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Thursday, August 20, 2015

VALLE CATHOLIC WARRIORS

Warriors poised to make another title run Go !

STE. GENEVIEVE – Judd Naeger and his supporting cast have restored the iconic status of a Valle Catholic football program where he once starred as quarterback.

The Warriors have won four state championships in the last five years, and are reloading to pursue their seventh consecutive trip to the MSHSAA Class 1 Show Me Bowl.

The pieces are potentially in place for similar results in 2015, and opponents will be looking for some way to counter numerous sources of experience and speed.

The potent offense averaged 53 points in a second straight perfect season, all while battling numerous injuries that nearly eliminated an entire stable of running backs.

Quarterback Connor Basler was heavily involved in the rushing attack, and displayed his passing ability on the grand stage with five touchdown tosses against Westran in the Class 1 title game.

“He has the potential and the tools to be maybe the most dynamic quarterback that we’ve had,” said Naeger, who begins his 12th year as head coach. “He understands what we’re trying to get done, and the ball usually goes to the right place. His arm is stronger and he has gotten faster.”

The Warriors have utilized many different looks from its spread formation over recent years. Although seven starters are back on the offensive side, more wrinkles will likely be added to the playbook.

“We always try to mix things up based on who we have,” Naeger said. “We feel like there are several different body types at our skill positions, and that allows us to be really diverse.

You never want to be a cookiecutter spread team.”

Valle returns healthy back Tristan Huck along with a fleet committee of receivers. Nick Oberle enjoyed a big postseason, and the recovering Garrett Jaegers could rejoin the mix by October.

Tristan Rollhaus became more involved with the firstteam offense late last season, and Cole Wood had two scoring receptions at the Edward Jones Dome. Senior Devon Kutz, the

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team’s place kicker since his freshman year, should also see more snaps at receiver along with Brendan Samples or Zach Viox.

Senior tailback and linebacker Lee Stuppy was also an important piece of the puzzle after knee problems sidelined him for about two months last fall, but suffered a broken lower leg in a preseason scrimmage on Friday and may miss the Warriors’ All-State Receiver Garrett Jaegers (9) entire season.

The most notable changes are in the trenches where the Warriors have routinely worn down opponents. All-state linemen Aug. 21 at St. Vincent* Sept. 25 Jefferson* Koltyn Schilly, Ethan Aug. 28 at Ste. Genevieve Oct. 2 Potosi Fallert and Jacob Trautman were all lost to graduation.

Sept. 5 vs. Westran (at Borgia) Oct. 9 at Herculaneum* Valle scored touchdowns on 13 of 15 opening Sept. 11 Crystal City* Oct. 16 St. Pius* drives in 2014. Competition Sept. 18 at Grandview Oct. 23 Districts exists for starting spots on each line with returning *Conference game guards Matthew Skaggs and Brock Kertz providing defenders. Naeger views Cole against the pass after a some- is followed by a potential the most experience.

“We actually have more Keeley as a player who could fill what rocky start to last season. slugfest with rival Ste. Kurtis Meyer, Huck and Genevieve and state champidepth there than last year with a similar role.

The Warriors hope to emu- Christian Loida lead the collec- onship rematch against Westran. five sophomore linemen who are all over 200 pounds apiece,” late their continued success tion of linebackers, and players “We’ll have to fight through Naeger said. “It all comes down against the run. But only one of who don’t crack the starting some things early in the season,” to some individual battles to see the front four returns, and lead- offense will be incorporated Naeger added. “We feel that Ste. who starts on each side of the ing tackler Logan Tucker has defensively to alleviate the need Gen. will be one of the best for 2-way athletes. also moved on. ball.” teams in the area and a real conValle Catholic carries a 30- tender in Class 3. Come week 4, Three members of the Valle Schilly lined up all over the field, using his speed to draw secondary remain, and made game win streak into its season we should know a lot about our constant attention from some tremendous strides opener at St. Vincent. That game football team.”

VALLE CATHOLIC WARRIORS 2015 SCHEDULE

Experienced Allen leads Arkansas' return to prominence

By KURT VOIGT AP Sports Writer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Brandon Allen joined an Arkansas program that was in the mix atop the Southeastern Conference.

After several tumultuous seasons following the Bobby Petrino scandal, the senior quarterback hopes to leave the school in exactly the same shape as when he joined it.

For Allen to think Arkansas is ready to return to the level of a combined 21-5 record over the 2010-11 seasons shows exactly the type of impact coach Bret Bielema has had entering his third season. It also shows just how far the Razorbacks have come since winning a combined seven games during the 201213 seasons and ending a school-worst 17game SEC losing skid last year.

"For me and some of the older guys, I think it's back to where we were when we first got here," Allen said. "For some of the younger guys that haven't been part of much winning, it could be a new thing to them, but I think this whole team has the same mindset that we're excited about the season."

Allen's confidence is driven by a finish to last season that saw Arkansas win three of its last four games, including a dominating win over Texas in the Texas Bowl. The Razorbacks allowed just 59 total yards by the Longhorns, following earlier back-to-back shutout wins over LSU and Mississippi.

Whether Arkansas can repeat its defensive performance under secondyear coordinator Robb Smith is uncertain following the departures to the NFL of SEC-leading tackler Martrell Spaight

and defensive end Trey Flowers.

Bielema will at least have a roster retooled to his liking after three recruiting classes, one he feels is ready to finally compete from the outset of the season — led by third-year starter Allen.

No player has suffered as much criticism within Arkansas over the last two seasons as Allen, who — despite the pressure — finished with 20 touchdown passes and only five interceptions last season. Still, Bielema is looking for improvement from his quarterback as Arkansas tries to complete its return from bottom feeder to the upper echelon of the SEC. "He's got to be big in big moments," Bielema said.

