2021 Football Preview by TheSalemNews

2021

A publication of:

Phelps County Focus The Salem News August 2021 | Section C

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Table Of Contents Salem Rolla St. James MO S&T SCA Conf. OC Conf. FRC Conf. GLVC Conf. Schedules College Info

3-6 8-14 15-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 29-30 30 31

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All content written by Dave Roberts, Sports Editor. Photos provided by staff and contributing photographers.

SALEM TIGERS

New season, same COVID problems in camp It’s a new year. But the old problem from 2020 reared its ugly head in the preseason for the Salem Tigers. After just five practices the Tigers were quarantined due to COVID positive tests and contacting. Salem had to quarantine for 14 days. And because the state requires 14 preseason practices in before playing a game, Salem was forced to cancel the season opener with St. James as well as its home opener against St. Clair. When the Tigers finally do take the field, they will have their fourth straight season the Tigers will have a new head coach, with the last three taking over as a head coach for the very first time. Bryson Barnes is the new head coach for Salem this fall. He came to Salem last year out of college and coached middle school football. He was hired as head coach late in the school year, replacing Salem alum Lane Howard, who left the school system. Barnes inherits a squad that finished 6-5 overall and 4-3 in the SCA during COVID-marred 2020. It was the team’s third winning season in four years, and with six offensive players with starting experience and 10 on defense back, along with a large senior class, Barnes is hopeful of big things this fall. “We have a big, strong senior class to build around,” Barnes said. “They’re physical and have played together a really long time. That helps in understanding the scheme we want to play. These are tough, physical, lunch-bucket type guys.” Indeed, some schemes have been added and terminology changed, but much of what the Tigers

Due to quarantines, a team photo was unable to be taken before publication. Look for the team photo in a future edition of The Salem News. want to do offensively is what they did the past couple of seasons. And keying the offense will be third-year starting senior quarterback Garrett Connell, who hit 47of-106 passes for 768 yards with 10 TDs and 10 interceptions while rushing for 250 yards and five TDs a year ago. A couple of sophomores figure to back up Connell in Kaiden DuBois and Wyatt Campbell. A veteran group of linemen will be blocking up front, including senior Justin Arthur at left tackle, senior Corbin Robertson at left guard, senior Hunter Shaw at center, senior Brock Cooper at right guard, senior Travis Fulton at right tackle and senior tight end Bradlee Gover. Also expected to log varsity minutes are sophomore guard Wyatt Martin and senior center Jack Keith. Other tight ends include senior Devin Atchison, sophomore Braden Atkinson and Cooper. The Tigers must replace two-time 1,000-yard rusher Caden Camden, lost to graduation. Barnes plans to do so by committee. Expected to time-share at running back are senior Jimmy Barton, freshman Chandler Brakefield, junior Easton May and senior Tayton Barton. And in formations with a fullback May, Atchison, J. Barton and W. Campbell will man the position. The big graduation loss at wideout is Dawson Mock. Barnes plans to use several at the wideout and slot receiving positions in senior Kaden Coff-

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Photo by Dave Roberts Bryson Barnes is the fourth head coach for the Salem Tigers in as many years. man, senior Luke Campbell, senior Eli Newman, senior Collin Heavin, senior Brent Owen, W. Campbell and junior Caleb Ingram. Coffman caught 11 passes for 219 yards and two TDs last season while Gover had 10 receptions for 217 yards and four TDs from the tight end spot. See Salem Page 4C

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SALEM TIGERS SALEM SCHEDULE (All Games 7 p.m. Kickoff) Aug. 27 – at St. James Cancel/COVID Sept. 3 – TBA Sept. 10 – at Houston* Sept. 17 – Thayer* Sept. 24 – at Ava* Oct. 1 – Willow Springs* Oct. 8 – Mtn. Grove* Oct. 15 – at Mtn. View Liberty* Oct. 22 – at Cabool* Oct. 29 – District First Round (tba) *-SCA Game

SALEM/ Secondary is a strength

From Page 3C “Those guys have been playing together for a long time and the chemistry is good up front,” Barnes said. “I think Connell is a lot better reading defenses. His football IQ has improved the most. In the running game, that group has been solid; they are some tough, physical runners. And the receivers have the speed to stretch the field.” Defensively the Tigers will base from a 4-2 formation. Gover (60 tackles last year) and Robertson are at end while Fulton, Shaw and Arthur – all returning starters – are inside at tackle. Atchison returns at inside linebacker, while Keith is also there. May (124 tackles, including 44 solo) returns at weakside linebacker and is joined by Brakefield. Connell (112 tackles) is a standout at safety back along with other returning starters L. Campbell and Newman. Coffman returns at one cornerback spot, while J. Barton and Heavin are also at the position. Gover will serve as place kicker/punter. “Our secondary (is a strength),” Barnes said. “You see in every practice their length and height. We see it every day. We had a lot of chances at interceptions last year that we didn’t capitalize on. I think we can this year.”

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2021 ROSTER No. Name Height Weight 1 Brent Owen 5’6 130 3 Caleb Ingram 6’0 150 4 Ray Cunningham 5’11 150 6 Evan Mendenhall 5’5 115 7 Collin Heavin 6’2 165 8 Hunter Barton 5’6 120 9 Eli Newman 5’11 145 10 Kaden Coffman 5’10 170 12 Kaiden Dubois 5’9 160 14 Taytan Barton 5’7 135 15 Garrett Connell 6’3 190 20 Luke Campbell 5’11 160 21 Josh Owen 5’9 140 22 Jamal Metcalff 5’7 145 23 Tobey Gover 5’10 150 24 Devin Atchinson 6’0 185 25 Jimmy Barton 6’0 160 26 Wyatt Campbell 5’8 145 27 Braxton Howdashell 5’6 150 28 Easton May 5’9 185 32 Bradlee Gover 6’2 180 35 Jacob Bender 5’7 140 36 Chandler Brakefield 5’8 170 38 Stone Gregory 5’9 165 40 Braiden Atkinson 6’1 183 50 Hunter Shaw 6’0 235 52 Wyatt Martin 5’10 195 53 Corbin Robertson 6’1 195 55 Garrett Brooks 5’6 150

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Photo by Catherine Wynn Bradlee Gover pulls down a pass in a 2020 game.

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All-America Bowl awaits Connell after senior season By Dave Roberts Sports Editor It’s certainly not the way Garrett Connell was wanting to begin his senior campaign with the Salem High School football team. However, the current quarantine that the Tigers are under will eventually end. And when it does Connell is hoping for a big final season. Connell is beginning his third season as the Tigers’ starting quarterback. He has also been a valuable player in the Salem defensive secondary during that span. And the first thing that stands out when watching Connell play is his athletic ability. He’s likely to be as athletic as any player he shares the field with this fall. This season Salem will have its fourth head coach in the four years Connell has been a part of the high school football program. And under new head coach Bryson Barnes, Connell figures to again be a dangerous dual-threat at QB. “We’re adapting to a new coach,” Connell said. “It’s been going pretty smooth. It’s about the same as before. Some concepts and formations have been changed a bit.” Last season Connell also had to learn new concepts and formations

from last year’s new coach, Lane Howard, and ended up completing 47-of-106 passes for 768 yards with 10 touchdowns, while rushing for 250 yards and five more TDs. “With him it’s just the football I.Q. side,” said Barnes, a first-year assistant at Salem in 2020, of his QB. “He’s a smart player. From the very beginning he came in last year he had that arm talent and accuracy. And the thing I think he’s gotten better at is reading defensive coverages. “And the biggest thing about him is leadership. You know he’s a great athlete, then you have his leadership off the field.” And with 1,000-yard running back Caden Camden graduating, the Tigers may lean on Connell’s rushing talents more this fall. “I think my passing accuracy and my speed at running has improved the most,” Connell said. “But I feel pretty confident in our running backs now. Jimmy Barton is pretty solid there.” On defense Connell figures to be one of the top safeties in the SCA. He made 112 tackles last season. He could actually play at several defensive positions, including safety, cornerback or linebacker. “I don’t have a preference,” he said.

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“I’ll play where coach needs me the most. It’s my senior year; I’m not nervous about anything.” “He’s just a force on defense,” Barnes said of Connell. “He is always able to find the guy with the football; he can anticipate. When a guy plays like that, it’s just instinctual. Defensively you can’t really coach finding the ball. And he’s always around the ball. I think he’s really good at that.” And it’s on defense that Connell has been chosen to participate in this year’s Blue-Grey All-American Bowl. The bowl, a chance for collegiate recruiters to scout top talent around the country, is scheduled to be played 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. The event will feature many of the nation’s top prospects from the Class of 2022. All-American Bowl participants will represent 22 states from the East Team and 17 states from the West squad. Dec. 18 players in the bowl will receive a detailed itinerary, be outfitted with uniforms, meet coaches and check into hotel rooms with their parents. The next two days will be practicing in preparation for the game. The game will be nationally broadcast via the Impact Football Network,

Photo by Melissa DuBois Junior quarterback Garrett Connell is tackled by a St. James defender in the 2020 season opener.

with a delayed stream available across the country. See Connell Page 6C

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CONNELL/ Playing on East team

From Page 5C Connell is scheduled to be a defensive back on the East Team. More than 500 colleges nationwide will be viewing or scouting the practices as well as the game. “I’m pretty excited about it,” Connell said of the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl. “I’m hoping to use it as a learning experience. I just want to see the competition; what the next level is all about. I’m pretty happy with that, to get tips and lessons on how I’m doing.” In addition to his football talents, Connell is also a standout baseball player for the Tigers as an infielder and pitcher. With solid senior seasons in the fall and in the spring, Connell may be pursued by both football and baseball collegiate recruiters. “Wherever the road takes me,” he said. “Football or baseball…whatever has the best environment. I’m definitely gearing to play at the next level in one of those sports.”

