By RAY BENTON Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville Titans lost two starters for the season and still almost beat the Searcy Lions last year on the road. But this year’s Searcy Lions aren’t the same squad.
The Lions got Division I quarterback prospect Mason Schucker from Clarksville last year, and they have added several more transfers this season.
Perhaps no team benefited more than SHS from the canceling of the football program at talent-rich Augusta. Six former Red Devils are now Lions, and they are having an immediate impact at the skill positions. Searcy’s leading receiver from last year, Trenton Turner, has five total catches this season in three games.
Schucker has found two new favorite targets in Augusta transfers Eli Nevels and Alonzo Tripp. Nevels has 15 receptions for 380 yards so far this season. Tripp has 15 catches for 373 yards.
Searcy has piled up the points and yardage in its three wins this season, and Schucker has put up absurd statistics. The Lions beat Valley View 63-41, Batesville 47-9 and Morrilton 51-17.
Schucker has already thrown for 1,106 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing 49 of 83 pass attempts for a 50-percent completion rate.
He also has running back Gabe Chapman, who transferred in 2016 after rushing for more than 2,000 yards at Harding Academy. The former Wildcat rushed for more than 2,000 yards last year for HA, and is averaging more than 100 yards per game this season. He has 64 carries for 393 yards. He didn’t have a reception in the first two games, but caught three passes for 107 yards against Morrilton.
“They’re not the same team as last year,” said Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham. “They got weapons everywhere. It’s amazing how good you can get in a hurry when all the best players from two or three different teams show up. It’s going to be a major challenge for our defense”
So far, no one Searcy has played has been able to get pressure on Schucker. Jacksonville hopes to change that, and the front four on defense have been able to get pressure in its three games.
“We may bring a few blitzes here and there to get those guys up front some help,” Hickingbotham said. “We can’t just let him stand back there or he’ll pick you apart. He’s not afraid to throw a laser. He’ll take some chances, and it hasn’t always worked out for him. He’s had a couple picked and taken back for touchdowns. So we’re hoping if we can rush him a little bit we’ll get him to make some bad decisions.
“The bad thing is, if you stop the passing game, now you’ve got to deal with Chapman and that running game.”
Searcy’s defense likes to gamble as well. It has paid off at times, but teams have been able to hit big plays on them, something Jacksonville has the athleticism to do. But the Titans are also dealing with injuries on the interior. Three starters on the offensive line missed last week’s game. Two will likely still be out for the conference opener.
“I don’t know if there will be a lot of long drives,” Hickingbotham said. “But we see some opportunities if we can execute. That’s the key every time. We’ve got to execute.”