The Elkins Elks will be in town next Tuesday in a preseason scrimmage at Blackhawk Stadium.
The Elks' head coach Zach Watson and Hawks' head coach Brey Cook made their head coaching debuts last season when the Hawks went down to Elkins for the 2021 preseason dust up. The Hawks handled the Elks in 2021, scoring often while shutting down the Elks' defense, but their respective seasons went in different directions afterwards, with the Elks finishing their regular season at 8-2 with the Hawks ending their season with a 1-9 record.
The big difference in records, of course, is that the Elks competed on the 4A level during conference play while playing 3A class teams in the non-conference schedule. Pea Ridge, on the other hand, played a 6A school, seven 5A schools, and, of the two 4A schools, one made the state finals and the other was ranked in the Top 10 at one point. Pea Ridge had one of the toughest schedules among all schools in the 5A class in 2021.
Elkins comes into the scrimmage with Pea Ridge with high hopes for 2022. They are predicted to take the runner-up spot in the 4A-1 conference behind new league member Ozark. Their starting quarterback from a year ago, Kayson Drummond (5'6", 160 lbs.) has some stiff competition from Dizzy Dean (6-2, 180 lbs.) who is a move in after playing for state 6A power Greenwood. Also in the mix is 6'1", 195-lbs. sophomore quarterback Landon Neal who led the Elks to a runner-up finish in the 4A-1 Jr High Conference last year, finishing behind Shiloh.
The Elks' most potent weapon is their junior tailback DaShawn Chairs, an All-State performer in 2021 with 1,500 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns. Chairs has been putting up big numbers since first appearing in elementary competition at Elkins. The elusive Chairs is extremely difficult to bring down once he gets into daylight. The Hawks were effective last season in corralling the star running back, which will give him a little incentive to have a better showing this time around.
Chairs will not be the only weapon as sophomore JaQuae Walden (5'11" 165 lbs.) will likely be getting his number called often. Walden was an effective running back in junior high last year and will balance Chairs. The Elks have several seasoned receivers and a great return man in senior Josiah Bettencourt, who returned five kicks for touchdowns last year, averaging 100 yards per game in kick returns.
While Elkins is a bit thin on the line, but they do have five athletes averaging around 260 lbs. Lineback Landon Haney was one of the best linebackers in the 4A-1 in 2021 and will lead their defense.
The Hawks will counter offensively with signal caller Gavin Dixon and a number of effective receivers in Kayden Rains, Evan Anderson, Austin James, Jonathan Lyons, Caden Thompson, Waylon Fletcher and Brayden Wright. Three junior running backs return to lead the Hawks in Seth Foster (5'8", 160 lbs.), Cody Morales (5'10", 200 lbs.), and Bowen Phillips (5"10", 165 lbs.).
Connor Pierce will center the team for the third year, with Mason Harling, Peyton Carney, Austin Quillen, Payton Upton and Ryan Kahrl manning the O-line for the Blackhawks. The Hawks will have an experienced crew working for time at linebacker with Malachi Bierman (5'9", 190 lbs.), Luke Vandermolen (5'11", 200 lbs.), Clovis Hance (5'10", 185 lbs.), Mason Jones and Nathan Jones (both 5'10", 160 lbs.). Newcomers to the varsity team this season who will also play linebacker are sophomore Cole Cray, and newcomer Andrew Shackleford (5'10", 160 lbs.).
Lyons will likely anchor the defensive backfield with Omarion Williams (5'10", 145 lbs.) and Mason Wolfenden (5-9, 150 lbs.) on track to see a lot of action. Receivers James, Anderson and Rains will also get some snaps on that side of the ball from time to time.
The junior high Blackhawks will start the festivities at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, with the varsity to take the field afterwards around 7:15 p.m.
The game will not count for stats or records but it will provide insights to the coaching staff as to where the Hawks are relative to their development, giving them 10 days to get ready for their actual season opener at home against Gravette on Friday, Aug. 26.
After the battle with the cross county Lions, the Hawks will then have 14 days to prepare for their first road game of the year at Gentry.
Fans and supporters of the Blackhawks are urged to come out this Tuesday and help send off the Hawks in year No. 2 in the Brey Cook tenure.
