THE CONCORDIAN, Concordia, Missouri, Wednesday, August 27, 2014 — PAGE 13
Bearcats have roster of 18 for first-year coach by Hobby King SPORTS WRITER Ever since Pat Richard left for Oak Grove following the 2010 season, the Orrick Bearcats have been trying to gain their footing on the gridiron. They have been slipping for a while, and now they will be under the direction of their third head coach in four seasons as David Rash will be taking over the program. Rash is a 1988 graduate of Grandview High School and 1993 graduate of
the University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg. He is excited about the opportunity and will have a roster of 18, including six seniors, to try to turn around the Bearcats' fortunes. They have been able to beat the Wentworth Dragons the last few years but not many other teams. They are coming off a 1-9 season and will be moving to a flex-bone offensive attack with senior Dean Opoka being the quarterback. Senior Tyler Crow, junior Bryar Martin and sopho-
more Alex Stockton are slated to be in the backfield with Opoka. Sophomores Colin Inks and Stephen Curley are in line to be the starting right and left tackles, respectively, across the front line. Sophomore Doug Lindeman is the top candidate to start at right guard and freshman Walker Easley at left guard. The only upperclassman on the offensive line will be Merl Lebo at center. “We will rely on the run with a ballcontrol offense,” said Rash, who will be assisted by Mitch Comstock, Stephen
Smothers, Brian O'Dell and Ben Thomason. “It will take all 11 players (for us to be successful).” Defensively, the Bearcats will line up in a 4-3 scheme. Starters haven't been decided at the time of this writing. “We will stress playing smart and physical defense,” Rash said. A year ago, the Bearcats scored 18 points (2.6ppg) in conference action and 82 points (8.2ppg) in all games. On defense, they allowed 369 points (52.7ppg) in league play and 494 (49.4ppg) in all games.
Mules return Brandon, Kirk to lead team by Hobby King SPORTS WRITER Coming off a season where his Lone Jack Mules were over .500 in the I-70 Conference and on the season, thirdyear head coach Jason Fenstermaker is excited to get the season started. Having their starting quarterback and a starting running back returning might give the Mules, who were knocked out of the state playoffs with a 34-11 loss to West Platte in the Class 1 round of 32, a little advantage. Fenstermaker, who will be assisted by Ken Howard, Garrett Beck, Dustin Darby, Dan Tuttle, Marcie Fenton and Joseph McCorkle, says the Mules will be young and inexperienced at some positions. Offensively, the Mules used their ground game to produce the bulk of their yardage out of spread formation. Back this season is 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior Joey Brandon as the signal caller. He rushed for a team-high 993 yards and 14 touchdowns. Also back is starting running back Nick Kirk, a 5-11, 175-pound senior who gained 822 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns. Brandon also threw for 639 yards and four scores. ®
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A pair of sophomores return with experience on the outside. Tyler Berry, who is a big target at 6-4, 220 pounds, hauled in three passes for 35 yards last year. Justin Moore (5-10, 165) caught six aerials for 81 yards. Up front, the Mules could be a work in progress, according to Fenstermaker. “The offensive line is going to be young and inexperienced,” he said. “We will be working to try to find our best five.” Offensively, the Mules scored 162 points (23.1ppg) in conference games and 243 points (22.1ppg) in all games. Defensively, the Mules gave up 144 points (20.6ppg) in league contests and 260 points (23.6ppg) in all games. On defense, the Mules return some starters but will need to plug in other play-makers. “We will have many young kids trying to earn a job at our two defensive end spots,” Fenstermaker said. Senior Trevor Wilson (5-11, 275) will anchor the line, moving from his starting spot at middle linebacker last year to nose guard. He totaled 36 tackles as a junior. Fenstermaker says four of the five linebackers will be new. “Moore and Brandon will be on the outside for us (at
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cornerbacks),” he said. Moore accumulated 16 tackles, an interception and one fumble recovery last year. At free safety, there will be tough competition between young and old guys, Fenstermaker said. He said the offensive line will dictate how the season goes. “Like always, it starts with the offensive line,” he said. “We will be as good as they allow us to be.” “Besides the offensive line, the quarterback has to be very efficient.” Defense might be the biggest question mark. “We will be very inexperienced as we lost five allconference defenders,” Fenstermaker said. “But the kids are hungry and ready to step up. “We will have to be willing to fly around and hit people.”
Good luck to all the area teams!
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