Some things to watch as Arkansas looks to continue its return to SEC relevance:

INJURED WILLIAMS: Arkansas thought it would enter this season with a pair of 1,000-yard running backs in Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins.

However, Williams injured his left foot during a preseason scrimmage and will miss the regular season. That leaves Collins (2,126 yards rushing in his first two season) as the primary option, with freshman Rawleigh Williams and junior Kody Walker to fill the void.

ELLIS' MOVE: Junior Brooks Ellis spent the last two seasons at middle linebacker, finishing with 72 tackles last year while serving as one of the primary play callers for a unit that finished 10th in the country in total defense. Ellis has moved to outside linebacker this season, replacing Spaight, and his transition is key if

See ARKANSAS / Page 5

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ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYJOURNALONLINE.COM Daily Journal  PAGE 3B

CENTRAL REBELS

Rebels, new starters build on consecutive 12-win seasons PARK HILLS – The Central football program has reached the historic pinnacle of its success over the past two seasons with an abundance of experienced and skilled talent.

Graduation was bound to levy a toll on the Rebels, who posted consecutive 12-0 starts before colliding with privateschool powerhouse John Burroughs in the Class 3 state quarterfinal round.

The departure of 11 seniors last May included two all-state defensive ends and a pair of prolific receivers who gave Central perhaps its most dangerous attack ever.

Only three starters on each side come back this season for an otherwise shuffled and unproven varsity roster, and it will be paramount to keep them healthy.

Seniors Jake Bridges, Drew Harlow and Russell Harrington shined as First Team all-region choices on a squad that compiled almost 43 points per game through district play while holding six of nine regular-season opponents to one score or less.

Not only will that trio be asked to make greater contributions on each side of the ball, but a much larger leadership role is needed to patiently guide their budding teammates.

“I think it’s one of those years where we’ll be a lot better at the end than the beginning,” said 12th-year coach Kory Schweiss.

“Our sophomores are still growing up, so there’s a lot more coaching involved with a younger team like this.”

The numerous changes in personnel have not curbed the Rebels’ confidence, however.

Schweiss recalls a similar situation where a young class paved the way for three consecutive district titles.

An immediate focus for Central is finding the best combination to complete the first string lineup, and there appears to be enough roster depth for widespread competition at most positions.

“I compare our current sophomore class to the group that Reid Lucas and Austin Caldwell were in,” said Schweiss. “People didn’t quite know who those guys were at the beginning, but our coaching staff knew how good they would eventually be.”

Bridges roasted opposing

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Left: Rebels’ quarterback Jake Bridges; Right: Central returning All-State players Jake Bridges (1) and Drew Harlow (40)

CENTRAL REBELS 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18

at Sullivan at Jefferson Perryville* House Springs at Potosi*

defenses for more than 3,000 total yards in his first full season at quarterback, utilizing his creativity and speed outside of the pocket. He begins a third varsity year at safety.

Bridges will look for the development of reliable weapons to maintain offensive balance, and may have an increased rushing presence. His prowess as a punter and place kicker could help the Rebels control field position and salvage points on stalled red-zone drives.

“Our playbook will start out more vanilla than the past couple of years, but at the same time, it helps to have someone like Jake Bridges out there,” Schweiss added. “You can do a lot more with an experienced quarterback or safety than you normally would, because he can get people into the right spots.”

Harlow has drawn the most attention as a hard-hitting middle linebacker. He also set the Central single-season scoring

2014 Team Results Warriors 2014 results (15-0) St. Vincent W 56-0 Ste. Genevieve W 34-7 WestranW 72-28 Crystal City W 54-0 Grandview W 63-6 Jefferson W 64-6 Potosi W 41-0 Herculaneum W 37-0 St. Pius W 47-9 Chaffee W 55-0 St. Vincent W 69-7 Monroe City W 56-18 Marionville W 48-20 Skyline W 54-28 WestranW 49-25 Rebels 2014 Results (12-1) Sullivan W 34-27 Jefferson W 55-7 Perryville W 42-12 Northwest W 40-0 Potosi W 33-6 Ste. Genevieve W 32-6 Fredericktown W 43-8 Dexter W 46-21 Farmington W 39-3 New Madrid W 51-14 St. Pius W 49-17 Kennett W 48-14 John Burroughs L 0-46 Knights 2014 Results Ladue L 7-46 North County W 20-13 Poplar Bluff W 26-6 Jackson L 7-55 Sikeston L 13-14 Normandy W 44-20 Cape Central L 13-55 Vianney L 0-45 Central L 3-39 Sikeston L 14-55 Raiders 2014 Results (1-9) Roosevelt L 20-35

Farmington De Soto Hillsboro Duchesne Festus Windsor Potosi Fredericktown Festus

L 13-20 W 42-7 L 14-45 L 16-49 L 21-57 L 27-28 L 7-15 L 14-20(2OT) L 29-38

Blackcats 2014 Results (3-8) Kennett L 19-32 Hillsboro L 7-35 Potosi L 0-19 Perryville W 33-6 Ste. Genevieve L 8-35 De Soto L 30-31 Central L 8-43 New Madrid W 36-6 North County W 20-14(2OT) Potosi W 26-14 Kennett L 6-37 Dragons 2014 Results (6-4) Dexter W 27-21 Valle Catholic L 7-34 New Madrid W 35-16 Potosi L 7-20 Fredericktown W 35-8 Central L 6-32 Perryville W 34-20 De Soto W 43-7 Caruthersville W 21-17 Kennett L 36-42 Trojans 2014 Results (7-3) Carnahan W 35-18 Pacific W 34-13 Fredericktown W 19-0 Ste. Genevieve W 20-7 Central L 6-33 Perryville W 34-14 Valle Catholic L 0-41 North County W 15-7 De Soto W 35-21 Fredericktown L 13-26

Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 *Conference game

record in 2014 as a plowing fullback near the goal line.

