By Jason Avery
News-Times Staff
In each of the last two years, Smackover has reached the second round of the playoffs after contending for the 6-3A crown.
A big reason for the Bucks’ success was Damarous White, who made his presence felt on both sides of the ball.
Now White will get the chance to further his career on the gridiron.
On Wednesday, White signed with Arkansas-Monticello.
Although he was a two-way standout for the Bucks, it was on defense where White was dominant.
In his senior year, White had 76 tackles, including a whopping 27 for a loss.
He registered six sacks, forced one fumble and had an interception.
White said he will likely begin his career at defensive end, and he is excited about the opportunity to play with the Boll Weevils.
“It’s a great feeling,” White said. “I really wanted to play defense.”
White also had a solid junior year for the Bucks, finishing with 61 tackles, including three for a loss with 10 sacks.
White credited new coach Brian Brown for getting the ball rolling on getting in touch with UAM.
“They came in with a mindset to get us all seen,” White said. “I told them my situation with my ACT coming late. When I got my ACT scores, they called a couple of coaches at UAM and Pine Bluff.
“The UAM coach came to see me. They talked to me, and I had needed to take a correspondence course, so that’s what held me back on signing.”
On offense, White scored 11 touchdowns as a junior before rushing for 1,248 yards as a senior, and he was pleased with how his career with the Bucks developed.
“Personally, I think I did pretty good for the team,” White said. “I helped them out the best way I could.”
White’s first practice at UAM is scheduled for August 5, and when he graduates, he wants to get into coaching.
“I love football,” White said. “If I don’t play, I want to coach and make other kids better.”