Interview: 2019 QB Ren Hefley Throwing Bryant into Mix as Top Arkansas Team

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The start to the 2017 season for Bryant High School on the gridiron is not necessarily a surprise, but still should not take away from the great early success. The Hornets are 4-0 building off a 9-4 run in 2016 that ended in the Arkansas 7A semifinal round of the playoffs. One of the big reasons for the perfect start to the season making the Hornets one of the early contenders for a state title run has been the play of Class of 2019 quarterback Ren Hefley.

Hefley took control of the Hornets offense in 2016 passing for 1,770 yards with 10 touchdowns posting two more rushing scores to the board. After an offseason further dedicating himself to the game he loves, Hefley has reemerged showing improvement in his game. The 6-1.5, 185 pound, field general has completed 63 percent of his passes connecting on 51-of-81 attempts for 889 yards with 11 touchdowns with one rushing score.

The Hornets first four games have been a team effort seeing the defense hold the opposition to an average of 24.5 points per game while the offense puts pressure on the opposition to score averaging 43.5 points each time they touch the field. Though the season is not at the halfway point yet, the Hornets have three big wins under the belt opening the schedule with a win over crosstown rival Benton in the Salt Bowl (49-42) and road wins against defending state champs Fayetteville (38-37) and Fort Smith Northside (31-12).

Bryant picks up Catholic High School this week followed by a road game to Central, at home against Fort Smith Southside, and the travel to Cabot. The last two games on the schedule are sure to shape the 2017 Arkansas 7A playoffs and the seeding. The Hornets host current No. 7 North Little Rock (4-0) on Oct. 27 and then travel to No. 6 Conway (3-1) on Nov. 3.

With big games behind him and big games yet to play, I sat down with Hefley covering the early part of the Hornets season, his play on the field, and his growing recruiting interest.

Interview

Ren, we spoke back in August about all the work you had put into your game. Now that the season is in full-swing and teams are gunning for you, which areas of your game are you seeing the most improvement?

“The offense is coming together. We played a lot of 7v7 this summer and held a lot of team camps. We started before spring ball getting our stuff together. We came out a lot stronger than we did last year because of all the work we put into the offseason. When we came out, it did not feel like a first game. It feels like we’ve had four to five seasons over the spring and summer.”

Which areas of your game are constantly working on each week?

“My reads. I’m not going to make a lot of changes to my throwing motion at this point in the season. Most of what I do during the week is conditioning – just trying to stay healthy, and improving my mind every day. I watch film every day after practicing.”

The Hornets have started out hot with a 4-0 record, what is the team doing well on both sides of the ball contributing to the winning streak?

“Our defense is making it easy for us. There has been no pressure on the offense other than the pressure we put on ourselves. A lot of these teams we could beat with one touchdown. The offense can relax and take risks because of the defense.

The O-line, they are doing a terrific job. Zak Kemp, Clay McElyea, Preston Kyzer, Joseph Wylia, Blaise Smith, Josh Stevens, and Logan Burton, they deserve all the attention and glory. I have plenty of time to pass in every game. I think in the Fayetteville game I was sacked. Against Lake Hamilton I was sacked but that was my fault, I held on to the ball too long. They have only allowed one sack this season. What we have been working on in the passing game, the O-line turns it into 7v7 for us. Latavion Scott and Kris King at running back, they are running the ball like crazy.”

Last week you guys picked up your second road win of the season against Northside (Fort Smith). You had a very solid game hitting 7-of-14 passes for 129 yards with three touchdowns. What did you do well in that game allowing you to post three scores on the board?

“The receivers did well. Scott and Kris did a great job running the ball which opened up the passing lanes. Our defense did a great job too. They kept the score low so we could take shots downfield. I had plenty of time passing because of the O-line.

For that game, I watched more film than I had watched on any team ever. When I first watched their film on Sunday, I was not sure what I was looking at. I went over and over it and went over it with the coaches. I felt prepared by game time.”

This week the Hornets host Catholic High School, how will their defense challenge you and the offense?

“We are preparing and treating it like every other game. The most important game is the game this week.”

The team is starting to receive its due with MaxPreps ranking you guys No. 2 in-state behind Pulaski Academy. How is the high ranking helping motivate the team in practice?

“We have been sticking with what has worked. We have our routine. We are attacking every week the same. We try to not pay attention to stuff off the field.”

With winning recruiting interest normally starts coming right behind it. Have you seen an uptick in college coaches showing interest in you?

“I have received interest from Memphis, Harvard, UCA (Central Arkansas, a Louisiana Tech game invite, Morehead State, and Oklahoma State.”

You got your first offer a couple of weeks ago from Arkansas Tech. How did they offer you?

“After the first game of the season in the Salt Bowl, Coach (Brent) Dearmon (offensive coordinator) from Arkansas Tech offered me. He was there for the game and offered me a scholarship. That was something I had been working for since I was a little kid. I was very thankful.”

The Hornets have a couple of marquee games left on the schedule, are any teams talking smack on social media ahead of the games?

“They can talk smack all they want, I do not mind. I have never been one to get on Twitter to call out a team. I speak my mind with my play on the field.”

Well said. Ren, thanks for your time today and good luck against Catholic High.

“Thank you.”

Click link for Ren Hefley 2017 early season highlight reel

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Photo credit: Jimmy Johnson; No. 12 Ren Hefley in action

Photo credit: Hefley family; Ren Hefley and the Hornets signing autographs