While again leading the defense, Harlow should line up deeper in the offensive backfield as the primary ball carrier while being spelled by Jon Goheen and Tristan Campbell.

Harrington anchors a smaller offensive line that will shift at least three seniors – Dustin Saunders, Keenan Johnson and Cody Woodard – from other positions. Each of them will see time along the defensive front where Saunders keeps a starting role.

The receiving crew will feature Tyreece Welch, Matt Richardson, Nick Haney and Luke Manion among others.

Some of those names are looking to fill the vacant cornerback spots on defense.

Garrett Bowen and backup quarterback Jace Bland will also be involved offensively, playing multiple positions in a scheme that may regularly employ four wide-outs.

at Ste Genevieve* Fredericktown Dexter at Farmington Districts “We have some options in the backfield,” Schweiss said. “It’s really one of those situations where we don’t yet know which guys will step up, but many of them will have opportunities.

“We’ll find out who can be the main contributor back there after (Harlow) to begin the season. The goal is to have a group of receivers that we can rotate and have some fresh players out there at all times.”

Jake Glenn and Campbell are expected to play outside linebacker, and lineman Tanner Friend is among three freshmen on the Rebels’ varsity team.

Central will likely shoulder a magnified target from opponents throughout the season, even outside of conference play, such as the week 9 rematch against Farmington.

Schweiss hopes that recent success of collegiate players like Colin Bess, Brayden Manion and Brandon Maberry can now influence their successors.

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Central opens the season at Sullivan on Friday. The last two clashes with the Eagles have been decided by one score.

Perhaps the toughest test in MAFC White Division and Class 3, District 1 action will come in week 6 at Ste. Genevieve.

“You want to be the team that everybody wants to beat. That usually means that you’ve been doing a lot of winning,” Schweiss said. “It took us a while to get here.

“There may be other teams with better personnel than us, but our kids have learned what it takes to win. They have a mindset that they’re going to win anytime they take the field, and although that may not always happen, I think it can make a big difference.”

Pac-12 loaded with talent and on the rise in national esteem

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Gary Andersen left Big Ten powerhouse Wisconsin for Oregon State and the Pac-12 last December, the veteran coach made a move that would have been unthinkable — or at least a bit illogical — just a few seasons ago.

Andersen knew exactly where he was going and what he was doing.

It's not because the Big Ten is declining, he said. The Pac-12 is on the rise, and it just might be the peak of college football this fall.

"I absolutely have felt a huge swing in the last two years, and that's me being in the Midwest for two years, that the Pac-12 has gained a ton of respect nationally," said Andersen, the league's only new coach this year. "The Pac-12 has gotten better and better and better."

Indeed, the West Coast's premier conference is stacked with elite talent in wealthy programs committed to contending for national championships as it celebrates the 100-year anniversary of its official formation this fall.

Andersen couldn't resist the chance to move back out West, even though he'll have to compete with the archrival Oregon Ducks, who reached the national title game last season behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota.

But almost nobody gets an easy ride these days in the Pac-12, which has a wealth of amazing players and no clear-cut title favorite. While comparisons among leagues are inexact at best, every coach is publicly confident the Pac-12 is the equal of the SEC and anybody else.

"A lot of the talent that's been out West that maybe had left the western part of the country, going somewhere else, is now staying out here," Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said. "We're one of them, but the other schools in our division and in our league are doing it. So I think the Pac-12 South is probably going to be better this year than it's ever been. The Pac-12 will be better than it's ever been, and I think it's going to stay that way

into the future."

Some things to watch in the Pac-12 this season: FEAR THE SOUTH: The Pac-12 South might be the most loaded division in college football, with Southern California, UCLA, Arizona State, Utah and defending champion Arizona all harboring title contention hopes and College Football Playoff dreams. USC is favored in its first year free of NCAA sanctions, but the Trojans must contend with the crosstown Bruins, who have beaten them three straight times, along with two loaded rivals from the Grand Canyon State and the Utes, who have 18 returning starters.

AFTER MARIOTA: Oregon has its usual stacked roster, but a big hole in the middle after falling short in the title game against Ohio State.

Coach Mark Helfrich wants his Ducks to "simultaneously learn from and flush the end of (last season)." Mariota's successor could be Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams, but he can't officially join the team until later this week. The Ducks have work to do, but they've handled it before.

SO MUCH SPEED: The Pac-12 has a reputation for high-octane, trailblazing offensive football, and that's likely to continue this year. The biggest difference between this league and the rest, according to coaches, is the speed. This season's top burners include USC two-way star Adoree Jackson, Stanford receiver Isaiah BrandtSims, Cal running back Khalfani Muhammad, Oregon receiver Devon Allen and Arizona receiver Tyrell Johnson. "This league has what we like to call juice," Andersen said. "It is fast. There are a lot of guys that make one mistake, and you're going to pay the price quickly."

NEW CHAMP?: For all of its parity and league-wide growth, the Pac-12 has had only two champions since 2008. Oregon won its fourth title in six years last fall, ending the two-year reign of Stanford, which slipped to 8-5 last season. USC hasn't won the league since Pete

See PAC 12 / Page 5

PAGE 4B  Daily Journal ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYJOURNALONLINE.COM

Thursday, August 20, 2015

FARMINGTON KNIGHTS

Knights are looking to build on last-year’s improvement FARMINGTON – The Farmington Knights tripled their win total in 2014 over their 2013 season, and they have high hopes of increasing that total again in 2015. Farmington ended the season at 3-7.

