The table is full of Pizza and water; it is Tuesday Night Lineman Dinner at Larry’s Pizza. A tradition started several seasons ago has carried over to Seniors Cody Taylor, Landon Billy, and Akira Fujibayashi. There are laughs, there is a little bit of roasting, but it is all in playful fun under the spirit of team building. Last lineman dinner they were in the house of highly touted QB Kane Archer, “Man, those guys come across as big old meatheads, but when you get to know those guys on a deeper level, you realize the work they put in. You realize that they’re doing the dirty work for me, and I really appreciate that.” The UCF commit said following a 61-14 victory over Fort Smith Northside. “Those guys don’t get enough love or credit and then those guys are working their tail off every single day. I wouldn’t trade them for anybody else in the country.”
Last year the dinners brought the group of five together and they became a unit that only allowed five sacks in the year, and every player graded at or above 80%. The results of the offense showed with receivers Grant Karnes and Champ Davis getting 1,000 yards each, while quarterback Kane Archer completed 81% of his passes. When teammate Isaiah Arrington passed away in Week 9, they leaned on each other to get through the rest of the season. “Isaiah was one of those guys that was cool with everybody, especially the line.” Cody Taylor said, “He loved us, he took care if us, he always talked to us. He would high five us in the hallway.”
“It was difficult because, I felt like he talked to us more.” Akira Fujibayashi said. “He knew if it was not for us, ya know.” “He gave us our shine.” Cody added.
The relationship between Taylor, Billy, and Akira runs deeper than just the dinners and school. They spent time on the road playing travel football with Kane and Champ Davis where the brotherhood bonds grew. “They know that I keep plays alive, so playing so much with those guys, they know, don’t give up on the play.” The Senior signal caller said Friday night, where that very thing of keeping plays alive was on display on two occasions. First instance was Archer ducking out of would-be sack, and the second being a reverse field scramble, both of which resulted in touchdowns. “I feel like that’s a big thing, because when you get a quarterback that likes to run around and make plays, sometimes the O-Lineman give up on stuff, but these guys go 100% on every play.” Junior Hal Davis traveled with Landon Billy and Akira Fujibayashi, their first year. While Sophomore Jax Cepeda traveled with his age group. When asked last Tuesday by Kane’s father Adam Archer “What is the toughest thing about playing with Kane.” While the answer during those youth football years would have been his intensity, they said with a laugh “We don’t know where he is going!”
“Playing against like future three to five stars, that’s a big difference.” Landon Billy said. Cody Taylor added, “I feel like being able to just get those extra reps to know what he’s [Kane] doing allows us to be close.” Hal Davis shared Cody’s same sentiment “Ya, it definitely builds that trust.”
Currently the three Seniors hold offers to play college football, with only Cody Taylor committed to play at University of North Carolina – Charlotte. Juniors Hal Davis and Alex Vanderwatt have the size for college coaches to take notice, but it is the play of Sophomore Jax Cepeda that has been a welcome surprise for the others. “He’s very aggressive, which you don’t see a lot coming from these sophomores coming out of the ninth grade.” Landon Billy said. “He’s got that leadership mentality, he’s going to go out there and he’s going to work.” Cepeda steps into a roll that was anchored by three-year starter Ashton Stein.
While Cody, Landon, and Akira were in starting rolls last year, the departure of Christian Fleming and Ashton Stein and the injury to Landon has opened some positions on the line. Cody Taylor had anchored the guard position for three years moved to tackle in the off-season. With Landon out it has given an opportunity for a few others to step in. Depth is something valuable on the offensive line as it must be a cohesive unit. Senior Ethan Kelley, Juniors Hal Davis, and Alex Vanderwatt have all seen time at the guard position as they find that right combination.
Playing for Greenwood there is a lengthy list of players at each position that have stuck out for the kids to look up to. At quarterback you have Tyler Wilson, Brooks Coatney, Conner Noland, Peyton Holt, and Hunter Houston. At receiver there are Kris Weible, Josh Bell, Spencer Harris, Drew Morgan, and Grant Karnes. But who is it for lineman? For Akira it was Hayden Webb. 2024 Senior Ryan Shortes was the one that Landon Billy and Cody Taylor looked up to. While for Hal it was Ashton Stein. The common theme was how each took them under their wing and worked with them to get better.
The other key to playing for Greenwood is preparation. Starting in July when the players return from the AAA Dead Period, it is non-stop until the end of the season. For the last five seasons they have ended in the first week in December with a shot at the State Championship. But what is it like for a Greenwood lineman under the direction of Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Austin Moreton. Coach Moreton is an Arkansas State alumnus who graduated from Fort Smith Southside, who also played for the Red Wolves. “He holds us accountable.” Akira said.
“I think that’s what we need as an offensive line. You can’t answer for anybody else, because nobody would hold us that accountable.” Hal Davis said. “And that’s why we are so good as a group and why we are so close because we are going through it together. It’s not just a single person.”
“I think he’s the best offensive line coach you can get in the State of Arkansas.” Landon Billy said.
“I mean the way he prepares us for every game. I even texted him about it. I was so appreciative of how he prepares us.” Cody Taylor said. “I bet no other O-line coach in the state can prepare us like he does.”
Turning to a lighter side, not every kid that signs up for football wants to be a lineman. Sometimes you are put there, due to at the time, they were just a big kid. Up until third grade, Akira was going to be a receiver. Landon Billy and Hal Davis were running backs at one point. So, what would they be if they were not linemen? Akira replied first with, “Running back or Linebacker.” It seems though that if Landon, Cody, and Hal were not on the offensive line they would want to be on the defensive line.
When asked who the toughest person they have gone against in practice three names were consistent, 2023 Senior Linebacker Evan Williams and 2025 Senior Cash Archer and current Senior Cody Johnson. “Cash was one of those guys you didn’t know what he was going to do.” Landon said. “He had a move for everything you tried to do.”
“He’s such a crafty guy. You just didn’t know what he was going to do.” Hal said with a smile.
“When I got moved up freshman year, I was on scout team. I had to hit Evan Williams. Well… he hit me, I didn’t really hit him. He hit me and I was like ‘THIS is varsity'” Akira said with a laugh. Cody added “My Freshman year I was doing some scout team as well. I was pulling and Evan Williams comes out of nowhere and pancakes my butt. Out of NO WHERE!”
The lasting thing about this was that this group of linemen have been through a lot together. The wins. The tragedy. The shared experience that whoever they line up against whether it is Cash Archer, Cody Johnson, or Hudson Ball from Shiloh, Greenwood’s front five, is going to get everyone’s best shot. One thing is for certain, when Kane Archer, Cruz Coatney, or Dabin Gaines steps up behind center this season, the line is already set for max protect.