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ROLLA BULLDOGS

Bulldogs believe great things possible in 2021 The Rolla Bulldogs will be a veteran, senior-dominated team this fall. And if the Bulldogs can stay healthy – possibly the key to the entire season – they believe they’re headed for a banner year. Rolla is coming off a 5-4 overall record during the on-again, off-again COVID 2020 campaign, including a 4-3 Ozark Conference mark. With less than six minutes remaining, Rolla held a lead over Columbia Battle in the Class 5 District 4 semifinals before a slew of turnovers late ended the Bulldogs’ season. Battle went on to the quarterfinals; Rolla went home. The RHS players have had a long offseason to think about how that game ended. “I would want them to think they’re good,” said Jon Franks, entering his sixth season as Rolla head coach. “Part of that is they put in the time and effort. A lot stems from last year. They know if we took care of the ball

against Battle we could have had one of the best seasons we’ve ever had.” Rolla has eight players on offense and seven on defense with varsity starting experience. The goal for Franks and his staff this fall is to full-platoon on offense and defense as much as possible, to attempt to keep players fresh. Leading the way for the Bulldog offense is returning senior quarterback Adam Hounsom (785 passing yards, five TDs; 330 rushing yards, 10 TDs in 2020), bruising senior running back Hayden Fane (949 rushing yards, 6.3 yards-per-carry, seven TDs) and sophomore Steven Harris at fullback. Also expecting to play a big role at running back, slotback, wideout as well as backup QB is senior Gage Klossner (25 rec. for 292 yds, two TDs; 180 rushing yds, two TDs). Joining Klossner at receiver is senior Gage Jones, and junior Broc Lyle will play both wideout and running

Photo by Dave Roberts Jon Franks begins his sixth season as Rolla High School football head coach. back. Seniors Trevor Cox and Drew Cochran are battling at tight end. There is a veteran offensive line up front including senior Isaac Guffey at left tackle, senior Ethan Crouch at left guard, senior Luke Beaugard

at center, senior Riess Clark at right guard and either senior Austin McBride or junior Charlie Richardson at right tackle. Also expected to see time on the offensive line is junior Chance Mickem. See Dogs Page 10C

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10C

DOGS/ Defense has a lot of experience From Page 8C “Coach (new offensive coordinator Joe) Schuchardt has done a great job putting in new terminology and making tweaks in a variety of spots,” Franks said. “We have a lot of things going our way. We have a lot of experience up front and have a good skill set. We’ve got to stay healthy and take care of the football. We’ve got a chance to do some things. At the same point, we’ve got to start doing it and not talk about it.” Defensively up front are juniors Ethan Yeggy and Hayden Crider (56

tac.) at end; junior Brock Owens (30 tac.) at tackle and junior Gabe Sutton at noseguard. Mickem will also play on the defensive line. At inside linebacker is returning all-state senior Ty Locklear (89 tackles, 57 solo) and senior Waylon Kinder (78 tac.) while the outside linebacker is senior Evan Inskip. Junior Justin Waneka will play at both end and linebacker. In the secondary the Bulldogs have Lyle and junior Aaron Cook at cornerback; junior Landon Hodakowski at free safety, and senior Ben Tiddy

at weak safety. Junior Kennedy Kearse is also in the secondary rotation. “We’re really excited about our defense,” Franks said. “We’ve got a lot of pieces to the puzzle and have got to go through the grinder. We really have a lot of experience. I feel we can play a high level of defense. I feel we can be one of the best defenses I’ve had here. But you’ve got to prove it.” Klossner returns as the place-kicker (30-of-31 on PAT conversions), while Hounsom figures to be the punter (31.3 yards-per-punt). Lyle returned 13 kickoffs for an average of 20.1.

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ROLLA SCHEDULE (All Games 7 p.m. Kickoff) Aug. 27 – at Bolivar* Sept. 3 – Spring. Glendale* (Bulldog Pride Night) Sept. 10 – at West Plains* Sept. 17 – Spring. Hillcrest* (Band Sr. Night) Sept. 24 – at SpringfieldParkview* Oct. 1 – at SpringfieldKickapoo* Oct. 8 – Waynesville (Player Sr. Night)* Oct. 15 – Lebanon (Homecoming)* Oct. 22 – at Camdenton* Oct. 29 – District First Round (tba) *-Ozark Conference Game

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2021 ROSTER No. Name. Yr. 1 Broc Lyle 11 2 Aiden Rail 10 3 Trevor Cox 12 4 Hayden Crider 11 7 Aaron Cook 11 9 Gage Jones 12 10 Hayden Fane 12 11 Adam Hounsom 12 12 David Watkins 10 13 Landon Hodakowski 11 15 Gage Klossner 12 21 Ben Tiddy 12 22 Nick Shelton 10 23 Tucker Moreland 12 26 Trustyn Ragan 10 28 Ty Locklear 12 29 Steven Harris 10 30 Brett Montgomery 10 32 Isaiah Gasperac 10 33 Hayden Kattich 10 34 Kennedy Kearse 11 35 Blake Carns 37 Osiel Martinez 12 38 Alec Ivey 11 40 Owen Kuchar 10 41 Ethan Yeggy 11 42 Ben Perkins 11 44 Evan Inskip 12 47 Ryland Gibson 10 48 Ryker Jones 10 49 Cole Hedge 10 50 Robert Smith 10 51 Waylon Kinder 12 52 Phenix Thom 10 53 Justin Waneka 11 54 Devin Salter 10 55 Kenneth Watson 10 56 Chance Mickem 11 57 Gabe Sutton 11

Ht. 5'11 5'11" 5'9 6 5'8 6'3 6' 6'2 6 6'1 5'8 5'11 5'10"

Wt. 150 145 165 210 150 180 210 170 170 180 150 150 160

5'11" 165 5'10 210 5'9" 6'1" 5'10" 5'10

170 150 215 165

5'10 5'10 5'8" 6' 5'10 5'11 5'8" 5'10" 5'10" 5'10 5'10 5'8" 6 5'11" 5'9" 5'10 5'10

170 180 150 180 165 170 150 180 155 230 210 195 175 200 205 180 220

Pos. WR/DB TE/DB TE/DL WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB QB/DB TE/FS WR/DB RB/DB

TE/LB

RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB

58 59 60 63 65 66 67 69 70 71 72 74 77 78 79 80 82 85 86 87 88 90 92 95 99

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10 10 10 10 12 11 12 11 10 12 12 12 10 10 12 11 10 11 11 12 10 10 10 10 11

5'5" 6 5'8" 6'1" 6'2

170 200 170 250 245

6 255 6'4 325 6' 190 6 250 6 270 6'1 205 5'10" 315 6 270 6'1" 250 6 170 5'8" 145 6'3" 230 6'2 185 6'1 210 6 150 5'9" 195 6 275

TE/DL WR/DB TE/LB TE/LB TE/LB OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/K OL/DL TE/DL OL/DL

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12C

ROLLA BULLDOGS

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Fane’s family tree has long line of outstanding athletes By Dave Roberts Sports Editor

It takes just one look at Hayden Fane to understand he is an outstanding athlete. And he gets it honestly. A two-time wrestling all-stater for the Bulldogs, Fane is trying to have back-to-back outstanding seasons for the Rolla High School football team this fall. In his only healthy football season in 2020, Fane proved to be one of the brightest running back talents in Southwest Missouri. And RHS football head coach Jon Franks would like to see him improve on that performance this fall. Fane, who transferred from St. James to Rolla prior to his freshman school year, has already taken his place at an impressive family table of record-setting athletes. The athletic family tree for Hayden Fane is stunning. • Sister Parker is a four-time state track and field state champion for St. James, capturing the Missouri Class 3 state titles in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs twice

Photo by Dave Roberts Senior Hayden Fane is a two-time all-stater for the Bulldog wrestling team and rushed for nearly 1,000 yards for the RHS football team last season. And he is hoping for a big football campaign this fall.

each and later running on the track and cross country teams at Harding University. • Mother Shannon won the 1990

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Missouri Class 3A state championship in the 800 as well; held the St. James school record in the event until broken by Parker, and competed collegiately at Mizzou and Missouri S&T. • Uncle Shane Parker was an all-state basketball player at St. James, and in the 1983-84 season helped lead the Tigers to an unbeaten regular season and a No. 1 state ranking before playing at Harding. • Shannon’s cousin Mike Sandbothe was an all-state basketball player from Washington, and later an outstanding player for Norm Stewart at Mizzou from 1985-89. • Shannon’s cousin Lori Sandbothe was an all-stater and Miss Show-Me Basketball in 1986 at Washington, who also had a standout career at Mizzou. • Shannon’s cousin Lisa Sandbothe was also an all-stater and Miss Show-Me Basketball in 1987 for Washington who went on to star at Mizzou. • Shannon’s cousin Allis Parker was an all-state basketball player at Vienna High who went on to play collegiately. That’s a lot of basketball and track accomplishments for the Fane/Parker bunch. Hayden made his star in different sports, however. From when his athletic star began to surface as a St. James middle schooler, Fane has had to battle back from some major injuries, which include hip, foot and leg injuries that all required surgery. From the seventh-grade through his sophomore year at RHS Fane has missed significant time or all of his football seasons. “I feel bad for Hayden, with so many health issues when he was younger,” Franks said. “A healthy Hayden Fane is one of the best backs in our league. We’ve got a mix of a good offensive line, and Hayden knows that and is very humble. And he’s big, strong, quick and fast. If you draw up a running back, you’d want him every year. “His initial burst his sophomore year…he was our other running back and really exceled. When he went down with a broken ankle, it was a huge impact.” Fane finally had an injury-free fall last year and finished with 949 rushing yards at a 6.3 yards-percarry clip and scored seven touchdowns. And is looking forward to

more success this fall. “A bunch of that goes back to my teammates,” Fane said. “All the blocking; that’s what makes me look good in the end.” Fane has a good mix as a running back. He has size, a great burst of speed when he gets the handoff and the leg strength to move piles. “Our running backs coach taught us that you get around the first guy, but you’ve got to run through the second guy,” he said. The Bulldogs are senior-dominated this fall, and the veteran squad is expecting a productive year. “We’re pretty excited,” Fane said. “In the offseason we switched offenses a little. We use a wing-T with a bunch of play-action. I like it. I favor a run-heavy offense; it’s kind of what I started with. We’re all very excited and feel we have a good chance to go far if we stay healthy.” And Fane, who probably gets tired of talking about the various injuries he’s had to battle back from, makes it clear – he is healthy. “I’m feeling 100 percent and ready to have a good senior season,” he said. He is not a starter at defense, as Franks wants to keep him fresh. However, like last year when the game gets tight in the second half, don’t be surprised to see Fane enter as an outside or inside linebacker. “I love playing defense,” Fane said. “It has opened my eyes; how hard they work (on defense).” “We keep him up to speed defensively,” Franks said of Fane. “He could be a two-way player at times. He can play inside and outside (linebacker), when we use him. A lot depends on the situation.” Fane believes wrestling helps him on the football field, and vice-versa. “I think they go hand-in-hand,” he said. “Wrestling teaches balance and body positioning. Football teaches aggressiveness. Coach Franks says I’m not just a wrestler or a football player; it’s just whatever season it is.” And if he has a strong senior season in both sports, Fane is likely to be able to pick which sport he wants to compete at in college. Or if he wants to compete collegiately in athletics at all. “I’m looking around at schools recruiting for wrestling,” he said. “I haven’t really reached out for football yet.

14C

Photos by Donald Dodd Senior wide receiver Gage Klossner (15) gives the Bulldogs a deep threat.

