2019 Arkansas QB Ren Hefley Previews Semifinal Playoff Game vs. Northside

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Over the past two season, Bryant High School has been one of the best teams in the state of Arkansas colliding against top 7A competition. There is little surprise to see the Hornets rise in dominance coinciding with the talents of their 6-1, 185-pound, quarterback, Ren Hefley, maturing as an all-around star in the pocket. During his junior campaign, Bryant posted a 10-2 mark making a two-game run into the playoffs. The Hornets are once again on a two-game run in the playoffs after knocking off Fayetteville with a showdown on Friday against Fort Smith Northside with the winner advancing to the state title game.

In an RNG stylized interview, I sat down with one of the top quarterback prospects in the Natural State getting an overview on the last half of Hefley’s senior season with a preview of the seminal showdown.

*Click link for Oct. 2, 2018, RNG interview with Ren Hefley

Interview

Ren, Bryant has been one of the top teams in Arkansas throughout the 2018 season. You’ve known for a while that the Hornets were playoff bound. With the second half of the season, looking to the playoffs, did you start doing anything differently in preparation for a run to the state championship?

“I focused a lot more. It has gone from going to practice to thinking about it some to consuming my whole life. I watch, film, study, and work. That is all I think about these last couple of weeks. I am trying to finish out these last two weeks the best I can. We are going for something we have been shooting for since our sophomore year.”

On Oct. 26, the Hornets may have received a live-action preview of the state championship game with a showdown against North Little Rock. What worked well for you and the offense then against the defending state champs?

“When we were moving the ball quick and we did well. We came out hot hitting quick passes. We were snapping it quick and making plays. On offense, we had a couple of bad series and left our defense on the field too long. They took the lead in the fourth quarter. We have to keep the foot on the gas throughout the entire game. The fourth quarter should have been easy for us going for the win but it became the most crucial part of the game.”

You guys had a bye in the opening round of the playoffs and then topped a very good Fayetteville team 28-25 to advance to the semifinals. How did that game go for you personally?

“There were some ups and downs. I could have had a better game. We won. All I can think about now is this week.”

Fort Smith Northside surprised many with a 30-17 win over Bentonville, what are you expecting from the Grizzlies defense on Friday?

“They mix it up. They like to blitz a lot, stunt and twist their defensive linemen. I trust my offensive line. They will be ready. Taking shots downfield, I will have to stay in the pocket to complete those passes. We are ready to play. The effort will be there. We are bought in and ready to go. We just have to execute.”

You kind of already answered this, but what does the team need to do to wrap up a win against the Grizzlies?

“We need to execute and play our game. They will try to force some mistakes, and make us play their game. We cannot buy into that. There will be holes and opportunities, we have to take advantage of them. Our defense is ready. They are solid.”

Quick turn to recruiting. When we last spoke, you were receiving interest from Ivy League schools like Dartmouth, Columbia, Princeton along with Central Arkansas, Stanford, Arizona State, and Michigan. Have you had a chance to visit any of those schools this season?

“Yes. I went on a visit to Michigan for the Wisconsin game.”

How did that visit go?

“It went well. I loved it. I had never been in a stadium that large. I had never been to the state of Michigan before that visit. Michigan has the kind of environment I would like to play in for the next four to five years.”

Ren, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; No. 12 Ren Hefley finds a receiver