on the first team or the second or third. Right now, we are just trying to get guys to understand. their role and what they can bring to the team. thus far. The junior two-sport athlete processes 4.6 speed and averaged 4.4 yards per carry a season ago. "Competition is a good thing. I could go four or five deep at a lot of positions, but it's the ones that are going to play a little harder, a little stronger and a little faster than the guy next to him." Senior Alex Strong is in the I mix as well and ran hard dur- ing junior varsity play in 2020. Juniors Kamron Sams and Martavion Earl also look to get some carries and playing time in 2021 for James Hornets. Running back has been a dif ferent look each year the past several seasons for Bryant, but the Hornets have yet to miss a beat in the backfield. Receiving, too, took a hit with Hayden Schrader exiting to grad- uation and Cory Nichols moving to Texas in the spring. This year's running regimen will be young, but the players. there have some experience in big games. But Robert Hendrix, Blake Everett and Jordan Knox all three return with speed and great catching ability. "Our running backs are young, but we have some speed there and some size and strength," James said. "We have guys that are competing and looking good. doing it. We have some that are better receivers than running backs and better backs than receivers. I think that can be a good thing. When we really need to run we have guys that can do it and when we need to pass it we have guys that can create mismatches." "Those guys are going to be some familiar faces this year and I like the way our young receiv ers are coming around," James said. "They run good routes, catch the ball and we have to have the next guy to want to be the next Hayden Schrader and others to be able to do what we have been able to do. "The names might be differ- ent, but I'm looking for the same result." While the starting job for most of the carries is not set, Chris Gannaway looks to be leading Defensively, the Hornets are faced with their biggest weak- ness coming in as most of the secondary and linebacking core is gone from a season ago. PEST CONTROL By ADAMS INDEPENDENTLY Family Owned & Operated Since 1957 We made a pledge in 1957 to be a great company to work for, buy from, and sell to; and we are still striving to achieve this every day! However, having to train a new defense each year is nothing new for James and company. "We lost our entire lineback- ing core and really our entire secondary," James said. "The only guy that played very much is Malachi Graham. The others. haven't played that much. We have some defensive linemen that rush and we have some others with experience, but the linebackers are going to be a completely different group of guys. The secondary, too, except for one guy. Those guys are still competing for starting jobs. But we have lost some great players on defense the last three years. and we always think it is going to be tough to rebuild, but we find guys that are going to be able to step up." James added that the biggest difference will be size up front on defense and size and length in the defensive backfield. "Hopefully that's a good combination," James said. "We have depth on defense and went 20-2 in 7-on-7 this year. We got better and competed very well. I am expecting our guys to understand their roles and go out there and play at a level that will make everyone proud of this. Bryant football team." Looking at the Hornets 7A Central schedule, there has been a shakeup in preseason ranks with North Little Rock, Bryant's victim in all three state championships, slipping to fourth behind Conway and Cabot. However, James is not count- ing out the Wildcats by any means. He said the coaching staff at North Little Rock has changed, but is still extremely strong and hard-working and that North Little Rock will be in the mix when it is all said and done. "I think that is people just say ing they have had three different coaches," James said. "I'm not counting them out of anything. Cabot and Conway will be right there and I think Catholic has a really good offense and Central, too. George Shelton has won. everywhere he has ever been. I think it is going to be a very competitive league. "I still think this is going to be the better conference in the state and one of the most competi tive." The Hornets will open their 2021 campaign Saturday, Aug. 28, with Benton in the Salt Bowl at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Call today for an appointment with one of our Service Representatives! 12324 Stagecoach Road Little Rock, AR 72210 455-1065 5589 Central Avenue Hot Springs AR 71913 501-623-3811 www.adamspestcontrol.net 5 on the first team or the second or third . Right now , we are just trying to get guys to understand . their role and what they can bring to the team . thus far . The junior two - sport athlete processes 4.6 speed and averaged 4.4 yards per carry a season ago . " Competition is a good thing . I could go four or five deep at a lot of positions , but it's the ones that are going to play a little harder , a little stronger and a little faster than the guy next to him . " Senior Alex Strong is in the I mix as well and ran hard dur ing junior varsity play in 2020 . Juniors Kamron Sams and Martavion Earl also look to get some carries and playing time in 2021 for James Hornets . Running back has been a dif ferent look each year the past several seasons for Bryant , but the Hornets have yet to miss a beat in the backfield . Receiving , too , took a hit with Hayden Schrader exiting to grad uation and Cory Nichols moving to Texas in the spring . This year's running regimen will be young , but the players . there have some experience in big games . But Robert Hendrix , Blake Everett and Jordan Knox all three return with speed and great catching ability . " Our running backs are young , but we have some speed there and some size and strength , " James said . " We have guys that are competing and looking good . doing it . We have some that are better receivers than running backs and better backs than receivers . I think that can be a good thing . When we really need to run we have guys that can do it and when we need to pass it we have guys that can create mismatches . " " Those guys are going to be some familiar faces this year and I like the way our young receiv ers are coming around , " James said . " They run good routes , catch the ball and we have to have the next guy to want to be the next Hayden Schrader and others to be able to do what we have been able to do . " The names might be differ ent , but I'm looking for the same result . " While the starting job for most of the carries is not set , Chris Gannaway looks to be leading Defensively , the Hornets are faced with their biggest weak ness coming in as most of the secondary and linebacking core is gone from a season ago . PEST CONTROL By ADAMS INDEPENDENTLY Family Owned & Operated Since 1957 We made a pledge in 1957 to be a great company to work for , buy from , and sell to ; and we are still striving to achieve this every day ! However , having to train a new defense each year is nothing new for James and company . " We lost our entire lineback ing core and really our entire secondary , " James said . " The only guy that played very much is Malachi Graham . The others . haven't played that much . We have some defensive linemen that rush and we have some others with experience , but the linebackers are going to be a completely different group of guys . The secondary , too , except for one guy . Those guys are still competing for starting jobs . But we have lost some great players on defense the last three years . and we always think it is going to be tough to rebuild , but we find guys that are going to be able to step up . " James added that the biggest difference will be size up front on defense and size and length in the defensive backfield . " Hopefully that's a good combination , " James said . " We have depth on defense and went 20-2 in 7 - on - 7 this year . We got better and competed very well . I am expecting our guys to understand their roles and go out there and play at a level that will make everyone proud of this . Bryant football team . " Looking at the Hornets 7A Central schedule , there has been a shakeup in preseason ranks with North Little Rock , Bryant's victim in all three state championships , slipping to fourth behind Conway and Cabot . However , James is not count ing out the Wildcats by any means . He said the coaching staff at North Little Rock has changed , but is still extremely strong and hard - working and that North Little Rock will be in the mix when it is all said and done . " I think that is people just say ing they have had three different coaches , " James said . " I'm not counting them out of anything . Cabot and Conway will be right there and I think Catholic has a really good offense and Central , too . George Shelton has won . everywhere he has ever been . I think it is going to be a very competitive league . " I still think this is going to be the better conference in the state and one of the most competi tive . " The Hornets will open their 2021 campaign Saturday , Aug. 28 , with Benton in the Salt Bowl at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock . Call today for an appointment with one of our Service Representatives ! 12324 Stagecoach Road Little Rock , AR 72210 455-1065 5589 Central Avenue Hot Springs AR 71913 501-623-3811 www.adamspestcontrol.net 5