GRAVETTE -- With the summer drawing to a close and school to begin Aug. 18, one thing is certain: it is time once again for Lions football.
For Bill Harrelson, head football coach, the 2014 season began with off-season workouts several weeks ago, including conditioning and lots of time in the weight room.
"Our off-season went really well. We gained a lot of strength and a lot of speed. Our guys got bigger, stronger and faster," Harrelson said. "Then, when summertime came, we saw a lot of commitment from all of our guys. We worked out at 6 in the morning Monday through Thursday, and then came the dreaded pre-season two-a-day practices."
During the summer the Gravette coaching staff held three football camps. Harrelson saw the same commitment from his players during these camps as he did during the off-season -- a sign that each player who takes the field at Lion stadium on game day will be pumped up and ready to play and play to win.
The Gravette Lions had back-to-back dismal seasons over the past two years. The 2013 season ended with a 3 and 8 record. The Lions did manage to make it to the play-offs but fell short, being eliminated early in the 4A district tournament.
Harrelson hopes to turn the two losing seasons into a winning one.
This season, 53 players made the Gravette Lions senior high roster, which was down from last year but still impressive numbers for the size of the school. It will be enough to keep the staff of five coaches and one volunteer busy throughout the year.
The 1-4A conference, of which Gravette is a member, will have one less team to contend with this season. Farmington has moved to the 5A conference. However, the Lions first game will be a scrimmage with Farmington at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 26 in Lion Stadium.
Even with Farmington out of the conference, Gravette still has seven teams that will be tough opponents.
"The bad part of this conference is that there is not a weak sister in there," Harrelson said. "We are going to have to battle every week to win a football game. The good part of that is that we expect to be in that battle every week."
The Lions will need a total commitment on the part of all 53 players if they hope to win games. From what Harrelson witnessed during the off-season and summer, he has the drive needed to accomplish that mission.
"I've been talking to the kids and I expect to play a lot of close games this year and the little things are going to make a difference in the close games, like limiting penalties and turnovers," Harrelson said.
Harrelson is confident that his Lions will make the district and state play-offs this year.
With the drive and determination that each player brings to the table, coupled with the team leadership on and off the field, this may well be a turning point for the Gravette Lions.
"We expect to be in the conference race this year for the championship," Harrelson said. "We are hoping to get in the play-off games, and I am looking forward to having a great year. The most games ever won here is 10 in a single season and we would like to surpass that total."
Sports on 08/13/2014