Coach Erik Kruppe in his third year as Head Football Coach for Farmington sees his football program heading in the right direction. “We had definite improvement last year from the year before. We took a (good) step in both years, one and two, and we anticipate taking another one in the upcoming season.”

The Knights, a Class 4 team, will have their work cut out for them as they play the second year of the two-year schedule with the teams’ only switching locations from home to away.

Last year, several teams on the Knights’ schedule advanced deep into the state playoffs.

Farmington opens its season against Ladue Horton Watkins which was a state semi-finalist in Class 5, and they will also face quarterfinalists Central and Jackson, and district foe, Cape Central (possibly twice) which placed second in the state in Class 4.

The Knights lost 15 seniors to last year’s graduating class, and they have 15 again on their roster from juniors who have moved up. They return six starters on defense and five on offense.

Key to their offense is returning quarterback senior Brandt Busenbark, now with one year of varsity experience under his belt. Junior Cody Friedmeyer will fill in as needed as the backup QB. Junior Gavin Duncan will be back as a running back after having a good showing at that position last year. Duncan will be joined in the backfield at times by junior Tanner Murphy, sophomore Colby Barnes and senior William Seibert to also help in carrying the ball which according to Coach Kruppe should happen considerably more in the new season.

“We’re going to be different

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FARMINGTON KNIGHTS 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 22 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18

at Ladue Horton Watkins Sept. 25 Oct. 2 North County Oct. 9 Poplar Bluff* Oct. 16 Jackson* Oct. 23 at Sikeston* *Conference game

offensively this year (from last year’s spread offense). We’re going to go with the quarterback over center and we’re going to do some different things which will best suit our personnel,” said Kruppe. “We really want to establish some physicality to our running game. The passing game will definitely be part of it, but ultimately we’ll want to see if we can establish the run and control the football.”

Seeing duty in the receiver positions will be Tappan Westbrook, Brayden Moon, Camron Haines, Donovan Howard and Seibert at the inside position.

Logan Dotson,

Brayden Krause, Alex Greco and Michael Wright will set up at the wide-out.

The Knights have three seniors, Devin Savage, Chase Montgomery, and Noah Patterson who are returning to the offensive line. Montgomery will be snapping the ball with Savage making the long snaps when needed.

All State kicker Brayden Krause will again be attempting field goals and extra points for the Knights.

Coach Kruppe feels his team is in good condition to play a more physical game, and sees their opening game against Ladue as a

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Farmington played at Normandy (one of their three wins) on a Saturday afternoon last year which Coach Kruppe feels also helped prepare the Knights for this year’s Ladue game.

One big question Farmington has to answer this year is their defensive unit. The Knights gave up an average of 34 points per

game in 2014. “We can’t give up the big play this year,” said Coach Kruppe. “The keys to our defense is that we’ve got to make them drive the ball down the field to earn it, and we have to get the defensive stops on third and fourth downs to get our offense on the field.”

Farmington’s strength should be in their secondary where they return three starters from last season.

After opening up with Ladue, Farmington will host rival North County on August 28 and then conference foe Poplar Bluff on September 4, two of the Knights’ three wins in 2014.

Boehm leads Mizzou’s experienced line Moore, Leftwich step

By JADE WASHBURN Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Evan Boehm is not about to forget the first day of his final fall camp at Missouri.

Minutes before the team took the field, the senior center was told he'd been elected one of four captains.

It's a fitting honor for Boehm, who has started every game his first three seasons.

"When you see those four or five guys walk across the field to shake hands for the coin toss, you want to do that," said Boehm, who was born in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and grew up rooting for the Tigers. "You want to be that kid."

Coach Gary Pinkel wasn't surprised Boehm was elected.

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"He loves the responsibility," Pinkel said. "The first thing he does is lead by example. He's done that since he got here. We're excited about having his leadership."

Missouri is coming off consecutive SEC East titles.

The Tigers went 11-3 last year and open Sept. 5 against Southeast Missouri State.

Boehm is part of a tested line. Tackle Connor McGovern has made 28 career starts and guards Taylor Chappell and Mitch Hall also have started. The big loss was Mitch Morse, a second-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs.

"Other years, we've always had good offensive lines, but the most experience wasn't always on the line," said McGovern, a senior.

Missouri has six returning starters, including quarterback Maty Mauk. That number doesn't include senior tailback Russell Hansbrough, who made four starts but rushed for 1,084 yards.

"We've got a lot of leaders on the offensive line," Hansbrough said. "They're helping the younger guys, and they're making some pretty big holes in practice."

Missouri averaged 237 yards rushing last season, second most in the SEC. It ended the season by rolling up season highs with 335 yards rushing and 585 total yards in the Citrus Bowl victory over Minnesota.

Since the end of the 2014 season, the 6-foot-3, 320pound Boehm has trained extensively to improve hip flexibility and speed. He'd been prodded by McGovern and Morse.

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up at WR for Tigers

By JADE WASHBURN Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — J'Mon Moore caught five passes for a team-best 105 yards, including a 65yard reception from backup quarterback Eddie Printz, in Missouri's first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday.

The Tigers, two-time defending champions in the SEC East, are trying to identify reliable wide receivers.

The three top targets last year, Jimmie Hunt, Bud Sasser and Darius White, combined for 147 catches but all three have exhausted eligibility.

"We've got some talented guys," coach Gary Pinkel said. "We've got to find the guys who are ready to play.

Analyzing that is going to be real important."

Senior Wesley Leftwich made an acrobatic 35-yard touchdown catch over starting cornerback Kenya Dennis, one of his two catches on the day.

"Wesley's looking good," quarterback Maty Mauk said. "If you looked at him in the spring, I don't even think (Dennis) let him off the ball, and now Wesley's starting to beat him, and they're trading back."

