schedule. In their preparation for the upcoming 2021 football sea- son, the Beavers had a very busy summer on the gridiron. Glen Rose competed in team camps hosted in Nashville, Hot Springs, Gurdon and Star City. While continuing to enhance endurance and staying fit with weightlifting and conditioning workouts, Kehner is motivated to get rolling with an energized and determined group of troops to represent Glen Rose amongst another competitive schedule of opponents. But, overall, Kehner feels positive about his team and they're going to compete each week with a winning mentality. "I'm excited about this year," Kehner said. "Our expectation is to be successful and to win." With high expectations each season, Kehner knows the Beavers will be tested, but they've been a postseason football program since Kehner arrived in the early 2000's. Although Glen Rose has lost a productive and special senior group from last season, Kehner believes this year's core of per- formers will be exciting. While there will be experience coming back this season, Kehner has another talented sophomore class that absolutely stormed through the 2020 junior high football season-unbeaten to capture the conference cham pionship as freshmen. With several of those players grasping some senior high experience with the Beavers during the playoffs, Kehner feels this young sophomore group will go out and compete productively with the upperclassmen. Kehner emphasized that his sophomores will be up for the challenge after an impressive undefeated junior high season. "That's always a good sign when you're bringing up an undefeated ninth grade group," Kehner said. "I think that group will just embrace the challenge and carry on with it. "We do have a lot of inexperi ence with a new system, but hopefully they'll pick up and learn quicker." While this sophomore class will contribute in a very major way, Kehner will look toward a senior group of leaders that are ready to fulfill the most impor tant role of the team for the 2021 football season. Kehner said the Beavers will be led by 13 seniors - Sage Peugh, Brayden Youngman, Cohen Carter, Carson Burks, Conner Taylor, Dalton Taylor, Cade Hutcheson, Riley Kratz, Isaac Swaim, Tyler Smith, Jaxon Luckey, Ethan Epperson, and Tagg Haynes. Although the Beavers do not have as many seniors in past seasons, Kehner is excited about going forward with this group of leaders and aim for success. "This isn't the biggest senior class, but this group hasn't quit Here's to healthy rivalries. since junior high, and a lot of them will be starters this year," the coach said. "That's a big deal for us right now. I feel like these guys are ready to play; just a good solid class." The Taylor duo-Conner Taylor (WR/DE) and Dalton Taylor (RB/DB) will fulfill key roles this season. Kehner men- tioned Conner is a playmaker while Dalton will help lead the run game at running back for the Beavers. Tyler Smith (OL/ DL) is back to guide the linemen and help open gaps and paths in their execution for the Beavers ground attack. Also returning defensively, Youngman at defen- sive end, Conner Taylor at line- backer and Carter at free safety. OFFENSE/DEFENSE Kehner emphasized the Beavers will be replacing eight to nine players on both sides of the football this season. "We'll have young guys on the field along with older guys with inexperience - could be a little frustrating early on," Kehner said. But the Beavers will look to start sophomore Rein Bland at quarterback. "We're going with Rein at quarterback-so with him, he's the best man for the i job," Kehner stated. Defensively, the Beavers have some experience returning up front and in the secondary. Kehner noted, "We'll be a scheme type defense and may take a little while to get familiar and be effective as a unit. But I am proud of the guys coming to summer workouts, they're work- ing hard, they're competing and will just have to work hard every day." Kehner said. For the most part, Kehner knows this good and talented sophomore class will have to contribute and provide the nec essary spark for the Beavers, offensively and defensively. "We will rely on them this season, Kehner said." Sophomore Heath Ballance - will provide a spark in the run game. He's very explosive while carrying the pigskin. After accounting for numerous touchdown runs for the Beavers unbeaten junior high season (2020), Ballance had a breakout performance for the Beavers during the postseason in the Class 3A state playoffs against West Fork. Ballance soared into the end zone on a 24-yard touchdown run. He accounted for 128 yards rushing with two touchdowns as a freshman for his senior high debut game last season for Glen Rose. Sophomore Draven McSpadden also sparked with a 45-yard TD reception, then scor- ing the 2-point conversion for the Beavers in the postseason as a freshman. He also picked off a pass for an interception to spark the defense. Sophomore Ty Hood will be a big part of the team from his athletic ability, especially on the defense. Saline Health System Saline County is home to some of the best families, players and fans in the state and we're here to serve them all. As a national leader in patient safety, Saline Health System is committed to providing excellent care to the communities we serve. We're proud to support our local teams all season long! 1 Medical Park Drive | Benton | (501) 776-6000 SalineMemorial.org 25 schedule . In their preparation for the upcoming 2021 football sea