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15C

ST. JAMES TIGERS

2021 St. James High School Football Team

After taking bumps the past couple years, Tigers hope to give back this fall St. James, while playing a ton of youth, combined for a painful 1-19 record during the past two seasons. The Tigers, with an interesting mix of experience and youth, head into the 2021 campaign with more excitement and confidence that they can string some victories together. St. James is coming off a 1-9 overall record in 2020, finishing 1-3 in Four Rivers Conference action after losing two league games to COVID. The Tigers have eight players with varsity starting experience back on both sides of the ball. “For the most part it’s been productive,” said Josh Rodriguez, entering his fourth season as Tiger

head coach, said of the Tigers’ offseason. “You always want to get more in, but I’m pleased where we’re at. We got a lot of young kids who got some time in and we’re returning a good chunk of the team on both sides of the ball. “The biggest (improvement) is just seeing the game speed. The game is slowing down for a lot of them and they don’t seem as overwhelmed by the speed of the game. We have a faster tempo, and I think we’ll be pretty balanced on both sides of the ball. We’re probably a little farther ahead on the offensive side, because we’ve got some new faces.” Junior Cody Wilfong figures to key

the Tiger run game after rushing for 638 yards and a pair of TDs while catching 10 passes for 92 yards in 2020. “Cody had an excellent summer in the weight room and in conditioning,” Rodriguez said. “He’ll be counted on to be a playmaker on both sides of the ball.” And sophomore Cooper Harlan hopes to follow in his brothers’ footsteps as a standout at quarterback. It will be the youngest Harlan’s first go as the Tiger varsity starting QB. Wilfong figures to serve as Harlan’s backup. In front of Harlan is a very experience offensive line, with starters back

at every position, including senior Jed Hitch at left tackle, senior Lucas Morehouse at left guard, senior Seth Keeney at center, junior Dale Hinderhan at right guard, junior Cody Ward at right tackle, and senior Logan Sparks (11 receptions, 136 yards last season) at tight end. Senior Chris Deardeuff figures to also see time at guard and center and expecting to also be a force at tight end is sophomore James Perkins. While Wilfong figures to be the lead running back, sophomore speedster Kaiden Snyder and pounding senior Chandler Tinsley will also see action there. See Tigers Page 16C

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16C

TIGERS/ Defense in 4-3 formation From Page 15C Other wideouts/slots expecting to give Harlan nice targets are Snyder, Maylee (14 receptions for 232 yards, 100 rushing yards), Kurtti, sophomore Omero Inda and junior Joey Ford. Defensively the Tigers will again base out of a 4-3 formation. “We’ll do some different things (defensively), as the kids gain experience and are able to do more,” Rodriguez said. “We have a very experienced secondary; Dakota Kurtti and Peyton Maylee have been back there for a long time. And Wilfong will move up to a linebacker position. That’s a pretty good trio to build around. And if we stay healthy, we’re pretty decent up front as well.” Hinderhan (83 tackles) is a twoyear returning starter on the interior line along with senior Joe Oxner, Keeney, senior Beau Dodd and senior Troy Lewis. Perkins and Tinsley are at end. Outside linebackers include Wilfong (88 tackles), Ford and senior Ty Yates while inside linebackers are Tinsley, senior Michael Dekoch and junior Jake Foust. Maylee (68 tackles, two int.) holds down one cornerback side while Inda and junior Ty Branstetter are on the other. Junior Devin Skelly is at strong safety and Kurtti at free safety. Sophomore Ryan Spurgeon figures to see time at both safety and cornerback. Sparks, a two-time all-conference selection at the position, returns as punter, while Tyler Limback is the kicker. Rodriguez will serve as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator and coach quarterbacks. His assistant staff includes Dusty Craft, defensive coordinator and coaching offensive/defensive lines; Eric Lenox secondary/tight ends; Andrew Boggs receivers/secondary; Beau Moreland

linebackers/running backs, and new to the staff Shane Pitts offensive/defensive lines.

Photo by Dave Roberts Josh Rodriguez is entering his fourth season as St. James High School football head coach.

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Photo by Dave Roberts Sophomore Cooper Harlan is a firstyear starter at quarterback for the St. James Tigers this fall.

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17C

Kurtti quietly makes his mark for St. James By Dave Roberts Sports Editor

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Don’t expect any pep talks from Dakota Kurtti that resemble John Belushi’s in Animal House. Although he might think about trying that “Germans bombed Pearl Harbor” line. The St. James Tigers will take the calmer lead of Kurtti, a valuable two-way senior performer. But it will be more leading by example. “He’s the quiet, selfless leader every team wishes they had,” said St. James head coach Josh Rodriquez of Kurtti. “He doesn’t talk much, but he works his tail off. That is why he’s a three-year captain of the team.” Kurtti hopes to have an injuryfree season this fall. “Last year I got a concussion halfway through the season,” he said. “Then I hurt my knee.” After a tough couple of losing seasons, Kurtti feels the Tigers can

Photo by Dave Roberts For the third consecutive year, Dakota Kurtti will be a valuable twoway talent for the St. James Tigers. string some victories together this fall. See Kurtii Page 18C

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18C

KURTTI/ Experience is big factor this season From Page 17C “It felt good,” Kurtti said of the Tigers’ offseason work. “We got a lot done. The offseason went well. I think we have better leadership and work ethic. We did a lot of work in the weight room and on the field to get better.” Over the years Kurtti has played a lot of positions on both sides of the ball. As a senior he figures to be a receiver on offense and free safety on defense. “I feel great,” he said. “I feel really comfortable where I’m at. (Offensively) I’ve moved to slot and feel good there. I’m a safety on defense, which is a good spot for me. I can come down and hit people now. At cornerback you kind of had to wait on things.” “He is versatile,” Rodriguez said of Kurtti. “He’s

not that standout at any one position. But you can put him at any spot and he’ll get the job done. Defensively he’s got a good nose for the ball; that’s one of the reasons we’re moving him back to safety. He had been at cornerback. And he’s ultra-aggressive and is not afraid of anyone they put in front of him.” Kurtti feels experience will play a big factor for the team this year. “Offensively we’ve got a big line with a lot of experience,” he said. “We’re not young anymore. (Sophomore QB) Cooper Harlan is showing off in practice, putting the ball on a dime. And the receivers are catching the ball. And (junior running back) Cody Wilfong can really read holes and no one can really touch him.”

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ST. JAMES SCHEDULE (All Games 7 p.m. Kickoff) Aug. 27 – California Sept. 3 – at Houston Sept. 10 – at Hermann* Sept. 17 – Owensville* Sept. 24 – Cuba Oct. 1 – at St. Clair* Oct. 8 – at Sullivan* Oct. 15 – Union* Oct. 22 – Pacific* Oct. 29 – District First Round (tba) *-Four Rivers Conference Game

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19C

Section Content Compiled by sports editor Dave Roberts

Photo by Melissa DuBois Junior Cody Wilfong returns and will play a key role in the running game. He rushed for 638 yards a year ago.

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20C

2021 ROSTER NAME YR HT WT JOEY FORD 11 DEVIN SKELLY 11 CAMREN PANKEY 9 JOHN ALTIS 9 OMERO INDA 10 TY BRANSTETTER 11 CODY WILFONG 11 DAKOTA KURTTI 12 RYAN SPURGEON 10 ZEKE MORELAND 9 JOSH EARLS 10 TYLER LIMBACK 12 PEYTON MAYLEE 12 TY YATES 12 JAKE FOUST 11 KAIDEN SNYDER 10 LOGAN SPARKS 12 COOPER HARLAN 10 CHANDLER TINSLEY 12 BLAINE NOAKES 9 JONAH BARTLE 12 GANON AMBROSE 10 DRAKE PLUMMER 9 MICHAEL DEKOCK 11 STIEHL ROBERGE 10

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 13 17 18 20 21 23 24 26 27 31 32 35 37 40 42

O POS. D POS. 5'8 155 RB LB 5'8 145 RB D B 5'10 175 TE DE 5'9 135 QB DB 5'10 155 WR DB 5'8 135 WR CB 5'9 175 RB S S 5'7 160 WR CB 5'9 150 WR LB 5'8 130 WR DB 6'1 145 WR DB 5'9 140 K P 6'0 180 WR DB 5'11 160 WR LB 5'11 190 RB L B 6'0 160 RB DB 6'5 215 TE DB 5'10 200 QB LB 5'9 200 RB DE 5'7 135 RB LB 6'5 185 TE DE 5'9 165 RB LB 5'8 155 RB DE 6'0 210 TE DE 5'6 125 G DT

44 47 50 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 75 76

CARTER WILFONG AARON SKAGGS CHRIS DEARDEUFF TYLER SKAGGS BEAU DODD COLTON IVES LUCA GIACOLONE MAX BURNS MIKE BURNS CODY WARD JACOB CARPENTER JASON WILKERSON

9 11 12 10 12 9 10 9 9 11 10 11 WYATT SCHACHT-MUNDO 9 HAYDEN MCDONALD 10 DILLON HENSON 11 LANE ENGELMEIER 9 LUCAS MOREHOUSE 12 QUENTIN DAVAULT 9 DALE HINDERHAN 11 JACKSON HOAK 9 TUCKER JACKSON 9 ETHAN PARROTT 10 SETH KEENEY 12 BRAXTYN CRIDER 10 HADDEN LEWIS 9 JOHNATHAN LACKEY 9

6'0 200 RB LB 5'8 180 FB DT 5'10 210 G DL 6'3 225 T DL 5'10 190 T DL 5'9 200 T DL 5'10 195 G DL 5'10 170 C DL 5'10 170 G LB 6'0 260 T DL 6'1 200 T DL 5'10 200 T DL 5'9 200 G DL 5'10 170 G DL 5'8 220 T DL 6'0 275 T DL 5'10 260 G DL 6'4 280 T DL 5'9 215 G DL 5'9 160 C DL 5'9 230 G DL 5'7 200 C DL 5'10 230 C DL 5'10 300 G DL 5'10 210 G DL 5'9 245 T DL

77 TROY LEWIS 1 78 JED HITCH 81 BOSTON SETZER 82 MASON SANDERS 84 JAMES PERKINS 88 JOE OXNER

2 12 9 10 10 12

5'10 6’4 5'9 5'9 6'1 6'1

215 G LB 260 T DE 125 WR DB 110 WR DB 195 TE DE 235 TE DE

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21C

Wishing all teams a safe, great season! Photo by Dave Roberts Seniors from this season’s St. James football team. Front, from left, Troy Lewis, Chandler Tinsley, Dakota Kurtti, Ty Yates and Beau Dodd. Back, Seth Keeney, Jed Hitch, Logan Sparks, Peyton Maylee and Chris Deardeuff. Photo by Dave Roberts Players from Phelps County who are on the Missouri S&T team this season are, from left, St. James High product Kadin Guese, a freshman receiver; and former Rolla High School Bulldogs sophomore linebacker Trey Quick, redshirt freshman linebacker Colton Franks and sophomore receiver Blaize Klossner.

