Coach:Terry Flannigan (99-89)
District titles:14 (1969, ’76, ’77, ’81, ’82, ’85, ’89, ’95, ’96, ’97, 2003, ’04, ’05, ’06).
Key departures:Record-setting tailback Lee Flood is gone to Evangel after rewriting the state’s rushing record book and taking Marionville to consecutive state championship games. …All-state offensive lineman and linebacker Kelby Parks was a physical presence on both sides of the ball.
Returning offensive starters:QB Brandon Verforth (6-0, 163); RB Layton Metcalf (5-11, 170); RB Ethan Stine (5-9, 176); WR Zac Denny (6-0, 133); WR Edgar Garrison (6-1, 172); OL Preston Henry (6-1, 217).
Returning defensive starters:DL Henry; DL Nathan Medlin (6-1, 217); LB Stine; LB Metcalf; DB Jake Grubbs (5-8, 162); DB Garrison.
Overview:It’s a new era in Marionville, where Flood and coach Rick Scholten are gone. But the Comets return many offensive starters to a team that played in last year’s Class 1 title game. Verforth is back to direct an offense that averaged 36 points, although most of that damage was done by Flood. Wideout Garrison caught 33 passes for 604 yards and six touchdowns. The line has just one starter back. Defensively, Marionville returns seven starters to a unit that gave up 12.6 points per game.
Last year’s results:
at Houston W, 47-0
at Pleasant Hope W, 63-0
Strafford W, 25-13
at Ash Grove W, 28-13
Skyline W, 56-21
at Stockton W, 49-26
Fair Grove W, 19-13
Miller W, 42-12
at Thayer W, 20-6
Greenfield W, 48-14
at Mcauley Catholic W, 41-6
St. Vincent W, 14-7
at Lone Jack W, 25-12
South Shelby L, 34-27
Coach:Billy Webber (38-42)
District titles:6 (1980, ’81, ’82, ’90, ’94, ’95).
Key departures:Thayer had no significant losses from last year’s 4-6 team.
Returning offensive starters:QB Jacob Eckman (6-1, 185); RB Michael Lowther (6-2, 170); RB Tyler Bonds (5-7, 205); TE Luke Martin (6-0, 175); OL Seth Hargus (5-10, 230); OL Kris Frillman (5-11, 210); OL Eli Martin (6-1, 275); OL Nathan Arsenault (5-7, 170); OL Cody Ary (5-6, 200); OL Justin Carter (6-3, 280).
Returning defensive starters:DL Hargus; DL Frillman; DB Lowther; DL Martin; LB Ary (5-6, 165); LB Eckman; DB Tyler Bounds; DB Veatch (6-1, 160).
Overview:Lowther leads a wealth of talent that hopes to get the Bobcats over the hump in 2007. He had more than 1,500 total yards and scored 17 touchdowns last season. Three linemen return in front of Eckman, who is a threat on the ground (312 yards) and through the air (704 yards). Bonds offers another threat on the ground after gaining 412 yards last year. On defense, the Bobcats return eight players, including Eckman, who led the defense last year with 67 tackles and seven sacks.
Last year’s results:
Salem, Ark. W, 39-0
Houston W, 26-0
at Malden L, 53-20
at Mtn. View Liberty L, 27-13
at Cabool L, 23-20
at Fair Grove L, 31-14
Willow Springs W, 40-12
at Greenfield W, 54-35
Marionville L, 20-6
at Miller L, 32-22
Coach:David Williams (42-25)
District titles:8 (1980, ’85, ’86, ’93, ’94, ’98, ’99, 2006)
Key depatures:First-team all-conference lineman Casey Merrifield is playing at Evangel. Offensive lineman Jared Martin and wideout Matt Bruffett were also all-conference picks.
Returning offensive starters:QB Jonathan Batcheller (6-0, 170); RB Chance Davis (5-9, 175); WR Mark Philpott (6-0, 180); WR Jake Plumb (5-8, 150); WR Taylor Wallace (5-11, 160); OL Jake Rieken (6-1, 200).
