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LONOKE JACKRABBITS – FOOTBALL

Lonoke went 7-4 and returns one of the state’s most star-studded cores. Head coach Clay Bemberg, in his second year, notes they bring back five all-state players—junior Darrius Jeffrey (WR/CB/RS), senior D’Mareon Eason (RB/WR/FS/RS), senior Rian Lewis (OL/DT), senior Jonathan Hixson (LB/TE) and senior Ryder Ingle (LB/RB)—plus starters at nine offensive positions and seven defensive spots. Bemberg says the Jackrabbits have the majority of their production back on both sides of the ball and expect to compete for a conference title this season, with a schedule that includes Stuttgart, Harding Academy, Parkview at War Memorial, Bauxite, Bald Knob, Clinton, CAC, Heber Springs and Mayflower. His staff includes DC Solomon Walker, Caleb Garrick (DL), Justin Carpenter (OL), Joseph Goza (assistant DL) and Chase Terry (assistant DBs).

Offensively, Lonoke is multiple and can line up in several formations with the same personnel. Bemberg points out they have five skill players running sub-4.6 in the 40, including Hixson, which allows them to get creative in the passing game while still having the size to run effectively. Senior Eason (5-8, 151) posted 562 receiving yards and four TDs with eight total scores, senior Trey Jackson (5-8, 148) had five receiving TDs and eight total touchdowns, senior tight end Hixson (6-3, 200) recorded 438 receiving yards and two TDs, and junior Jeffrey (5-11, 152) added 426 receiving yards and seven total TDs. Ingle (5-10, 202) rushed for 480 yards and 11 TDs, and senior quarterback Dylan Dean (6-0, 175) threw for 1,850 yards and 16 TDs and ran for two scores.

Defensively, Lonoke bases out of a 4-front that is gap-sound and aggressive, destroying blocks and rallying to the ball. Hixson at outside linebacker delivered 77 tackles, 18 TFLs, four sacks, an interception and a touchdown, Ingle at MLB made 83 stops and 14 TFLs, and senior free safety Graham Stuart (5-9, 161) tallied 86 tackles, eight TFLs, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, a blocked field goal and a blocked punt. Sophomore defensive end Huck Waddell (6-4, 206) had 36 tackles, 12 TFLs and five sacks, senior DT Rian Lewis (6-4, 350) produced 21 tackles and three TFLs, and Jeffrey at corner logged 30 tackles, two TFLs, three fumble recoveries and seven pass breakups.

Bemberg calls this “the most athletic group of DB’s” they’ve had and notes Hixson already holds linebacker offers and has a full camp schedule. Waddell’s capsule highlights his All-Conference pedigree, All-Region wrestling résumé and gritty, relentless motor, with coaches expecting him to be a major college prospect when recruiting opens