2017

Sedalia
Democrat
in
FOOTBALL GUIDE

50¢
2 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

Table of Contents

2
Cover Story, Table of Contents

3-6
Smith-Cotton

7-9
Sacred Heart

10-11
Cole Camp

13
Northwest

14 FILE PHOTOS
Missouri Valley Former Smith-Cotton head coach Ryan Boyer discusses a Danny Morrison, center, observes a Lincoln football prac-
penalty with officials last season in Sedalia. Boyer returns tice last season. After a 13-1 campaign with the Cardinals
15 to his alma mater as head coach and athletic director in in 2017, Morrison takes over as defensive coordinator at
Marshall Warsaw for 2017. Warsaw.

16-17
Lincoln

18
Area coaching shakeup
showcases tight-knit community
Warsaw

19
Knob Noster, Sweet Springs
By Alex Agueros
20 aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
Windsor
At face value, it appears the area
football scene endured a major overhaul
21 in staffing.
Tipton Seven of the 12 high school teams
feature a new head coach. Windsor head
22-23 coach Jake Vencill is in his second year
Central Missouri
and Sweet Springs head coach Kris Con-
ley enters his fourth.
24 Much of the turnover was as simple as
Missouri a drive down the road, move down the
hall or a return home.
ON THE COVER: Danny Morrison said the driving
distance from his house to Lincoln and
Former defensive coordinator Warsaw, where he takes over as defen-
Charlie McFail and first-year head sive coordinator, is exactly the same. He
coach gives instructions during a joins first-year head coach and athlet-
Smith-Cotton game last season.
ic director Ryan Boyer, who returns
to his alma mater after three years at
Smith-Cotton.
With the departure of Morrison, Car-
dinals athletic director takes over head
coaching duties for Lincoln football in
its follow-up to a 13-1 season.
Charlie McFail, a previously leading
Smith-Cotton wrestling and assisting
its track and field program, is the head
football coach after Boyer took over at
Warsaw.
Half an hour north of Sedalia, Adam
Huse takes over the Marshall Owls foot-
ball program in his first head coaching
gig. He comes from Class 4 Hillcrest in
Springfield.
To the west, Chris Cavanah made a
short drive home from Crest Ridge in
Centerview to head the Warrensburg
Tigers, where he was previously an assis-
tant coach.
Marcus Wolfe has a chance to re-kin-
dle a former indoor football rivalry
when, as head coach of Northwest
8-man football, he faces Ben Lyles of
Sacred Heart. Before the American Pro-
fessional Football League folded, Wolfe
coached the Springfield Wolfpack while
Lyles headed the Mid-Missouri Outlaws
of Sedalia.
Among the most well-traveled and
successful first-year coaches is Rich
Johnson in Knob Noster. He is notorious
for turning around programs, capturing
record win totals at Trenton and Holden
and most recently winning 31 games in
three seasons at Mountain Grove.
All of this is to say, that while the
colors, cheers and mascots have changed
amid a shifting coaching landscape our
football teams, just like the communities
they represent, are more alike than not.
 Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 3

Familiarity is key
for Smith-Cotton By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com

In 2015, Smith-Cotton surprised with

an undefeated regular season, and again
with a first-round postseason exit. Last
season, more than a couple surprising
losses allowed the Tigers (4-5) to host
Hickman in a playoff victory before
again falling Belton.
While injury, interruption and upset
are inherent to the game, Smith-Cotton
football is poised to limit surprises in
2017.
Charlie McFail, former head wres-
See KEY | Page 5

Go Tigers!

Proud to support our home team!

Troy Curtis
3200 S Limit Ave, Ste D
Sedalia, MO 65301
660-826-2720
TCurtis@ShelterInsurance.com

FILE PHOTOS ® We’re your Shield. We’re your Shelter.

AUTO • HOME • LIFE ShelterInsurance.com
Fans cheer before a Smith-Cotton football game last season at Tiger Stadium in Sedalia.

Have a great season!

s

Sedalia | Boonville | wkfamily.com | Est 1919

4 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

2016 RESULTS
L, 28-27 OT, at Moberly
W, 38-0, Marshall
W, 26-6, Warrensburg
L, 25-24, at Pleasant Hill
W, 31-13, Nevada
W, 21-6, at OíHara
L, 43-36, at Clinton
L, 42-17, at St. Pius X
L, 49-17, Center
W, 45-14, Hickman
L, 28-17, at Belton
Italics indicate postseason

2017 SCHEDULE

Aug. 11 Jamboree, 6 p.m.

Aug. 18 Moberly, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 at Marshall, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 at Warrensburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8, Pleasant Hill, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Nevada, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 St. Michael Catholic, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 Clinton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 St. Pius X, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Center, 7 p.m.

2017 JEEP COMPASS Gauge Young

LATITUDE cuts back against
Center during a
home game last
season.
Izaiah Snyder kiss-
es the Silver Tiger
Trophy last season
after a Smith-Cot-
502886b

ton victory.

PUMMILL’S Have a
Great Season!

GO
TIGERS!
Locally Owned
Serving Sedalia Since 1976 1 block West of Best Western

503026s
2400 W. 16th • Sedalia, MO 65301 3311 Green Ridge Road
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660-826-0150 • Fax: 660-826-2757 660-827-5800

 Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 5

Jaden Kendrick
attempts a pass on
the run last season
Key
against Nevada.
From Page 3

tling, assistant football and current track and field assis-

tant, is first-year head coach of a Tigers team with more
than 20 seniors. Familiarity is key for Smith-Cotton,
which returns quarterback Jaden Kendrick, running
backs Gauge Young, Brice Pannier and Brandon Neale.
Young totaled 10 touchdowns and more than 900
yards while Pannier averaged 7.4 yards per carry. Kend-
rick completed 74 of 122 pass attempts four 700 yards,
six touchdowns and four interceptions.
Pannier, who led the Tigers in reception yards and
touchdowns, was also all-conference at linebacker on a
Smith-Cotton team that went 5-0 when limiting oppo-
nents to 14 points or less.
Seniors Calvin Pritchard, Andrew Vasquez, Terrence
Callaway, and junior Walker Tatum will get snaps on
the offensive line while senior Korbin Scott is a likely
starter at tight end. Scott had 13 receptions for 169
yards and one score in 2016.
The Tigers must cut down on penalties, which be-
came a theme in losses at Moberly, Pleasant Hill, Clin-
ton and St. Pius, to better position themselves against
Class 5, District 6 powers Battle and Belton.
McFail and staff have emphasized mental prepara-
tion through the offseason and jamboree.
ìIíve been on them for two weeks talking about men-
tal focus,” McFail said after the Smith-Cotton Jamboree.
“Getting their mind right, keeping their mind strong ó
the intrinsic value of all this stuff.”
Smith-Cotton plays an identical schedule to 2016.
With better performances against Center and St. Pius
X, the Tigers could win the West Central Conference
in its final season. With sharper focus against district
favorites, the Tigers could move into the state tour-
nament. Then, who knows? Maybe a surprise could
benefit the Tigers.

Proudly
supporting
Smith Cotton!

Ford Lincoln Chevrolet

Go Tigers!
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Sedalia • Boonville
6 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

Tyshawn
Ward
recovers
a fumble
last season
during a
postseason
victory
against
Hickman.

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Senior-heavy roster carry Sacred Heart championship hopes
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
It is with the same awe felt at the be-
ginning of football season ó how quickly
time passes ó that Sacred Heart football
head coach Ben Lyles enters his seventh
year and the Gremlins enter its third in
the 8-man era.
The Gremlins are not just comfort-
able in the Missouri 8-man scene. After
hosting a state semifinal in 2016, Sacred
Heart is aiming for an 8-man state
championship.
Sacred Heart won the CRC Confer-
ence and District 4 titles before falling to
Stanberry in the 8-man semifinals. Trent
Lyles returns at quarterback, Micah Tan-
guay out wide and RaeQuan Williams
and Nick Cashman in the backfield. The
Gremlins have 13 seniors overall with
increased numbers for 2017.
Six seniors joined the Gremlins for a
new season. Daniel Scotten, Shane Car-
roll, Tucker Nicholson and Colby Young
join the receiving corps and secondary,
while Sam Burnett and John Smothers
add depth in the backfield.
Sacred Heart is thin at offensive line,
but return seniors Kyle Kennon, Easton
Webb and David Moreno to both sides
of the ball.
Ben said recent success bolstered
numbers, creating positional compe-
tition leading up to week one, a rare
luxury for 8-man football programs.
“Coming off the final four and getting
that district win and being that close,
yeah, it does feed into the program,” Ben
said.
The Gremlins play a similar schedule
to 2016, and can better position them-
selves in the postseason by making up
early losses to Albany and Greenfield.
Sacred Heart beat Greenfield when it
mattered, 40-38, for the District 4 cham-
pionship but fell to Stanberry in the next
Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 7
RaeQuan Williams
endures Northwest
Mustang tacklers on a
goal-line push during
a Gremlins victory last
season.
FILE PHOTOS
round. Sedalia.
North Andrew defeated Stanberry ìWith these guys, weíve probably
for Missouri 8-man State Champion- pressed harder than ever, knowing what
ship one week after Sacred Heart was the expectations are,î Ben said. ìWeíve
eliminated. Overcoming these perennial got some pretty lofty goals.î
powers - North Andrew blew out the The Gremlins began the regular
Gremlins 70-12 last season - requires season hosting Albany 7 p.m. Saturday,
improving on the group already in Aug. 19 at Tiger Stadium in Sedalia.
2017 JEEP COMPASS
LATITUDE
Of SEDALIA
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www.BillieBarnes.com
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8 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

RaeQuan
Washington
breaks
free from
Norborne-
Hardin
tacklers
last season
at Tiger
Stadium in
Sedalia.

Trent Lyles weaves through Norborne-Hardin defenders during a 2016 post-

season victory.
 Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 9

2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 Albany, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 at Greenfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Norborne-Hardin, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 North Andrew, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Northwest
Sept. 30 Kansas City East Christian
(Kansas), 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 at Chilhowee with Leeton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 Northwest, 7 p.m.

2016 RESULTS
L, 44-42, at Albany
L, 48-32, Greenfield
W, 58-30, Norborne-Hardin
L, 70-12, at North Andrew
W, 66-6, Northwest
W, 62-18, at Kansas City East Christian
(Kansas)
W, 72-6, Chilhowee
W, 6-12, at Northwest
W, 67-0, Norborne-Hardin
W, 40-38, Greenfield
L, 80-40, Stanberry
Italics indicate postseason

Micah Tanguay
receives a pass during
a 2016 game against
Norborne-Hardin
at Tiger Stadium in
Sedalia.

Trent Lyles marches

toward a Sacred Heart
touchdown last season
against Norborne-
Hardin.