Returning defensive starters:DL Rieken; DL Wil Shrable (5-11, 190); Justin St. John (5-9, 180); LB Wallace; LB Ethan Horn (6-0, 170); LB Brady Quackenbush (5-10, 180); DB Batcheller; DB Plumb; DB Philpott
Overview:The Bears bring high expectations and a preseason state ranking into the new year after winning a district title last year. Batchellor threw for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 22 touchdowns in Ava’s spread formation and speedy tailback David rushed for more 1,633 yards to lead an offense that returns six starters. Both were all-conference selections for a unit that topped 30 points six times last year. The defense, which has nine starters back, is led by all-conference picks Rieken and Philpott.
Last year’s results:
at Republic W, 28-21
at Willow Springs W, 46-12
Houston W, 42-9
Mtn. Grove L, 42-0
at Mtn. View Liberty W, 30-20
Branson L, 28-14
Cabool W, 65-32
at Buffalo W, 40-8
Logan Rogersville W, 58-0
at Salem W, 30-27
at Mt. Vernon L, 50-14
Coach:Greg Harlan (2-8)
District titles:1 (1990).
Key departures:RB/LB J.J. Jackson and WR/DB Nick Olivas were both all-conference selections last year. They are two of nine players that graduated from the St. James defense.
Returning offensive starters:QB Damon Thomas (6-2, 220); FB Nathan Deluca (5-10, 175); OL Bub Cunningham (6-1, 225); OL Chris Zachery (6-3, 225); OL Ryan Dautenhahn (6-1, 220).
Returning defensive starters:LB Deluca; DB Larry Karnes.
Overview:It was a difficult debut for Harlan in 2006 as injuries to key personnel added up and helped lead to a 2-8 season. Although St. James lost its leading rusher and receiver, quarterback Thomas and three experienced linemen return to what should be an improved offense. Last year, St. James failed to top 20 points in a single game. The defense, which offered little resistance, has many holes to fill with just two starters returning to a unit that gave up 30.9 points per game.
Last year’s results:
at Blair Oaks L, 28-0
Hermann L, 46-13
at Union L, 54-0
Houston W, 14-8, OT
at Pacific W, 17-12
St. Clair L, 28-0
at Park Hills Central L, 22-15
at Owensville L, 42-13
St. Francis Borgia L, 49-10
Sullivan L, 20-18
SALEM TIGERS
Coach:Bill Schchuardt (220-65)
District titles:14 (1982, ’84, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’93, ’95, ’96, ’98, ’99, 2000, ’01, ’02).
Key departures:Multiple all-conference picks are gone from last year’s 8-2 team. Departed are linemen Justin Hanger and Nate Friend, running back Billy Jackson, defensive lineman Adam Pace and wide receiver Solomon McNeal.
Returning offensive starters:RB Yousef Ibrahim (5-8, 175); RB Max Bell (5-10, 192); TE Jordan Thompson (5-11, 205); OL Vince Jackson (6-1, 239); OL Andy Flett (6-3, 330).
Returning defensive starters:DL Ryan Thompson (6-4, 271); Tyler Washausen (5-11, 190); LB Cass Jones (5-8, 160); LB Jerry Bluhm (5-11, 150); DB Heitman.
Overview:Salem suffered multiple losses from last year’s roster, but the Tigers still have plenty of weapons in their powerful option running game. Ibrahim figures to replace Billy Jackson as the top back after gaining 452 yards on the ground last year. Fullback Bell also returns in the backfield, which will run behind an offensive line that includes two all-conference selections, Vince Jackson and Flett. The defense, which allowed 16.4 points per game last year, has five starters back.
Last year’s results:
at Mtn. Grove L, 35-20
St. Clair W, 24-15
at Owensville W, 27-19
Cabool W, 55-28
at Houston W, 35-0
at Willow Springs W, 36-8
Mtn. View-Liberty W, 38-14
at Logan Rogersville W, 44-7
Buffalo W, 26-8
Ava L, 30-27
Coach:Chris Shanks (28-32)
District titles:3 (1992, ’99, 2000).
