Semi-professional, eight-man football is coming to the region.
The Midwest Defenders will play in West Plains beginning in the spring of 2020. They will play in the Central Plains Football League and feature players from the area.
Tryouts for the Defenders are 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at Carmichael Field in West Plains. The fee is $25. All interested players are encouraged to attend.
The team will be coached by Daryl Baker of Springfield. He will also be the offensive coordinator. The defensive coordinator is Deonta Wade. Dallas native Erik Butzin is the running backs and defensive line coach. Charles Marks, a Cabool graduate and former Houston assistant coach, will lead special teams, tight ends and defensive ends.
The Central Plains Football League (CPFL) features teams from Springfield, Joplin, Branson, Oklahoma and Kansas.
For more information, contact Baker at 417-396-7982 or visit www.midwestdefenders.info.