JONESBORO, Ark. — Members of the Wynne Yellowjackets and Cross County Thunderbirds took part in a media day event Wednesday in Jonesboro.
The teams answered questions ahead of the start of their 2026 football seasons.
Wynne defensive coordinator Justin Skender said the Jackets have gotten stronger during the offseason.
“We’ve gotten a lot stronger. We’re probably knocking on 40 kids that can power clean over 200 pounds. Double digit guys power cleaning over 250. A couple guys power cleaning over 300 pounds. We’ve gotten stronger through offseason training. I feel like we’ve gotten faster,” Skender said. “With coach Coleman coming in, learning a new style of offense. I feel like over the summer the kids have just gotten better every day between the team camps, the 7-on-7, and the regular practice. It’s almost been like stacking days in blocks and just getting better.”
The Wynne Yellowjackets have a new coach in former Jonesboro and Valley View head coach Randy Coleman. The Yellowjackets will start the season with a scrimmage Aug. 18 at Osceola. The regular season starts four weeks from today on Aug. 28 at home versus Marion.
The Cross County Thunderbirds will open the defense of their Class 2A state championship on the same night, hosting Harrisburg in their annual rivalry game. Cross County also has a new coach in former Jonesboro defensive coordinator Ty Mimbs. Mimbs said this year’s team is just as hungry as it was a year ago.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for us this upcoming year. I tell these guys they are the ones that won the 2A state championship last year,” Mimbs said. “The staff that was here previously has moved on to other jobs, other opportunities. We’re still hungry and still itching to get back to that spot. Every standard and expectation that we have set has been the same as it was before.”
