Tipton cardinals

The Tipton Cardinals are coming off a program-changing season and hope to continue their success with Head Coach William Duke. The Cardinals had their first winning season (6-4) in ten years and Coach Duke hopes to continue that during the 2023 season. The Cardinals are set up for success to make a good attempt at another winning season by returning 20 lettermen and a large number of their core starters. Although they have a lot of returning starters, many play both sides of the ball, so this team will need a lot of support from their reserves to keep the starters well rested and able to continue to play all game. The West Central Conference has a lot of good teams vying for the conference title and eventually the Class 1 State Championship. The Cardinals now have an experienced and skilled team with something to prove and a very clear goal.

The Cardinals offense is in good shape by returning most of their offensive line and their backfield. They have the size on the offensive line to move the ball well and give their skill players plenty of time and space to do their job. Senior offensive tackle Max Maddex (5-9, 190) returns after re -

Class: 1

Conference: West Central

Head Coach: William Duke Years at School: 3

Returning Lettermen: 20

Offensive Returning Starters: 8

Defensive Returning Starters: 7

2022 Overall Record: 6-4

Tipton Cardinals Schedule

August

25 Crest Ridge w/Chilhowee Away

September

1 Lincoln Home

8 Cole Camp Home

15 Orchard Farm Home

22 Wellington-Napolean Home

29 Windsor Away

October

6 Midway Away

13 Lone Jack w/Kingsville Home

20 Adrian Away

27 Districts TBD ceiving All-District honors. Although a little smaller than his fellow linemen Max is aggressive and tenacious on the line. Senior Emmett Haas (6-3, 225) also returns this year next to fellow senior lineman Cooper Pettigrew (6-3, 280). These two have very imposing silhouettes and will make defenses work if they want to stop them from pounding the ball. Sophomore guard Sam Duke (6-2, 225) returns this year also after a very good season where he earned All-District and All-Conference Honors. Senior All-Conference, All-District, and All- State tight end Tyler Baer (5-9, 185) returns. He will be a player to watch as he is very dynamic at the tight end position and gives the Cardinals another angle of attack as well as extra blocking support this season. At receiver, Jackon Bailey (6-0, 180) returns for his senior year and earning junior year All-Conference and All-District honors. He is an athletic and quick player who always seems to end up with the ball in tough situations. Senior quarterback Cain Meyers (6-3, 180) is returning to the field for the Cardinals this year as well. He will be a valuable piece of this team to lead with his experience and guide his offense to the endzone. Next to him behind the line of scrimmage will be once again be junior running back Lucas Cashman (6-1, 170). A newcomer to this offense is sophomore Ben Bestgen (5-9, 195) who will see some reps on the offensive line. This Tipton team will need a strong defense this year if they are to achieve their goal of a winning season again this year. They have a lot of great athletes who are capable of fulfilling this goal. The Cardinals defense has a lot of players who are seeing time on the offensive side of the ball. The team will have to be well conditioned to stay fresh throughout the game. Seniors Max Maddex and Emmett Haas are returning to the defensive line this year. They will be joined by fellow lineman Sam Duke. These three should make it very difficult for opposing team’s lineman to open up lanes for their backs. They are a good group of athletes who can be dangerous in pass rushing as well with length to knock the ball down and put some physical pressure on the quarterback. Seniors Jackson Bailey, Tyler Baer, junior Lucas Cashman and senior linebacker

Brenton Arnold (5-9, 165) will be returning to the defense this season as well. Cashman was named All-Conference last season. Tipton will need a lot of support from newcomers to keep their starters fresh. These newcomers are senior corners Charlie Miller (5-8, 140) and Rhett Lambert (6, 165). Freshman Paxton Pyle (5-8, 185) will also be looking to get some reps at linebacker.

Last season, the Tipton Cardinals lost some tight games. All four of their losses were by only one score or less. Of their six wins, four were blowouts, usually outscoring their opponents by 3 or more touchdowns. The tradition at Tipton is in the process of changing, the pieces are in place to start a tradition of tough battling football teams that have pride and a chip on their shoulder. Coach Duke has high expectations for his team and wants them to be the foundation for a new era at Tipton High School.