-
10 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017
Cole Camp aims for
Evan Shearer receives a pass
during a game last season.
FILE PHOTO
top of conference
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
Before a Lincoln shutout and one-
and-done playoff appearance last
season, Cole Camp had one six-point
loss and seven wins to its name. De-
spite losing 10 seniors, the Bluebirds
should be in striking distance of
Kaysinger Conference supremacy in
2017.
Junior running back Jordan Farrar
will take handoffs from sophomore
Kaden Harms and run behind senior
lineman Garrett Fisher and senior
tight end Jarrett Farrar. Harms enters
his first year at quarterback.
“(Harms) has a great arm and did
a good job this summer in 7-on-7,”
said 13-year head coach Kevin Shear-
er. “Look for good things. He will
have to step up and lead.”
Fisher is captain of an offensive
line easing newcomers Chase Mo-
ellman, Cameron Craig and Aden
Hernandez into the scrum. He also
accounted for 49 tackles, three sacks
and three forced fumbles at nose
tackle in 2016.
Evan Shearer, who paced the
502302b
Bluebirds with more than 100 tackles
last season, leads a defense that sur-
rendered an average of 16 points per
game. With the emergence of Adam
Boyd at tight end, Evan will also get
carries at running back this season.
The Bluebirds’ schedule is due to
provide stiffer competition. While
Lincoln finished with 13 wins last
season, the remaining eight Cole
Camp regular-season opponents
combined for 12. The Orioles, which
hosted the Bluebirds week one, are
one of four teams that both played
Cole Camp and finished winless in
2016. All but Osceola return to the
Bluebirdsí schedule.
Head coach Shearer said given
numbers - there are 30 on the roster -
Cole Camp will favor speed over size.
“These upper-classmen have been
playing varsity football since they
were freshman,” Kevin said. “Our
overall physical team size is small
- not a lot of traditional large Cole
Camp bodies.”
Cole Camp faced Concordia on
the road in week one, and host War-
saw 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25 in week
two of the 2017 regular season.
 Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 11

-
2016 RESULTS
W, 48-12, Concordia
W, 34-16, at Warsaw
L, 6-0, Carrollton
W, 46-8, at Cuba
W, 47-0, Sherwood
W, 52-21, at Windsor
PHOTO COURTESY OF KEVIN SHEARER
W, 49-14, Tipton
The 2017 Cole Camp Bluebirds football
W, 43-12, at Osceola
team poses for a photo before prac- L, 46-0, Lincoln
tice at Cole Camp High School in Cole L, 26-6, El Dorado Springs
Camp. Italics indicate postseason
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 at Concordia, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 Warsaw, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 at Carrollton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 Cuba, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 at Sherwood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 Windsor, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Tipton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 Osceola, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Have a great season!

Sedalia | Boonville | wkfamily.com | Est 1919 502891b

12 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017
Jaason Levine hits the gap during the Silver
Tiger Trophy game September 2016 in Sedalia.
The Warrensburg Tigers finished 3-6 overall
including a 26-6 loss at Smith-Cotton.
FILE PHOTOS
Cavanah, just down the road, returns to Warrensburg
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
After nine seasons with Crest Ridge,
Chris Cavanah returns to Warrensburg
to lead a Tigers football program that
graduated 15 seniors and won three
games last year.
Warrensburg has featured three
coaches — Wiley Meade, Scott Grinde
and Tom Scarborough — since then-as-
sistant coach Cavanah’s departure from
Warrensburg in 2007.
He is installing former running back
Ejyah Sheridan, junior, at quarterback to
lead a spread offense.
502388b
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 Excelsior Springs, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 at Van Horn, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 Smith-Cotton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Odessa, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Clinton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 St. Pius X, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Center, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 Nevada, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at O’Hara, 7 p.m.
2016 RESULTS
L, 40-12, at Excelsior Springs
W, 36-6, Van Horn
L, 26-6, at Smith-Cotton
L, 61-14, Odessa
L, 32-28, Clinton
L, 28-16, at St. Pius X
L, 59-0, Center
W, 22-0, at Nevada
W, 54-34, O’Hara
L, 35-12, at Helias
Italics indicate postseason
Connor Burson, senior, projects to
start at running back while senior Dal-
ton Nappe headlines the Warrensburg
receiving core with juniors Zach Reed
and L.J. Lewis.
Seniors Wyatt Hill, Shawn Kosmiski
and Marcelles Fletcher help make up a
4-3 defensive scheme at defensive end,
tackle and linebacker, respectively. At left,
Cavanah is 47-27 since 2010 and Kymani
advanced Crest Ridge to the Class 1 Martin
Missouri State Quarterfinals in 2013. adjusts
Warrensburg, assigned to Class 4, Dis- to catch
trict 7 with Hannibal, Helias, Marshall a pass
and Moberly, have finished 3-7 for three during
seasons following two 0-10 campaigns. 26-6 loss
The first-year Warrensburg head at Tiger
coach said via email that he is embracing Stadium
the challenge of a culture turnaround in
amid his jump to Class 4. Sedalia
“We can have a successful season, but during
like most teams, there will be some ups the 2016
and downs,” Cavanah said. “We have to season.
be able to manage the highs as well as
the lows and be consistent with our play
each week.”
Warrensburg hosts Excelsior Springs
to open its season. The Tigers play Van
Horn on the road before challenging
Smith-Cotton for the Silver Tiger Tro-
phy 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 in Warrens-
burg.

2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 North Shelby, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 at Norborne-Hardin, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 Kansas City East Christian
(Kansas), 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 Chilhowee with Leeton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Chilhowee with Leeton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Greenfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.
Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 13
2016 RESULTS
L, 52-18, at North Shelby
W, 50-28, Kansas City East Christian (Kansas)
W, 58-40, at Chilhowee with Leeton
W, 78-30, Chilhowee with Leeton
L, 66-6, at Sacred Heart
L, 88-20, Greenfield
L, 38-20, at Norborne-Hardin
L, 60-12, Sacred Heart
W, 68-64, Chilhowee with Leeton
*L, 13-0, Greenfield
Italics indicate postseason
*Forfeit
Wolfe, majority of Mustangs,
begin in first season
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
Northwest head coach Marcus Wolfe has a near blank canvas
to work with in his first season with the Mustangs 8-man foot-
ball team.
Only all-conference wideout and cornerback Rylan Cham-
berlin and first-year quarterback Gage Stout return to the roster
after a 4-6 record and a forfeit after advancing in the district
playoffs in 2016.
Chamberlin is the top target among junior Hunter Teter,
sophomores Dalton Berg and Jonathan Slaughter and freshman
Zander Hood.
Austin Lyston and Matthew Slaughter, sophomore and
freshman, line up alongside freshmen tight ends Robert Cartee
and Josh Norris. While stout relies on their protection, running
backs Colton Younger-Loesing and Keaton Kalsey depend on
their push.
Wolfe said overall inexperience provides ups and downs, but
the players are willing students in practice.
“Due to their inexperience, they are very willing to learn and
earn their time on the field,” Wolfe said. “We will continue to
provide the opportunities to our players to get better every day.”
Despite a condemnable end to the season, four wins was an
improvement on 2015. Expectations are again unclear after a
roster overhaul.
FILE PHOTO
The Mustangs swept Chilhowee in three games last season,
Rylan Cham- including a 4-point postseason victory. They match up in back-
berlin holds
to-back weeks Sept. 8 and 15.
on to Trent Northwest defeated Kansas City East Christian, of Kansas,
Lyles in com- for its only other win last season. While the team hopes to
pleting a
make up ground on Sacred Heart and Greenfield after 2016
quarterback blowouts, the Mustangs’ best shot at an upset is week two at
sack against Norborne-Hardin.
Sacred Heart
The Mustangs opened Tim Barnes Field by hosting North
last season. Shelby on Friday, Aug. 18.
14 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

