With a population of just under a thousand people, located in Logan County, sits Magazine, Arkansas. To the outside world, Magazine is just a speck on the map. A small town that is being overshadowed by the ever-increasing populated areas around it. Driving through town a few businesses you’ll encounter are gas stations, a bank, a hardware store, and a downhome country cookin’ cafe that has the best chicken fried steak in the River Valley.
But to the hard-working individuals and families that call Magazine home, its a town determined to succeed. A town filled with confidence, ambition, and motivation. And a town that’s going to take those qualities to the 2A football conference and knock everybody off of their pedestals. The Rattlers are headed by Coach Doug Powell, who will be starting his eighth football season as head coach with 14 years at Magazine altogether.
Over the summer, Coach Powell had about 45 athletes, grades 7-12, show up for summer workouts and football practices which is a far cry from his first year where only six kids turned up to participate. “Right now, I feel our strengths are strong leadership and experience,” Coach Powell explains. “Last year we were in the mix so this season we want to accomplish even more. Hopefully, luck will be on our side and we can send these seniors out with the best season that we are capable of achieving.”
Magazine will be returning seven starters on both sides of the ball this season. Fullback and Linebacker, Caleb Hyatt had a great season last year. Making plays on both sides of the ball, Coach Powell is expecting Hyatt to have an even better season this year. Running back, Quarterback, and Cornerback, Xeng Yang, “has been the most unselfish player. He is my blue-collar guy. I would take a team full of Xeng’s. He has made a lot of big plays for us.”
Offensive and Defensive Lineman, Bryce McDowell, “anchors our D-line and has the ability to both disrupt plays and make tackles.” Quarterback, Runningback, and Strong Safety, Tatum Scott, “finished last season as the QB. He is super competitive and capable of making big plays on both sides of the ball.” Running back, Fullback, and Linebacker, Kobe Faughn, “made a ton of tackles for us last year as a sophomore, and with more plays this year, we expect him to have a bigger offensive year.”
“We have several more athletes that we are expecting to make big plays for us this year. Unfortunately, there are only so many plays in a game and a season. When given the opportunity this year, they will have to take advantage of it, and make the most of it,” says Coach Powell.
The Rattlers will be playing their 2019 conference schedule against Hackett, Hector, Lavaca, Mountainburg, WYC, and JC Westside. “We have to bring our best every game. We have to be focused on our task at hand and on a mission to complete those task. We need to find a way to win every game. And most importantly, we need to provide an atmosphere that is conducive for our athletes to reach their full potential as well as accomplishing our vision and goals.”
Magazine will open their season on August 23 with a scrimmage at Cedarville followed by their first home game on August 30 against the Bigelow Panthers at 7 p.m.
