Burns, Airedales aim to return to glory days on the gridiron

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

There’s nothing like taking the reins of your alma mater. 

First-year Alma football coach Jeremie Burns is the first-ever Alma alum to call himself head coach. 

Burns returned to Alma in the spring of 2025. And after Rusty Bush stepped away to become the Athletics Director for Fort Smith Public Schools, Burns was named head coach — becoming the fourth head coach (Todd Dillbeck, Doug Loughridge, and Rusty Bush) to hold the title since Frank Vines retired in 2006.  

“It’s a great opportunity,” Burns said. “When I came back to Alma, the opportunity opened up, and I got very lucky to get it. It means a lot. Growing up here and graduating in 1991, there’s a lot of history there. I coached there (Alma) before going to Ozark.

“There are a lot of good memories on the old field and the new field.”

Burns isn’t just an Alma alum. He started for Vines for three seasons (1988-90). 

The Airedales, who’ve revamped their coaching staff as well, open the season in less than a month against longtime rival Van Buren.

“Defensively, we’re going to be based out of a four-front,” Burns said. “Offensively, we’re going to be in the spread.”

The Airedales return seven starters, including four on offense. Junior quarterback Jay Lemieux took over about halfway through the 2025 season and still managed to pass for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. His No. 1 target from a year ago, Dylan Jackson, caught 48 passes for 909 yards and eight touchdowns. 

“Jay came in during the Morrilton game and had some success there, and it kind of carried over into the spring,” Burns said. “He was able to get some reps here and there around baseball. This summer he hit it really hard and has been a good leader on the field. It’s huge to have your quarterback back, and to have him for another year.”

Speedy Dallas Perkins (4.4) ran for 802 yards and six touchdowns last season. Like Lemieux, he has two full seasons ahead of him.

“I think we’ve got a chance to be pretty good,” Lemieux said. “It’s crazy different from last year, especially with the amount of depth we have. The coaching and intensity is pretty cool. We have a lot of really good young players, too, and that’s going to help.”

“We had some young guys last year, and we’ve gotten bigger and stronger,” Burns said. “Over the summer and spring, they’ve been able to take in the new offense and learn what we want to do.”

Defensively, the Airedales return top tacklers Izaac Plourde, Andrew Bush, and the Nutt twins — Tristan and Colton. 

Alma’s improved secondary will include Hudson Loughridge, Brooks Belcher, and Billy Burden.