Key depatures:Four-year starting quarterback Kellen Hoover is playing baseball at Missouri Southern. All-state defensive back Anthony Cauthon is playing at Benedictine University, and two-way starting lineman Sam Francis is at William Penn University.
Returning offensive starters:RB Corey Ketchum (5-11, 185); WR Logan Alambaugh (6-0, 170); Wr Daniel Boswell (5-4, 130); OL Cody Simpson.
Returning defensive starters:DL Ethan McPeak (5-9, 185); LB Trenton Leonard (5-9, 185); LB Logan Schwalm (5-11, 190); DB Alambaugh; DB Boswell
Overview:The offense will be under the direction of a new face for the first time in four years as Alex Boonyakiti shifts from wideout to quarterback in place of Hoover. He’ll spend most of his time handing the ball to Ketchum, who is seeking his third consecutive season of more than 1,000 yards. Ketchum scored 14 touchdowns last year. Boonyakiti will have a pair of returning wideouts as targets in Alambaugh and Boswell. Defensively, the Bulldogs return a pair of starters at linebacker and the secondary.
Last year’s results:
at Warsaw W, 27-2
Nevada L, 52-27
Slater W, 48-6
at Holden L, 28-7
Neosho L, 48-20
at Houston W, 35-0
Sherwood W, 48-7
at Stockton W, 32-13
Butler W, 23-20
Lamar L, 23-13
Coach:David Williams (42-25)
District titles:13 (1970, ’71, ’75, ’82, ’85, ’88, ’89, ’96, 2002, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06).
Key depatures:Workhorse running back Chad Neuroth is among several all-state selections gone. Also departed are lineman Tyler Ryan, defensive end Jeremy Hyde, lineman Scott Dangler, and defensive back Joey Peterson.
Returning offensive starters:QB Casey White (5-11, 165); WR Aaron Charleston (5-8, 169); OL Daniel Bruce (5-7, 188)
Returning defensive starters:LB Logan Williams (5-7, 170); LB Ethan Smith (5-10, 158)
Overview:After throwing for 1,445 yards as a sophomore, White will have to shoulder another big load in what appears to be a rebuilding year for the Panthers after consecutive years of going undefeated in SCA play. Mountain Grove returns just three offensive starters and two on defense. White’s top target, Charleston, caught all 10 of his touchdown passes last year. Mountain Grove’s defense, which allowed 10.5 points per game, will be anchored by all-stater Williams and Smith.
Last year’s results:
Salem W, 35-20
at Nixa L, 21-13
Mtn. View-Liberty W, 38-0
at Ava W, 42-0
Willow Springs W, 29-14
at Cabool W, 36-14
at Houston W, 55-7
Fair Grove W, 40-0
Pleasant Hope W, 55-7
at Strafford W, 25-22
Mtn. View-Liberty W, 42-7
at Lamar W, 13-9
at Hogan Prep L, 16-7
Coach:Nick Heggeman (3-7)
District titles:9 (1983, ’84, ’90, ’91, ’99, 2000, ’01, ’02, ’03).
Key depatures:Quarterback Scott Myers led the Bears’ passing attack that gained 223 yards per game through the air. Linebacker David Doyle and offensive lineman Dustin Barton were all-conference selections.
Returning offensive starters:RB Justin Johnson (5-7, 175); WR Brice Wilce (5-9, 175); WR Derek Chapman (6-3, 179); Adam Lebeau (5-9, 145); OL Brett Paul (5-10, 235); OL Zach Shockey (6-3, 325); OL Cole Younger (6-1, 185); OL Raymond Bowen (6-4, 250)
Returning defensive starters:DL Bowen; DL Paul; DL Shockey; LB Johnson; LB Younger; LB Messex (5-11, 189); DB Wilce; DB Lebeau; DB Chapman
Overview:Willow Springs returns the core of its receiving unit that averaged 233 yards per game last year. It will be up to Johnson, who moves from running back to quarterback, to get the ball into the hands of Wilce, Chapman and Lebeau. He should have time to throw with four linemen back in front of him. The Bears are also experienced on the defensive side. All-conference selection Bown anchors the line, which is supported by three starters back at linebacker and the secondary.
