2009 Football Preview: Inexperienced Arnold aims for strong season (See Roster, Photos, Video)

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Rebuild. Reload. Refresh.

One or all of those words can be used to describe the 2009 Arnold football team. Only five starters return from last season’s team that finished the regular season unbeaten and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.

But the cupboard is far from bare with the return of one of the best running backs in the state in Southern Mississippi verbal commitment Jeremy Hester, and the top defensive player in Bay County in Cullen Thompson. Arnold also has a potential star in Mosley transfer Eddie Williams at quarterback.

Arnold coach James Hale, who is the county’s longest-tenured coach in his 10th year, said the most glaring areas of concern are on the offensive and defensive lines. He said it won’t matter that Hester had more than 2,300 yards rushing as a junior without someone to block for him this year.

“We have a kid who can score every time he touches the ball,” Hale said of the 5-foot-8, 171-pound Hester. “You don’t get those everyday, so it was a major thing to find some linemen.”

Will Bruce (6-1, 230) and Cole Wheaton (6-4, 275) are the only returning starters on the offensive line. Bruce moved to tackle to join Wheaton at the same position.

Hale said Tyler Sera (6-0, 200) will play center and added the junior is one of the most athletic linemen on the roster. Senior Cody Willows (5-10, 215), a backup last season, will start at guard alongside Kevin Kline (6-0, 190).

Hale said the unit is smaller than last season’s contingent, but quicker. That will give the offense more flexibility, he said, allowing for multiple formations to create room for Hester.

Williams’ inclusion in the offense also opens up the dynamic possibilities of the unit, Hale said. Williams (6-3, 190) played quarterback at Mosley, but made a bigger impact at safety. He will play both positions at Arnold, giving Hale a secondary that he calls the strongest position on the defensive side of the ball.

“Our secondary has some good athletes,” Hale said. “And they have the opportunity to be real good.”

Sophomore Jamari Hughes (5-10, 184), senior Tyler Reeves (5-10, 160) and junior Kevin McCray (5-6, 150) will rotate at cornerback. Williams will start at free safety and Blake DeBoard (5-9, 172), the other starter returning on defense, will play strong safety.

Hale said senior Ashton Lewis (5-9, 165) could play quarterback on some occasions since Williams will be going both ways. DeBoard also will take over the fullback spot left by Chris Jackson, whose bruising style was the perfect complement to Hester’s speed.

Hale said Hughes, Reeves and junior Michigan transplant Justin Polzin (6-2, 180) will be among a group working at wide receiver. Hale said the position is wide open, as no one has taken command as the team’s top receiver.

Thompson (5-11, 210) will lead the defense from linebacker this year after playing defensive line as a junior. Hale called Thompson one of the best high school football players he’s ever coached.

“He sees the field well and has great coverage sideline to sideline,” Hale said. “That’s why we moved him to linebacker.”

Thompson’s switch puts more pressure on finding capable linemen in Arnold’s 50 defense. Senior Taylor Reed (5-10, 170) provides quickness at the nose, while Kline and Sera also will line up across the ball. Blake Johnson (6-1, 205) also figures to see time there, but Hale said the line is a work in progress.

The same can be said of Arnold itself. Another unbeaten regular season is probably not in the plans, but Hale believes the Marlins can compete if positions shake out as expected and if the team can stay healthy.

Arnold now plays in an eight-team district, which features Bay, Rutherford and perennially strong teams in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.

“When we come together I really believe we’ll be able to keep games close in the fourth quarter,” Hale said. “And with the skill players we have, I think we will move the ball and give ourselves a chance to win games.

“It’s going to be a dogfight to see who the top two teams are in the district. Right now we need to get better every week and that will give our kids the best chance to win.”