td><td>L 33-28</td></tr><tr><td>10/6</td><td>vs Piggott*</td><td>W 49-0</td></tr><tr><td>10/20</td><td>vs Osceola* </td><td>W 32-22</td></tr><tr><td>10/27</td><td>@ Manila* </td><td>W 45-6</td></tr><tr><td>11/3</td><td>@ Hoxie*</td><td>L 41-20</td></tr><tr><td>11/10</td><td>vs Quitman**</td><td>W 54-35</td></tr><tr><td>11/17</td><td>vs Junction City**</td><td>L 63-50</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">* Conference & ** Playoffs</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Players To Watch:</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='355489' first='Collin' last='Andrews'] is a dominant force in the run game with a strong anchor in pass protection. He's known for his ability to pancake defenders, due to his leg drive, pad level, and upper/lower body strength, all while playing with a mean demeanor. Good short-area quickness and hand placement, allowing him to create leverage vs the DL and establish a solid base for winning one-on-one battles. His athleticism stands out, enabling him to pull, reach the second level, and create running lanes. Additionally, he possesses a strong football IQ. </p>   <p><em>Offer List: Arkansas Tech & Northwest Missouri State</em></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/collinandrews59/status/1812194335015702856 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1314179' first='River' last='Hancock'] has quick burst off the snap with good hand placement and hand strength to disengage off blockers. Good football IQ to set the edge and force plays back into traffic or split the double team and make a play in the backfield. Solid speed rusher due to solid foot quickness and up field burst to beat the OT around the arc, putting pressure or sacking the quarterback.</p>   <p><em>Offer List: Lyon</em></p>   <p>Note – 3.8 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/river_Hancock54/status/1807118537976107434 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1333974' first='Jersie' last='Cunningham'] is a versatile dual-threat quarterback, capable of making significant plays both on the ground and through the air. Additionally, he brings valuable experience from playing in the secondary, showcasing his well-rounded skill set. Cunningham displays good ball placement at the short and intermediate levels of the field. He's exclusive on the ground with good foot speed and vision.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">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/JersieCunningh1/status/1803282975611822443 </div></figure>   <p class="text-gray-700"> </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1333983' first='Trevor' last='Augustine'] is a prospect to watch as I expect his recruitment to shoot up after the 2024 season. Augustine will be transitioning to full-time tight end with experience on both sides of the trenches. As a blocker, he displays good leg drive, hand placement and power to drive back the opposition. Takes effective angles to displace defenders out of gaps. Good catch radius and hand-eye coordination. </p>   <p>Note - Multi Position Athlete</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Jack Blake is a riser with experience at defensive back, safety and wide receiver. Defensively, Blake shows solid read and reaction ability, allowing him to read the quarterback's eyes, break on the ball and arrive at the catch point quickly, demonstrating good change of direction and lateral agility, positioning himself to force PBUs or INTs. Solid hip fluidity and speed in the secondary, coupled with solid open-field tackling and ball-tracking. Smooth route runner to create separation off breaks quickly due to good COD and burst. </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/_jaceblake_/status/1725951273768223153 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Notable Prospects to Watch:</strong></h2>   <p>2025 Running Back [player_tooltip player_id='1334033' first='Enrique' last='Perez']</p>   <p>2025 Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1334036' first='Gunner' last='Thielemier']</p>   <p>2026 Defensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1317062' first='Brogan' last='Tate']</p>   <p>2026 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1334030' first='TJ' last='Owens']</p>   <p>2027 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1334031' first='Kadem' last='Ray']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule:</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>8/30</td><td>@ East Poinsett County</td></tr><tr><td>9/6</td><td>vs Trumann</td></tr><tr><td>9/13</td><td>@ Earle</td></tr><tr><td>9/27</td><td>@ Manila*</td></tr><tr><td>10/4</td><td>@ Osceola*</td></tr><tr><td>10/11</td><td>vs Piggott*</td></tr><tr><td>10/18</td><td>@ Rivercrest*</td></tr><tr><td>10/25</td><td>@ Newport*</td></tr><tr><td>11/1</td><td>vs Harrisburg*</td></tr><tr><td>11/8</td><td>vs Hoxie*</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: Jeffery Blake (21-23 at Walnut Ridge, heading into 5th season)</strong></p>   <p>Last Year: 8-4, 4-1</p>   <p>State Championships: Zero</p>   <p>Conference Championships: 11</p>   <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 1977</p>   <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2023</p>   <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 25</p>   <p>Playoff Record: 10-25</p>

The Jeffery Blake era at Walnut Ridge has seen a steady increase in their win total each season, culminating in a successful 8-4 season in 2023 and reaching the second round of the state playoffs. With a lot of talent returning from last year's team, Walnut Ridge is a team to watch for a deep postseason run in 2024. Keep an eye on PRZ Arkansas daily for more team previews as the 2024 football season approaches.

Southern Arkansas