Last year’s results:
Highland, Ark. L, 20-18
Ava L, 46-12
at Springfield Central W, 40-20
Springfield Catholic W, 20-16
at Mtn. Grove L, 29-14
Salem L, 36-8
at Thayer L, 40-12
Houston W, 26-23
at Cabool L, 20-12
at Mtn. View-Liberty L, 49-6
Coach:Darin Acklin (13-28)
District titles:2 (1992, 2006).
Key depatures:Quarterback Justin French, who scored 50 touchdowns in his career, has moved on to Southwest Baptist University. His top target, wideout Cody Honeycutt, is playing at Westminster University. Lineman Andrew McClelland is at Washington University.
Returning offensive starters:RB Luke Yarber (6-0, 170); WR Paris Walkup (6-3, 170); TE Adam Mattison (6-2, 185); OL Brent Hockman (6-1, 190); OL Jeffery Daniels (5-10, 220).
Returning defensive starters:DL Daniels; DL Darin Lucas (6-1, 310); LB Hockman; DB Yarber; DB Walkup.
Overview:The Mountain View-Liberty offense, which scored 50-plus points twice and more than 20 in all but three games to win the district title, took a big hit with the loss of French. Yarber will slide over to quarterback, although the versatile player will still play some at running back and wide receiver. He’ll have a pair of returning targets in Walkup and Mattison. The Eagles’ 5-2 defense is led by hard-hitting Yarber in the secondary and two returning linemen.
Last year’s results:
at Logan Rogersville W, 33-14
at Chaffee W, 27-7
at Mtn. Grove L, 38-0
Thayer W, 27-13
Ava L, 30-20
Hayti L, 38-26
at Salem L, 38-14
Cabool W, 50-14
at Houston W, 52-8
Willow Springs W, 49-6
at Mtn. Grove L, 42-7
Coach:Vince McCrosky (25-35)
District titles:6 (1968, ’87 ’88, ’89, ’92, ’95).
Key departures:All-conference linebacker Mike Sullivan is one of the few losses for Cabool. The Bulldogs return 19 total starters.
Returning offensive starters:QB Patrick Jesse (6-2, 178); RB Ryan Smith (6-0, 185); RB C.R. Polston (5-11, 183); WR Danny Skaggs (5-10, 160); WR Trent Aldridge (5-10, 155); TE Shane Wallace (6-2, 195); OL Sean McDonald (5-8, 190); OL Michael Johnson (5-11, 235); OL Chance Lott (6-4, 275); OL Trent Sears (5-8, 160); Doug Walls (6-2, 225).
Returning defensive starters:DL Johnson; DL Austin Noll (5-10, 165); DL Jeremy Nelson (6-2, 240); LB Smith; LB Walls; LB Polston; DB Eddie Ellingwood (5-9, 165); DB Joe McCarty (6-0, 165); DB Aldridge.
Overview: Cabool has its sights set on a memorable season with nearly its entire starting lineup returning. Ryan Smith, who gained 1,034 yards as a junior and scored 13 times, leads a rushing attack that averaged 279 yards per game last year. With his tight end and two receivers back, quarterback Jesse should be able to improve his 36 yards per game average. Defensively, the Bulldogs bring back nine starters to their 4-4 defense, including linebackers Smith, Walls and Polston.
Last year’s results:
at Ash Grove W, 14-13
at Galena, Kan. L, 15-14
Springfield Catholic L, 34-28, OT
at Salem L, 55-28
Thayer W, 23-20
Mtn. Grove L, 36-14
at Ava L, 65-32
at Mtn. View-Liberty L, 50-14
Willow Springs W, 20-12
Houston W, 48-14
