Southside coach Jeff Williams didn’t have to watch video long to determine one factor about the Bryant Hornets.

“They’re as big as a Division II team,” he said.

The Hornets have a big offensive line, a big-time running back and a quarterback who’s completed passes to 14 different receivers.

The team’s defense isn’t bad, either.

Brothers Nate and Catrell Wallace have combined for 58 tackles and five of the team’s 12 quarterback sacks. Between them, they have 10 tackles for lost yardage, with Nate Wallace — a senior defensive end — leading the charge with eight TFLs and four sacks.

Senior defensive tackle Kajuan Robinson (6-foot-2, 300 pounds) has three sacks.

“Everybody in this league is good,” Williams said. “Not only that, everybody has a lot of returning players.”

Williams’ Southside Mavericks (3-3, 1-2) host Bryant (5-1, 3-0) today at Rowland Stadium at 7 p.m. The Mavericks need a win to even their 7A-Central record.

Bryant quarterback Ren Hefley leads the attack with 721 passing yards. Hefley, who is 64-for-119 with three interceptions, has thrown touchdown passes to six different receivers.


But the key to holding down the Hornets begins with senior Latavion Scott. The 5-10, 210-pound back leads Bryant with 15 touchdowns, including 13 on the ground.

Scott is averaging 7.1 yards per carry. He’s also caught two touchdowns.

“I’ve seen him break a lot of tackles on film,” Williams said. “We’ve got to do a good job of getting 11 people on him. We have to stop him before he gets started.”

Hefley’s no slouch, either.

“He throws it around and he’s got some good receivers,” Williams said. “When we get back there, we have to do a good job getting hands on him, because if you don’t get him he’ll run it.”

Hefley’s rushed for 133 yards on just 38 carries.

Bryant junior Jake Meaders leads the team with 18 receptions for 179 yards, while River Gregory has 13 receptions for 163 yards.


Scott has 11 catches for 74 yards out of the backfield.

Southside quarterback Taye Gatewood has thrown just two interceptions while completing 81 passes for 1,184 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior receiver Tyrese Solomon has come on of late, catching 11 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games.

Solomon had six receptions for 120 yards and two scores in last week’s loss to North Little Rock.

Senior Ricardo Savoy leads the Mavericks with 615 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Like Scott, he’s a dual threat through the air as well.

Savoy has caught 16 passes for 318 yards and five touchdowns.

With senior Jordyn Jackson done for the season, Colton McBride (15 receptions for 207 yards) and Nathan Bogner and Erich Schwarz may get a few more reps.

Bryant junior Grayson Scoles gives coach Buck James another threat. He’s kicked two field goals and is 19-of-20 in point after tries. Sophomore Brock Funk is 6-for-6 in PAT attempts.

The Hornets hold an 8-7 advantage in the turnover department.
