Arkansas Class 7A high school football team previews: Conway looking to challenge for conference title after coming up just short in 2021

The Wampus Cats return 11 starters this fall.

SBLive is previewing the Arkansas high school football teams from the three largest classifications. Today, we feature the Conway Wampus Cats from the 7A-Central Conference. 

By Jeff Halpern | Photo by Jimmy Jones

CONWAY WAMPUS CATS

HEAD COACH

Keith Fimple, fifth season, 34-14

2021 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 9-3

League record: 6-1, 7A-Central

Playoffs: Def. Rogers, 49-0; Lost to Fayetteville, 29-21

KEY DEPARTURES

WR Manny Smith, all-state

WR/DB West Boudreaux

S Trayland McClure, all-state

CB Troy Wiseman, all-state

C Nicholas Childress

OL Nick DeBoad, all-state

LB/DB Ashton Waller, all-state and all-star game participant

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Junior QB Donovyn Oromo

Omolo took over as the team’s starting quarterback prior to the start of the regular season when Samuel Gregg broke a knuckle and never relinquished the position. Omolo threw for 2,626 yards and 27 touchdowns. “He got better every week and worked very hard,” said Fimple. “If he had his way, he’d come in here and throw 24 hours a day, but we’ve had to run him off.

Senior RB Boogie Carr

Carr rushed for 1,356 yards and 9 touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 282 yards. “He’s been a staple since 10th grade and is one of those players who everyone listens too.”

Senior RB Jayllen Chambers

Chambers rushed 67 times for 387 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Senior RB Elijah Smith

Rushed for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns as a junior.

Senior WR Rome Fields

Fields caught 29 passes for 424 yards and 3 touchdowns as a junior.

Senior WR Clay Fisher

Fisher caught 23 passes for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns as a junior.

Senior G Sean Tufu

Missed most of the spring practice with a torn labrum, should be ready for fall practice.

Senior LT Aaron Smith

Fimple lists him as a potential college prospect.

Senior DE Preston Prock

Moved from MLB and is a potential all-state selection according to Fimple.

Senior DL DeMarkle McKenzy

Two-year starter and is a potential all-state selection according to Fimple.

Senior DT Kelgin Thomas

Two-year starter.

Senior LB Wade Simpson

Returning starter with all-state potential according to Fimple.

Senior DB Quadrell Wilson

Two-year starter had 28 tackles and 3 interceptions as a junior.

Senior DB Hudson Wallace

Fimple lists Wallace a potential all-state selection.

OUTLOOK

Conway came as close as anyone in the 7A-Central to knocking off eventual state champion Bryant a year ago. Leading 23-17 after a goal-line stand, the Wampus Cats scored a touchdown to lead 29-17 before two late touchdowns by the Hornets, including the game-winner with less than 30 seconds left elevated them to a 32-29 victory.

Instead of winning the 7A-Central, the Wampus Cats were the conference’s No. 2 seed, which meant they had to go on the road and playoff Fayetteville in the semifinals where they lost 29-21.

“We’ve put that behind us and take the next man up approach,” said Fimple. “We have some seniors who we expect to take up leadership roles.”

The Wampus Cats return six offensive starters and five defensive starters. They have plenty of depth at the offensive skill positions but lack depth in other positions. Fimple said while he expects his team to get better in 7-on-7 tournaments during the summer (They took second to Bryant in the Shootout of the South in mid-June at Pulaski Academy), the main thing he wants younger players to learn how to play at a fast tempo and hopes they can learn how to handle various game-like scenarios. Fimple said a big reason for their success was winning the turnover ratio a year ago. He said if they can do that again, another season with at least eight victories is possible.

With the 7A-Central having three of the four semifinalists a year ago, Fimple expects the conference to be very balanced again.

“From top to bottom, this is as good as it gets,” said Fimple. “You never know what’s going to happen every night.”

With a non-conference schedule that features Bentonville, Springdale and Ouachita (La.) Parrish, Fimple expects his team to be battle tested when conference play begins.

COACH SAID

“We have to grow up quickly. We have a great non-conference schedule to help with growth and lots of open positions for competition.” — Keith Fimple