FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Daryl Patton has seen the hard work firsthand ahead of Super Bowl LVIII between San Francisco and Kansas City.
“It shows that we’ve got good football players here," Patton said.
Arkansas high schools will be well represented in this year's Super Bowl, with three Arkansans playing on the NFL's biggest stage – San Francisco quarterback Brandon Allen (Fayetteville), San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Fayetteville) and Kansas City defensive end BJ Thompson (England).
Allen and Greenlaw played at Fayetteville High School before playing college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
“Shows you how small the world really is," Allen said. "Two guys from the same hometown is really special."
Greenlaw said it's a dream come true.
"To play at Arkansas, but knowing I had guys that I went to school with and come from similar to what I've come from is cool," Greenlaw said.
As Purple Dogs, Allen and Greenlaw were coached by Patton, who is now the head coach at White Hall.
“I’m glad that right now I’m the only one who can say I’ve got two in the Super Bowl,” Patton said.
Allen, who will suit up as the 49ers' third-string quarterback, will play in his third Super Bowl in six years.
Most recently, he served as a backup to Joe Burrow when Cincinnati lost to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI.
"I'm always going to put stock in Brandon Allen," Patton said. "He's a guy that I believe in and trust."
And this year's big game will be No. 2 for Greenlaw, who has developed into one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
"Dre is a guy that, coming out of high school, we had to bed and plead Coach Bielema to take a shot on him," Pattons aid. "We knew he would go up there and be a star."
Greenlaw's journey from group homes to a Super Bowl starter is one that Patton said will inspire people for generations.
"Every team I've coached on, I tell stories about Dre," Patton said. "He's a young man who had a lot of obstacles. He could have used many things as a crutch, but [instead] used it as motivation to be the best he can be."
According to Patton, his final discussion with Greenlaw leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl was about staying laser-focused.
"The last text we were talking about the ring," Patton said. "I said, 'Good luck, go get that ring,' and he said, 'Yes sir, coach, no doubt.'"
No matter what, it’s a super weekend for Arkansas high school football.
"It's going to continue to get better," Patton said. "More Arkansas kids on NFL rosters, more Arkansas kids on Power Five rosters around the country. You'll see more of this in the future."
Allen, Greenlaw and San Francisco battle Thompson and Kansas City on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Coverage of Super Bowl LVIII begins at 5:30 p.m. Central on THV11.