LUMBERJACKS REBUILDING; OWLS READY FOR ACTION

By Sean Saunders/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

The Warren Lumberjacks did not appear to be in reloading mode Tuesday night. The Lumberjacks seem to be in the dreaded rebuilding mode after a 20-6 loss to Camden Fairview in a scrimmage.

“There wasn’t much good that happened (Tuesday) night,” Warren coach Bo Hembree said. “We have a long ways to go before we are ready to play the first game of the season.”

Warren lost four wide receivers, all of whom signed letters of intent for the Arkansas Razorbacks, from a team that went 11-1 to win the 8-4A Conference Championship. Lumberjack faithful had hoped that Warren could find more athletes to make another run into the 4A playoffs, and even though the Lumberjacks lost, Hembree saw three bright spots.

Quarterback Hayden Smith and receiver Blake Harris stood out on the offense while defensive end Antonio Harding led the defensive effort, Hembree said.

Warren opens the season at Watson Chapel Sept. 5.

Owls ready for

another opponent

After playing nobody but themselves, the McGehee Owls finally get the chance to play another team tonight when they host Dermott for a preseason scrimmage.

“Our main goal is to go out there and per form like we should every Friday night.”

The Owls also hope the injury bug stays away from the scrimmage. The bug has already claimed starting guard Blake White, starting quarterback Grant Gill and backup tailback Arthur Ellis, all of whom have missed practice time with injuries, Haddock said.

McGehee opens the season Sept. 5 against Stuttgart.

Grandy expected to start against CAC

Dollarway quarterback Jesse Grandy should be good to go by Sept. 5 when the Cardinals face the Central Arkansas Christian Mustangs at Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Golden Lion Stadium.

Grandy, who has been battling a sore groin, left the game late in the first half of Dollarway’s 24-8 scrimmage loss to Forrest City on Tuesday. But after the game, Dollarway coach Cortez Lee said he was just dealing with a stomach illness that should go away by the end of the week.

“It was just a little ailment with his stomach,” Lee said. “So we just decided to sit him out then.”

Grandy’s second-half abscence allowed classmate Jay Hudson to run the Cardinal offense. Hudson managed to garner a team-high 71 yards of total offense in a little more than two possesions.

Barnes: Stuttgart defense needs retooling

White Hall senior J.J. Martin rushed for 167 yards and four touchdowns Tuesday night in the Bulldogs’ first contest against another opponent. On the receiving end of those numbers were the Stuttgart Ricebirds, who also got a 26-14 loss in the process.

“We've got to go back and watch film and correct a lot of mistakes,” Stuttgart coach Todd Barnes said. “We need to work hard on getting in better shape. We've got a long ways to go, but we're going to get there.”

Stuttgart is trying to replace a defense that lost eight starters last year because of graduation. The Ricebirds have even more work cut out for them as last year’s defense gave up 20-plus points seven times last season.

Stuttgart has a week to make changes before opening the season at McGehee.