Freshman Emmanuel Hall had six catches for 63 yards and Johnathan Johnson had four catches for 90 yards, including a 64-yard reception during a twominute drill. But Johnson injured an ankle on the play and was helped from the field. Nate Brown had four catches for 51 yards.

The starting offense had no turnovers and allowed one sack.

Senior kicker Andrew Baggett had a strained back and didn't participate. Backup Nick Coffman missed two extra point attempts early, one off the left upright.

The defense totaled six sacks with 17 tackles for loss. Sophomore safety Thomas Wilson forced and recovered a fumble that he returned 46 yards.

Linebacker Kentrell Brothers, who had 122 tackles last year, had eight tackles in the scrimmage.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYJOURNALONLINE.COM Daily Journal  PAGE 5B

NORTH COUNTY RAIDERS

Raiders will return nearly entire squad for 2015 BONNE TERRE – Three big factors stand in the 2015 North County Raiders favor of making vast improvement as they start a new season of football. First, they no longer have to get used to a new head-coach. Second, they have 18 seniors out for the team this year, and third, they have 19 starters returning from a team which was 1-9 in 2014.

Coach Dave Dallas starts his second year at the helm of the Raiders and already sees a huge improvement in how things are shaping up.

“This time last year we didn’t know the kids as well as we do now after going through an offseason with them,” said Coach Dallas. “They didn’t know what our expectations were, and we had our ups and downs. We had times where we played really well, and times where we didn’t play well at all.

“We probably played our best game against Festus for our last game of the year, even though we lost, and that kind of vaulted us into a little bit of momentum going into the off-season.”

Coach Dallas is really excited about the seniors he has out for the team this year. “The class I’ve been most impressed with this year is our seniors. We’ve got 18 of those guys and we return 19 starters this year, but the group that’s made the biggest strides this year is our seniors, and I’m really pleased with where they are at right now. That’s going to be a major plus for the development of our program.”

In contrast, Coach Dallas inherited a team in his first year that graduated 22 players from their 2013 squad.

Coach Dallas sees the greatest advantage of his second year over the first year as “just knowing, knowing the situation, knowing the players, knowing the people and know-

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NORTH COUNTY RAIDERS 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18

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ing the culture a little more, and them knowing me a little bit more and what to expect from me.”

The Raiders will once again go to a spread offense, and on defense they will sport a 4-3 look. Senior MAFC All-conference Dylan Kater returns as quarterback and also punter after taking over duties early last season. Senior Logan Whitwell returns to the Raiders this year to play safety and receiver.

Defensively, the Raiders return all but two starters, and the same is true for their offensive

Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 *Conference game

unit.

All-district player Dakota Burns returns to help run the ball, and All-MAFC Frankie Hulsey and Noah Rodenberg also return as seniors. Adam McGraw returns as a senior after earning all-district honors at tight end. Running backs sophomore Briley Smith, and seniors Austin Ryals, and Matt Blackwell will see their share of carrying the ball along with several other underclassmen, which Coach Dallas describes it as “we’ll be doing it by committee”.

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Rodenberg is rejoined with Justin Luebbers, Noah Dejessa, Jordan Smith and Drew Burns which will provide a solid, experienced front for Kater and the Raiders’ running backs. Seniors Colin Hughes, Adam McGraw, and Matt Black will join Whitwell as receivers.

Coach Dallas sees the abundance of so many starters returning as an ideal situation of nearly being able to platoon his offense and defense, and it also

gives his players plenty more reps at their position in practices which the coach sees as quality for player development.

The Raiders have added two more assistants to their coaching staff with both coordinators leaving for college positions.

Jimmy Tucker will take over the offense job and Bobby Thomas will be in charge of the defense.

North County opens up play against Roosevelt at home on August 21, followed by a trip to Farmington on the 28th and then to De Soto, their lone win in 2014, for week three.

Arkansas

Chiefs' Fisher limps off as team resumes training camp

Continued From Page 3

AP Sports Writer

Arkansas is to resemble last year's dominating defense.

DEEP THREATS: Only one wide receiver had more than 20 catches last season for Arkansas, leaving Allen without reliable play-making options to stretch the field.

Senior Keon Hatcher returns this season after finishing with 43 catches for 558 yards a year ago, but much is needed and expected out of the rest of the group — including junior college transfer Dominique Reed and freshman Jojo Robinson.

ENOS' IMPACT: Former Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos takes over as offensive coordinator this season. He replaces Jim Chaney, who left for Pittsburgh after two seasons with the Razorbacks. While Chaney was an odd fit because of his history with the passing game, Enos' balanced approach appears to be a more logical match with Bielema.

LINE SHIFT: Arkansas returns four of five starters this season on an offensive line already touted as one of the top in the SEC, though some of the returners have moved to other positions. Former left tackle and towering (6-foot-10) Dan Skipper takes over on the right side of the line, while former guard Denver Kirkland moves to left tackle. Sophomore Frank Ragnow saw limited action last season and takes over at right guard.

By DAVE SKRETTA ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have spent all of training camp shuffling their offensive line,trying to use the competition to figure out their best five by the regular season.

Perhaps injuries will help them settle things.

The Chiefs lost left tackle Eric Fisher to a sprained ankle early in Monday's practice, and it is unclear how long the former No. 1 overall draft pick will be out. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he would undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

Fisher was hurt just two days after offensive guard Jeff Allen sprained a ligament in his knee in the Chiefs preseason opener.

Allen did not return to practice Monday.

"We're going to keep moving and shuffling until we have five," said Andy Reid, himself a former college and NFL offensive line coach.

Wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas (calf strain) and linebackers Josh Mauga (heel) and Justin March (knee), also did not practice, while safety Sanders Commings left the workout with swelling in his ankle.