son , the Beavers had a very busy summer on the gridiron . Glen Rose competed in team camps hosted in Nashville , Hot Springs , Gurdon and Star City . While continuing to enhance endurance and staying fit with weightlifting and conditioning workouts , Kehner is motivated to get rolling with an energized and determined group of troops to represent Glen Rose amongst another competitive schedule of opponents . But , overall , Kehner feels positive about his team and they're going to compete each week with a winning mentality . " I'm excited about this year , " Kehner said . " Our expectation is to be successful and to win . " With high expectations each season , Kehner knows the Beavers will be tested , but they've been a postseason football program since Kehner arrived in the early 2000's . Although Glen Rose has lost a productive and special senior group from last season , Kehner believes this year's core of per formers will be exciting . While there will be experience coming back this season , Kehner has another talented sophomore class that absolutely stormed through the 2020 junior high football season - unbeaten to capture the conference cham pionship as freshmen . With several of those players grasping some senior high experience with the Beavers during the playoffs , Kehner feels this young sophomore group will go out and compete productively with the upperclassmen . Kehner emphasized that his sophomores will be up for the challenge after an impressive undefeated junior high season . " That's always a good sign when you're bringing up an undefeated ninth grade group , " Kehner said . " I think that group will just embrace the challenge and carry on with it . " We do have a lot of inexperi ence with a new system , but hopefully they'll pick up and learn quicker . " While this sophomore class will contribute in a very major way , Kehner will look toward a senior group of leaders that are ready to fulfill the most impor tant role of the team for the 2021 football season . Kehner said the Beavers will be led by 13 seniors - Sage Peugh , Brayden Youngman , Cohen Carter , Carson Burks , Conner Taylor , Dalton Taylor , Cade Hutcheson , Riley Kratz , Isaac Swaim , Tyler Smith , Jaxon Luckey , Ethan Epperson , and Tagg Haynes . Although the Beavers do not have as many seniors in past seasons , Kehner is excited about going forward with this group of leaders and aim for success . " This isn't the biggest senior class , but this group hasn't quit Here's to healthy rivalries . since junior high , and a lot of them will be starters this year , " the coach said . " That's a big deal for us right now . I feel like these guys are ready to play ; just a good solid class . " The Taylor duo - Conner Taylor ( WR / DE ) and Dalton Taylor ( RB / DB ) will fulfill key roles this season . Kehner men tioned Conner is a playmaker while Dalton will help lead the run game at running back for the Beavers . Tyler Smith ( OL / DL ) is back to guide the linemen and help open gaps and paths in their execution for the Beavers ground attack . Also returning defensively , Youngman at defen sive end , Conner Taylor at line backer and Carter at free safety . OFFENSE / DEFENSE Kehner emphasized the Beavers will be replacing eight to nine players on both sides of the football this season . " We'll have young guys on the field along with older guys with inexperience - could be a little frustrating early on , " Kehner said . But the Beavers will look to start sophomore Rein Bland at quarterback . " We're going with Rein at quarterback - so with him , he's the best man for the i job , " Kehner stated . Defensively , the Beavers have some experience returning up front and in the secondary . Kehner noted , " We'll be a scheme type defense and may take a little while to get familiar and be effective as a unit . But I am proud of the guys coming to summer workouts , they're work ing hard , they're competing and will just have to work hard every day . " Kehner said . For the most part , Kehner knows this good and talented sophomore class will have to contribute and provide the nec essary spark for the Beavers , offensively and defensively . " We will rely on them this season , Kehner said . " Sophomore Heath Ballance - will provide a spark in the run game . He's very explosive while carrying the pigskin . After accounting for numerous touchdown runs for the Beavers unbeaten junior high season ( 2020 ) , Ballance had a breakout performance for the Beavers during the postseason in the Class 3A state playoffs against West Fork . Ballance soared into the end zone on a 24 - yard touchdown run . He accounted for 128 yards rushing with two touchdowns as a freshman for his senior high debut game last season for Glen Rose . Sophomore Draven McSpadden also sparked with a 45 - yard TD reception , then scor ing the 2 - point conversion for the Beavers in the postseason as a freshman . He also picked off a pass for an interception to spark the defense . Sophomore Ty Hood will be a big part of the team from his athletic ability , especially on the defense . Saline Health System Saline County is home to some of the best families , players and fans in the state and we're here to serve them all . As a national leader in patient safety , Saline Health System is committed to providing excellent care to the communities we serve . We're proud to support our local teams all season long ! 1 Medical Park Drive | Benton | ( 501 ) 776-6000 SalineMemorial.org 25