The pieces are there for Maumnelle to have a big season, said third-year head coach Brian Maupin.
Last year, the Hornets went 7-4 and lost in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to Valley View last season.
Back for Maumelle is quarterback Andrew Bjork, who passed for 2,037 yards and 20 touchdowns. Bjork, now a junior, lost top targets Alan Timmons and Elijah Newell but Jacob Henry, a standout last season at Central Arkansas Christian, will help out at running back as well as wide receiver. Henry is also a junior and he and Bjork could make quite the pair for the next two seasons.
Henry was among the players Maupin said to keep an eye on this season and the others are running backs Marshaun Wiley, Bubba Johnson and Nathan Thomas. Wide receivers Jackson Hampton, Josiah Warrior Benson, Hayden Sublette, who plays tight end, Jordan Harris and Derrick Palmer.
Sophomore quarterback Levi Warrior will be a reliable backup for Bjork, Maupin said.
Maumelle’s base offense will be a spread 11.
Henry was also a standout defender for the Mustangs last season and Maupin expects some big hits this season for Henry at safety,
Other defenders to watch include defensive linemen Bryan Beets, Landon Canady, Konner Forte, Kayden Sherman and Jordan Harris at defensive end. Linebackers Jonathan Williams and Jaiden Gabriel will be key while important players in the secondary are Keytrone Green, Antonio McFadden, Kaiden Brooks,and Tari Ransom.
The base defense will be a 4-2-5.
Besides the returners and newcomers, the other big change for this season is the realigned 5A-Central. With the departure of Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy to 7A, the league is wide open
“It is a great positive being back in an 8 team conference we are able to schedule three non conference games and a bye again,” Maupin said.
The schedule is challenging and it won’t take long to see where the Hornets stand as Friday night’s opener is at home against Class 6A Sylvan Hills, a long-running rivalry game then another home the following Friday night against defending Class 5A state champ Little Rock Parkview.
“We are very excited about this team,” Maupin said. “Our Goal is to be the Godliest Team in the state! These young men take that very seriously and want to live that out daily!
Brian Maupin, at a glance, 10-11 at Maumelle, third season and former college player at Harding
Maumelle preview: Maupin ready for big season
Maumelle preview: Maupin ready for big season
Maumelle preview: Maupin ready for big season
The pieces are there for Maumnelle to have a big season, said third-year head coach Brian Maupin.
Last year, the Hornets went 7-4 and lost in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to Valley View last season.
Back for Maumelle is quarterback Andrew Bjork, who passed for 2,037 yards and 20 touchdowns. Bjork, now a junior, lost top targets Alan Timmons and Elijah Newell but Jacob Henry, a standout last season at Central Arkansas Christian, will help out at running back as well as wide receiver. Henry is also a junior and he and Bjork could make quite the pair for the next two seasons.
Henry was among the players Maupin said to keep an eye on this season and the others are running backs Marshaun Wiley, Bubba Johnson and Nathan Thomas. Wide receivers Jackson Hampton, Josiah Warrior Benson, Hayden Sublette, who plays tight end, Jordan Harris and Derrick Palmer.
Sophomore quarterback Levi Warrior will be a reliable backup for Bjork, Maupin said.
Maumelle’s base offense will be a spread 11.
Henry was also a standout defender for the Mustangs last season and Maupin expects some big hits this season for Henry at safety,
Other defenders to watch include defensive linemen Bryan Beets, Landon Canady, Konner Forte, Kayden Sherman and Jordan Harris at defensive end. Linebackers Jonathan Williams and Jaiden Gabriel will be key while important players in the secondary are Keytrone Green, Antonio McFadden, Kaiden Brooks,and Tari Ransom.
The base defense will be a 4-2-5.
Besides the returners and newcomers, the other big change for this season is the realigned 5A-Central. With the departure of Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy to 7A, the league is wide open
“It is a great positive being back in an 8 team conference we are able to schedule three non conference games and a bye again,” Maupin said.
The schedule is challenging and it won’t take long to see where the Hornets stand as Friday night’s opener is at home against Class 6A Sylvan Hills, a long-running rivalry game then another home the following Friday night against defending Class 5A state champ Little Rock Parkview.
“We are very excited about this team,” Maupin said. “Our Goal is to be the Godliest Team in the state! These young men take that very seriously and want to live that out daily!
Brian Maupin, at a glance, 10-11 at Maumelle, third season and former college player at Harding
5A-Central
Beebe
Jacksonville
Maumelle
Pine Bluff
Robinson
Searcy
Watson Chapel
White Hall
Schedule
Friday: ... vs. Sylvan Hills
Friday, Sept. 6 ... vs. Parkview
Friday, Sept. 13 ... at Vilonia
Friday, Sept. 20 … Bye week
Friday, Sept. 27 ... at Beebe
Friday, Oct. 4 ...at Pine Bluff
Thursday, Oct 10 … ... vs. Watson Chapel
Friday, Oct. 18 ... at Jacksonville
Friday, Oct. 25 …. ... vs. White Hall
Friday, Nov. 1 ... at Searcy
Thursday, Nov. 7 … ... vs. Robinson
Friday, Nov. 15 … First round of playoffs
All games kickoff at 7 p.m. unless noted
Maumelle roster
2 ... Jonathan Frost ... WR ... Sr.
4 ... Andrew Bjork ... QB ... LB ... Jr.
11 ... Jordan Harris ... WR ... Jr.
12 ... Kaiden Brooks ... Jr.
13 ... Levi Warrior ... QB ... So.
15 ... Cooper Forrest ... WR ... Jr.
17 ... Tucker Gurney ... WR ... Sr.
18 ... Isak Wood ... WR ... Jr.
19 ... Shawn Walker ... WR ... Sr.
20 ... Jonathan Williams ... Jr.
22 ... Tucker Alden ... WR ... Jr.
23 ... Christian Jackson ... WR ... So.
27 ... Samuel Samura ... WR ... Sr.
31 ... Branden Johnson ... Jr.
32 ... Joseph Mason ... RB ... Sr.
34 ... Braden Evans ... TE ... Jr.
35 ... Hayden Sublette ... TE ... So.
45 ... Bj Beets ... QB ... Sr.
53 ... Konner Forte ... OL ... Sr.
55 ... Kayden Sherman ... OL ... Sr.
60 ... Adrian Price II ... OL ... Sr.
63 ... Xavier Maldonado ... OL ... Sr.
66 ... Reece Wade ... OL ... Jr.
70 ... Jonathan Hamilton ... OL ... Jr.
74 ... Elias Garcia ... OL ... Sr.
76 ... Jahlon Harris ... OL ... Jr.
78 ... tCaleb Yott ... OL ... Jr.
Jackson Hampton ... Jr.
Jacob Henry ... Jr.
Nathaniel Thomas Jr ... Sr.
Tari Ransom,Jr ... Jr.
Mohammed Qtouf ... Jr.
Devin Morgan ... Jr.
Marshawn Wiley
Derrick Palmer
Anthony Kennedy
Ryan Beals
Bryson Stewart ... So.
Zaylen Pruitt
Jaylen Thomas
Kaylon Blasio ... Sr.
For the online roster, click here.