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Monday, October 1, 2007
Football Futures
Western Arkansas, AR
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By: Will Flowers
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Photo(s) By: Will Flowers
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Looking ahead to the Class of 2015
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“I tell the parents of my players on the first day that if they are here because they feel their kid will have a college scholarship, they are in the wrong place. We are here to have fun, and we are here to help the kids learn the game and like it.” — Steelers coach Sam Hannon.
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Shadows on the practice field signify the day’s end as a cool breeze teases the gridiron spirits that football season is finally here.
Fans gather with camcorders, fancy cameras and lawn chairs to catch glimpses of players as they run drills. The rays from the setting sun spotlight the inscription on the jersey of No. 5: Razorbacks. This player dreams at night of winning the Heisman Trophy, but for now it’s sliced oranges, juice boxes and a ride home from Mom.
College recruiters get ready — now introducing the class of 2015.
The passion for college football in the South is unrivaled, and it starts in backyards and playgrounds — and for a group of 25 Springdale natives, in Kiwanis, a part of the Springdale Recreational League that is run through the Springdale Youth Center.
“This is the first time some of these kids have ever played, so they are learning how to get into a stance, how to line up, block, tackle and the snap count,” said Steelers coach Sam Hannon. “I tell the parents of my players on the first day that if they are here because they feel their kid will have a college scholarship, they are in the wrong place. We are here to have fun, and we are here to help the kids learn the game and like it.”
Running offensive schemes such as the acclaimed “wild cat” formation, the youth get to practice different aspects of the game, preparing for what will come in just a few short years. Painting their faces are diehard fans, better known as Mom and Dad, who get to glimpse the future at each practice. After watching the athletes in action, one would say the future looks very bright.
Starting at quarterback for the black and gold is Tereke Eckwood. The name Eckwood is a staple in Arkansas athletics from Kiwanis up to the college and professional levels. Tereke’s older brother, LaDarius Eckwood, is a stud receiver for the Springdale Bulldogs’ football and basketball programs. His dad, Theron Eckwood, played college basketball for UA-Pine Bluff. His uncle, Stan Eckwood, was an NBA draft pick while his other uncle, Jerry Eckwood, is widely considered one of the greatest athletes in Arkansas Razorbacks history.
Other players to note for the “little” Steelers are Luke Hannon and Zack Owenby. Luke, with his size advantage over the league average of 80 pounds, resembles Pittsburg Steelers great Jerome Bettis as power back with a powerful arm for trick plays. Owenby will split time at quarterback, and his leadership on the field will have him traveling around the country on recruitment trips; that is, once he has his driver’s license in a few years.
Each player has his own talent; however, right now the greatest concern for these Arkansas Heisman hopefuls isn’t what will happen on signing day but rather who to play with in NCAA College Football for Sony Playstation. In case you’re curious about who these players choose to control when they step onto the virtual playing field — which might be foreshadowing — it’s an idol, it’s a role model, it’s who they want to be when they walk onto the field each day, it’s only one name for each of them: Darren McFadden.
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