Q & A with Arkadelphia High School Head Coach Brant Matros

November 10, 2014

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Arkadelphia High School has been the last team standing in the 4A State tournament two consecutive seasons. I had the opportunity to talk with head coach Brant Matros about the 2015 team making another run to another state championship. Along, with key losses from last year’s roster and some of the teams waiting to knock them off of this great run.

PBR: State championships are a huge accomplishment, what was the biggest key to your team’s success last spring?

Matros: Too many to pinpoint. Great conference and tough scheduling (played the 6A champion, 5A champion and runner up, and the 3A champion) Great coaching staff, great support from my administration, great community support and great kids with talent for sure. But more than talent each member doing their job to the best of their ability. A true focus on the process not the outcome. We don't talk about winning championships we talk about having championship character and promoting that.

PBR: Who were they key losses off last year’s roster?

Matros: Jakahari Howell CF. Kris Oliver RF. Jacob Knight P/1B. Austin White C. John Franklin Matros P/SS. Lots of talent but all grew up playing and competing together in all sports. Back to back conference champions in football and back to back baseball state championships. They were a special group of seniors

PBR: Did any 2014 graduates continue their playing careers if so where?

Matros: All are at Ouachita Baptist. Jake Knight, John Franklin Matros, and Austin playing baseball. Jakahari and Kris playing football. Jakahari will also play baseball

PBR: Who are your unsigned/ uncommitted 2015 grads that are looking to continue their careers?

Matros: Clay Wilson 2B. Dylan Weems RHP

PBR: What would you say will be the biggest strength of the 2015 team?

Matros: Experience. Return 5 position starters and 3 starting pitchers. Pitching and defense.

PBR: What is the biggest area of concern for you and your coaching staff for this season?

Matros: Overconfidence, new leaders to emerge and offensive production.

PBR: Who are the seniors you are looking to have a large impact on this season?

Matros: Clay Wilson at 2B had a great year defensively and a strong state tournament at the plate. Just want him to pick up where he left off. Same with J Brooks Burnham lots of offensive production late in the year and a solid LF. Dylan Weems to taken his midweek success last year and be a conference starter and tournament starter for us.

PBR: Who are some underclassmen people need to watch for this spring?

Matros: SS & leadoff Cutter Jester, 3B/1B/RHP Ty Kosters (led team in HRs & RBI's as freshman and sophomore), Brayden Bebee RHP (9-0) last year as a starter. Brandon Matros LHP/1B (team save leader and strike out leader as a freshman and sophomore). Catcher Danny Spradlin competed for time as a freshman but was out last season with an arm injury. All juniors

PBR? Is your team attending any tournaments out of state?

Matros: No just the CAI in LR over spring break

PBR: Who are some teams to watch for this season as you try to repeat?

Matros: In our conference Nashville is always well coached and talented. Bauxite has one of the best in the state in Madison and coach Maddox does a great job. Mena always has talent and is well coached. Our region is loaded with star city (most talent) Monticello well coached and young. Hamburg extremely talented. Around the state Shiloh, Dover, Valley View, Gosnell. 4A really talented and solid coaching.

Q & A with Arkadelphia High School Head Coach Brant Matros

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