New Van Buren coach energized

New Van Buren head coach Casey Dick feels the energy and excitement. “I think there is,” Dick said. “That’s part of the way we practice also. We’re pretty upbeat in practice and move around quick. We get a lot of plays and do a lot of situations and circumstances that apply on the football field. That goes with our practice so it carries over out there on the practice field.” Dick left Bentonville West as an assistant coach to take his first head coaching position, and feels that a lot has been accomplished in his short five weeks at the helm. “It’s been an easy transition but it’s been a fast transition, walking around every where piecing things together day by day and making it flow,” Dick said. “It’s been good, it’s been fun. The kids have responded well and the coaches have done a good job. It’s been a nice and a little bit stressful transition.” Van Buren will hold its annual Green and White intra-squad scrimmage on Friday at 6 p.m. at Dr. J.E. Blakemore Field at Citizens Bank Stadium. The Pointers had 88 players out for spring practice, and Dick likes what he’s seen out of his new team so far. “Their willingness to be coached,” Dick said. “They’re adapting to change and overcoming adversity. It’s a little bit of a transition that they’ve had to overcome. For some of them, it’s the second time to do it. It’s a unique situation for them, but they’ve bought into it. They’ve done a good job of learning, and learning on the fly, and applying it out on the field.” Defensive linemen Cha Raun Page, R.J. Riley, and Miles Kuykendall made an early impression. “Those guys have done a fantastic job in learning their scheme and putting pressure on the quarterback and being disruptive,” Dick said. “It’s always good when you have the guys that can do that.” Logan Humphreys led the Pointers in receiving last year with 32 catches for 418 yards and two scores. He’s among a group of skilled players that are going to play on offense, maybe defense or both. Brayden Rivas, Isaac Nason, David Evans, and Conrad Walters could all have an impact. Rivas ran for 274 yards a year ago. “Those guys are learning,” Dick said. “We’re moving them around on offense, and telling them don’t get used to one spot, we could change a formation and they could be wherever. They’ve done a good job of adjusting.” Senior-to-be Christian Morrow started the first three games of the season last year at quarterback, throwing for 522 yards and four touchdowns, before being injured and missing the remainder of the season. He came back in time to participate in a couple of track meets to end the school year. “He’s very athletic and going to be able to make plays with his feet,” Dick said. “As he knows, everybody who plays that position always has something to work on. He’s been great in learning and soaking it in. He’s been studying film. He’s been doing everything he can do to get ready. He’s made great strides since day one through day eight as far as anticipation and getting the ball where it needs to be going.” Van Buren added Crosby Tuck and Kenneth Chick to the coaching staff with Tuck handling the offense and Chick the defense. “Those guys have done a great job,” Dick said. “It was a transition phase for both of those guys. Coach Tuck moved from Georgia. Coach Chick moved from Greenwood. They’ve come in and hit the ground running. They have their schemes implemented, offensively and defensively. Their kids are playing fast. There’s been a big advancement to where we’re at.” Van Buren will play in Charleston’s Lumber One 7-on-7 Tournament on June 16 and then participate in team camps at Southside, Russellville and Bentonville West over the summer before entering its speed and conditioning drills. Van Buren will again scrimmage against Prairie Grove before opening the season on Aug. 28 against Alma. The Pointers will play their home opener against Northside on Sept. 7 and open 7A-West play at Rogers on Sept. 21 in the revamped conference schedule which has Springdale as the regular-season finale now instead of Fayetteville.

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Van Buren High School Athletics

NEW VAN BUREN COACH ENERGIZED

LELAND BARCLAY

Times Record | 5/25/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Submitted photo