DENTON — When Jackson Arnold entered the 2019 6A Division II state title game for injured Eli Stowers, the freshman quarterback wasn’t quite ready for the game’s biggest stage. His two completions for six yards that day ended in Austin Westlake defeating Denton Guyer 24-0.
Despite the crushing loss, then-head coach John Walsh knew that day was symbolic for Guyer football.
“He battled,” Walsh said of Arnold following the game. “He’s going to be a great player for us, and I think tonight’s experience will bode well for him.”
Two head coaches and another title game appearance later, the Oklahoma pledge began his senior season with the Wildcats at practice Monday morning. After falling to Austin Westlake again in the championship last season, he and his team are eager to get over that hump and walk away with Guyer’s first state title since 2013.
Arnold said the team gave its all in both championship seasons, but it hasn’t been enough.
“[It’ll take] a lot of hard work, even more than the past couple of years,” he said after practice Monday. “That’s saying a lot because these past couple years, we’ve worked hard, but we haven’t actually won the state championship. So, it’s a little bit more hard work, more effort and more focus this year.”
That challenge is also one of the team’s biggest strengths according to Arnold, who said he’s been most impressed by the effort from his teammates. Arnold pointed to the linemen, whom he said showed their dedication this offseason by putting in extra work in the weight room, even when it wasn’t required of them.
The Wildcats also have experience on their side, with eight returning starters on offense and seven on defense. With Arnold leading the attack and Notre Dame commit Peyton Bowen and LSU commit Ryan Yaites commanding the defense, Guyer will lean on familiar leadership despite having a new head coach, Reed Heim.
“We’re not only a coach-led team, we’re also a player-led team,” Arnold said. “Just being able to have seniors and maybe even juniors starting and stepping up and being vocal and helping the team, I think that’ll bond us together and help us play better as a team.”
Heim’s philosophy is that a player is always getting better or worse, never staying the same. After Arnold’s 3,900-yard, 34-touchdown junior season, finding a way to exceed that is a challenge while also not letting the success go to his head.
“I think that’s more of a mental thing, honestly,” he said. “I’m trying to be a humble but confident person. I’m gonna go out and do my thing on Friday nights, but just keep a level head throughout the week.”
Arnold said while he’s using summer practices to perfect his footwork and learn to read certain scenarios, leadership is where he and the senior class can grow most over the next few weeks.
“He’s one of those guys that has that ‘it’ factor as far as he’s easy to follow,” Heim said. “He understands his role. He leads by example. Whether it’s playing in our first ball game, the last ball game, which hopefully is in 16 weeks, or the first opportunity he gets to play at OU, he takes each one of those challenges individually.”
While the Wildcats’ eyes are set on big goals in December, Heim said the team is taking it day by day and focusing on improving individually. If and when they reach the title game again, he said this time, they’ll be ready.
“They can look back and rely back on those things like, ‘I was there. I know what it takes to get there. Now after playing that, I also know now what it’s going to take for us to win that,’” Heim said.
“If you look at the district we’re in and the road to the state championship, it’s going to be paved with incredible teams that we’re going to have to play. My hope and preparation and plan is that … we’re playing our best football when our best football’s necessary. And the rest of it takes care of itself.”
On Twitter: @Lassimak
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