PEA RIDGE — Pea Ridge running back Dayton Winn is bigger and faster but that is not the main reason the Blackhawks senior could have an even more productive season.
Last year, Winn rushed for over 1,500 yards, but as the Blackhawks’ top offensive threat he was often the main focus of opposing defenses.
Those defenses will need to be more honest in 2012 as coach Tony Travis has seen big improvements in the passing game, and that means Pea Ridge will not be a one dimensional team.
Quarterback Austin Easterling has 19 starts under his belt and the Blackhawks have several talented receivers, including senior Daniel Beard (6-0, 165).
“No. 1 we have a quarterback that can throw the football, and we have developed a couple of guys at receiver that are legitimate threats,” Travis said. “Last year, defenses knew coming in that if they stopped Dayton, they had a chance of stopping us. Dayton is going to be a threat, no doubt, and a primary weapon. If people try and take the running game away, we can exploit some things more.”
Winn said he has noticed a big improvement in the passing game.
“Austin has been doing really good passing the balland the receivers are doing a good job of catching the ball,” Winn said. “I think the passing game is really going to help us.”
Winn, who saw considerable playing time as a sophomore two seasons ago, bulked up in the offseason without affecting his outstanding speed.
“Dayton has got a lot bigger than he was last year,” Travis said. “At the end of the summer, he weighed 161, 162, so he has increased 20-plus. He has increased his quickness and his speed. He is going to feel a difference when he plays.
“He was tough to tackle last year, and he has a bit more power this year.
That’s going to be a plus for him for his senior year.”
Winn said a diet heavy in protein shakes helped him add muscle during the offseason.
“Weight gain helps any running back, it makes it harder to bring them down,” Winn said. “It gives me more weight to push forward.”
Pea Ridge gave up 81 points during a late season three-game losing streak but Travis expects the defense to be better. Braxton Caudill (5-11, 185) and Dalton Morgan (6-0, 170) lead a talented core of linebackers. Caudill had over 130 tackles last year while Morgan has almost 250 career stops.
Will Klein (6-0, 215) and Jonah Torres (5-3, 140) are the outside linebackers.
“Our starting four get after it and I like the way they play,” Travis said.
“They have been through the battles and they know what they are doing.”
Conditioning will be key for the Blackhawks as several players will be twoway starters.
“We have been getting in a little bit of running,” Travis said. “We are trying to get their legs good and tired so we can see how they will think when they are tired. That’s how it is going to be on Friday nights.”
Sports, Pages 8 on 08/29/2012