Pigskin’s Pick: 7-2

The Tolton Trailblazers seem to be on the right track, from having just one win 3 years ago to now having back to back winning seasons, the only two since 2015. Coach Egnew called last season “A great development year for Tolton.” Look for the development to continue as they continue to increase their roster size and try to get players in the right position. They bring experience as well this year as they will return 15 Letterman to the squad. This bodes well for them to build an offense and defense around more experienced players. One of the most experienced players is veteran quarterback senior Jake Ryan (6’3”, 215). Ryan possesses the stature, athletic ability, strength and leadership to be the player the Trailblazers can build their offense around in 2023. He has thrown for 2,026 yards and 24 TDs, so he has the ability to move the chains. His favorite target returns in fellow senior Cameron Lee (6’, 185). Lee made 43 catches for 744 yards from his wide receiver spot last season. Talented junior Sam Ryan will also be a big target for the QB with the familiar name. Senior Sam Drummond is a part of the wide receiver corps as are juniors Rylan Wagner, Luke Earhart and Manuel Martinez. Junior Carson Jacaway is a versatile player who Tolton could use at WR or at running back.

Class: 2

Conference: AAA

Head Coach: Michael Egnew

Years at School: 5

Number of Returning Lettermen: 15

Last Year’s Record: 7-3

Senior Scotty Hargis also factors into the RB rotation. Senior Cayden Roark (6’1”, 220) and junior Brett Muller will see some time and help not only receiving, but blocking many times from the tight end spot. Blockers up front on the O-Line will include seniors Will Graves, Cody Longoria and juniors Mac Thornburg, Conner Pfannenstiel and Carter Dampier. This group, along with the addition of some younger players for depth, should be improved from a year ago. Even though they averaged a hefty 37 points per game last year, Coach Egnew will be looking to try to get a little more balanced on offense since last year they leaned so heavily on the passing game, throwing for 238 yards per game and rushing for only 96 yards per game last year. But don’t expect them to switch that abruptly, as the talent they have returning with the quarterback and receiving corps combination will still be what makes this offense go. Another nice weapon to have back is senior Steven Becvar, who is a consistent kicker and can help win the field position battle. On the defensive side of the ball, a pair of senior linebackers set the tone; Caleb Gooch (6’2, 215) and Cayden Roark return to form a fast and physical linebacker duo. These two will be counted on to lead the defense that will feature a few new faces along the line and in the secondary. Senior Scotty Hargis and juniors Rylan Wagner, Brett Muller and Mac Thornburg will join them at backer. In the secondary look for senior Sam Drummond and juniors Sam Ryan, Luke Earhart, Manuel Martinez and Carson Jacaway. Along the D-Line, seniors Will Graves and Cody Longoria should compete for playing time along with juniors Conner Pfannenstiel and Carter Dampier.

Coach Egnew and his coaching staff of Wes Hamilton, Jerrell Jackson, Gabe Garcia, Jake Smith, Adam Shetley and Zack Ortmann, will also be evaluating and looking at some sophomores to compete for not only playing time, but starting positions as well. The following is a listing of the sophomores who may be in the mix. At QB/DB Dominik Abadi, Brendan Hervey and Carson Gamlin. At RB/LB Josh Gooch, George Lawless, Benjamin Schroeder, Clark Wallis and Will Breitweiser. At TE Andrew Rege and Jack Hall. At WR/DB Kaden Schremmer, Will Bramon, Christopher Ankenman and Adam Ortis. At OL/DL Max Keicher, Rylan Parsons, Logan Sleeth, Carter Henke, Ryan Deakins, Martin Harrison and Brooks Priesmeyer. As is his style, Coach Egnew likes to let training camp play out and evaluate his players and decide on his starters throughout that process. He tries to find the right combination of players and positions by week one. This year, the schedule is slightly tougher and there will be some more travel for the Trailblazers. If they can find the right mix of players around their core seniors and can put together some decent depth throughout the roster, look for Tolton to take another step towards a third consecutive winning season.

Pigskin’s Pick: 6-3

Last season, Troy Buchanan Trojans finished with an 8-3 record, finished 2nd in the GAC South behind Class 5 state champions Francis Howell, and earned the 1st seed in Class 6 District 2. They had a tough postseason draw with private powerhouse DeSmet Jesuit in the 2nd round and fell 17-32.

