Millsap is now Pioneer starter

GENTRY — Three-year starting quarterback Caleb Ramsey is gone, but Gentry football coach Brian Little thinks he’s already found a replacement.

Rising senior Austin Millsap has gotten the majority of reps during spring practice, which wrapped up Thursday with the maroon-white game.

“He’s getting all the reps,” Little said. “We’re making sure we have a couple guys ready to back him up. Offensively, that’s kind of been our focus.”

Millsap saw some action last year as Ramsey’s backup and did a good job in his few chances. He’ll have big shoes to fill after Ramsey tallied 5,176 yards and 39 touchdowns - including a 1,500-yard season in 2009 - at Gentry.

“He’s ready to do it,” Little said. “He’s doing a good job so far this spring. We’re excited to get a look at him in 7-on-7 competition. Just like it is in the fall, you get tired of going against your own people. And our defense is pretty dang good against what we do.”

The Pioneers, who went 4-6 last year, will competein the Northwest Arkansas Passing League, the VYPE tournament and the Lincoln Wolves Air-It-Out Tournament, which they won last summer.

Gentry will also go to a team camp at Rogers Heritage in June and linemen camps at Rogers High and Northeastern Oklahoma.

The Pioneers defense has been solid through spring practices, led by returning seniors Tyler Rosenthal, Eathen Ramsey and Justin Stewart and junior Kolby Rankin.

“Things have been pretty stable there,” Little said. “I’ve been real pleased with that.”