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22C

MISSOURI S&T MINERS

Extra year of eligibility increases Miners’ numbers, talent Most college football players had the option for an extra year of eligibility this fall due to the 2020 season wasted by COVID-19. One of the schools which figures to prosper because of that ruling is the Missouri S&T Miners. Missouri S&T will be keeping about a dozen fifth-year seniors on its football roster this fall; players that will be getting another chance of ending their playing careers on a positive and regular note. That gives S&T its largest roster ever, around 125 players. After the 2020 fall season was canceled S&T’s conference, the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), scheduled a limited spring game schedule. The Miners finished 2-1 in that spring season. “As a football coach, as a program you’re always happy when you can play and when you look back to the spring, we’re glad we got to play,” said Todd Drury, finally getting his second full season as Miner head coach this fall. “I love practice. But players love games, and being able to get those three games in during the spring was huge.” The Miners have a slew of players back from their last full season, during which they finished 7-4 in 2019.

Photo by Dave Roberts Todd Drury is entering his third season as S&T football head coach. At quarterback fifth-year senior Brennan Simms will be battling with sophomore Max Conard for the starting position. The Miners will have one of the best 1-2 running back tandems in the league in shifty senior Payton McAlister (385 rushing yards, five TDs in the spring) and bruising senior Aaron Moya (396

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Sohl Gafa, senior Tyris Carr, senior Henry Preckel, senior Derek Bithell and sophomore Nick Mattli. Linebackers include senior Dontay White, junior Ben Straatmann, senior Skylar Sappington, senior Jack Hayes, senior Jake Larson, senior Wulfe Retzlaff, junior Carter Schnarr, junior Kyle Viverito, junior Devon Hutson, senior Seth Thompson, and Rolla High School products Trey Quick, a sophomore, and Colton Franks, a redshirt freshman. Senior Justin Onwugbufor leads a talented secondary which also includes senior CJ Hedgepeth, senior Stefan Camplin, senior Peyton Shelton, sophomore Alijah Clark, sophomore Derrick Thomas, junior Cam Orr, senior Jordan Gomez, junior Lincoln Talbott and Clemons. Onwugbufor led the team in tackles during the spring with 29 while Straatmann had 28, White 18, Camplin 14, Retzlaff 13, Orr 12 and Hurtado 10. “Defensively we’re really talented on the back end,” Drury said. “We’re as good at cornerback as we’ve ever been and we have talent at safety. And we have a ton of linebackers who can play. And one of the things had helped in the COVID year was it allowed the defensive linemen to grow up some.”

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yards, six TDs). The winner of the quarterback derby will have a lot of talent to throw to, including senior Josh Brown (12 catches for 131 yards in the spring), senior Tate Nickleberry (12 receptions for 112 yards in spring), senior Aundray Henley, junior Charles Golliday, senior Eric Brice, senior Cameron Clemons, senior Breon Michel and junior Staton King. And McAlister (team-high 13 catches for 104 yards in the spring) can split out to the slot or wideout as well. Also trying to break into that rotation is former Rolla High School allstater Blaize Klossner, a sophomore. All but one of the starting offensive linemen return, including seniors Josh Thornton, Nino Schmitt, Kyle Urich and Jorge Escalante. “It’s always about competition,” Drury said of the QB situation. “I’m excited about the quarterback position. Breon is one of the best receivers in the conference and we missed him in the spring. Brown, Henley and all the others…it’s a very talented receiving room. Clemons was at cornerback and receiver last year, and we could see that again. And our running back room is so talented as well.” Defensively, the line includes sophomore Austin Guy, senior Jake Versemann, junior Aidan Hurtado, junior

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23C

Where will McAlister play for Miners? Yes!

When someone asks Missouri S&T standout Payton McAlister what position he plays, he could simply answer, “Yes!” McAlister, a senior, is one of those offensive players who can be labeled “athlete.” Officially, he will line up as a running back much of the time for the Miners this fall. However, when he first came to S&T, he looked like the latest in a long line of sparkling slotback types the team has turned out. And he will no-doubt see time there this fall. He will also split out wide and be one of the most dangerous longthreat targets in the Great Lakes Valley ConferPhoto by John Kean ence. He could Payton McAlister figures to be also go under one of the most effective allcenter as a wild- purpose players in the GLVC cat formation this fall. quarterback. Oh, and he also happens to be one of the scariest kick returners in NCAA Division II. His head coach even says McAlister could be put on the other side of the ball and eventually be very comfortable and productive hitting people instead of getting hit. So where does the 5-9, 185-pound cat-quick, shifty McAlister play for the Miners? Anywhere. “I really don’t know what I like the most,” McAlister said. “I like moving around – I’ve always done that. I’ve always enjoyed running back, but I also enjoy receiver. Whereever they need me.” “Payton is probably one of the best football players I’ve ever coached,” said Miner head coach Todd Drury. “He can play running back, he can catch, he can return kicks. If we needed him to he would play defense and make a lot of tackles. He’s just a football player.” The son of a football coach, McAlister learned every position at an early age.

At Decatur, Texas High School, McAlister rushed for an eye-popping 7,293 yards and 85 TDs during his career, earning all-state honors in two seasons. As a senior he rushed for 1,693 yards and 27 TDs and was selected as the Texas Class 4-4A Division I Offensive Player of the Year. Before coming to Rolla, he chose to attend Florida Tech out of high school. He never played there, however, being redshirted for the 2017 season, then transferring to the Miners. And he has been a star for the Miner offense ever since. In 2018 he was third on the team with 726 all-purpose yards, catching 28 passes for 381 yards and rushing for 335 yards. In 2019 he was all-conference first-team as, fittingly, a utility player, leading S&T with 1,204 all-purpose yards, including 40 receptions for 477 yards and 435 rushing yards, finishing with nine TDs. Against McKendree that year he erupted for 330 all-purpose yards, including a 47-yard scoring reception which proved to be the go-ahead TD. Five of his TDs covered at least 30 yards in 2019. The 2020 fall season was wiped out by COVID. Instead, the Miners played a three-game spring schedule, during which McAlister rushed for 385 yards and five TDs and led the team in receptions with 13 for 104 yards. He’s also a well-rounded student-athlete. A civil engineering major, during 2020-21 school year McAlister was named to the GLVC All-Academic Team and later selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-America squad. “In the backfield he’s so smooth and athletic he makes people miss and he’s got breakaway speed,” Drury said of McAlister. “When we first got him, we had (record-setting receiver) Braxton Graham and (All-America running back and S&T career rushing leader) Deshawn Jones and he just jumped into the mix. He fit the mold and just expanded it at running back and slot.” During the spring McAlister teamed with fellow senior Aaron Moya to form a dangerous 1-2 running back punch. The thunder (Moya) and lightning (McAlister) pair combined for 781 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in just three games. McAlister averaged 7.9 yards-per-carry; Moya 7.5. “We are different running backs,” McAlister said. “We have different abilities. We are thunder and lightning. And we’re friends; we roomed together my first year here. See McAlister Page 27C

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MINERS Schedule Sept. 2 – at South Dakota Mines, 6 p.m. (MT) Sept. 11 – Arkansas Baptist, 1 p.m. Sept. 18 – Wayne State (Mich.), 1 p.m. Sept. 25 – at Hillsdale, 4 p.m. (ET) Oct. 2 – at Quincy, 1 p.m.* Oct. 9 – Truman State (Homecoming), 1 p.m.* Oct. 16 – William Jewell, 1 p.m.* Oct. 23 – at McKendree, 1 p.m.* Oct. 30 – Indianapolis, 1 p.m.* Nov. 6 – Lindenwood, 1 p.m.* Nov. 13 – at SW Baptist, 1 p.m.* *-GLVC Game

HEART OF AMERICA Clockwise from top: Joyce Thomas, BROKER/OWNER joycethomas@realtor.com Starla Ann Slawson, REALTOR® starlaslawson@gmail.com Shelley Klossner, REALTOR® sklossner15@gmail.com

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24C

CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS: SOUTH CENTRAL ASSOC.

Liberty is back, selected to win title

Mountain View Liberty is back. A spirited run to the Missouri Class 2 quarterfinals, where the Eagles finally lost to eventual state champion Lamar, capped a comeback campaign for Liberty, which was coming off a couple of offseasons compared to its usual standards. Count the current South-Central Association (SCA) head coaches as believers in Liberty. The Eagles were selected as the favorite to win the league crown in the Phelps County Focus/Salem News SCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll. In the poll teams got seven points for a first-place vote, six points for a second-place vote, etc. Coaches couldn’t vote for their own team. Liberty received just two firstt-place votes but was runner-up on every other ballot to finish with 44 points. Defending SCA champion and returning Class 1 State Semifinalist Thayer got three first-place votes and finished second in the poll with 41 points, while Mountain Grove got two top votes and was third with 38 and Ava got one top vote and finished fourth with 36. Rounding out the poll was Salem fifth with 22 points, Cabool sixth with 17, Willow Springs seventh with 16 and Houston eighth with 10. “I think the top three will be really good,” said Salem first-year head coach Bryson Barnes. “The bottom half will be balanced. I think it will be a really competitive conference.” “I’d say the conference will be balanced,” said Thayer head coach and Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer Billy Webber. “I see Willow Springs improved, Houston improved and Mountain Grove has improved a bunch.” “Oh, I think there are four or five teams that could win in the conference on any night,” Mountain Grove head coach Brandon Rodgers said. “I think there will be some balance,” said Ava head coach Daniel Swofford. “I feel we can be in the mix and some team we might beat could very well beat another team that later on could beat us. I think it could be that type of season.” “I think there will be some balance,” said Cabool head coach Tyler Spittler. “It’s really unpredictable. Liberty, Thayer and Grove will all be good. And Ava won their team camp this summer.” There are two new head coaches in the SCA this season – Joel Wyatt, who returns alma mater of Willow Springs, and Barnes at Salem. Here is a look at the 2021 SCA race in their predicted order of finish (last year’s overall and conference records in parenthesis): 1. Liberty (10-3, 6-1): The Eagles re-

