GENTRY, AR -- Their all-state quarterback graduated. They only have 30 players on their roster.
People may look at the Gentry Pioneers and think it will be a down year this season, but head coach Tyler Clark said it would be misguided to underestimate the quality of football players the Pioneers are putting on the field this season. And they still have plans to return to the playoffs this year.
“I’d rather have 30 players who bring that warrior mentality every Friday night than 50 who don’t,” Clark said. “These players have bought into our program, and they have the capability to be a very good football team. They’re smart, they’re tough, and they have a lot of Friday night reps, so they aren’t afraid to go out and compete every week.”
Without much depth and with many of its best players playing both offense and defense, it would be easy to bring a negative attitude to practice each day. Instead, what Clark sees is enthusiasm and commitment to a program that stresses character and a winning tradition above all else.
“We’ll give it our best every night,” Clark said. “If we lose, I’ll tip my hat to our opponent, because I know we left everything out there. But we plan to win a lot of football games this season. That’s our mentality. We get off the bus expecting to win.”
They’ll do it without their three-year starting quarterback, Talan Williams, who set records and exceeded expectations in Clark’s system the past two seasons. Williams is now playing football for Bethel College in Kansas after graduating from Gentry High School in May.
But enter junior Semmie Guenther, who will lead Gentry’s offense at quarterback this season after transitioning from wide receiver. Clark credits Guenther with having a high football IQ, spending a lot of time watching film and preparing, along with possessing a strong arm and plenty of ability on the field.
“Nobody is working harder than that kid,” Clark said of Guenther. “He’s a leader, too, and having someone like him at quarterback for the next two years will be huge for our team.”
Clark sees a lot of similarities between the two quarterbacks, with each able to handle game-time pressure and throw accurately while also possessing the ability to make big plays on the ground. But what impresses Clark the most is what’s inside the helmet.
“Both of them are very intelligent and know how to lead and play the game,” he said. “That’s a big piece to being a good quarterback in high school football. Talan had that quality, and Semmie really has that ability as well. I think he’s going to be a really good quarterback.”
Guenther also has a talented offensive line in front of him. Four starters return on the front line, and that group has developed into a cohesive unit both on and off the field, Clark said.
Junior Jakob Duerr will anchor the line as the team’s center, surrounded by senior left guard Dylan Eller, senior left tackle Peyton Wooten, and senior right tackle Laine Phillpott. Senior Alex Becker, junior Braydon Burgess, and junior Aaron Ellis will not only compete for the fifth offensive line spot, but also play a key role in the offensive line rotation and provide depth throughout both the offensive and defensive lines.
“Friday night reps are a big deal, and these guys have them,” Clark said of his offensive line. “They’ve also gotten stronger and bonded as a unit during the summer. They’re working well together as a unit, and they will be a big part of what we’re trying to do on offense.”
A talented group of receivers is also key to the offense. Led by seniors C.J. Bolinger and Titus Cable — both of whom were key targets last season — a rotation that also includes senior Harrison Roberts, sophomore Braylon Jimmerson, junior Hunter Shepard, senior Bryson Woodall, and junior Jaxon Burkhalter gives the Pioneers a big advantage against defenses that won’t know who to focus on while also giving Guenther plenty of options in an offense designed for flexibility.
“I’m very comfortable with all those guys at receiver and what they can do with it once they get the ball,” Clark said.
In the one-back offense, three players are expected to receive the majority of the touches. Junior Ethan Meyers and senior Atreyu Banks were both a major part of the Pioneers’ offense last season and return even stronger. Clark credited Meyers for his size and power and Banks for his strength and quickness. Banks was an undefeated state champion wrestler last year, and those skills also translate to the football field.
Newcomer sophomore Tyler Rowan has impressed coaches this summer and will be a major part of the offense as well. Clark said Rowan, who moved from Vilonia to Gentry this past summer, is elusive as a running back and brings a huge football IQ to the field as well.
“All of them are very talented and have proven themselves to be very capable,” Clark said of his running backs.
Most of the offensive players are also key to the Pioneers’ defense, with Meyers, a linebacker, returning as the team’s leading tackler from last season. Bolinger at cornerback and Cable at safety return as defensive leaders as well, with Banks and Rowan at linebacker, and Burkhalter, junior Jack Hollingsworth, and senior Braden Woodcock in the defensive backfield.
Junior Dawson Pottridge is the team’s kicker and will be called upon to kick extra points and field goals, with a range of 40-plus yards.
Despite the small roster, the goal of not only returning to the playoffs but advancing through them remains, Clark said. It’s becoming more challenging with the 4A-1 Conference, which includes traditionally strong programs like Gravette, Elkins, and Prairie Grove, along with much-improved programs like Berryville and Huntsville. But Clark assures his opponents that they will receive Gentry’s very best each Friday night.
And Clark sees a community that is supporting the Pioneers and helping develop the program’s future. There are currently 65 players on Gentry’s junior high team, and the seventh-grade team has 50 on its roster. The future is bright, but so is the present, Clark says.
“This group of seniors has the opportunity to be the winningest group in a very long time,” Clark said, noting their 7-4 record last year and 9-3 record as sophomores. “I tell them this all the time: I don’t care who we’re playing. The Cowboys. The Razorbacks. Yeah, they’d smoke us, but they would get our very best. No matter who our opponent is, that doesn’t stop us from doing the things we need to do to the best of our ability. Bad things will happen. Mistakes will happen. But it’s how you respond to them that makes the biggest difference, and we think we’re going to be a good football team this season.”
Gentry opens their season on the road Friday, Aug. 28 at Paris, with its first home game the following Friday, Sept. 4 against Jay, Okla. Their benefit game is tomorrow (Aug. 18) at Ozark.