Arkansas Class 6A high school football team previews: Mountain Home hopes to continue historic resurgence

By Kyle Sutherland

SBLive is previewing the Arkansas high school football teams from the three largest classifications. Today, we feature the Mountain Home Bombers from the 6A-West Conference.

Mountain Home Bombers 

HEAD COACH

Steve Ary, third season, 10-14 record

2021 AT A GLANCE

Overall Record: 4-8

Conference Record: 2-5, Sixth in 6A-West

Playoffs: Def. Sylvan Hills 21-14; Lost to Greenwood 42-0 in quarterfinals

KEY DEPARTURES

OL Alex Pizzimenti, Southern Arkansas signee

DB Cody Patterson, Evangel signee

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Senior QB Brady Barnett - Barnett returns under center after compiling 1,550 total yards and 11 touchdowns. Barnett has an offer from Harding.

Senior WR Blake Bentley - Bentley was the Bombers’ second-leading recevier in 2021 averaging 23.7 yards per reception and a team-leading three touchdowns.

Senior WR Dillon Drewry - Drewry led the Bombers with 331 receiving yards and also added a score while averaging 17.4 yards per reception.

Junior WR Jed Hanaford - Hanaford contributed as a young sophomore snagging six passes for 96 yards.

Senior TE Daniel Jones - Jones only caught one pass but proved effective in blocking situations.

Senior OL Brody Goodson - Goodson labors on the offensive line but also saw time last season on defense compiling 19 tackles.

Senior OL Elijah Lagg - Lagg is the most decorated starter back on the offensive line after earning all-state honors in 2021.

Senior OL Sam Morton - Morton gave up zero sacks last season while holding down the left tackle spot. He has received college offers from Evangel and SAU among other interest.

Junior DE Robert Dover - Dover was one of the top tacklers for the Bombers as a sophomore with 85 total stops (13 for loss) and six sacks which tied for first on the team.

Senior DT/DE Shane Rowden - While plugging up the middle of the defensive trenches, Rowden collected 37 tackles (3 for loss) and two sacks.

Senior DL Cody Elumbaugh - Elumbaugh is one of the multiple returners up front defensively after getting quality reps as a junior.

Junior LB Justin Rula - Rula is the most experienced Bomber returning at linebacker after compiling 55 tackles as a sophomore.

Senior DB Tristan Hayes - Hayes was reliable at making stops in the secondary collecting 48 tackles along with six pass deflections and a fumble recovery.

Junior DB Cade Yates - Yates earned a starting spot as a sophomore and made the most of it with 44 stops.

OUTLOOK

Though most outside of Baxter County may not be aware of the turnaround Steve Ary and Co. have produced at Mountain Home, despite being in one of the state’s largest classes, the results have been pretty incredible considering the program had hit rock bottom before their arrival.

When Ary arrived following a Hall of Fame career in Missouri high school football prior to the COVID 2020 season, the Bombers were on a 23-game losing streak that was snapped during Ary’s second game at the helm in a 41-7 victory over Nettleton.

Since then, Mountain Home has won two playoff games for the first time in school history and are hoping to continue to build on that success with many players returning who have been a part of the rebuild.

The offense should look a bit different with former offensive coordinator and Razorback legendRyan Mallett gone after accepting the head coaching position at White Hall. Darin Acklin, who came with Ary from Missouri in 2020 then went back last season, returns to call plays.

Though Southern Arkansas signee Pizzimenti is gone the Bombers have multiple guys up front returning offensively, including all-state tackle Lagg, along with all of their receivers, plus quarterback Barnett.

Ary mentioned the defensive side will have the most questions to answer as the team does not have much depth but do bring back the majority of experience on the front with three consistent contributors returning.

Rula will have many teammates looking to him for leadership after a solid sophomore campaign, and on the backend Hayes along with Yates return in the secondary.

COACH SAID

“I think [winning playoff games in back-to-back seasons] gives us a little bit of credibility in the coaching office, but it still has not done much for us as far as getting kids out of the hallways. It has given us a little bit of confidence within the program that we are getting things going in the right direction.”

-Steve Ary