Viking football The Missouri Valley Vikings football team charges onto
Gregg-Mitchell Field before a game in 2016. Last season the
Vikings advanced to the NAIA Football Championship Series

starts season for the first time since 2014 and open this season ranked No.
12 in the national preseason coaches poll.

ranked No. 12
By Democrat staff
Missouri Valley is ranked No. 12 in
the 2017 NAIA preseason coaches poll
after a 9-3 record and NAIA Football
Championship Series appearance last
season.
Sophomore quarterback Jake Bridges
returns under center after passing for
more than 2,700 yards and 28 touch-
downs in 2016.
Kenny Sanford, all-conference with
Bridges, is returns at running back
after leading the Vikings in rushing as a
freshman.
The Vikings must overcome No.
2-ranked Baker to better position itself
for a 2017 playoff run. Last November,
the Wildcats defeated Missouri Valley
31-28 and the University of Saint Fran-
cis ended the Vikingsí season, 79-20.
Benedictine, which hosts Missouri

NowNOW
Open
NOW OPEN!
Valley 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, also

Open
OPEN!
received votes in the preseason poll.
That game will be featured on ESPN3,
Mediacom and KSMO-TV.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 at Benedictine, 11 a.m.

Knob Noster
Knob Noster
Missouri Valley play 6 p.m. Satur-
day, Sept. 2 at Gregg-Mitchell Field in
Marshall against No. 23 William Penn
Sept. 2 William Penn, 6 p.m.
Sept. 9 Graceland, 6 p.m.
Sept. 16 Peru State, 11 a.m.
Sept. 23 at Grand View, Noon
University.
ON THE WEB AT
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSOURI VALLEY ATHLETICS
Sept. 30 at Culver-Stockton, 1 p.m.
Oct. 14 Avila, 2 p.m.
Missouri Valley quarterback Jake Bridges evades pressure in the Oct. 21 Central Methodist, 1:30 p.m.
Your Local
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 Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 15

Huse of
Hillcrest leads
mending of
Marshall
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com

Adam Huse takes his first head

coaching job at Marshall with the
Owls seeking a new start after a win-
less season.
And while the former Hillcrest
defensive coordinator requires more
overall bodies to build the Owls into
week-to-week winners with depth,
Huse has returners at skill positions
and a crop of underclassmen with
perhaps advanced experience.
“Lots of young guys got experience
last year,” Huse said. “(The Owls) are
still young with lots of new players.”
John Haug will again start at quar-
terback with wide receivers Jaylen
Varner and Kyle Weber to target.
Carlos Lopez, Jonathan Sprigg and
Connor Schulte are two-way starters
of interest.
Huse listed Jairon Jasper, Tariq
Coleman, Ryan Henderson, Eli Jack-
son, Melphi Daleen, Zavion Winn and
FILE PHOTO
Mason Thurman as newcomers likely
Marshall quarterback John Haug avoids a Smith-Cotton defender in the backfield during a 2016 game at Tiger Stadium
to garner varsity snaps. No player on a
in Sedalia.
thin Owls roster, or any Marshall stu-
dent who might join, will have won no
more than three games in a season. 2017 SCHEDULE 2016 RESULTS
Shoring up the defense is a strong Aug. 18 Chillicothe, 7 p.m. L, 63-7, at Chillicothe
first step in getting back some wins in Aug. 25 Smith-Cotton, 7 p.m. L, 38-0, at Smith-Cotton
2017. Sept. 1 at Mexico, 7 p.m. L, 42-7, Mexico
Successful in recent years against Sept. 8 Kirksville, 7 p.m.
L, 42-20, at Kirksville
Kirksville and Boonville, the Owls L, 26-14, Fulton
Sept. 15 at Fulton, 7 p.m. L, 56-21, at Moberly
managed more than 20 points against Sept. 22 Moberly, 7 p.m. L, 50-17, Hogan Prep
the two in blowout losses in 2016. Sept. 30 at Hogan Prep, 7 p.m. L, 56-22, Hannibal
Marshall scored its season high in a Oct. 6 at Hannibal, 7 p.m. L, 47-21, at Boonville
56-21 home loss to Hannibal. L, 63-7, at Hannibal
Oct. 13 Boonville, 7 p.m. Italics indicate postseason
Marshall sees Boonville and
Kirksville at home in ‘17, as well as
503025s

