After two of the best seasons in program history, the best since West Plains joined the Ozark Conference, senior Zizzers made their college decisions official on Wednesday.
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Quarterback Sam Hall, offensive tackle Jett Sexton, tight end Gerard Dietrich and linebacker Dausen Neuschwander signed National Letters on Intent in front of family, coaches, teammates and classmates in what is considered the largest Signing Day class in three decades.
“This is the biggest signing day I’ve had as a coach; it’s really exciting,” said West Plains coach Steve Ary. “These guys worked so hard, they’re great students in the classroom, they’re smart on the football field and they’re great players. They are everything you want your kids to be; if you’re a high school coach then you want to coach these kids right here.”
After going winless in 2011 and 2012, West Plains went 21-12 over the last three seasons, including a share of the Ozark Conference championship in 2014 and a Class 4 Sweet 16 berth in 2015.
Transforming the Zizzer Football into one of the best programs in the Ozarks recently has given these four seniors the opportunity to extend their athletic careers.
Hall, who went 18-5 in the last two seasons as the starting quarterback after tearing an ACL his sophomore year, passed for 1,541 yards and 18 touchdowns this year, completing 63% of his passes and throwing just four interceptions. He also rushed for 467 yards and five scores.
Over the last two seasons Hall has racked up 3,477 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“He was one of those guys that was consistent every game; he didn’t throw many away,” said Ary. “I know he would have liked to have been in a more passing scheme but we kept people off the field and off the scoreboard and Sam put some points up. I don’t know if we would have survived without him, probably not.”
For the 6-foot-1, 190lb quarterback, picking Missouri State was an easy choice and offers a similar situation that he walked into as sophomore at West Plains, with the Bears going 1-10 in 2015.
“I fell in love with Missouri State when I got there, with the coaching staff and the players,” said Hall. “I loved the attitude they had in everything that they did. I really enjoyed the tour and knowing that they’re going to be able to change the culture and get things turned around.
“I’ve thought about it before, it’s definitely cool to know that it was something I helped change in high school,” said Hall. “Growing up in seventh, eighth and ninth grade, even though we knew they hadn’t won a game in two years, we were extremely confident that we would be able to get it done. It’s going to be another challenge and it’s just a mindset.”
Jett Sexton, the main reason Hall has kept his jersey clean over the last two seasons, was one of Missouri’s top offensive line prospects. The 6-foot-8, 290lb tackle received interest from several Power 5 programs, and was offered by perennial power Boise State, before committing to Yale in December at a time when many programs were increasing their recruiting efforts.
But, Sexton found the academic appeal of Yale more intriguing than the potential bright lights of FBS programs.
“I got a lot of calls this summer; I would field two or three a night,” said Sexton. “I talked to a lot of different guys and got to know a lot of different people around the country. Had offers on both coasts and the mountains.
I chose Yale because of the prestigious academic degree. You can go anywhere you want to with a Yale degree; it opens a lot of doors. There are also so many connections because of all the different networking opportunities you have. They have alums all over the country and not just in athletics. It just opens up a lot of opportunities.”
Gerard Dietrich had a breakout season for the Zizzers, earning all-state honors behind 31 receptions for 343 yards and five touchdowns.
“He’s that big Gronk looking dude that’s going to be a mismatch,” said Ary. “He pushes off well, uses his body well and rebounds well so to speak; he’s a basketball player. He has big hands too. He’s also a great blocker, even in space. He’s that new type of tight end.”
Production, along with a 6-foot-5, 230lb frame led to several D-2 programs offering Dietrich. But, much like Sexton, Dietrich decide to let academics, not athletics, take the forefront in his decision, taking his talents to D-3 Washington University in St. Louis.
“My parents have always had such a strong feeling about academics and they’ve been sticklers about making me work in the classroom and I also it as important,” said Dietrich. “Honestly, I never thought I would be much of a football player, I thought academics would always be it, but I was lucky enough and blessed enough to have football and academics come together to get me into Washington University.
They run a spread offense, they are very explosive and fast paced, and they also have an “h-back” and “Y”. They see me playing the “Y”, flexing out, playing on the perimeter and also blocking on the inside. It’s very similar to what I’ve been doing here. Last year their tight end led the league in receptions. It is something that I’m very excited to be a part of. He’s graduating so I’m hoping I can get my No. 87 back too.”
Linebacker Dausen Neuschwander finalized his commitment on Wednesday, signing with Robert Clardy’s Southwest Baptist program in Bolivar.
Neuschwander led West Plains in tackles for loss in 2015, part of an 82-tackle season on a defense that held five opponents to 14 points or less. West Plains has had nine such games in the last seasons.
“He’s always been the attitude behind our team; he and Sage Wood are the guys that brought our tenacity and our mean streak,” said Ary. “That’s just who Dausen is, he’s going to try to knock your helmet off every single play.”
Senior tight end Andrew Cobb is also expected to sign a NLI in the coming weeks. Cobb led the Zizzers with 399 receiving yards.
