Gartman Looks to Continue Newfound Success at Trumann

By Cade Carlton

Under the direction of Scott Waymire, the Trumann Wildcats have started to right the ship on the gridiron in each of the last two seasons. The Wildcats went a combined 13-9 and qualified for the 4A state playoffs in both years, thanks in large part to their do it all running back, senior Cade Gartman.

Gartman, who also plays linebacker and has every game since 7th grade, finished his junior campaign with 1,595 rushing yards on 183 carries, and accounted for 22 touchdowns on the ground, an average of 2.2 per game. Although dominant on offense, he was just as successful on the defensive side of the ball, accounting for 38 total tackles, three of which were for a loss.

Although, Gartman and the Wildcats have begun the process of getting Trumann back to the power it once was, he is not satisfied with last year’s 7-5 campaign. 

“The ups of the season last year were that everybody stuck together,” Gartman said. “Unfortunately we had one injury, which is going to happen. The downs of the season were that we were very close in two games to win the conference title. The turnovers killed us, and we beat ourselves. With the 45-21 loss to Pocahontas in week four, we were down 21-0 with four minutes to go in the game. We had three turnovers back to back to back, so that killed us. We tried to make a comeback, but we just couldn't execute. The Gosnell game in week six, we were back and forth the whole time. We had five minutes there at the end, and we just couldn't get it in the end zone and they won 18-13.”

Despite some setbacks last year, the Wildcats look to be a power this year, thanks in part to their offseason regiment, coupled with the fact only two seniors exit from last year’s team.

“The weight room has helped us,” Gartman said. We’ve been in the weight room every day. The week after school ended, we started open weight room and we went to pad camps at Nettleton and War Memorial, along with 7 on 7s at Heber Springs.”

Not only have the Wildcats gotten stronger as a team, but Gartman might have found a calling as a weightlifter this offseason as well. Despite being just 5’10 185, Gartman showed he could compete in any weight class this offseason.

“Our football team went to Alma, which is the state weightlifting meet. Two years ago we finished third, and our goal this year was to come back and win it. We fell short by 40 pounds, and we got second place. But, as an individual I won the 181 weight class and my total was 580. I benched 315, and power clinged 285.”

The Wildcats offseason regiment may differ from other teams, because frankly, they aren't like most other teams. While many teams in this era rely on the passing game and the hurry up offense, the Wildcats are a throwback to the smash mouth football era, in that the running game is their number one weapon on offense. 

“We're a smash mouth football team,” Gartman said. “We’re not gonna throw the football but maybe once or twice a game. We're gonna run it right at you all game.”

While is seems as though the Wildcats are ready to take the next step this season and win their conference, along with a playoff game, Gartman knows every night in the 4A-3 conference will be a battle.

“Every game is gonna be tough,” Gartman said. “We’re not gonna take one of the top teams more seriously than others. To win the conference, we’re gonna have to take it one game at a time. We can't worry about the next one until we get the first one done. We need to all stick together and just stay healthy.”

Although Gartman is an excellent football player, he does have two other passions: fishing and baseball. Gartman has found success in the junior fishing circuit, and is also a member of the Trumann baseball team.

“My buddy Jay Taylor Morgan and I always like fishing. One of my other friends found out about these high school bass tournaments and told us about it. So, our first tournament we went to Lake Hamilton and we got fifth place. We fished four or five more tournaments, and there was one where you had to finish in the top four to qualify to go to the national fishing tournament, which is in Alabama, and we got fourth place. So, that qualified us to go to nationals June 27-July 1.” 

“As for baseball,” Gartman continued. “Last year we really didn't have the season we had hoped for. The baseball coaches all left after the season, and Coach Wallace came back from Marked Tree.  He will be the baseball coach and assistant football coach this year. We look to have a little better year this year.”

Although Gartman is a man of many talents, he hopes to continue playing football at the next level. His success running the ball last year has caused some schools in the state to take notice in his talent. 

“I've been going to a lot of camps this summer and trying to get opportunities to play somewhere,” Gartman said. “I don't care where it's at, I just want to continue to play the game.”

Gartman and the Wildcats will kick off the 2017 campaign on Sept. 1 when they host the Hoxie Mustangs.