Smith-Cotton, Moberly and, in its

season opener, Chillicothe. ON THE WEB AT SedaliaDemocrat.com
16 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017
Derek Stephen pac-
es the Midway de-
fense last season in
a Lincoln victory.
FILE PHOTO
Lincoln embarks after historic 2016 run
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
While the Cardinals have a tough
act to follow, Lincoln football appears
well-equipped for another run at con-
ference and district titles.
Adam Curtis takes over as head
coach with the departure of Danny
Morrison to Warsaw. Curtis, athletic
502847b director and already on the football
502303b
staff, is familiar with his roster of 18
returning lettermen - four of which
are all-conference and district seniors.
ìWeíre really confident in the kids
we have,î Curtis said. ìWe had a
fantastic senior class, but we replaced
them with good kids.î
The Cardinals deploy seniors
Dominic Simmons and Derek Ste-
phens in the backfield behind Clayton
Kreissler and Caleb Smith on the line.
Simmons, Stephens and Kreissler are
linebackers in the Lincoln 4-3 scheme,
while Smith, 6-foot-1, was all-confer-
ence and district at defensive end.
Lincoln football graduated 12
seniors that helped set records for the
rest of its football teams to come. The
2017-18 seniors hope to set records of
their own. Stephens is currently build-
ing on the Cardinalsí all-time rush-
ing record, which he set last season
during a 1,400 yard campaign.
ìI think (the seniors) are excited
about the opportunity to be talked
about more and be more in the lime-
light,î Curtis said. ìBut theyíre pretty
accomplished already.î
Along with Curtis, a large sopho-
more class step into new roles in 2017.
Jackson Beaman starts at quarter-
back, Bo Kroenke and Nate Hesse are
the top receivers in a spread offense
and Parker Engles, Tanner Bays and
Hayden Beaman fill out the offensive
line. Sophomores on paper, Lincoln
underclassmen got snaps in several
blowout victories, including six shut-
outs.
However difficult repeating an
undefeated regular season and his-
toric playoff run may be, Curtis said
the goals - and methods - at Lincoln
remain the same.
“Our strength will be using our
speed and experience at specific posi-
tions to hopefully make it difficult for
our opponents to move the football,”
Curtis said.
The Cardinals opened the 2017
season hosting Rich Hill. They host
Appleton City in week two and end
the homestand against Osceola in
week three.

2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 Rich Hill, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 Appleton City, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 Osceola, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Windsor, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 Marionville, 7 p.m.
2016 RESULTS
W, 52-3, at Rich Hill
W, 48-0, at Wentworth Military Academy
W, 48-0 at Osceola
W, 62-8, Windsor
W, 46-8, at Marionville
W, 58-18, Tipton
W, 60-6, Slater
W, 56-8, Southeast
Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 17
Two Cardinals tackle a Midway rusher during a postseason victory in 2016.
Sept. 22 at Tipton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Slater, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 at Southeast, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 Cole Camp, 7 p.m.
W, 46-0, at Cole Camp
W, 48-0, Osceola
W, 42-0, Appleton City
W, 58-28, Skyline
W, 46-0, Midway
L, 34-28, at Monroe City
502838b
Italics indicate postseason
502840j
18 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

2017 SCHEDULE First-year Warsaw head coach and athletic

director Ryan Boyer discusses a penalty last
Aug. 18 Clinton, 7 p.m. season during a game at Smith-Cotton.
Aug. 25 at Cole Camp, 7 p.m. FILE PHOTO
Sept. 1 at California, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 Osage, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 Versailles, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Eldon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 Hallsville, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 at Southern Boone, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 Blair Oaks, 7 p.m.

