The 2010 football has finally arrived as the annual White River Bowl kicks off the new year tonight at Greyhound Field as Newport will host the Batesville Pioneers.
Coach Greg Brannon and his staff feel like his squad is ready.
“We’ve had a good week of preparation since the Pocahontas scrimmage,” Brannon said.
“Offensively, quarterback Michael Reynolds has looked good as has Artez (Brown) running the ball.”
He added, “Defensively, we will have to use our quickness because they are huge on offense. Their offensive line is big - they have a couple of 300-pounders on their - but I don’t think they move real well. They just line up and come after you.”
“They have a running back Daron Stigger who is quick. He can really go,” Brannon added.
Physical size is the only thing concerning the head hound.
“They rotate players on the offensive side of the ball, they have about 70 kids, and that really worries me,” Brannon explained.
“We have 31 kids and almost all of our kids will go both ways and they will probably eventually wear us down. Now, I think we are in better shape than we have been and it showed in the Pocahontas scrimmage, but their numbers may be too much to overcome.”
But Brannon is not writing off this rivalry - at all.
“I think if we go in and protect the football and play the way we are capable of playing, we’ve got a chance to win the football game,” he explained.
“It is Newport and Batesville and their will be a capacity crowd here, the game will be televised statewide and its the first game. The atmosphere will be electric.”
Another reason Brannon feels good about his chances on the field is something that is taking place off of it.
“We don’t talk about winning around here anymore. We talk about character, commitment, discipline, not quitting, being accountable. If you take care of those things, winning will take care of itself.”
He is talking about the character building program implemented for the athletic department in the offseason.
The program makes the players accountable on - and off the field - to the coaches, themselves and to their teammates.
“This program will help us succeed here at Newport High School,” Brannon said, “I am not going to be part of the problem, I’m part of the solution.”
The game will be featured live on KARZ (Channel 28 locally) as well as being broadcast live over the internet at www.guardonline.com/live or click on the link on the front page.
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The 2010 football has finally arrived as the annual White River Bowl kicks off the new year tonight at Greyhound Field as Newport will host the Batesville Pioneers.
Coach Greg Brannon and his staff feel like his squad is ready.
“We’ve had a good week of preparation since the Pocahontas scrimmage,” Brannon said.
“Offensively, quarterback Michael Reynolds has looked good as has Artez (Brown) running the ball.”
He added, “Defensively, we will have to use our quickness because they are huge on offense. Their offensive line is big - they have a couple of 300-pounders on their - but I don’t think they move real well. They just line up and come after you.”
“They have a running back Daron Stigger who is quick. He can really go,” Brannon added.
Physical size is the only thing concerning the head hound.
“They rotate players on the offensive side of the ball, they have about 70 kids, and that really worries me,” Brannon explained.
“We have 31 kids and almost all of our kids will go both ways and they will probably eventually wear us down. Now, I think we are in better shape than we have been and it showed in the Pocahontas scrimmage, but their numbers may be too much to overcome.”
But Brannon is not writing off this rivalry - at all.
“I think if we go in and protect the football and play the way we are capable of playing, we’ve got a chance to win the football game,” he explained.
“It is Newport and Batesville and their will be a capacity crowd here, the game will be televised statewide and its the first game. The atmosphere will be electric.”
Another reason Brannon feels good about his chances on the field is something that is taking place off of it.
“We don’t talk about winning around here anymore. We talk about character, commitment, discipline, not quitting, being accountable. If you take care of those things, winning will take care of itself.”
He is talking about the character building program implemented for the athletic department in the offseason.
The program makes the players accountable on - and off the field - to the coaches, themselves and to their teammates.
“This program will help us succeed here at Newport High School,” Brannon said, “I am not going to be part of the problem, I’m part of the solution.”
The game will be featured live on KARZ (Channel 28 locally) as well as being broadcast live over the internet at www.guardonline.com/live or click on the link on the front page.
