Growth of O-line leads to Conway’s success

Conway’s offensive line has come a long way since the beginning of the season.

Before Conway’s 31-0 drubbing of Little Rock Central in Week 6, Conway coach Clint Ashcraft made some personnel changes that has paid off down the stretch.

“They’ve gotten better every week,” Ashcraft said, referring to his senior laden unit. “Coach (Ray) Sessions has done a nice job working with those guys. We’ve had some injuries up there. ... It’s taken us a little time to get some of the pieces to the puzzle right, but I believe right now that those guys are playing their best football up front.”

Senior Ethan McMoran, who is 6-foot-4, 217 pounds, is the starter at left tackle beside the left guard, senior Austin Cole. Junior Dylan Polk, 6-foot-3, 258 pounds, anchors the line at the center position. According to Ashcraft, junior Dillon Earnhart took over the right guard position about midway through the season. Junior Alex Chambliss has claimed the right tackle spot. Senior Luke Urrey suffered an injury against Bryant, and he saw his first Friday night action in a few weeks last week against Fayetteville.

“It has taken them a little time to get used to the offense, and it has taken us a little time to see who is the best fit,” Ashcraft said. “We kind of have moved those guys around a little bit depending on which defensive scheme that we have been facing. But those are the six guys who have taken ownership of those spots.”

Conway’s running and passing game have seen vast improvements since the Wampus Cats’ 35-7 loss to North Little Rock during homecoming on Week 5. Conway has put it all together at the right time by winning three of its last four games. The only setback in the past four games was a 31-17 loss at home to Russellville on Week 9.

“The thing that pleases you as a coach is how these guys work and work, and believe what we were telling them, and get better every week,” Ashcraft said. “Hopefully, we can continue to improve up there. I believe the more that they know what to do takes away from them having to think.”

Conway’s offensive line played against their opponent this Friday night earlier this season. Cabot beat Conway 38-21 in Week 4, but it appears that was a different offensive line for the Cats.

“If they think less, then they tend to play harder. So I think as you see them get better and understand more of what to do, then you’ve seen them get more aggressive and more physical because they don’t have to think every time a play is signaled in. They know what to do, so now they can go full speed instead of having to think and hope they’re not messing up.”