turn a bunch of explosive talent for head coach Brock Kenaga’s second season, including sr. QB/LB Tyler Watts (nearly 3,000 yds of total offense, more than 100 tackles last season); sr. all-state WR/DB Noah Jester (64 rec. for 800 receiving yds, 10 TDs); all-state DB/WR Tanner Ripko (100 tac.); so. QB/LB Carter Pruett (1,500 total offensive yds as part of two-QB system); sr. WR Jentry Acklin, and so. OL-DL Brody Rutledge. 2. Thayer (11-2, 5-0): After five straight quarterfinal berths, the Bobcats advanced to the Class 1 Semifinals last season, allowing an average of just 11.1 points per game. Seven starters on both sides of the ball return, including a large, talented senior class. They are headlined by all-state DE/RB Jackson Willison (52 tac., 6 QB sacks, 1,154 rushing yds); sr. all-state LB/RB Griffin Willison (102 tac.); sr. MLB/RB Austin Green (105 tac.); sr. QB/DE Landry Pitts; sr. WR/CB Lane Grimes; sr. OG Zach Jones; sr. C Dalton Nicholson; sr. OG Shafer Mullins; sr. TE/LB/DL Kyrin Magnuson, and jr. DL/RB Peyton Mills (9 sacks). 3. Mtn. Grove (5-7, 2-5): With eight starters back on both sides of the ball, big things are expected from the Panthers. Senior transfer RB/LB Isaiah Hellbusch has been an eye-opener in the summer. Others leading the charge are jr. OL/DL Hunter Means (81 tac., 4 sacks); jr. RB/DB Hollen Glenn (42 rec. for 532 yds, 7 TDs; 701 rushing yds, 6 TDs); jr. QB Tyson Elliott (1,652 passing yds, 17 TDs); sr. RB/LB Branden Rodgers (61 tac., 29 rec. for 247 yds, 303 rushing yds, 6 TDs); sr. OL/DL Dallas Lee; sr. WR/DB Jace Dowden (26 rec. for 240 yds), and sr. DB/WR Bryce Stenzel. 4. Ava (5-5, 4-3): The Bears have eight offensive and seven defensive starters back. Running the Ava flexbone will be sr. QB/DB Zach Richards (641 rushing yds, 8 TDs 214 passing yds) and also back are sr. RB/CB Blayne Mendel (366 rushing yds; 59 tac.); sr. RB/DB Spencer Skyles (208 rushing yds); sr. NG/C Jack Lakey; sr. OT Weston Merritt; sr. OT Brody Tidwell; sr. DE Kaden Lee, and sr. DT Brady Koop. 5. Salem (6-5, 4-3): The Tigers have six starters back on offense and 10 with starting experience on defense, led by sr. QB/S Garrett Connell; sr. WR/CB Kaden Coffman; sr. WR/S Luke Campbell; sr. OL Hunter Shaw; jr. LB/RB Easton May; sr. OT/DT Travis Fulton, and sr. TE/DE Bradlee Gover. 6. Cabool (6-5, 3-3): The Bulldogs have three starters back on each side of the ball. They include sr. all-state OL/DL Eddie Swisloski (50 tac.); sr. RB/DL Braxton Davis (614 rushing yds, 10 TDs), and sr. OL/MLB Savage Wates (94 tac.). 7. Willow Springs (1-7, 0-6): Wyatt

Phelps County Focus/The Salem News SCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll (1st-place votes in parenthesis) 1. Mtn. View Liberty (2) 44 2. Thayer (3) 41 3. Mtn. Grove (2) 38 4. Ava (1) 36 5. Salem 22 6. Cabool 17 7. Willow Springs 16 8. Houston 10

was head coach at Kennett, where he made the state semifinals in 2019 and the state quarterfinals in 2018 and 2020. Earlier he went 69-15 and won three district titles in seven seasons as head coach at Malden. He also served 10 years as an assistant for highly-respected Steve Ary at Willow Springs and Mountain Grove and now takes over as head coach at his hometown team. He will build around sr. OG/LB Micah Stetina; jr. RB/LB Gavin Ferguson; jr. TE/DE Gennadiy Dudko; sr. OT/DT Landon Crudgington; jr. DE/OG Scooter Osborn, and sr. WR/DB Brenden Ferguson. 8. Houston (3-5, 0-4): The Tigers have four offensive and five defensive HEART OF AMERICA starters returning, including sr. RB/LB Bailey Hurst Errica Costoplos-Hartley (661 rushing yds, 6 TDs; REALTOR® 39 tac.); sr. DL/OL Alex Swallows (41 tac.); sr. 602 W. 6th St. Suite B TE/OSLB Korbin Tune (14 Rolla, MO 65401 rec. for 144 yds); jr. C/DL 573-341-9494 Office Casey Merckling; jr. DL/FB 573-578-1548 Mobile Anthony Carroll (45 tac., 3 sacks). The new QB is Each Office Independently Owned and Operated so. Wyatt Hughes.

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25C

SCA PRESEASON PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Connell shares conference offensive honor SCA BY There certainly are no shortage of candidates for the annual Phelps County Focus/Salem News SouthCentral Association (SCA) Offensive and Defensive Preseason Players of the Year for 2021. Each season for the Focus/Salem News Football Preview the league coaches are asked to come up with names on both sides of the ball to consider for the preseason players of the year honors. The votes are tallied and winners determined. This year the coaches obviously have more than just a couple of standouts in mind. A total of 15 players were nominated for the offensive player of the year and 11 for the defensive player of the year. And when the votes were counted four players shared the offensive honor – Mountain Grove jr. RB Hollen Glenn; Thayer sr. QB Landry Pitts; Salem sr. QB Garrett Connell, and Mountain View Liberty sr. QB Tyler Watts. Glenn, Pitts, Connell and Watts all received

three offensive votes. On the defensive side Mountain Grove jr. DL Hunter Means was the top vote-getter with three. Certainly, there will be some dynamic skill players in the SCA this fall. Glenn rushed for 701 yards and six TDs while catching 42 passes for 532 yards and seven TDs for the Mountain Grove Panthers last season while Connell and Watts are true two-way threats under center. Connell passed for 768 yards and 10 TDs and rushing for 250 yards and another five TDs last season while Watts passed for 1,873 yards and 22 TDs and rushed for 1,059 yards and 10 TDs. And Pitts, moving from TE to QB, kept the Thayer offense performing at a high level after last year’s SCA Preseason Player of the Year, QB Jayce Haven, missed much of the season with injury. And Means was an impact player from his defensive line position

last fall, finishing with 81 tackles and four QB sacks. Other offensive players who garnered votes this year: Getting two votes each were Mountain Grove QB Tyson Elliott; Thayer RB Jackson Willison; Cabool OL Eddie Swisloski, and Ava RB Spencer Skyles. Receiving one vote each were Mountain Grove transfer RB Isaiah Hellbusch; Liberty QB/ATH Carter Pruett; Ava QB Zach Richards; Salem WR Kaden Coffman; Cabool RB Braxton Davis; Liberty WR Jentry Acklin, and Liberty WR Noah Jester. Players behind Means getting two votes each on the defensive side were Salem S Connell and Thayer ISLB Griffin Willison. Getting one defensive vote each were Liberty’s DB Tanner Ripko, LB Pruett and DB Acklin; Mountain Grove DB Glenn; Thayer’s DE Pitts, LB Austin Green and DE Jackson Willison, and Cabool DL Swisloski.

THE NUMBERS 2: All-state Willison twin brothers back for Thayer this fall (Jackson on DL; Griffin at LB). 5: Missouri Football Coaches Association All-State players returning to the conference this fall. 6: Consecutive years Thayer has advanced to the Class 1 quarterfinals or semifinals. 7: All-state players who graduated from the conference last season. 2,932: Yards total offense amassed by Liberty quarterback Tyler Watts in 2020.

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26C

CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS: OZARK

Zizzers picked to repeat as champions The West Plains Zizzers have been the dominant team of the Ozark Conference the past few years. The head coaches of the league believe that this season will not be any different. West Plains, who has lost just two conference games and won a pair of league championships over the past three years, is the team to beat this fall as well, according to the Phelps County Focus/Salem News Ozark Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Zizzers, just one loss to Camdenton in 2019 away from being threetime defending OC champs, return another group of extremely talented players that certainly have their league peers’ attention. In the preseason poll, voted on by the league’s head coaches, teams got nine points for a first-place vote, eight points for a second-place vote, seven points for a third-place vote, etc. Coaches could not vote for their own team. West Plains received eight of the nine possible first-place votes and finished with 76 points. Lebanon finished second with 70 points, while Bolivar got one 1st-place vote to finish third with 55; Rolla was fourth with 53 points; Camdenton fifth with 47 and Springfield Glendale, with one 1stplace vote, was sixth with 46. Rounding out the poll was Springfield Kickapoo seventh with 45 points, Waynesville eighth with 28, Springfield Hillcrest ninth with 19 and Springfield Parkview 10th with 11. “Every year you go into it knowing anybody can beat anybody,” said Rolla head coach Jon Franks. “I think it’s as even as it’s been. West Plains, Lebanon and Bolivar will all be good.” “It’s balanced through the top six,” said Waynesville head coach Joe Haynes. “Definitely the bottom area is tough. But I think the top six will be a free-for-all.” “I think the race will be very close, with a lot of parity,” said Lebanon head coach Will Christian. “Health will be extremely important for all the teams.” “There are seven teams I think that will be vying for that crown,” said West Plains head coach Matt Perkins. “It’s pretty balanced one through seven.” “It’s pretty balanced, but I just think West Plains has been really good, and will continue to be good,” said Glendale head coach Mike Mauk. “The next four teams, any four of them could

win against anyone else.” The lone new head coach in the OC this year is Lee Coleman at Hillcrest. Here is a look at the 2021 OC race, listed in the coaches’ predicted order of finish (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. West Plains (10-2, 8-1): The rich seemingly stay rich, as the Zizzers return a whopping nine starters on both sides of the ball from a team that averaged 42.3 points-per-game. That includes one of the league’s finest players both ways in sr. all-state LB/RB Connor Lair (616 rushing yds, 6 TDs; 105 tac.; 9.0 TFL’ 3.5 sacks) as well as sr. QB Dagen Kenslow, who was named all-state as an athlete (865 yds, 7 TDs passing; 791 yds, 14 TDs rushing); all-state D-I recruit 6-7, 330-pound sr. OT Jaylon James; jr. WR/S Heston Miller (14 rec. for 257 yds); sr. WR Josh Leazer, and sr. LB Garrett Drown (74 tac.; 12.5 TFL; 7.5 sacks). 2. Lebanon (7-4, 5-3): Ho hum; just another banner season for the Yellowjackets in 2020. They advanced to the state quarterfinals for the third time in four years; finished No. 9 in the final Class 5 state rankings, and ranked in the top 10 of the state poll for the fourth straight year. Lebanon returns seven defensive starters and five offensive starters from a squad that averaged 35 points and allowed 31 points. Key players back are sr. all-state RG Tristan Wilson; sr. RT Caden Brown; sr. QB Peyton Mitchell (283 passing yds); jr. RB/SS Nathan Bartell (600 rushing yds, 8 TDs); jr. WR/DB Jacoby Fultz; sr. OL/DL Zach Smith; sr. OL Tim Pruitt; sr. WR Drew Truelove; jr. RB/LB Cade Muscia (73 tac.); sr. NG Zack Rose, and jr. DB Jarrett Sing. 3. Bolivar (7-3, 7-2): The Liberators were highly impressive in their first season in the OC last year, including a 42-21 win over West Plains. Much talent left through graduation, and this year Bolivar returns five starters on both side of the ball. The battle for the new Liberator QB is between sr. Brant Meredith and so. Drake Durham. Other key players back are sr. OL/DL James Miller; sr. C Simon Nelson; sr. TE/DE Kaden Degraffenreid; sr. WR Josh Bowes; sr. WR/LB Gavin Bellah; sr. RB/LB E.J. Ingram; jr. RB Keelan Jordan; sr. RB/WR/TE/LB Elijah Roberts; jr. OL Cale McCullah; sr. OL Chase Kearney; jr. OL Quincey Jenson; jr. DE Blake Goodman; jr. LB Kahl Berry; sr. CB

