Van-Far indians

“The 2022 season felt like a rollercoaster of emotions!” exclaimed Head Coach Lucas Gibson. “Our first two weeks we spent on the road and even though we didn’t bring home wins, we gained attention for the work we were willing to put in. By the time we were home for Week 3, our community was there to welcome us and we had an amazing crowd to cheer us on to our victory against Montgomery County. Entering Week 4 we were on a high and ready to face the undefeated Bowling Green Bobcats, only to lose Evan Utterback, a key player on both offense and defense, during the JV game. Week 5 we geared up for Wright City, another undefeated team, only to lose another starter, Jackson Fischer during practice in a routine drill. The team felt defeated, yet went and battled with Wright City, holding their own through all four quarters of the game. The season continued much of the same way, fighting through many battles, but never coming out with a win in the end. Our team was very young and has worked to become stronger and more skilled. This is the most dedicated group of kids I’ve ever worked with and without a doubt they will find success this year!” Success will come in the form of a more experienced team with 7 offensive starters and 9 defensive starters back. On offense, it starts with dynamic senior running back Gage Gibson (5’10”, 155). He earned 1st Team All-District and 2nd Team All-Conference last season. He will be called upon to carry the load for the Indian offense and will be used in a number of different ways. Se-

Class: 1

Conference: EMO

Head Coach: Lucas Gibson Years at School: 2

Record at School: 1-8

Returning Lettermen: 16

Returning Starters Offense: 7

Returning Starters Defense: 9

Last Year’s Record: 1-8 nior Tyrece Cole returns this season as a versatile weapon Van-Far can use at any of the skill spots on offense. Junior Reece Culwell returns at wide receiver where he caught 3 passes for 49 yards and a score last year. He has good hands and runs true routes, so look for him to be a big impact player this season. Senior WR Branson Salmon, senior WR Blake Foster, sophomore WR Gaven Gaston and freshman Kashton Rhodes will be involved more this year as well. Sophomore Evan Utterback returns at tight end after missing more than half the season due to injury. He caught 2 balls for 22 yards before he was sidelined. Fellow sophomore tight end Pacey Reading will be back as well. Paving the way and getting short yardage carries will be sophomore fullback Ty Evans. The line returns four starters; junior Dalton Hays and sophomores Dalton Dameron, Brandon Kurz and Easton Sharp. Also add to the O-Line mix big freshman Daquon Martin. Last season, the Indians Power-I rushing attack could never gain any momentum. They were only able to average 181 rushing yards per game last year. Combine that with only 38 passing yards per game and you get the lackluster 12 points per game they averaged. This year look for the offense to get on track early and often. “Offensive line will be much better this year, and lots of work in the weight room during the off season should show on Friday nights,” commented Coach Gibson. “We will continue to be physically and mentally tough throughout the season. Taking it one week at a time.” On the defensive side of the ball, a number of familiar faces will be back and also because of the Indians are still building depth, most players will be playing both sides of the ball. At outside linebacker, Gage Gibson had 72 tackles, 2TFL, 3FF, 2 INTs and was named 1st team AllDistrict, Eagle 102 All-District, and 2nd Team All-Conference. At the other OLB

Tyrece Cole had 17 tackles, 3TFL and 1 fumble recovery. Dalton Hays will be back at inside linebacker where totaled 30 tackles and 1 fumble recovery last year. At the other ILB spot Ty Evans had 21.5 total tackles, and 4TFL in ’22. In the secondary, Reece Culwell is back at cornerback where he made 9 tackles and 1 INT. At the other CB spot will be Blake Foster. These two will have to help bring along an inexperienced defensive backfield. The D-Line returns the four sophomores: Evan Utterback (DE, 8.5 total tackles, 2TFL, 2 sacks,1FF, 1Fumble recovery), Pacey Reading (DE, 2 fumble recovers, 16.5 total tackles, 4 TFL) Jackson Fischer (DT, 1FF, 1TFL, 7 tackles) and Easton Sharp (DT, 1FF, 5 tackles, 1TFL). Freshman Daquon Martin will bring his size to the D-Line rotation as well at tackle. Improvement in all facets of the game will be necessary for the Indians to improve on the 35 points per game they allowed last year. The coaches will focus on fundamentals, tackling, alignment and assignment and most of all playing physical. Coach Gibson and his assistant coaches: Steve Gschwender, Cale Utterback and Dustin Elledge preach the “never give up” attitude, “No matter what adversity you face. Having that never quit mindset, that hard work and determination will pay off in everything you do,” stated coach.

This Van-Far team is still very young, but they gained some valuable experience last season and they learned what it is going to take to win games in the Eastern Missouri Conference. The schedule’s just as challenging as last year and there’s no room for let up, but look for this team to make improvement week to week.