Reid has said that none of those injuries appear to be serious.

The offensive line is another story.

With the latest injuries to their presump-

tive starting front, the Chiefs were forced to shake up just about everything.

Ben Grubbs remains at left guard, but he's the only player on the offensive line who was in the initial five for training camp.

Donald Stephenson has moved from right tackle to left, and Jarrod Pughsley — a former undrafted free agent out of Akron — is now the right tackle. Mitch Morse has taken over at center and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has been working out at guard.

Grubbs has started 118 games in the NFL. The rest of that line? Fourteen.

Reid seems unperturbed, though. He has always taken a "next man up" mentality, and it was no different with his offensive line on Monday. He barely glanced at Fisher as he limped to the sideline, instead focusing on the 9-on-7 drill during which the big offensive tackle was hurt.

Besides, some of the other guys have performed well in camp.

Pughsley has shown some ability to swing between both sides of the line, and could earn a job regardless of injuries because of his versatility.

"He's had a lot of reps. He hasn't been short on opportunities," Reid said. "He had a lot in the game the other night and then again out here."

Morse was the backup center coming to

training camp, but he ousted incumbent Eric Kush early on. And while the secondround pick out of Missouri still hasn't done enough for Jamaal Charles to learn his name — the star running back keeps referring to him by his number — he did play well in the Chiefs' preseason game against Arizona.

Duvernay-Tardif may be the most surprising name in the mix. He played on defense at McGill University in Canada before switching to the offensive line, and has now moved from tackle to guard. But the promising doctor — yes, he was a medical student — showed enough last year to earn a spot on the practice squad, and he's slowly risen up the depth chart.

"Everybody is going to work as hard as they can and everyone is going to try and compete for a job," he said. "There's a bunch of new guys and the competition is really high."

Reid did not indicate what offensive line he will go with Friday night, when the Chiefs play the Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium. All he did say was that the shuffling could continue.

"We're going to play and try and find that combination of five best guys, whether it's the guys that are in there now, or injuries or whatever," he said. "We're sticking with that."

Washington State, and some observers see little reason to expect a breakthrough this fall on the Palouse. Yet the famously unconventional coach is increasingly confident about the future after the school

opened its 75,000-square-foot Cougar Football Complex in June. Leach's charisma and smarts make him an important national figure, but he's eager to back up that reputation.

PAC 12 Continued From Page 3 Carroll's penultimate season, while half of the conference's 12 schools haven't even shared the title in the 21st century.

LEACH'S TIME?: Mike Leach has won 12 games in his first three seasons at

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Thursday, August 20, 2015

FREDERICKTOWN BLACKCATS

Blackcats hope to build on strong finish in 2014 Fredericktown Coach Paul Sauer says he hopes to build on the momentum the Blackcats built at the end of the 2014 campaign.

Fredericktown is coming off a 4-7 season, in which the team finished winning three of its final four games.

“We lost to Potosi in week three and then came back and beat them in week 10, the first week of districts,” Sauer said.

“We played Kennett in week one and then played them in the second round of districts and they beat us both times.”

Now in his second year at the helm, Sauer says spending a full season and another offseason with his players will be an advantage as the Cats open 2015.

“I think having moved into the head coach role here, that probably cost us a couple of games last year; not knowing the kids as well as what I feel I know the group we have coming back this year,” he explains. “I’m much more familiar with all the kids and know their strengths and their weaknesses. Last year I just wanted to know names. I think this is going to be a big plus this year.”

The Blackcats will have some continuity throughout the coaching staff this season. The only staff change is the addition of Jason Starkey. Starkey is stepping in for Ryan Gifford and coaching receivers and defensive backs.

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Career Center FREDERICKTOWN BLACKCATS SENIORS Sauer will handle the offensive coordinator duties. Jason Mills returns as the defensive coordinator and associate head coach. Lynn O’Neal coaches special teams, the offensive linemen, and defensive backs.

Tuck Boston will coach defensive linemen and receivers, and Jon Clauser coaches running backs and linebackers.

Fredericktown graduated 12 seniors last year. Most of them were starters and some were two-way starters. Still, the Cats

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FREDERICKTOWN BLACKCATS 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Kennett Aug. 28 at Hillsboro Sept. 4 Potosi* Sept. 11 at Perryville Sept. 18 Ste. Genevieve*

Sept. 25 De Soto Oct. 2 at Central* Oct. 9 at New Madrid Oct. 16 at North County Oct. 23 Districts *Conference game

POTOSI TROJANS

Potosi Trojans are ready to step past bad ending POTOSI – The Potosi Trojans are out to repeat the great season they had in 2014, but this time hopefully with a better final chapter. The Trojans sailed along at the start of last year, winning their first four games by two touchdowns or more and claiming victories in seven of their first nine games with losses only to state quarterfinalist Central and Class 1 state champion Valle Catholic, but in their first-round game of district play they were shocked by Fredericktown, a team they had defeated earlier 19-0.

The Blackcats pulled off a 26-13 upset to end the Trojans’ season, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of the Trojans, their coaches and their fans, but that was last year.

“I think our players have moved past that disappointment. I don’t think they take it as hard now as some of our coaches who still sometimes think about it,” said eighth year Head Coach Mark Casey. “They outplayed us and they deserved to win that game, but we had a good year.” The Trojans finished 7-3 on the year.

The Trojans relied heavily on Austin Cooley (1,000 yards.) and Blaine Riddle (1500 yards.) as well as a large core of seniors in 2014, and Coach Casey sees this year’s squad as saying “it’s now our turn to shine.” Potosi has 12 seniors on this year’s roster.

The Trojans return six players on offense and five on defense to start the new year, and they are supplemented by a J.V. team that only lost a couple of games in 2014.