Deacon Sharp; jr. FS Braiden Spiegel, and jr. SS Jake Banner. 4. Rolla (5-4, 4-3): The Bulldogs have a veteran group to build around, including eight offensive and seven defensive starters. They include sr. OL Ethan Crouch; sr. OL Isaac Guffey; senior OL Luke Beaugard; sr. OL Riess Clark; sr. QB Adam Hounsom; sr. RB Hayden Fane; sr. WR/RB/QB/PK Gage Klossner; jr. WR/DB Boc Lyle; jr. DL Brock Owens; jr. DL Gabe Sutton; jr. DL Hayden Crider; sr. all-state LB Ty Locklear; sr. LB Waylon Kinder, and sr. DB Ben Tiddy. 5. Camdenton (5-6, 4-5): The Lakers have four starters back on both sides of the ball. Running the potent Camdenton spread offense at QB will be jr. Bear Shore (462 passing yds as a reserve). Other key players back are jr. FS Jaden Parkman (93 tac.); jr. LB Wiley Powers (110 tac.); sr. OSLB Conner Miller; sr. OSLB Cale Bentley; sr. C Landon Thomas; sr. OT Dakota Davis; sr. OL Zane Thompson; sr. OG Mason Swarts; jr. OT Gabe Norton; jr. WR Kam Durnin (11 rec. for 304 yds); sr. WR Coleson Schiefelbein, and sr. RB Adrian Kline. 6. Glendale (6-5, 5-4): The Falcons figure to again have one of the most explosive spread offenses in the area. They return seven defensive starters and six offensive starters. That includes one of southwest Missouri’s most sought-after recruits in 6-3, 220-pound sr. OSLB Cooper Roy, who has already had a dozen NCAA D-I offers. Roy set the Missouri single-season record for QB sacks with 26 last year and finished with 98 tackles. Other players back are sr. WR Derek Horton (118 rec. for 1,174 yds, 9 TDs; 410 rushing yds); sr. WR Chris Floyd (38 rec. for 520 yds in 6 games); sr. WR Carter Harrell; jr. WR Carter Harrell; jr. WR Wyatt Andrews (33 rec. for 1,155 yds); jr. QB Cole Fuerbacher (2,115 yds, 21 TDs passing); sr. OL Matteo Altman; sr. MLB Connor McTeague (161 tac., 9 sacks); sr. LB Gavin Stidham (94 tac.), and sr. DL Nicholas Dannegger. 7. Kickapoo (4-5, 4-3): After losing two league games to COVID, the Chiefs hope to bounce back with several returners. They include jr. WR Zaide Lowery; sr. RB Chance Nelson; jr. OG Blake Reynolds; sr. FS Anderson Underwood; jr. CB Samias Pickett; jr. DE Andrew Link; sr. TE Reed Jensen, and jr. S Jackson Young. 8. Waynesville (2-7, 2-6): Short on seniors with six, the Tigers return

Phelps County Focus/ The Salem News OC Preseason Coaches’ Poll (1st-place votes in parenthesis) 1. West Plains (8) 76 pts 2. Lebanon 70 3. Bolivar (1) 55 4. Rolla 53 5. Camdenton 47 6. Glendale (1) 46 7. Kickapoo 45 8. Waynesville 28 9. Hillcrest 19 10. Parkview 11

three starters on both sides of the ball. There will be a new QB, with jr. Davin Vernon and so. Bishop Godwin, battling for the spot. Sr. TB/WR/QB/CB Eric Richardson (678 rushing yds) leads the charge for Waynesville along with sr. WR/DB Marion Fiame (23 rec. for 300 yds); 6-4, 310-pound jr. OL/DL Niko Fau; jr. RB/ISLB Evander Bradford; jr. WR/DB Chas ThomasPlummer; Vernon at OSLB; sr. LT/DE Aidan McFarland; so. FB Mason Perez; so. RB Tau Asi; so. WR Jonathan Hedrick; jr. TE/DB Joshua Bess; jr. OL/LB Kameron Wilson, and so. WR/DB Daylan Registe. 9. Hillcrest (2-9, 1-8): Hornet 1999 graduate Coleman takes over as head coach after serving as an assistant for seven years at his alma mater. He has five offensive and four defensive starters back to work with, including three-year starter sr. QB Mike Floyd (1,655 yds, 11 TDs). Other key players back are jr. TB/LB/SS Dante Sample; sr. WR Jeremiah Cochran; sr. WR Bill Anderson; 6-2, 400-pound sr. DT Josh Rose (37 tac), and sr. S Lamarkus Miller (4 int.). 10. Parkview (0-6, 0-5): The Vikings lost the most games in the league to COVID with four during a winless 2020. Six starters on both sides of the ball return to build around, including standout sr. QB Caden Burks (661 passing yards, 6 TDs; 144 rushing yds, 4 TDs in five games). Others back include jr. RB Cam Harris (175 yds in four games); sr. RB/WR Isaiah Fairley; sr. CB Shane Glass; sr. LB Carl Thomas (37 tac.); sr. OL/DL Adam Daugherty; jr. WR Chris Anderson (22 rec. for 361 yds, 3 TDs); jr. LB Ryan Decker, and sr. S Junior Lamarre (54 tac.)

27C

OC PRESEASON PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Zizzers’ Lair, Falcons’ Roy are among league’s best Everyone has an opinion. However, when it comes to greatness in the Ozark Conference, many head coaches have the same opinion as to who is the league’s best – West Plains’ two-way senior star Connor Lair. “Actually, I think he’s been the best player in the conference since he was a sophomore,” said one league head coach. Fittingly Lair, a running back, was the choice for the Phelps County Focus/Salem News OC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and as a linebacker also shares the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year nod with record-setting Springfield Glendale linebacker Cooper Roy. The league’s offensive and defensive preseason players of the year are selected by a vote of the conference head coaches. The coaches are asked to

by the numbers 2: Combined conference losses by West Plains over the previous three years. 6: All-staters from 2020 returning to the league this fall. 12: Offers from NCAA Division I schools that Glendale LB Cooper Roy received prior to this season. 26: QB sacks by Roy in 2020 to set Missouri’s single-season record. 1,174: Receiving yards totaled on 118 catches over 11 games by Glendale WR Derek Horton last year.

select a couple players on each side of the ball for consideration; the votes are compiled and the winners determined. There was competition, as 10 players were nominated for both the offensive and defensive awards. Lair won the offensive vote with eight votes. On defense Roy and Lair dominated the top spot with six votes each. Lair (6-1, 225) is moving to tailback this season to replace graduated Zizzer Titus Seley, who ironically won both the offensive and defensive preseason player of the year awards in last year’s Focus/Salem News Football Preview. Last season in just 45 carries, Lair rushed for 616 yards (13.7 yards-percarry). Defensively both Roy and Lair have been recruited by NCAA Division I programs. Lair recorded 105 tackles last season, while the 6-3, 220-pound Roy had 98 tackles, including a Missouri single-season record of 26 QB sacks. Also receiving votes for offensive player of the year: Gaining three votes each were West Plains QB Dagen Kenslow, Parkview QB Caden Burks, Glendale WR Chris Floyd and Waynesville RB/WR/QB Eric Richardson. Getting two votes each were Lebanon OL Tristan Wilson and Hillcrest RB Dante Sample. Getting one vote each were Lebanon RB Cade Muscia, Glendale QB Cole Fuerbacher and Rolla OL Ethan Crouch. Behind Roy and Lair for the defensive award, getting one vote each were Lebanon’s NG Zack Rose and LB Muscia; Rolla LB Ty Locklear; Bolivar’s DE Kaden Degraffenreid and DL James Miller; Camdenton’s LB Wiley Powers and FS Jaden Parkman, and Hillcrest S Lamarkus Miller.

McALISTER/ After 2020 season loss, players are ready From Page 23C We’ve always been close. And we have other good running backs. Gideon (Niboh) is an exceptional player. He’s also learning the slot and he’ll be a good player. And we have a couple other sophomores. At receiver Josh Brown, (Eric) Brice, Breon (Michel), Tate (Nickleberry) and (Aundray) Henley are exceptional. And (Rolla native) Blaize Klossner is really coming on. And we have a good receiver class.” After losing the entire 2020 fall season, McAlister said additional anticipation has been added to this campaign. “I think we’re very excited,” he said. “We’re all tired of the COVID thing. We really appreciated the (2021) spring games. We had practiced all fall into the spring. And it was really exciting to play somebody else. I grew up around football, even at a young age. My dad coached in Texas, so I was always around it. And seeing last year, the way things went, things just didn’t seem normal. “I hope this year is completely normal. I’ve played football my entire life, and it’s finally coming to an end.

We’ve got a great team. A lot of the returners on our team are primed for an exceptional year. We’ve got the right players to have a season like we had (in 2018), when we went to the Mineral Water Bowl. We’ve got a lot of seniors; a lot of experienced guys.” He’s also got family on the team. This season Payton will be joined on the roster by his brother, redshirt freshman linebacker Aubrey McAlister. Aubrey is the younger brother but at 6-2, 220 pounds, not the little brother. “He can be a great player,” Payton said of Aubrey. “I’m glad we’re on the same team; we didn’t really get to play high school together.” With the COVID option year of eligibility, Payton McAlister could opt into also playing in 2022. However, he said he’s ready to put his education to use and this fall will be his last for football. “Part of me really wants to get on with my life,” said Payton, who will graduate on schedule. “I have a job offer and a couple of different options. But I’m super excited about playing this season.”

All content written by Dave Roberts, Sports Editor. Photos provided by staff and contributing photographers.