2016 RESULTS
L, 47-26, at Clinton
L, 34-16, Cole Camp
L, 33-7, California

Boyer, Morrison look to reboot Warsaw

L, 42-6, at Osage
L, 36-14, at Versailles
L, 49-17, Eldon
L, 51-6, at Hallsville
L, 49-21, Southern Boone By Alex Agueros ìWe have good size and speed with ers. The Wildcats have as many starting
L, 45-6, at Blair Oaks a group that has a lot of playing expe- defensive returners and 20 total return-
L, 64-3, at Lamar aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
Italics indicate postseason rience,î Boyer said in an email. ìI am ing lettermen.
Two Warsaw natives are in charge excited for this upcoming season. Our After a coaching face lift helped
of overhauling the Wildcats football boys have been working hard and doing rebrand the program, Warsaw can claim
We think
program. everything asked of them. Our commu- senior newcomers at each level.
Warsaw fans
deserve a Ryan Boyer, former head coach at nity has been great in supporting our Cole Branson did not play foot-
bank that’s Smith-Cotton, and Danny Morrison, program and helping out in any way ball last year, and will step into a wide
impressive too! possible.î receiver and defensive back role. Ryan
former head coach at Lincoln, and the
Morrison joins Warsaw after guiding Franklin missed last season to injury,
rest of the coaching staff are tasked with
Lincoln to a 12-1 record and Class 1 and is a likely starter at linebacker. Boyer
rebooting a team with a 25-game losing State Tournament semifinals appear- said Tommy Robitsch should see varsity
streak and two wins in the past three ance. He and assistant coaches Jared snaps on both sides of the line.
GO WARSA seasons.
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Main Street
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Johnson takes over at Knob Noster
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
First-year Knob Noster football head
coach Rich Johnson said the Panthers
are in building mode after winning two
games in 2016.
Johnson is the winningest coach in
both Trenton and Holden school histo-
ry, and most recently coached a different
Panthers team that won 31 games in
three seasons at Mountain Grove. He
also coached at Trenton, Liberal and
Webb City.
The Panthers of Knob Noster beat
Lone Jack on the road 30-14 and Tipton
at home 9-8 last season. Second to last
in its district after five straight losses,
Knob Noster fell to Butler 61-14 in Class
2 postseason play.
Stevie Elwell, junior, returns at quar-
terback while senior Darrenton Price
and sophomore Jadis Williams help
make up the backfield. Senior Jordan
Lyons buoys the offensive and defensive
line in a program lacking numbers and
as a result, depth.
“Our strength is a group of young
men that showed commitment over
the summer,” Johnson said in an email.
“The weakness is we need to have more
show that commitment.”
Senior receiver Jordan Milby and junior
tight end Andrew Harvey return as up-
perclassmen targets for Elwell, and look to
be impact defensive players as a defensive
back and linebacker, respectively.
Johnson listed 10 newcomers, with
at least one in each class, joining six re-
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Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 19
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 at Versailles, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 Lone Jack, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 Butler, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Tipton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 Carrollton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Lexington, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 Lafayette County, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 at Richmond, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Holden, 7 p.m.
2016 RESULTS
L, 22-6, Versailles
W, 30-14, at Lone Jack
L, 62-7, at Butler
W, 9-8, Tipton
L, 27-7, at Carrollton
L, 57-0, Lexington
L, 49-0, at Lafayette County
L, 70-0, Richmond
L, 47-20, Holden
L, 61-14, at Butler
Italics indicate postseason
turners. Sophomores Anthony Gillispie,
Brandon Rau, junior Logan Corbett and
freshman Xavier Ortiz join the Panthers
in 2017 to round out the offensive line.
As Knob Noster builds its program, the
needle on its win-loss record may hardly
budge. The Panthers, however, can cut
down on extremes. Knob Noster was shut
out three times last year, while surrender-
ing more than 40 points on six occasions.
The Versailles Tigers, which beat
Knob Noster the season opener 22-6
last season, hosts the Panthers on week
one again, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 in
Versailles.
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Team chemistry key as Sweet Springs regroups
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
Sweet Springs finished one game over
.500 last season after losing the Silver
Greyhound Trophy game in overtime at
Windsor and to St. Paul Lutheran Saints in
its home opener.
Winning three of its next four games in
shutout fashion helped the Greyhounds
land the No. 3 seed in district play and posi-
tion themselves at home for a 21-14 victory
over Salisbury.
Fourth-year Sweet Springs head coach
Kris Conley said the Greyhounds will rely
on team chemistry and an experienced
backfield and linebacker corps to chan-
nel the groove they were in during a 4-1
September.
The Greyhounds must make up pro-
duction lost from eight seniors, each of
which were all-district or conference. Grant
Knipmeyer, Nick Ortzian, Anthony Love
and Wade Phillips are key newcomers to
the Sweet Springs football program.
“We have some young kids in some po-
sitions that haven’t been tested yet,” Conley
said.
All-district quarterback and three-year
starter, Zack Giffen, is not of the untested.
He joins Nick Ownby, Marcus Barney, Jar-
rett Feuhring, Jacob Hall, Seth Eckhoff and
Logan Reid as returning offensive starters
for the Greyhounds.
Ownby and all-conference running
back Barney also three-year starters on an
offense that averaged more than 25 points
per game in 2016. Giffen, Hall, Ownby,
Barney and Eckhoff are each two-way
players returning to a defense that let up 20
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2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 Windsor, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 at St. Paul Lutheran, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 Concordia, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Chaffee, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Orrick, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22, Santa Fe, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Crest Ridge, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 Lone Jack, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Wellington-Napoleon, 7 p.m.
2016 RESULTS
L, 20-14 OT, at Windsor
L, 28-6, St. Paul Lutheran
W, 35-0, at Concordia
W, 40-0, Wentworth Military Academy
W, 49-14, Orrick
W, 35-0, at Santa Fe
L, 36-7, Crest Ridge
W, 56-20, at Lone Jack
L, 42-7, Wellington-Napoleon
W, 21-14, Salisbury
L, 53-7, at Westran
Italics indicate postseason
points per contest.
A 40-0 win over Wentworth Military
Academy was the difference between a
positive margin of points scored versus
points allowed last season. Sweet Springs
will instead play Chaffee in week four,
which last season finished 4-6 and compete
in the same district as Valle Catholic in Ste.
Genevieve.
Before that lengthy road trip, the Grey-
hounds host Concordia week three, face St.
Paul Lutheran on the road week two and
host Windsor for the Silver Greyhound
Trophy in its season opener.
20 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

Windsor return bulk of linemen, head coach Vencill

By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
Jake Vencill returns for his second
year as head coach of Windsor football
with 16 starters on offense and defense
combined.
Consistency for the Greyhounds is a
winning recipe for a team that finished
4-6 overall in 2016.
All-conference selection Riley Fer-
guson resumes duties at quarterback
along with Malachi Cooper and Carlton
Fowler, yard producers also named to
the All-Kaysinger Conference team.
Landon Terry, Trenton Thompson,
Trace Rodriguez and Matt Tatum again
anchors the Windsor offensive line.
Thompson was also an all-district defen-
sive tackle selection in 2016.
Jonah Roberts, Camden Allee and
Jonah Roberts are two-way returners in
the backfield and secondary.
The Greyhound core must compen-
sate for production lost from center
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Tanner Golden and tight end Cole Pax-
ton. Each played linebacker on defense,
garnering all-conference and district
picks.
Windsor can also make up ground in
conference with better turnouts against
Tipton and Cole Camp, who each beat
the Greyhounds by at least two touch-
downs. Last year, nobody beat Lincoln
in the regular season.
The Greyhounds, which fell 62-8 at
the hands of Lincoln, play host the Car-
dinals in its first road challenge of the
season Friday, Sept. 8.
Vencill said Windsor football can
advance its standing in the Kaysinger
Conference with improved team speed
and scheme familiarity.
ìThe Greyhounds return experienced
players on both sides of the football in
year two of offensive and defensive sys-
tems,î Vencill said. ìTeam speed and play
making ability on offense and defense
are strengths of the ëHounds.î
Opponents outscored Windsor by 69 FILE PHOTO
points overall, with Miller, Lincoln and
Cole Camp each scoring more than 50
Windsor running back Jonah Roberts looks for a hole last season against the
Lincoln Cardinal defense during a 62-8 Greyhounds loss in Lincoln.
points during a five-game losing stretch.
The Greyhounds reeled off three straight
wins before its season in week 10 against 2017 SCHEDULE 2016 RESULTS
a Crest Ridge team the ëHounds beat
Aug. 18 at Sweet Springs, 7 p.m. W, 20-14 OT, Sweet Springs
one week earlier. L, 55-20, at Miller
Aug. 25 at Miller, 7 p.m.
The first of four Windsor victories L, 26-12, at Tipton
Aug. 31 Tipton, 7 p.m.
last year occurred in week one after the L, 62-8 at Lincoln
Sept. 8 Lincoln, 7 p.m.
annual Silver Greyhound Trophy game L, 29-14, Appleton City
Sept. 15 at Appleton City, 7 p.m. L, 52-21, Cole Camp
with Sweet Springs. It took extra time
Sept. 22 at Cole Camp, 7 p.m. W, 52-6, at Wentworth Military Academy
to overcome the Greyhounds from the
Sept. 29 Adrian, 7 p.m. W, 48-8, at Slater
north, 20-14. W, 20-14, Crest Ridge
Oct. 6 Slater, 7 p.m.
Sweet Springs hosts Windsor at 7 p.m. L, 30-12, at Crest Ridge
Oct. 13 at Crest Ridge, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 18. Italics indicate postseason