Coach Casey stated that he has players that will be unknown at the start of the year, but “they will be known by the

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Trojans team captains Jordan Huerta (11), Chandler Franklin (22), Dusty Douglas (26) and Jake Neff (52)

POTOSI TROJANS 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18

Sept. 25 at Carnahan Oct. 2 Pacific Oct. 9 at Fredericktown* Oct. 16 Ste Genevieve* Oct. 23 Central* *Conference game

end of the season.”

The Trojans plan to continue going to the run for the bulk of their offense. Key to that plan is a stronger offensive line which returns three of their starting five and averages 245 across the front.

The Trojans received a bonus when Jared Deal, who played for Potosi before transferring to Dexter the past two seasons where he was an All-Conference lineman, returned to play his senior year for the Trojans.

“I feel we have enough downhill runners behind those linemen that we are going to be successful. We don’t have the breakaway runners like Blaine and Austin, but we’ve got guys

who will run hard and pick up yardage off-tackle,” said Coach Casey. “This is honestly one of the best lines since I’ve been there in the last 12 years.

Zach Price, a junior will handle the chore of quarterback with Jordan Huerta as the backup. “Huerta was our starter last year, but we’re going to utilize him in a couple of other areas at tight end and as middle linebacker on defense. Zach throws the ball well but he’s more of a runner, too,” said Casey.

Carrying the ball for the Trojans will be Tristan Brown, Jared Portell and Kyle Allison.

The Trojans have about five or six formations that they will run

at Perryville* at Valle Catholic North County at De Soto Districts

out of, most often with two backs in the backfield. Looking for passes from Price along with Huerta will be senior receiver Chandler Franklin and junior Brady Finch.

The Trojans defense gave up 18 points a game in 2014, compared to averaging 21 on offense.

“I think we’ve got a pretty solid group of 11 on defense, but we have about three that need to be game-tested, and if those three can step up, we should be in great shape,” said Casey.

With two weeks left before their opener, the Trojans were searching for a kicker and punter with three or four going at it, but Coach Casey feels they will have

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“I’m very optimistic about what we’re going to be capable of doing. I don’t think we are in position to overlook anybody. I like where we are at, we’ve got a long way to still go, but I’m optimistic, I’m excited. This preseason has been as much fun as any preseason I’ve had in a long time, just because the kids are getting after it, and they’re excited and optimistic about it, too,” summed up Coach Casey.

“We’ve got a great group of kids, we’ve got great numbers. Things are rolling really well right now.

Hopefully, we will come fast out of the gate.”

Thursday, August 20, 2015

ONLINE AT WWW.DAILYJOURNALONLINE.COM Daily Journal  PAGE 7B

STE GENEVIEVE DRAGONS

Healthy Dragons look to begin upward trend The Ste. Genevieve football team has healed and is motivated to use the bumps, bruises and setbacks from the previous season as a launching point toward higher expectations.

The traditionally solid program has a new man at the helm for the first time in 26 years following the retirement of longtime head coach and 200-game winner Bob Stolzer.

Former Crystal City coach Ken Weik was brought into the district as the known successor, and served in an assistant role last season with the Dragons.

Weik is well acquainted with a varsity roster that returns many of its top playmakers and hopes to erase the sour taste from a first-round district loss to Kennett.

“It was a perfect transition for getting to know the kids, the system and the school,” he said.

“I called the defense last year and we still have the same offensive coordinator. Any adjustments will be based on the players we have coming back.”

Injuries piled up for Ste. Genevieve during a 6-4 campaign, and none proved more devastating than the early loss of 2-way standout and emerging star Anthony Roe to torn knee ligaments.

Not only did the Dragons miss his presence in the backfield, but Roe had become a punishing linebacker for a defense that had struggled at times with finishing tackles.

Roe is back at full strength for his senior campaign, though, and many of the players who spelled his absence are returning to make Ste. Genevieve a true threat in the MAFC White Division and Class 3.

“Losing him was huge last year,” Weik said about Roe. “He was a huge part of our plans, and definitely will be again this year.

We’re as healthy as we’ve been all summer, and we learned to put emphasis on trying to build

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Sam Scism Dragons’ backfield – senior running backs Austin Brewer (29), Anthony Roe (31) and junior quarterback Wyatt Lalumandier (11)

depth at every position after counting on him so much.”

Wyatt Lalumondier became the starting quarterback as a sophomore after two others had already been sidelined by the second week of the regular season.

His strong throwing arm has an array of weapons to distribute the ball. Austin Brewer had multiple 100-yard rushing games last season, and Jake Brewster made starts in the backfield as a freshman.

Both may be more involved in catching passes this season. The Dragons’ crew of receivers is further bolstered by Dalton Giesler and junior Brandon Hinson.

Senior Morgan Schenck is moving from center to right tackle, giving Ste. Genevieve more size on that side along with returning guard Kade Jett.

Gabe Harmon and A.J. Gonz are also back on the left side.

The battle at center is ongoing between three potential senior candidates, all of whom are likely to see action on the defensive line with a goal of minimiz-

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STE. GENEVIEVE DRAGONS 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18

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ing the number of 2-way players.

With that said, Schenck and Gonz are the top options as the defensive ends, and big sophomore Austin Carron is challenging for a starting nod along the interior.

“We have a few linemen who stand out. They’re a very seasoned group,” Weik said. “All of those guys have really bought into the weight room, and we’re really excited to see what they can do.”

Logan Dowdy was a physical all-region linebacker last season, and Brewer adds stability to the middle of a flexible 4-2-5

base defense that is hopefully quicker to react.

Logan Rhinehart could be a key factor in the secondary, and showed the ability to return interceptions and kicks to the endzone with his speed.

