Jasper

WEMO CONFERENCE (11-MAN) Offseason work pleases Jasper coach

BY JIM HENRY jhenry@joplinglobe.com

New Jasper coach Sam Sturgis is certainly pleased with the Eagles’ preparation for this season.

“The kids on our roster — about 32 kids — every single one of them hit 90 percent attendance this summer,” said Sturgis, who was an assistant for the Eagles last season. “This was the first time these kids showed that kind of work ethic. They averaged 12 kids a day last year in the weight program. This year about every day they were right at full capacity.”

The Eagles went 6-4 a year ago, getting off to a good start before being slowed by several injuries.

“We faced some injuries in midseason, and a lot of kids had to grow up real quick,” Sturgis said. “Some junior varsity kids had to move up to varsity at midseason. We didn’t have much choice.

“Our junior varsity was undefeated. Most of the kids got three or four starts, and as a result we’re rolling into this season.”

The Eagles return eight two-way starters — seniors Talon Flenniken (running back-middle linebacker), lineman Austin White, wide receiver-defensive end Keagan Spurgeon and halfback Isaac Wingert; juniors Kyler Flenniken (receiver-cornerback) and lineman A.J. Etcheson and sophomores Xander Metcalf (fullback-middle linebacker) and end Westen Vonier.

Sophomore Braden Rush has won the quarterback job. More veterans are running back Aiden Hartgrave, fullback-linebacker Dominick Bryan and linemen Hayden LeMaster and Seth Haddock.

“Speed and quickness are strengths,” Sturgis said. “We lack experience in the offensive line. We lost some big boys last year who played those spots for two or three seasons.”

Half of last year’s conference teams are playing 8-man football this fall, leaving Jasper, Adrian, Archie and Midway to contend for the 11-man title.

ADRIAN BLACKHAWKS

The Blackhawks will rely on their defense to carry the load while the offense gains experience.

“Defensively last year we gave up just over nine points a game,” coach Matt Cochran said. “Offensively we have kids with a lot of ability. They don’t have a lot of experience. They will have to get experience on the run.”

Defensive veterans are Kyler Six at tackle, Brody Ford at end, Keaton Cook at middle linebacker, Noel Martinez at outside linebacker and Cooper Mead, Colton Bass and Owen Tallman in the secondary.

The offensive line has both size and experience — 250-pound senior Six, 245 senior Ford and 230 junior Cook. Meade, who played slotback last year, will see action at running back, and Bass returns at wide receiver.

Senior Bryant Burkes is the quarterback. As the backup quarterback, he saw action the past two seasons when the starter suffered an injury.

“Getting experience is the main thing,” Cochran said. “We have size; we have speed. We have to get some confidence. Once these guys get some confidence, I think they are going to be really good.”

ARCHIE WHIRLWINDS

Led by 10 returning starters, the Whirlwinds are

SEE 11-MAN, 39

ROSTERS

ADRIAN BLACKHAWKS

COACH: Matt Cochran (6th year). ASSISTANTS: Matt Davis, Caleb Noland, Josh VanSlyke. 2018 RECORD: 11-2 (6-1 WEMO).

RETURNING STARTERS

Brody Ford, 245 sr. OL-DE; Noel Martinez, 160 sr. LB; Cooper Mead, 160 sr. RB-DB; Kyler Six, 250 sr. G-DT; Keaton Cook, 230 jr. OL-MLB; Owen Tallman, 145 jr. DB; Colton Bass, 140 so. WR-DB.

OTHER LETTERMEN

Bryant Burkes, 160 sr. QB; Corbin Kisner, 160 so. RB.

ARCHIE WHIRLWINDS

COACH: Michael Toschi (9th year). ASSISTANTS: Brian Thomas, Chad Stroud. 2018 RECORD: 6-4 (5-2 WEMO).

RETURNING LETTERMEN

Shane Bailey, 160 sr. WR-DB; Dallen Couch, 210 sr. G-DE; William Hartman, 180 sr. RB-DE; Nigel Johnson, 165 sr. RB-LB; Larry Knibb, 10 sr. RB-LB-DT; Gavin Clark, 200 jr. TE-FB-LB; Jacob Forgette, 205 jr. OL-DL-LB; Dylan Sutton, 150 jr. QB-WR-DB; Dakota Tiedman, 260 jr. OL-DL; Titus Ward, 240 jr. OL-DL.

TOP PROSPECTS

Gavin Graves, 180 jr. OL-DL; Trey Langford, 160 jr. RB-LB; Clay Morgan, 170 so. FB-LB-DB; Blake Southard, 250 so. OL-DL; Blake Trotter, 210 so. OL-DL-LB; Christian Ward, 210 so. OL-MLB.

JASPER EAGLES

COACH: Sam Sturgis (1st year). ASSISTANTS: Chad Carr, Tyler Gripka,

Joey Ballard, Ethan Bates, Mike

Sturgis. 2018 RECORD: 6-4 (4-3 WEMO).

RETURNING STARTERS

Talon Flenniken, 185 sr. RB-MLB; Keagan Spurgeon, 170 sr. WR-DE; Austin White, 205 sr. OL-DL; Isaac Wingert, 165 sr. RB-DB; A.J. Etcheson, 175 jr. OL-DL; Kyler Flenniken, 165 jr. WR-DB; Xander Metcalf, 175 so. FB-MLB; Westen Vonier, 230 so. TE-DE.

OTHER LETTERMEN

Aiden Hartgrave, 175 jr. RB; Dominick Bryan, 185 so. FB-LB; Seth Haddock, 170 so. OL-DL; Hayden LeMaster, 175 so. OL-OLB; Braden Rush, 170 so. QB-WR.

TOP PROSPECTS

Jose Moran, 245 sr. DL; Jared Tidball, 185 jr. TE-DB; Cooper Chaffin, 170 so. RB-DB; Brayden Spurgeon, 220 so. OLDL; Noah Neher, 180 fr. TE.

MIDWAY VIKINGS

COACH: Larry Burchett (32nd year). 2018 RECORD: 11-1 (7-0 WEMO).

RETURNING LETTERMEN

Nathan Baer, 155 sr. RB-DB; Colton Dean, 160 sr. QB-LB; Johnny Humbird, 195 sr. WR-DB; Cody Rambler, 180 sr. OL; Ike Riggs, 230 sr. OL-LB; Hunter Yahnig, sr. WR; Mayson Adams, 170 jr. LB; Duece Giamalva, 300 jr. DT; Jordan Gifford, jr. WR-K; Dawson Masters, 265 jr. DL; Mason Owens, 190 jr. OL; Mason Yahnig, jr. WR; Cole Young, 195 jr. QB-DE; Clay Palmer, 230 so. OL; Jacob Schwarz, RB.

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