By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Things are heating up on the area football fields and it's more than just the summer sun.
With temperatures returning to the upper 90s, driving the heat index into triple figures, the Forrest City Mustangs have turned up the intensity level as they work toward next Tuesday's preseason scrimmage against West Helena.
A year ago, the Mustangs came up two points shy against the Cougars at Sam Smith.
Once again, the Cougars will bring plenty of speed to the preseason contest.
That's fine with the Mustang coaching staff, whose Mustangs will face plenty of speed throughout their season schedule.
The Mustangs open the 2002 season on Friday, Sept. 6, when they travel to Wynne to take on the Yellowjackets.
The Mustangs went about business as usual Tuesday with close to 60 players dressed out.
Expectations are running high for the team already this season as head Coach Donnie Willis has a proven quarterback in senior Austin Easley at the helm.
Behind Easley, Willis has no less than a half dozen solid running backs blessed with size and speed.
And along the offensive line, the Mustangs have a lot of size.
Down Highway 70, the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots were going through defensive maneuvers with 20 players dressed out Tuesday.
Like the Mustangs, the Patriots will play a preseason scrimmage game next Tuesday at Clarendon as they prepare for the home opener on Sept. 6.
The Patriots are coming off a 7-3 season, which earned them a trip to the Class AA state playoffs.
Palestine-Wheatley will take the field this season relying heavily on the 10 returning seniors and a solid sophomore class, but only two juniors.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
It comes as no surprise that Jonesboro is the overall top preseason pick for the upcoming high school girls' volleyball season.
The Lady Hurricane are the defending Class AAAAA state champions.
Their ranking is the result of a recent vote by the volleyball coaches.
Conway follows in the No. 2 slot while Fort Smith Southside has been picked third.
The remainder of the preseason overall top include Class AAAA defending champs Siloam Springs and Class AAA defending state champs Jonesboro-Westside, Crowley's Ridge Academy, Cabot, Sheridan, Greenwood, Morrilton and Harrison.
Jonesboro also leads the Class AAAAA preseason standings as the top pick with Conway second and Southside third. Cabot is fourth while Jacksonville is ranked seventh.
Siloam Springs is the team to beat in Class AAAA as voted by the coaches and is followed by Greenwood, Morrilton and Harrison with Marion picked fifth.
Jonesboro-Westside gets the preseason nod in Class AAA followed closely by Crowley's Ridge, Mena, Lavaca and Mansfield.
*Forrest City returns to volleyball this season after a four-year absence.
The Lady Mustangs last played during the 1997 season.
Amber Main will coach the Lady Mustangs this season.
The team begins play on Sept. 10.
Forrest City will play as part of the AAAAA-East Conference this season, which includes Jonesboro, Cabot and Jacksonville and newcomers Mountain Home and Searcy.