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 Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 21

Cardinals to rally
around talented
linebackers
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com

Distance between now and a 2012-

13 playoff run to the Class 1 Missouri
State semifinals grew wider for Tipton in
2016, as the Cardinals won three games
and were one-and-done in the district
tournament.
Head coach Tony Braby said the Tip-
ton defense, specifically its linebackers,
has taken shape nicely as a young roster
develops. Of the Cardinal secondary in a
3-5-3 defensive scheme, each are sopho-
mores and first-time starters.
ìI think the young secondary will get
better with every game we play,î Braby
said. ìWeíre young in some areas, other
O than linebacker. We think as the season
e goes weíll get stronger and catch up with
those linebackers.î
Dakota Pace and Matthew Grunder
are lone seniors anchoring a linebacker
group with help from junior newcomer,
Jaden Griffen.
ì(Griffen) has been a big surprise and
a big help for us,î Braby said.
Sophomore Austin Pace, is a first-year
starter at quarterback. He looks to pass
more as the season goes on, but hand a
majority of carries to Dalton Weaver and
his brother Dakota.
Another family duo, Derrick and FILE PHOTO
Hunter Hays, make up the defensive line Tipton quarterback Braiden Brownfield releases a pass last season during a game at Cole Camp. He is one of six grad-
with junior Zack Cox at nose guard. uated seniors the Cardinals look to replace in 2017.
Tipton defeated Windsor for its only
conference win of the season in 2016, 2017 SCHEDULE 2016 RESULTS
and managed less than 20 points against Aug. 18 St. Paul Lutheran, 7 p.m. L, 30-6, at St. Paul Lutheran
Cole Camp and Lincoln. Aug. 25 at North Callaway, 7 p.m. L, 42-8, North Callaway
While the Cardinals will make up at Aug. 31 at Windsor, 7 p.m. W, 26-12, Windsor
least some of the gap between 30 and L, 9-8, at Knob Noster
Sept. 8 Knob Noster, 7 p.m. W, 32-12, Liberal
40-point losses conference opponents, Sept. 16, at Liberal, 7 p.m. L, 58-18, at Lincoln
an easier route to improved district Sept. 22 Lincoln, 7 p.m. L, 49-14, at Cole Camp
standing for Tipton are non-conference Sept. 29 Cole Camp, 7 p.m. L, 37-12, Lighthouse Christian
home games against St. Paul Lutheran, Oct. 6 at Lighthouse Christian, 7 p.m. W, 44-22, at Concordia
Concordia and Knob Noster, which beat L, 60-22, at Appleton City
Oct. 13 Concordia, 7 p.m. Italics indicate postseason
the Cardinals last season 9-8.
Tipton hosted the Saints of St. Paul
Lutheran in its season opener Friday,
Aug. 18. ON THE WEB AT SedaliaDemocrat.com 502844b
22 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017

2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 Pittsburg State, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Fort Hays State, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 Missouri Western, 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Emporia State, 2 p.m.
*Sept. 30 Northwest Missouri, 4 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Nebraska-Kearney, 2 p.m.
Oct. 14 Missouri Southern, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at Washburn, 1 p.m.
Oct. 28 at Central Oklahoma, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4 Northeastern State, 1 p.m.
Nov. 11 at Lindenwood, 1 p.m.
* at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City

