BEARCATS HIT FIELD FOR MIDNIGHT FULL CONTACT PRACTICE

Head Coach Doc Crowley and the Booneville Bearcats wrapped up their first week of fall camp with their now traditional 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning practice.

The week began with a “boot camp” that included team building activities, complete with good-natured pranks, and overnight stays in the Rippy Fieldhouse.

Also included was adherence to the Arkansas Activities Association’s fall camp framework of two days of practice in helmets and shorts – one of those at Pottsville High School after a paintball war – followed by three days in shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets.

The final of those practices began about 10 p.m. Friday night and concluded with players changing into full gear for a little “blood alley” and the walk to the Bearcat Stadium game field for scripted sets of plays.

There backfield newcomers, sophomores Rylen Ray and Dax Goff lined up with senior quarterback Randon Ray and more experienced junior halfbacks Brooks Herrera and Trace Hall.

Up front, Matt O’Bar, another sophomore, handled the center duties with senior Casey Mattson, who moved to the line from a fullback role last year, along with juniors Johnny Barnes, Brett Welling, and Cameron Osborne working with the first group.

Seniors Mason Goers and Jerrick Carey played at tight end and senior Rayce Blansett was the primary deep threat for the passing game.

As many as eight of those players could double with roles on defense with Rylen Ray, Goers, and Welling joining senior Rocky Ross and junior Chase Plymale up front; Mattson and Goff patrolling the linebacker spots; and Randon Ray, Herrera, Hall joining juniors Blazen Jones and Peyton Tatum in the secondary.