By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
The Alma Airedales hit the highway to open 5A-West play with Clarksville.
The Airedales (2-1) have won back-to-back games over Siloam Springs and Pryor, Okla.
But the team will have a bit of a revamped offensive line today when the team visits Metheny Field at Whitson Morgan Stadium.
Sophomore Joseph Lynn will step in for an ailing Eli Waldrop at right guard. Senior Eric Johnson, the team’s starting nose guard, may play some at guard as well. It’s Lynn’s first career start.
Zach Millsap anchors the line at center, with Jayden Parker moving to right tackle. The left side of the line remains the same, with Richard Taylor and Easton Daily anchoring left guard and left tackle.
Quarterback Jackson Daily (Easton’s older brother) leads the Airedales with 497 yards passing and three touchdowns, and 234 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
Millsap said Daily continues to make good decisions.
“For him, I know JD is going to make the right read and he’s going to make the right call,” Millsap said. “He shows it during practice and he shows it during the game. He’s averaging good numbers. When the quarterback does well, the O-line is going to lean on and we’re going to block our butts off.”
“After the bye week, and not playing, it really makes you think about not playing, and now we want to get out there against Clarksville and show them what we’re about and get ready for the rest of the conference season,” Daily said.
Alma defeated the Panthers last season, 41-13, thanks in part to a big first half. The Airedales eventually led 41-0 before allowing two late touchdowns.
Clarksville coach Khris Buckner’s team features a second-year quarterback in Luke Siebenmorgen. Senior Rhett Fultz and sophomore Nathan Powell will get most of the carries in the backfield.
The Panthers are 0-3, having been outscored 121-24. The team hasn’t had a winning season since 2009 (6-5).
Senior Trey Bowen and junior Byron Standridge lead the Airedales defensively with 21 and 20 tackles, respectively. Standridge and Cash Farris had seven stops apiece last week. Junior Michael Taylor had a career-high nine tackles in the team’s win over Pryor.