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Mules return to Arrowhead in 2017, hope playoff return follows
By Alex Agueros
aagueros@sedaliademocrat.com
A 9-2 record against the MIAA and
a return to the playoffs, however dis-
appointing, is persuasive evidence for
optimism at Central Missouri.
In its first playoff appearance since
2010, Central Missouri gained 55
yards on the ground to 355 yards
from Harding in a 48-31 loss in Sear-
cy, Arkansas. Garrett Fugate threw for
314 yards and three touchdowns in
his final game as a Mule.
Svoboda said Brook Bolles is the
projected starter at quarterback for
2017. Bolles, a redshirt junior, has
147 passing yards in limited snaps in
the last two seasons and is the brother
of former Northwest Missouri quar-
terbacks, Blake and Brady.
ìLast year was an interesting season
for us from the standpoint that we got
back into the playoffs, which we were
Friday, August 25, 2017 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • 23
excited about, but at the same time it
was kind of a rocky road to get there,î
said head coach Jim Svoboda during
Augustís MIAA Media Day.
Before the playoffs, Central Mis-
souri won six straight after suffering
its only regular-season losses back-
to-back: an overtime home loss to
Emporia State and a 42-17 handling
by Northwest Missouri in Arrowhead.
The Hornets host UCM 2 p.m. Satur-
day, Sept. 23. in Kansas and rematch
the Bearcats in Arrowhead 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30.
Northwest Missouri led the nation
in total team defense at a clip of 240
yards per game. Third in conference,
UCM surrendered an average of 380
total yards per game in 2016. Connor
Flagel, Wyatt Hendrix, Triphinue Tay-
lor and Ubong Udom return to the
defensive line with help from Saddle-
back College transfer, Jeff Holsinger.
Central Missouri was fifth in the
2016 RESULTS
MIAA in rushing yards per game W, 34-27, at Pittsburg State
W, 34-17, Fort Hays State
in 2016 and graduated its top three W, 38-34, at Missouri Western
L, 37-31 2OT, Emporia State
rushers, Marquel McNac, Gabe Van- *L, 42-17, at Northwest Missouri
diver and quarterback Garrett Fugate. W, 36-16, Nebraska-Kearney
W, 56-7, at Missouri Southern
Xavier Washpun, Kadeem McIntosh W, 29-27, Washburn
W, 48-28, Central Oklahoma
and Steven Ford, who combined W, 59-21, at Northeastern State
W, 35-7, Lindenwood
for less than 100 carries last season, L, 48-31, at Harding
Italics indicate postseason
look to make up production on the
ground.
Devante Turner and Warrensburg
graduate Koby Wilkerson, redshirt
freshmen, are also listed at running
back.
The Mules were picked to finish
third in both the MIAA preseason
coaches and media polls behind
Emporia State and defending national
champion Bearcats. Northwest Mis-
souri, Emporia State and Central Mis-
souri are ranked first, fourth and No.
21 in the American Football Coaches
Association D-2 preseason poll.
502737s
24 • Sedalia Democrat Fall Football Guide • Friday, August 25, 2017
Missouri wide
receiver JíMon
Moore, right,
catches a pass in
front of Arkansasís
Jared Collins
during the fourth
quarter of an
NCAA college
football game
Friday, Nov. 25,
2016, in Columbia,
Mo. Missouri won
28-24.
PHOTO BY L.G.
PATTERSON | AP PHOTO
Missouri expects smoother ride in second year under Odom
By Joe Walljasper
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Barry Odom
was as prepared as a rookie head coach
could be when he took over the Missouri
football team following the 2015 season.
He had played linebacker at Missouri
in the 1990s and worked his way up the
ladder under Gary Pinkel, starting as an
administrative graduate assistant and
finishing as defensive coordinator.
Still, Odom and the Tigers hit a lot of
potholes on their way to a 4-8 record last
season.
ìWeíve all been disappointed in the
way weíve performed - Iím talking about
last year,î Odom said. ìThose guys that
played and were here were disappointed
in the things we did not get achieved.î
Odom said he probably overextended
himself in 2016, from fussing over rela-
tively unimportant administrative tasks
to putting himself in charge of coaching
special teams. He also seized control of
the defensive play-calling in the middle
of the season, and he will continue in
that role.
ìYou make corrections, you make
changes,î Odom said. ìYou understand
what your strengths are and go ahead
and admit what your weaknesses are,
and obviously Iíve got a few.î
The Tigers return 10 offensive start-
ers, including a 3,000-yard passer (Drew
Lock), a 1,000-yard rusher (Damarea
Crockett) and a 1,000-yard receiver
(JíMon Moore).
The most pressing concern is a
defense that ranked 118th nationally
last year, yielding 479.7 yards per game.
Missouri lost star defensive end Charles
Harris - a first-round pick of the Miami
Dolphins - but the Tigers do return
some talent up front, particularly defen-
sive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. (a member
of the SEC All-Freshman team in 2015)
and defensive end Marcell Frazier (7.5
sacks last year).
Some other things to watch as Mis-
souri seeks its first winning season since
claiming its second consecutive SEC
East title in 2014:
BREAKOUT SEASON
FOR QB?
Lock threw for 3,399 yards and 23
touchdowns against 10 interceptions as
a sophomore. His accuracy could use
some improvement - heís completed 53
percent of his passes in his career - but
his arm strength and 6-foot-4 frame
could put him on the radar of NFL
teams with a strong junior season.
ALL ABOUT THAT PACE
Missouri runs a fast-paced offense
that relies heavily on run-pass option
plays - a system most often compared to
the one run at Baylor under Art Briles.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, the offense
produced too many quick three-and-out
possessions in losses to West Virginia,
LSU and Florida in which they scored a
combined 32 points. For the system to
succeed in Josh Heupelís second year as
coordinator, Missouri needs to consis-
tently get the initial first down on drives
so the Tigers can begin taking advantage
of the defenseís fatigue.
TALKING A GOOD GAME
Linebacker Eric Beisel was known
mostly for his cool nickname - Zeus -
until he went on a trash-talking binge
before Missouriís season finale against
Arkansas. He warned that that if the
Razorbacks chose to get off the plane
in Columbia, ìitíd be a huge mistake.î
Odom wasnít amused and asked Beisel
to apologize to Arkansas coach Bret
Bielema. After Beisel helped the Tigers
pull a 28-24 upset , he continued to
relish his role as playful antagonist of
Missouriís cross-divisional rival. At SEC
media days in July, Beisel said of Arkan-
sas: ìThat team down south will always
be below us ó at least geographically.î In
preseason camp, coaches and teammates
have raved about Beiselís leadership, and
the senior said even Odom appreciates
his big personality. ìIím a smart enough
guy to know when Iím crossing the line
or whenever Iím just hugging the line,î
he said. ìI like to hug the line.î
HARNESSING HIS POWER
Tucker McCann has a powerful leg, as
evidenced by him sending 42 of 64 kick-
offs into the end zone for touchbacks last
season as a true freshman. Control was
another matter, as he made just 6 of 12
field goals and missed four extra points.
The Tigers need a more dependable
version of McCann in 2017.
SCHEDULING FOR
SUCCESS
After two straight losing seasons, Mis-
souri seems to have created the path of
least resistance to a bowl game. Its four
nonconference opponents - Missouri
State, Purdue, Idaho and Connecticut -
were a combined 19-29 last season.