“What we need to learn most is resiliency. There were times last year where we got down and didn’t get back up,” Weik stated.“When a team scores on us,we have to come back twice as hard and shut them down on the next series.”

Ste. Genevieve opens the schedule at Dexter before seeking to avenge a 34-7 loss to rival Valle Catholic at home. The

Dragons, who played an abundance of close games in 2014, will welcome Central for a marquee matchup in week 6.

There will be no margin for overlooking opponents, especially in conference play, as consecutive road tests at Potosi and Fredericktown precede that clash with the mighty Rebels.

“This group talks about last year and what they could have done. Our 17 seniors are really thinking about it,” Weik said.

“The easiest thing to tell them is that there’s no next year. It’s right here in front of them and I hope they can grasp it.”

Blackcats Continued From Page 6 offense will have six players returning who started at some point last season. On the defensive side of the ball, Fredericktown returns eight players who started at some point in 2014.

“These weren’t guys, who started all 11 games for us, but they started at some point during the season,” Sauer says.

Sauer says experience is just one of the reasons the defense will begin the season ahead of the offense.

“Definitely,” he says. “I think that’s every year, regardless of what you have coming back. Defense just seems a little easier to get folks lined up where they need to go.”

Last year the Cats ran some Iformation and some spread formation on offense. He said the team will run a lot of the same type of offense in 2015.

“We are missing the big full back to run predominantly the I,” Sauer says. “So we are looking at running some spread and some wishbone just to take advantage of that.

Both of Fredericktown’s starting quarterbacks graduated, so there will be someone new behind center this year. Sauer says there are two possibilities at quarterback.

“We kind of have a little battle

going between Cody Smith and Zak Keller,” Sauer says. “I’m not sure at this point which way I’m going.

Cody is coming off an ACL this year and Zak adds a unique dynamic to the mix with his running ability.

That will be a good battle.”

Smith is a 6-4, 244-pound Junior, who is coming off a knee injury, which sidelined him last season. Keller, a 6-1, 170-pound senior, was one of the Cats’ top receivers in 2014.

“Both of them are tall and don’t have an issue seeing over the offense and defensive line,” Sauer says. “It’s going to come down to who plays well and it may be a situation where we start out utilizing both of them a little bit, to be a little more dynamic on offense. There’s pros and cons with each. If we go with Zak, we gain mobility, but we lose one of our top receivers.”

Junior Matthew Williams and Senior Brock O’Neal are coming back as running backs, and Sauer says they look to contribute a quite bit.

At fullback, the coach says the Cats are going through kind of a transition. Senior Will Clark returns after not playing in 2014. Sauer says the team is also looking at Isaak

Starkey and Junior Austin Dowd at full back some.

“We have moved (Dowd) to the tight end position,” Sauer said. “It’s kind of a case of looking at which spot Austin can help us the most at.

Right now, we’re leaning at him playing tight end.”

In the spread offense, Sauer says O’Neal, Williams, Dowd, and Seniors Brice Fingers and Brennan White will all play a role.

On the offensive line, the Cats have Seniors Dalton King returning at left tackle and Ross Lunsford at left guard, while Junior Winthie Coach returns at center. Sauer says on the right side of the line, the team is looking at Braden Matthews, Luke Myers, and Adam Carver, who played a lot on the offensive line last year.

“Dominick Zummo and Austin Harbison are two more linemen that if we can get some downs from them, to keep fresh legs in there, that’s going to be big,” Coach Sauer said.

The Fredericktown defense is the more experienced of the two units, but most of that experience is concentrated in the linebackers and

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Thursday, August 20, 2015

Blackcats Continued From Page 7 defensive backs.

Sauer says Matthews is the only starter coming back.

“We don’t have experienced defensive linemen,” Sauer says.

“Austin is going to be a force to be reckoned with and Braden can be handful.”

The coach added Starkey started some and the team put him in games as a defensive lineman to utilize his speed and agility.

“Definitely this year, we are going to have to move the front seven to gain some advantage because we’re not very big up front,” Sauer says. “Your speed

and agility is going to come from those linebackers and secondary folks. Hopefully, we can use our speed and get to the ball carrier before they get started.”

Linebackers returning include King, Dowd, Luke Korokis, and Fingers. O’Neal returns at safety and Williams at corner.

Keller helped the Cats tremendously with field position in 2014 and returns to handle the punting duties.

“He did a really good job last year,” Sauer said.

Freshman Colten Jordan will kickoff and “definitely place

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kick,” according to Coach Sauer.

“He’s been hitting 67 percent of extra points and we may kick some field goals with him.”

O’Neal will return punts again, and join Williams in returning kickoffs.

Sauer said the Cats will allow some of the younger players to cover and kicks and block on returns.

The team’s overall roster has grown from 44 last year to 49 this year. Fredericktown picked up 20-21 freshmen, according to the coach.

“I see with these freshmen coming in, they’re a really good,

New web pa just for yo ges u communit r See them y. today.

cohesive group,” Sauer says.

“They have a great deal of knowledge. They work together and play as a team.”

Many of the freshmen will be playing on the Cats’ Junior Varsity squad.

“The JV is going to be very young,” Sauer says. “Our sophomore group, a lot of them will be helping on varsity.”

Like last year, the Cats will have 12 seniors.

“I’m really proud of this senior group, and I really applaud their leadership so far in the offseason,” Sauer says. “I think they are going to be a really spe-

cial group. They push each other.”

There are no changes to the Fredericktown schedule from last year, just home and away games reversed.

Sauer says the district will be very competitive again in 2015.

“Park Hills is at the top until someone knocks them off,” he says of the defending champion Rebels. “Ste. Genevieve will be much improved, and Kennett will be one of the top tier teams.”

The Cats open with Kennett Friday night, at Fredericktown.