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CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS: FOUR RIVERS

Union, Owensville tie for first in preseason A surprising run to the Class 4 semifinals by the Union Wildcats as well as the potent, returning 1-2 punch of the Owensville Dutchmen were not lost on the Four Rivers Conference head coaches this fall. Owensville and Union tied for first place in the annual Phelps County Focus/Salem News FRC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. In the coaches’ poll teams got six points for a first-place vote, five points for a second-place vote, etc. Union and Owensville each received three firstt-place votes and totaled 32 points to tie for the top spot. The Pacific Indians got the other top vote and was third with 28 points while Sullivan was fourth with 20, defending league champion St. Clair fifth with 17, Hermann sixth with 11 and St. James seventh with seven. Due to canceled league games and late rescheduled non-league contests caused by COVID, several FRC games were not played in 2020. The hope is a regular league schedule returns this fall. “There is a lot of parity in the conference this year,” said St. James head coach Josh Rodriguez. “Anybody is capable of winning any game in the conference. Some stand out talent-wise. Union returns a lot from last year’s semifinal team. Owensville has good talent and Pacific has a hall of fame coach.” “I feel this year we are going to see a lot of competition for the conference title,” said Owensville head coach Nathan Cabot. “Several teams are bringing back some very talented

athletes who gained a lot of experience last season. It’s going to be an exciting season.” “It was a young conference last year and it’ll be a dogfight throughout the conference this year,” said Union head coach Justin Grahl. “Owensville and Union have a lot coming back,” said St. Clair head coach Brian Robbins, who has the most replacing to do among FRC schools. “I look for Pacific and Sullivan to be much improved. Hermann is always tough and I think St. James will be similar to us – young and inexperienced.” Here is a look at the Four Rivers Conference race, in the coaches’ predicted order of finish (last year’s overall and conference records in parenthesis): T-1. Owensville (7-3, 4-1): The Dutchmen return nine offensive and six defensive starters, led by the dynamic senior duo of WR/S Derek Brandt and QB Brendan Decker. Brandt was an all-state receiver last year with 53 catches for 1,251 yards and 14 TDs while making 81 tackles and two int. on defense. Decker passed for a whopping 2,213 yards and 32 TDs and rushed for 486 yards in 2020. Also back are sr. RB Austin Lowder (379 rushing yards, six TDs; 15 rec. for 188 yards, 3 TDs); sr. OLDL Logan Evans; sr. WR/LB Landon Valley (15 rec., 119 yards; 35 tac.); jr. OL Chance Clevenger; jr. OL Trey Johnson; jr. WR/CB Bryce Payne (23 rec. for 430 yards, 10 TDs; 29 tac., 2 int.); soph. OL Hayden Shoemaker, and sr. DL Brent Helmig (30 tac.). T-1. Union (7-5, 2-2): Slowing

working in a young group early on the Wildcats then went on a spirited run in the state playoffs, beating Clayton, Sullivan, John Burroughs and Festus before finally falling in the Class 4 Semis to MICDS. And this year Union returns 10 offensive and seven defensive starters. Leading the charge is jr. OL-DL John Martin, a returning all-stater on offense, along with jr. QB Liam Hughes, jr. OL-DL Alex Mendenhall, jr. RB-DB Luke Koch, sr. WR Ryan Ewald and sr. WR Nick Bierke. 3. Pacific (2-6, 1-2): The Indians have seven offensive and four defensive starters for the second season of head coach Paul Day, a Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer. Two-way senior all-conference player Matt Austin is back at RB/DE/P (974 rushing yards, 14 TDs) along with soph. QB/SS Luke Meyer (679 yards, eight TDs passing; 351 rushing yards); sr. OG/DT Ted Toney; jr. C Cade Martin; jr. OG Blake McCay; sr. OT Matt Kristopiet, and sr. WR/FS Trenton Johnson. 4. Sullivan (2-6, 1-3): The Eagles return eight offensive and seven defensive starters, including jr. QB Gabe Dace (771 passing yards, 10 TDs), jr. WR Gavin Dace; sr. RB/MLB Alex Goly (361 rushing yards); soph. RB Jeremiah Rodriguez; sr. OG Tim Kloos; jr. TE/DL Sam Summers; sr. TE/DL Trevor Carey; sr. LB Ty Shetley (75 tac.), and sr. DB Ian King. 5. St. Clair (9-1, 4-0): The Bulldogs have a lot of replacing to do, with just two defensive starters back. Robbins’ option offense will have a completely-new personnel look. Re-

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Phelps County Focus/ The Salem News FRC Preseason Coaches’ Poll (1st-place votes in parenthesis) T-1. Union (3) 32 pts T-1. Owensville (3) 32 3. Pacific (1) 28 4. Sullivan 20 5. St. Clair 17 6. Hermann 11 7. St. James 7

turners back on defense are jr. DBs Gabe Martinez and Anthony Broeker. 6. Hermann (3-8, 1-4): The Bearcats have six starters back on both sides of the ball. That includes jr. QB/LB Parker Anderson (482 yards, four TDs passing; 444 yards, five TDs rushing; 39 tac., 2 int.); jr. FB/LB Gavin Hackmann (41 tac.); sr. OL/DL Schuler Erickson; jr. OLDL Bryce Williams; jr. OL/DL Ethan Adams; jr. RB/S Conner Coffey, and sr. RB/LB Kenny Hoener (245 rushing yards, four TDs). 7. St. James (1-9, 1-3): The Tigers are looking for vast improvement, with eight starters back on both sides of the ball. Jr. RB/QB/S Cody Wilfong (638 rushing yards; 10 rec. for 92 yards; 88 tac.) figures to spark things along with sr. WR/DB Peyton Maylee (14 rec. for 232 yards; 100 rushing yards; 68 tac., 2 int.); sr. WR/DB Dakota Kurtti; sr. LB/DE/RB Chandler Tinsley; sr. TE Logan Sparks (11 rec. for 136 yds); sr. LT Jed Hitch, and jr. OG/DL Dale Hinderhan (83 tac.).

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FOUR RIVERS PRESEASON PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Owensville’s Decker, Brandt repeat as preseason picks New season, same names. For the second consecutive season Owensville’s Brendan Decker and Derek Brandt swept the Phelps County Focus/Salem News FRC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. The conference head coaches were asked to name a couple players for the offensive and defensive preseason players of the year honors. The votes were totaled and for the second straight year, Decker, a quarterback, was selected the offensive and Brandt, a safety, the defensive honorees. In this year’s voting, Decker received six offensive votes to win, while Brandt earned four defensive votes to take the top spot. Certainly, Owensville’s two stars didn’t disappoint last year. Decker passed for 2,213 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 486 yards to key the Dutchman offense and was named as the 2020 All-Four Rivers Conference Offensive Player of the

Year by the league coaches. Over the past two seasons, Decker has combined for 3,862 yards and 49 touchdowns, while rushing for 973 yards. Brandt was a two-way star last season, serving as Decker’s favorite target in earning all-state receiving honors with 53 receptions for 1,251 yards. He also earned all-conference honors on defense, finishing with 81 tackles and two interceptions. Brandt and Union QB Liam Hughes each received two votes for offensive player of the year this season, while getting one vote each were Pacific RB Matt Austin, Pacific QB Luke Meyer, Sullivan QB Gabe Dace and St. James RB Cody Wilfong. Behind Brandt, each receiving one vote for 2021 FRC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year were Union DL John Martin, Owensville DL Brent Helmig, Sullivan MLB Alex Goly and Sullivan LB Ty Shetley.

FRC BY THE NUMBERS 0: Offensive starters back for defending champion St. Clair. 2: All-state players returning to the conference this season (Owensville WR Derek Brandt; Union OL John Martin). 4: All-state players lost to graduation from the conference. 6: Conference games lost to COVID cancelations in 2020. 35: Touchdowns accounted by last year’s FRC Offensive Player of the Year, Owensville WB Brendan Decker (32 passing, three rushing).

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CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS: GREAT LAKES VALLEY

No surprise here: UIndy picked to win GLVC

No surprise here. The Indianapolis Greyhounds have dominated play in the Great Lakes Valley Conference since the league added football to its number of conference sports. In the nine years that GLVC has sanctioned a football league the Greyhounds have won seven of those championships, including the latest and most unique – the 2021 abbreviated spring season, instituted due to the COVID-caused, complete cancelation of the 2020 fall season. So, there will be two different GLVC football seasons in the calendar year of 2021. And it was no shocker when UIndy was the top pick in this year’s GLVC Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the 2021 fall season. In fact, the three teams that reached postseason action in the league’s last full season – 2019 – finished 1-2-3 in this year’s poll as well. UIndy got five of the eight possible firstt-place votes in this year’s coaches’ poll and finished with 47 points.

Lindenwood, who won the last fall league title in 2019, got three 1stplace votes and was second with 44 votes while Truman State was third with 37 and Missouri S&T fourth with 32. Rounding out the voting was McKendree fifth with 24, Southwest Baptist sixth with 19, William Jewell seventh with 12 and Quincy eighth with nine. “The GLVC is turning into a really good football league,” said S&T head coach Todd Drury. “So at the top there are four games that will shape the landscape. The preseason rankings are great for fans and the media to get excited about, but at the end of the day the ranking doesn’t affect us one bit.” Here is a look at the 2021 GLVC fall race, with 2019’s overall and conference records in parenthesis: 1. Indianapolis (9-2, 6-1): QB Bryce Stancombe threw for 900 yards and 10 TDs in just three games during the spring, completing more than 75% of his passes. Al McKeller and

Toriano Clinton combined to rush for 1,856 yards and 22 in 2019. AllAmerica Daveon Bell is back as a return specialist and sophomores Michael Brown and Kasyus Kurns lead a strong defensive unit. 2. Lindenwood (9-4, 7-0): The Lions won the GLVC title in 2019, their first year in the league. The team opted out of the 2021 spring season. The Lions boast the returning 2019 league offensive and defensive players of the year in QB Cade Brister and LB Drew Seers. Brister threw for 39 TDs and 3,779 yards in 2019 while Seers recorded 175 tackles. 3. Truman St. (10-2, 5-2): The Bulldogs got to the 2021 spring title game against UIndy by virtue of a win over S&T. Truman is led by GLVC spring Freshman of the Year QB Nolan Hair, the former Blair Oaks High School state champion signal-caller who threw for 818 yards and nine TDs in four TSU spring games. RB Cody Schrader (101.3 yards-per-game, seven TDs) keys the running game and DB Ben Watson,

LB Isaiah Estes and LB Reed McBroom were the top tacklers in the spring. 4. S&T (7-4, 4-3): The Miners return starters in all but one position on offense from its last full season of 2019, anchored by an experienced line. Sr. Brennan Simms returns to battle with soph. Max Conard at QB. A receiving core led by Josh Brown,

Phelps County Focus/ The Salem News GLVC Preseason Coaches’ Poll (1st-place votes in parenthesis) 1. Indianapolis, 47 pts (5) 2. Lindenwood, 44 (3) 3. Truman State, 37 4. Missouri S&T, 32 5. McKendree, 24 6. Southwest Baptist, 19 7. William Jewell, 12 8. Quincy, 9

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CONFERENCE OUTLOOKS: GREAT LAKES VALLEY From Page 29C Tate Nickleberry, Aundray Henley, Eric Brice and Breon Michel is explosive and the 1-2 rushing punch of Payton McAlister and Aaron Moya may be the best in the GLVC. An athletic secondary, led by Justin Onwugbufor and Stefan Camplin, is back to boost the S&T defense. Ben Straatmann returns to help lead the linebacking crew. Some new talent has been added to the defensive line. 5. McKendree (5-6, 3-4): The Bearcats were 1-1 in the spring. Ninth-year head coach Mike Babcock returns 22 starters, including 10 each on offense and defense. QB Turner Pullen was GLVC Freshman of the Year in 2019 after passing for 2,733 yards and 26 TDs. Jace Franklin ran for 774 yards and seven TDs in 2019. DB Devon Myles is the top defender back. 6. SW Baptist (3-8, 1-6): Jr. QB

