FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 2017 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

The 2016 season did not go the way the Mavericks would have liked it to have gone. Southside finished with a record of 3-7 and are looking to improve upon those numbers this season. For a team that has average 8 wins per season, improving the win total and reaching the playoffs is something that the Mavericks are working toward.
The Southside offense should be much improved with several dangerous weapons on the offensive side of the ball. Taye Gatewood will be a player that Southside fans will want to keep an eye on the offensive side of the ball. Gatewood saw time all over the field last season from the quarterback, defense, and running back positions. Fans can look for Gatewood’s running to cause problems for the opposing defense and his passing should be able to keep the defense off balance.
Southside’s defense will need force three and outs and simply quit giving up so many points in order to reach the playoffs. The player to keep an eye on for the Mavericks is in the secondary with Garrett Gordon patrolling the secondary from the safety position. Gordon had over 100 tackles and had a key interception in a big win over Rogers Heritage. The Mavericks have experience returning with 8 players on the defense returning. Southside should be a dangerous team from the defensive side of things.
The Mavericks have potential, but they do not play in an easy conference. If Southside can steal a few wins, they should be able to make the playoffs this season. The Mavericks are a team talented enough to make the playoffs; it is just gaining a few wins and pulling some upsets, during the course of the season to accomplish this feat.