9 minute read
Trojans shuffle deck with tough schedule ahead
arms across the formidable MAFC White Division.
Portell emerged as the preferred target last fall, breaking the school record for a single season with 927 receiving yards while showing a knack to operate over the middle or reel in elevated passes.
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Luke Brabham offers a deep threat away from Portell, and leads a crew of fast track and field athletes who figure prominently into plans as two-way performers.
Landon Sprous, one of two state hurdles qualifiers on the roster, looks to provide an added receiving option as Coleman aims to reduce interceptions and vary his distribution.
“I think Blake has a really solid grasp of the offense, and has never been super flustered, which is rare for a high school kid,” Wyrick said. “He has grown and understands that you don’t always have to throw the deep ball. You can also go underneath with hitches, slants and out routes instead of going for it all every time.”
West assumed the majority of carries in place of Henson, and now anchors a defensive second level that must replace both inside linebackers. Portell returns to the strong side.
The main competition for West in the backfield is promising freshman Noah Walton, whose progression could allow West to either gain some rest or periodically line up at receiver.
For a second straight year, the Trojans face questions in the trenches. Left tackle and defensive end Nate Robinson stars within that
Blake Coleman
Potosi TROJANS
2021 Record: 5-6 (2-2 MAFC White) Head Coach – Dylan Wyrick (3rd season) Key returners – Blake Coleman, sr., QB; Gavin Portell, sr., WR/DB; Zane West, sr., RB/ LB; Nate Robinson, sr., OT/ DE; J.T. Cross, jr., OL/LB; Luke Brabham, jr., WR/CB; Eli Harris, sr., C/DL
2022 Schedule:
8/26 – St. Clair 9/2 – at Farmington 9/9 – at Central* 9/16 – Valle Catholic* 9/23 – Fredericktown* 9/30 – at Ste. Genevieve* 10/7 – St. Charles West 10/13 – at North County 10/21 – Cape Central
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group from blocking and pass rushing standpoints.
Eli Harris returns as a pulling center after recovering from ACL surgery, and will be surrounded by new starting guards J.T. Cross and Ean Eaton plus senior Dylan Darnell at right tackle.
“We had to reconstruct an offensive line, which could have made things tough,” Wyrick said. “Up front, Wyatt Knapp, Levi Courtney and Hunter Kincaid stepped up to do an outstanding job.
Cross arrived as a key force at interior lineman, even in decisive losses against Central and North County, but his athleticism is better suited for a new assignment at middle linebacker.
Brabham is an athletic cover cornerback, and will again handle the place kicking. Harris balances the front four with Robinson at defensive end. Three players are still batting at outside linebacker.
The quest to establish depth is ongoing for Potosi, which is encouraged by also having junior varsity and freshman squad for the first time in several years.
“Once we get those numbers up where they need to be, then maybe we can platoon some spots,” said Wyrick. “But at the moment, you just have to get your best 11 on the field.”
The Trojans are embarking upon a bulky schedule that contains four potential Class 4 opponents and the mandatory upgrade in the conference as Valle Catholic replaces departing Perryville.
Week 2 presents a chance for revenge at home against Farmington, which prevailed following a goal-line stand as time expired.
Defending league champion Central follows in week 3, just ahead of Valle. Potosi will seek a strong finish to the regular season with home dates against St. Charles West and Cape Central.
The Trojans averaged 26.7 points per game in 2021, and may need to at least duplicate that number for success as the new-look defense gains a foothold.
“As discouraged as people can get by looking at the schedule, for myself and the coaching staff, we relay to the boys that each week is an opportunity to get better and become stronger,” Wyrick said.