Cooper Callis was named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Year for the 2021 spring season. He threw for 1,106 yards and 10 TDs during the three-game spring season, during which the Bearcats finished 1-2, while rushing for 106 yards. WR Curtis Cuillard caught 22 passes for 298 yards and four TDs in the spring while WR Jordan Kent had 15 receptions for 313 yards and four TDs. LB Aaron Harris and DB Bryton Lewi were the Bearcats’ top tacklers in the spring. 7. William Jewell (1-10, 0-7): The Cardinals are hoping an 0-3 spring season was a strong learning tool. Back is sr. QB Anthony Pritzel, who threw for 876 yards and six TDs in the spring. He spread the passing around, as four players had 10 or more receptions, led by WR Grant Latina with 19 for 244 yards and WR Jalik Jaggwe 15 for 332. The Cardinal running game must pick

GLVC BY THE NUMBERS 0: GLVC games lost by Lindenwood since joining the league in 2019 (7-0 in 2019; opted out of 2021 spring season). 2: Reigning fall season GLVC Players of the Year back on Lindenwood’s roster – 2019 offensive player of the year QB Cade Brister; 2019 defensive player of the year LB Drew Seers. 4: Former Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association members who are now participating in the eight-team GLVC football race (S&T, Truman State, Southwest Baptist, Lindenwood). 5: Combined games won by William Jewell over the last five seasons. 7: Championships won by Indianapolis over the nine-year history of GLVC football. up, as the squad was outrushed 834393 in the spring. DB Mario Magana is the top tackler from the spring. 8. Quincy (5-6, 2-5): The Hawks finished 0-2 in the 2021 spring season in preparation of the fall campaign. Fr. Grant Hajicek and soph. Tionne

Harris split time at QB in the spring, as the Hawks threw for just 77 yards while allowing 504 passing yards in two games. Fr. Taylor Temple rushed for 107 yards to lead the ground game. Jr. LB Peyten Chappel is the top tackler back from the spring.

AREA SCHEDULES ROLLA Junior Varsity Aug. 30 – Bolivar, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 6 – at Spring. Glendale, 6 p.m. Sept. 13 – West Plains, 6 p.m. Sept. 20 – at Spring. Hillcrest, 6 p.m. Sept. 27 – Spring. Parkview, 6 p.m. Oct. 4 – Spring. Kickapoo, 6 p.m. Oct. 11 – at Waynesville, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 – at Lebanon, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 – Camdenton, 5:30 p.m. Freshmen Aug. 30 – at Bolivar, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 6 – Spring. Glendale, 6 p.m. Sept. 13 – at West Plains, 6 p.m. Sept. 20 – Spring. Hillcrest, 6 p.m. Sept. 27 – at Spring. Parkview, 6 p.m. Oct. 4 – at Spring. Kickapoo, 6 p.m. Oct. 11 – Waynesville, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 – Lebanon, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 – at Camdenton, 6 p.m. 8th-Grade Sept. 9 – at Camdenton, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 – at Waynesville, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 – Lebanon, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 – at West Plains, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 – at Jeff. City Thomas Jefferson, 6 p.m. Oct. 14 – Jeff. City Lewis & Clark, 5:30 p.m. 7th-Grade Sept. 9 – Camdenton, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 – Waynesville, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 – at Lebanon, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 – at West Plains, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 7 – Jeff. City Thomas Jefferson, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14 – at Jeff. City Lewis & Clark, 6 p.m. ST. JAMES Junior Varsity (All Times 5:30 p.m.) Aug. 30 – at Salem canceled, COVID Sept. 13 – Hermann Sept. 20 – at Owensville Sept. 27 – at Cuba Oct. 4 – St. Clair Oct. 11 – Sullivan Oct. 18 – at Union Oct. 25 – at Pacific 8th-Grade (All Times 6:45 p.m.)

Sept. 16 – Hermann Sept. 30 – Joel E. Barber Oct. 7 – at St. Clair Oct. 14 – Union Oct. 21 – at Pacific 7th-Grade (All Games 5 p.m.) Sept. 16 – Hermann Sept. 30 – Joel E. Barber Oct. 7 – at St. Clair Oct. 14 – Union Oct. 21 – at Pacific SALEM Junior Varsity Aug. 30 – St. James Canceled, COVID Sept. 7 – at Cabool, 6 p.m. Sept. 13 – at Houston, 6 p.m. Sept. 20 – Thayer, 6

p.m. Sept. 27 – at Ava, 6 p.m. Oct. 4 – Willow Springs, 6 p.m. Oct. 11 – Mtn. Grove, 6 p.m. Oct. 18 – at Mtn. View Liberty, 6 p.m. 7th/8th-Grade (All Games 5:30 p.m.) Sept. 9 – at Willow Springs Sept. 16 – Mtn. Grove Sept. 23 – at Mtn. View Liberty Sept. 30 – Cabool Oct. 7 – Houston Oct. 14 – at West Plains

Section Content Compiled by sports editor Dave Roberts In Print, Online & Mobile

(573) 426-3700 | phelpscountyfocus.com

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Tidbits from Missouri college football programs The 2021 fall campaign is a bounceback season for all 21 colleges in Missouri playing football at the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III or NAIA level. With the exception of the state’s flagship collegiate football program, Mizzou,

Here are tidbits, compiled by Dave Roberts, from each one of those programs: NCAA Division I Mizzou: Two former Ozark Conference all-staters are on the Tiger roster for 2021. Lebanon’s Cannon York, a 6-2, 252-pound junior-redshirt DL, and Mason Pack, a 5-11, 194pound DB graduate student from Springfield Kickapoo, who transferred from Southwest Baptist four years ago, will be looking for spots on the MU defensive rotation. Missouri State: The Bears made the most of their shortened spring season, claiming a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) championship for the first time in 30 seasons. After a slow start under MVFC Coach of the Year Bobby Petrino, Missouri State finished 5-1 in the league to advance to the NCAA FCS playoffs, where it lost in the first round to fellow MVFC co-champion North Dakota. The Bears were ranked No. 13 in the final national rankings. Southeast Mo. State: The Redhawks ranked in the NCAA D-I FCS national poll twice during a condensed spring season, reaching as high as No. 16. SEMO closed out the year with a three-game winning streak, finishing 4-4 overall and 4-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The team ranked in the top three in the OVC in scoring offense and scoring defense. Running back Geno Hess was a Sophomore All-

all Missouri squads had their respective 2020 fall schedules either limited to just a few games or wiped out entirely due to COVID-19 precautions. Others got in very limited spring schedules once some of the pandemic restrictions were lifted.

American and kicker/punter Zach Haynes a Freshman All-American. Hess led the OVC and FCS in rushing touchdowns with 12 and was ninth nationally in scoring, averaging nine points per game. NCAA Division II S&T: The Miners had a nice home winning streak snapped by Truman State 46-27 April 15 to end their condensed spring season earlier this year. After having the 2020 fall season wiped out due to COVID, S&T went into the spring having not lost a home game since 2018. That home win streak covered nine games, secondbest in school history. In 1913 the then-Missouri School of Mines tied a game against Christian Brothers then began a home winning streak that lasted 11 games through 1915. That included the ridiculous 1914 campaign, during which the squad went 8-0 and outscored their opponents 540-0. From 1979-81 the UMR Miners won seven straight home games. Central Missouri: Former Mule tight end/punter Zach Davidson (6-7, 245) gets a chance of living out the dream of playing in the NFL after being drafted in the fifth round – No. 168 overall – of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He is the 12th Central Missouri player to be drafted, and first since Delanie Walker in 2006. Davidson came to the Mules as a punter, and in his first season set a team record averaging 44.3 yards per punt – second in the country. In 2019 he became the premier tight end in NCAA D-II, earning five first-team All-America honors. He finished in the top-10 in receiving TDs (15) and yards per catch (22.4). His senior season of 2020 was wiped out by COVID. Lindenwood: After winning the

With all players being offered an extra year of eligibility due to last year’s void, the Missouri football squads will have rosters bursting at the seams in numbers and anticipation for this fall’s competition.

Great Lakes Valley Conference championship in its first season in the league during 2019, the Lions did not play at all in the 2020-21 school year, opting out of the limited 2021 spring season. The team’s last game was a loss to former MIAA rival Northwest Missouri State in the second round of the NCAA D-II Playoffs Nov. 30, 2019. Lincoln: After having the 2020 season eliminated the Blue Tigers played two games in the spring of 2021, losing both to Nicholls State 87-3 and to Texas Permian Basin 5420. Lincoln returns to the field with five home games for this fall included in its schedule. Missouri Southern: The Lions played their first football game in 488 days March 18, holding on for a 21-20 victory at Southern Nazarene during their only spring game of 2021. Six months later Missouri Southern is slated to play again Sept. 2 in a MIAA game at Nebraska-Kearney. The Lions are scheduled to play their first home game since Nov. 9, 2019 when they take on Northeastern State Sept. 11 in Joplin. Missouri Western: The Griffons reached into the Ozark Conference for recruiting help, signing Bolivar offensive lineman Drayton Huchteman (6-4, 250). In all Western’s 2021 recruiting class included 29 players from 14 states. Seven of them came from Missouri. Southwest Baptist: The Bearcats Athletic Department this summer mourned the unexpected death of former football standout Lester Baker, who passed away in June. Nicknamed “Touchdown Maker,” Baker was a member of the SBU football squad from 1985-89, serving as team captain in 1987 and 1989. He helped the squad to its first winning season and first national ranking in 1986 and was also a member of the team when

it transitioned from the NAIA to the NCAA. Baker holds the career school records in rushing yards (3,892), rushing touchdowns (42), touchdowns scored (45) and singlegame rushing TDs (5). Truman State: Bulldog All-America KR/DB Lawrence Woods signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints. He was named a D-II All-American following the 2018 season, during which he was the GLVC Special Teams Player of the Year. That year he returned three kickoffs for TDs and averaged 50.8 yards per return. He played in only four games in 2019 due to injury but added an 87-yard return as well as two interceptions and eight pass breakups. He did not suit up for Truman State this spring, opting to focus on an NFL deal. Northwest Mo. State: Former Northwest Missouri State All-America WR Tony Miles has again made the national ballot for the 2022 class that will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Miles was a two-time All-America who led the Bearcats to back-to-back NCAA Division II national championships (1998-99) and four consecutive MIAA titles. He set MIAA and school records for career receiving yards, receptions and TDs. The Class of 2022 will be officially inducted Dec. 6. William Jewell: Former Rolla High School OL Isaac Stormes is listed as a redshirt-sophomore on the Cardinals 2021 roster. Other Ozark Conference players on the roster include former Springfield Glendale Falcons QB Gavin Watts and WR Winston Quinn. See all your local high school sports on a daily basis at phelpscountyfocus.com and thesalemnewsonline.com.

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