“I feel like our team has earned some respect for playing with true grit. Several opponents commented on it and we hope to continue that quality with our numbers growing close to the 30 player mark,” stated Coach Gibson. “That should pay big dividends on a successful season. Our O-Line should be much improved with the dedication we have seen in the weight room. With so much adversity last season, these young men are hungry for a successful season, and I can’t wait to watch them compete!”

The struggle was real in Versailles last season. The Tigers posted only a single win throughout the 2022 season. There were a number of reasons for the drop last year and Head Coach Warren Seitz has reflected on the issues this past offseason, “Last year we were plagued with low numbers through injuries, players not coming out for football, or quitting. The guys that stuck it out continued to give us great effort with our only win coming the 8th week of the season against Boonville.” A single win, coming late in the season against a strong team proves that the Tigers did not give up last season. Coach Seitz and his assistant coaches, Dusty Daniels, Dylan Ballew and Kyle Meyer will build on that effort from last season and look to improve from week to week in ’23. The Tiger offense returns five starters from a year ago. Junior Reese Murdock (6’3, 180) returns at wide receiver after making 17 catches, for 253 yards and 3 TD all in only 5 games, since he suffered an injury last season. He impressed enough to be named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Murdock will be counted on greatly this year as he is a gifted athlete and a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. He brings good size and speed to the position and will certainly help a new quarterback become adjusted more easily. At the other wide receiver spot, senior Tristan Albrecht (6’4, 160) returns after catching Class: 2

Conference: Ozark Highlands

Head Coach: Warren Seitz

Years at School: 2

Record at School: 2-18

Overall Coaching Record: 137-130

Number of Returning Lettermen: 8

Returning Starters Offense: 5

Returning Starters Defense: 4

Last Year’s Record: 1-9

10 balls for 134 yards and 3 TD’s. Look for him to use his length and big stride to out-distance and out-jump defenders. Murdock and Albrecht will also help newcomer Ben Peck (5’8, 140) a sophomore, figure out the offense and they will be joined by senior Xavier Jones (6’, 160) who also brings good size to the receiving corps. In the backfield again will be senior Tyrus Ollison (5”10, 205), but not at the quarterback spot where he was pressed into duty last season. This year he will be a full-time running back again. At QB he was 35 for 74 for 460 yards and 6 TD. He also ran for over 200 yards as well. Coach thinks having him focus on just running the rock will enable him to really showcase his skills. The backfield also welcomes back senior Chase Shewmaker (5’10, 175) who missed last year with an injury. Sophomore Zeke Miller (5’5, 150) will provide a change of pace and depth at RB. It looks like junior Fletcher Bias (5’10, 170) will be tabbed to start the year at quarterback. He has a good arm and can be a dual threat as well. Upfront, the line returns junior Shane Bright (5”10, 195) at center and sophomore Tyler Morrison (5’10, 210) at guard. Rounding out the line will be sophomore newcomers JShawn Cotton (6’, 230) and Daulton Rasa (5’10, 170). The Tigers will utilize a Spread attack on offense, but there must be improvement in nearly every area, as last season they only averaged 111 rushing and 82 passing yards per game. That ineffective offense led to the lackluster 10 points per game average last year. Looking at 2023 Coach Seitz sees potential and some pitfalls, “I think we have some really good skill position players this year. Both WR’s are back, Chase Shewmaker who missed last year with an injury is back and we will move Tyrus Ollison back to his original position of running back. Up front we have a couple guys with experience, but we will need some younger players to step up into starting roles.”

On the defensive side, four starters return including the cornerback duo of Tristan Albrecht and Reese Murdock. Last season, Murdock registered 33 tackles and made 2nd team All-Conference. Rounding out the defensive secondary will be newcomers Fletcher Bias, Ben Peck and Xavier Jones. The linebacker corps returns leading tackler Tyrus Ollison (73 tackles) who earned 1st team All-Conference honors last season and junior Brady Dobbins (5’8, 190) who had 40 tackles in ’22. Back in the LB mix after missing last season will be Chase Shewmaker, along with newcomers Daulton Rasa and Zeke

Miller. On the line, JShawn Cotton will bring his size to the defensive end spot, but this area will need the most attention to start the season. Finding players for the trenches will be a priority for Coach Seitz. Versailles will run a 3-5-3 alignment and cutting down opponents rushing game will be the focus as they surrendered 239 rushing yards per game last year. Add 144 passing yards allowed per game and that adds up to allowing 41 points per game last year. “Our strengths on defense will be our linebacker and defensive back play,” stated Coach Seitz. “We have a number of players who have experience and play physical. We must cut down the number of missed tackles which will improve the defense dramatically.”

Entering the 2023 season the Tigers will have quite a few new faces and a number of new opponents as they move from the Tri County Conference into the Ozark Highlands Conference. Coach Seitz focuses on the positives as they head into the year, “I’m looking forward to this year with new optimism and enthusiasm because we have a number of new players/starters and moving into a new conference.” New year…New opportunities.