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Area team schedules
North County RAIDERS
2021 Record: 12-2 (3-1 MAFC Red) Head Coach – Brian Jones (6th season) Key returners – Jobe Smith, sr., RB/S; Andrew Civey, sr., TE/LB; Mason Lay, sr., C/DT; Kooper Kekec, sr., CB/WR; Grant Mullins, sr., WR/K; Bryan Brewster, sr., DT/OL; Isaac Gaugel, jr., OL/DL
2022 Schedule:
8/26 – Farmington 9/2 – at St. Clair 9/9 – De Soto* 9/16 – at Hillsboro* 9/23 – Battle 9/30 – at Festus* 10/7 – Windsor* 10/13 – Potosi 10/20 – at Sullivan
Central REBELS
2021 Record: 10-2 (4-0 MAFC White) Head Coach – Kory Schweiss (19th season) Key returners – Jobe Bryant, jr., WR/S; Casen Murphy, jr., QB/S; Evan Weiss, sr., OL/DL; Ty Schweiss, sr., WR/LB; Triston Stewart, sr., OL/DE; Jaxon Jones, soph., RB/LB; Logan Murray, jr., C
2022 Schedule:
8/26 – Poplar Bluff 9/2 – at Caruthersville 9/9 – Potosi* 9/16 – at Cape Central 9/23 – Ste. Genevieve* 9/30 – at Valle Catholic* 10/7 – at Fredericktown* 10/14 – at Dexter 10/21 – Farmington
Farmington KNIGHTS
2021 Record: 7-4 (3-1 SEMO North) Head Coach – Erik Kruppe (10th season) Key returners – Kaesen McClain, soph., RB; Gabe Giuliani, jr., RB/LB; Wyatt Skaggs, jr., RB/LB; Braydon Berry, jr., RB/S; Bryce Kathcart, jr., OL/DE; Josh Wyatt, sr., OL/ LB; Damian Cabrera, jr., RB/LB
2022 Schedule:
8/26 – at North County 9/2 – Potosi 9/9 – at Jackson* 9/16 – Sikeston* 9/24 – at TDW Prep 9/30 – Cape Central* 10/7 – at Poplar Bluff* 10/14 – Festus 10/21 – at Central
Potosi TROJANS
2022 Schedule:
Ste. Genevieve DRAGONS
2021 Record: 7-4 (3-1 MAFC White) Head Coach – Jay Pope (2nd season) Key returners – Aiden Boyer, sr., QB; Kaden Flye, jr., WR/ CB; Will Vaughn, sr., DE; Jacob Johns, sr., LB/RB; Mason Nix, jr., WR/S; Anthony Bader, sr., OT/DE; Wyatt Springkamper, jr., RB/LB; Thomas Pecaut, sr., OL/DL; Bryant Schwent, jr., WR/K
2022 Schedule:
8/26 – Festus 9/2 – Affton 9/9 – at Orchard Farm 9/16 – Fredericktown* 9/23 – at Central* 9/30 – Potosi* 10/7 – at Valle Catholic* 10/14 – at Jefferson 10/21 – Kelly
Fredericktown BLACKCATS
2021 Record: 3-7 (0-4 MAFC White) Head Coach – Jacob Whitener (2nd season) Key returners – Isaac Smith, sr., OL/DL; Carter Cheaney, jr., QB/P; T.J. Bowling, sr., OL/ LB; Garrett Marler, sr., RB/LB; Andrew Starkey, sr., WR; Eli Aslinger, sr., WR/CB; Easton Wood, soph., WR/LB
2022 Schedule:
8/26 – Jefferson 9/2 – Herculaneum 9/9 – Valle Catholic* 9/16 – at Ste. Genevieve* 9/23 – at Potosi* 9/30 – De Soto 10/7 – Central* 10/14 – at St. Francis Borgia 10/21 – at East Prairie
Valle Catholic WARRIORS
2021 Record: 10-1 (Independent) Head Coach – Judd Naeger (19th season) Key returners – Bryce Giesler, sr., RB/LB; Chase Fallert, sr., QB/S; Noah Elbert, sr., OL/DL; Tim Okenfuss, sr., DE; Sam Drury, sr., WR/DB; Jacob Calbreath, sr., OL/DL; Grant Fallert, jr., WR/DB; Carson Tucker, sr., LB; Alex Viox, jr., RB/LB
2022 Schedule:
8/26 – Seckman 9/2 – at Festus 9/9 – at Fredericktown* 9/16 – at Potosi* 9/23 – St. Vincent 9/30 – Central* 10/7 – Ste. Genevieve* 10/14 – Vianney 10/21 – at Kennett
Blackcats building continuity with positive culture
Garrett Marler
ALAN KOPITSKY
alan.kopitsky@lee.net
FREDERICKTOWN – Jake Whitener enters his second year at the helm of Fredericktown football team, and sees a transformation in the culture of the squad entering the 2022 season.
“From an actual football specific observation, our young men this season are full tilt on board with the culture change that needed to take place for a successful foundation,” Whitener said. “We continue to grow and the outcomes will soon be in their favor for dedication and hard work.”
For the second year in a row, the size of the Blackcats’ roster has increased. Prior to the 2021 campaign, Whitener actively recruited players at the school.
“Before I ever even took over as the head coach, I was searching the hallway for kids,” he said. “I asked the players for names of their friends or anyone who should be playing football and held open conversations about where the program will be going. Once I was hired, I fulfilled my promises to these young men and started the framework to improve a program around the athletes instead of building athletes to fit my needs.”
In 2021, the Cats’ roster topped out at 43 players. This year, the momentum in the program continued naturally. As many as 50 players showed up in the off-season. The latest roster has 45.
Last season, Fredericktown started out 0-5 before winning three of its last four regular-season games. The current team includes 12 seniors.
“For this upcoming season I did not search the hallways,” Whitener said. “Instead, the excitement from our team built the interest of other
