Gravette Football Replaces 26 Seniors

Each of the last five years the Gravette Lions have won nine or more games, only to have playoff disappointment.

“We have to go in with smaller heads,” said senior guard TJ Holt.  “We have a great conference play, great preseason and I think we have a tougher schedule this year so that might help us out in the playoffs.”

Rarely will you hear any team say they wished they went into the playoffs with less wins. But truth be told, that might be exactly what Gravette needs this year.

“We just got to get over the hump, get over the hump one time and make it happen for us all the way to the State Title,” said head coach Bill Harrelson. “We’ve got to have some luck as far as you can be good and have bad luck that’s kind of what’s happened to us the last few years.”

Gravette will need that luck this year because they graduated 26 seniors and most of them saw significant playing time.

“I think it’s an issue for sure. I don’t know how big,” said Harrelson. “The big thing is they are used to winning they are used to playing for a winning football team and that gives us some confidence to start with.”

But past success doesn’t always translate into future success. One thing Gravette has going for them is their experience on the offensive line, specifically seniors TJ Holt and Marcus Adams at the two guard spots.

“We definitely got to pick up the slack,” said Holt. “I think we can do it, just working hard every day and that’s what we’ve been doing for eight or nine years now.”

“People are going to watch and do what you do and they listen to what you have to say,” said Adams about the younger players on the team.

That’s where the senior leadership becomes so important, not only teaching the younger guys, but proving you’re a leader.

“If they do something wrong let them know if coach doesn’t see it. You do watch your position mostly because you know what to do in your spot,” said Holt.

Gravette starts the season hosting Lamar on August 31st.