By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Is Jonesboro considering a new philosophy headed into summer drills for the upcoming 2004 prep football season?
Although Jonesboro was far from resembling its normal self, at Thursday night's seven-on-seven scrimmage, sixth-year coach Jim DeVazier said the scrimmage at Cooksey-Johns Field was "no indication of his staff's intent to abandon the running game" that's been ever-so rewarding during his tenure.
A quick look at the other AAAAA-East teams reveals the same philosophy -- the league will remain "well-grounded" in 2004.
The Hurricane found the end zone 11 times through the air, including five touchdown passes by junior quarterback Carter Harbuck over Jonesboro's first five possessions against Nettleton.
Jonesboro finished 8-3 a year ago and second in the AAAAA-East Conference.
Harbuck is the most likely candidate to replace the graduated all-state quarterback Jim Harris. Harbuck completed his first four passes and finished the night 14-of-18 with five TDs and also completed a pair of two-point conversions.
Seven different Jonesboro receivers scored touchdowns, including four players with two TDs apiece.
Jonesboro has been given a third-place preseason nod in the conference behind Cabot and West Memphis.
The Hurricane lost only to Cabot a year ago in the conference portion of the season.
The Hurricane lost to Little Rock McClellan in the first round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs a year ago.
Jonesboro expects to return 11 starters -- six on offense and five ondefense.
*What do you say about Cabot?
Year after year the Panthers just keep doing what they do best -- running the football.
That's not to say the team can't pass -- they just don't have to most of the time.
Cabot did use the long ball for touchdowns against West Memphis, Russellville and Forrest City a year ago.
Still, the Panthers are the team to beat in the AAAAA-East. They are ranked 10th overall in the preseason Class AAAAA polls.
*West Memphis opens the 2004 season as the Class AAAAA runners-up, losing to Little Rock Central in the 2003 championship game.
The Blue Devils return nine starters -- but only three on defense.
West Memphis lost their two workhorse running backs, Eugene Edwards and Kyle Payne. Payne will wear Razorback Red this fall.
A year ago, the Blue Devils did most of their damage on the ground, but this year could see the Blue Devils going to the airwaves a little more frequently as quarterback Vick Brown returns with three experienced receivers to throw to.
*The Sylvan Hills Bears return to Class AAAAA and the East Conference after spending two seasons in the AAAA Southeast.
The Bears replace long-time East member Blytheville.
Sylvan Hills finished runner-up in the 2002 Class AAAA state title game.
Even though the Bears are the fourth-place preseason pick in the East, the team is desperately searching for replacements for 14 graduated seniors.
*The Jacksonville Red Devils, coming off a 3-7 finish in 2003, the team's worst finish since 1998.
Like the Panthers, the Red Devils know how to move the ball on the ground but also possess the ability to put the ball in the air when they have too.
Senior quarterback J.C. Goffe throws the football well.
*The Searcy Lions have only made the AAAAA-East stronger since replacing Little Rock Mills two years ago.
The Lions have also been tough on the ground, but lost fullback Weston Dacus to graduation and the Razorbacks.
Searcy has plenty of holes to fill this year, returning only three players on each side of the football.
*This will be an interesting season for Forrest City.
The team is coming off a 5-5 season, produced by a team that had more seniors than any Mustang team in recent memory.
Not only will the Mustangs have to plug a lot of holes left by those graduating seniors, the team will have to overcome a tumultuous offseason which saw an attempt by the Forrest City School Board to dislodge head coach Donnie Willis from the team and the loss of an assistant coach.
Forrest City is the seventh-place preseason pick in the East.
*Mountain Home brings up last place in the East after finishing 1-9 a year ago.
The Bombers open summer drills on Monday.
The East Arkansas Community College Community Education Department will offer two Hunters Education Classes for outdoor enthusiasts.
The classes will be held Aug. 9, 10 and 12 and again on Sept. 13, 14, and 16 from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. in the EACC Learning Resource Center, Room B-129.
The Arkansas Hunter Education Program is dedicated to the sportsmen of Arkansas with a central theme of safety and sportsmanship.
The program is structured to acquaint students with the many wildlife oriented recreational opportunities and recreational shooting sports available to them.
It is administered through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and taught through a corps of trained volunteer and professional instructors.
Hunter ethics and responsibilities, survival and first aid, conservation and wildlife management, firearm safety, muzzle loader, archery, and tree stand safety will be covered at each session.
All interested persons much attend all three nights.
Hunters who were born after 1968 must now carry a valid Hunter Education card.
A card is also required of youth applicants for permit hunts.
Youths who are 16-years-old and under the direct supervision of a licensed adult, over the age of 21, do not need to have a card.
All participants must pre-register with Hunter's Ed Coordinator, Keith Price by calling 870-633-8083.
For more information about he classes, call EACC at 870-633-4480
ext. 214