Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 — No. 9: Bryant Running Back Chris Rycraw

No player proved to be more valuable last season than Bryant running back Chris Rycraw. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder shifted from running back to quarterback at the end of the season and engineered three straight wins.

“That was a big transition,” said Rycraw, who earned a spot on Class 7A All-VYPE Squad. “We lost four quarterbacks and our offensive coordinator Coach (Brooks) Coatney (now head coach at Ozark) came up with some good offensive schemes to win without the quarterbacks.”

Rycraw ranks No. 9 in the Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 Central Arkansas senior football players’ countdown.

The durable Rycraw set school records for rushing attempts (284), yards (1,514) and touchdowns (17) while shouldering an expanded role.

After pressing Rycraw into action, Bryant coach Paul Calley devised a formation called “Bash,” which included two extra offensive linemen. Coatney called the plays and devised trick plays to fool defenses. Coatney, a former star quarterback at Greenwood, also worked individually with Rycraw on the nuances of the position.

 “I was real nervous because I couldn’t throw real good last year,” Rycraw said. “I knew we were going to run the ball a lot, so it was just a lot of pressure.”

The extra responsibility took a toll on Rycraw. He scheduled regular ice baths and film sessions with Coatney each weekend. Then, he headed to Wal-Mart to work a full shift of pushing carts.

“It was tough because I took more of a pounding, then I had to wake up every Saturday at  8 a.m. and go to work,” Rycraw said.

Rycraw (4.57 speed) started the season by churning out 130 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries in a wind-driven rain in a 26-12 win against rival Benton. But, it was his 35 carries and 215 yards in a 22-13 first-round playoff win against Springdale Hornets fans remember most.

“Some people picked us to lose by 35 points, and we took that as motivation and started working harder,” Rycraw said. “We paid attention more and watched more film on Springdale and got ready for it. After practice me and Coach Coatney would watch more film and work under center some.”

Senior starting quarterback Jimi Easterling is healthy and returns under center sending Rycraw back to running back. He’ll still get plenty of carries to prove to college scouts he’s worthy of a scholarship. Arkansas Staate, Iowa State, Ole Miss and Harding show interest.

“ˆI’m glad I can play regular running back, but I’ll do whatever I can to help the team win,” Rycraw said. “If I have to play under center again, it’s OK with me.”