First-year Head Coach Brett Wiggers’ knows that last year’s squad had to navigate a gauntlet of a schedule and this season is no different. They return 4 starters on offense and 6 starters on defense from a season ago. 22 Lettermen return as well and they have had a solid influx of young talent this season. Coach Wiggers is poised to keep the momentum from last season going in 2023.

The Trojans have a spread power run offense. Last year, they scored 41.9 points per game, ran for 272 yards per game, and threw for 113 yards per game. Their offense has revolved around running the football and this season will be no different. Despite losing some key starters, they return and reload with some talented weapons on the perimeter and strong, tough kids up front. QB Hunter Keene had the unfortunate luck of playing behind a 2 Time All-State player Charos Sutton, but he will be a great starting QB for the Trojans. Shane Hopmann is a 6’0, 175 lbs senior wide receiver. Last year, he earned 2nd Team AllClass: 6

Conference: GAC South

Head Coach: Brett Wiggers

Years at School: 1st season in HC

Returning Lettermen: 22

Returning Offensive Starters: 4

Returning Defensive Starters: 6

2022 Overall Record: 8-3

Troy Buchanan Schedule

August

25 Holt (Wentzville) Home

September

1 O’Fallon (IL) Home

8 Hannibal Away

15 Francis Howell Cent Home

22 Francis Howell Away

29 Timberland Home

October

6 Francis Howell North Away

13 Fort Zumwalt West Away

20 Liberty (Wentzville) Home 27 Districts TBD

Conference, caught 22 passes for 449 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 20.4 yards per reception. Ethan Lollar (5’10, 155) is another senior receiver and is a threeyear starter, collecting 38 receptions for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns. Sophomore Carter Dowell is a 6’0, 185 lbs. running back. Last year, he ran for 61 yds, averaging 7.6 yards per carry, and two touchdowns. For the bigs up front, Alec Orodukhanian is a 6 foot, 250 lbs senior tackle who earned 2nd Team AllConference, Damian Madison is a 6’3, 245 guard.

On the defensive side, the Trojans allowed 21.7 points per game last year. Their defense is designed to control the line of scrimmage and stop the run first. Up front, they have another group of big, strong defensive linemen who should get a lot of push. Their linebackers are a versatile group that will be effective in both the run and pass game. On the back end, they have some good athletes who will excel in coverage will also have no fear about sticking their nose in and getting physical. Edgar Vergara is a 6’0 230 lbs senior defensive end. He is a three-year starter, earning 2nd Team All-Conference last year, and collecting 48 tackles and three sacks. Kaiden Johns is a 6’2, 280 lbs defensive tackle who also earned 2nd Team All-Conference having 20 tackles last season. Senior Cooper Burks is a 6’0 200 lbs outside linebacker who has 61 tackles 2 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception that he ran back for a touchdown throughout his career. Senior Jacob Wyble is a 5’10, 175 lbs outside linebacker and safety who was named 2nd Team All-Conference last year. He had 75 tackles, three sacks, and three forced fumbles throughout his career.

Senior cornerback Cam Casso has a career total of 42 tackles and five interceptions. Senior Trevon Weaver is a 5’9, 175 linebacker. He had 46 tackles, three sacks, and an interception last year. Sophomore Talan Rowland is a 5’10, 175 linebacker. Last year he had 25 tackles. Sophomore Jackson Harrell is a 6’3, 255 lbs defensive lineman who made a contribution to the team last year, having 18 tackles and two sacks last year. Junior Tyrell Griggsby is a 6’1, 170 lbs corner who will contribute a lot this upcoming season.

“Despite graduating the most decorated class in TBHS football history, we are fully anticipating a ‘Reload’ rather than a ‘Rebuild,” Wiggers said about the team. “Many of the younger players starred on last year’s JV squad due to the talent we had in the class of 22. That JV squad went 8-1.” Head Coach Brett Wiggers’ philosophy is to utilize the lessons taught through the game of football to develop young men into great husbands, great fathers, and contributing members of society. “Our program mantra is the ‘GOLD Standard’,” Wiggers said. “GOLD is an acronym standing for our core values which are: Gratitude, Ownership, Leadership, and Discipline. By living these values in everything we do, both on and off the field, we work to pursue becoming the ‘Gold Standard’ of high school football in the state of Missouri.” Look for the winning to continue in Troy. There may be a couple bumps in the road along the way with such a challenging schedule and a number of new starters, but they will be ready come District time.