WILLARD, Mo. — For guys who played under the lights on Friday night, it can be hard to explain the feeling to someone who did not. Those memories and feelings sometimes stay forever.
It makes sense that some would explore any avenue to stay with the game, regardless of whether or not the college programs came calling.
One new team in Willard provides that chance to a small group. They’re called the Midwest Wolverines, and 8-Man style club out of the Central Plains Football League. Players range from ages 18-32, but they all share the same motivator.
“There are things inside of football that help you move on with life," Wolverines player Josh Smith said.
The Alabama native embodies players at this level. He’s a member of the National Guard raising two children, but still affords the time to have some fun.
“I’ve played football since I was six years old. It’s the love of my life. Then I had a family and now they’re the love of my life, but my wife, she allows me to come out here every week and do something I love to do: crack some heads.”
The plan was hatched by Michael Ray, a 1994 graduate of Springfield Central, who is quickly becoming a journeyman of the semi-pro circuit. Six years ago, he played for the Springfield Lightning before coaching the Missouri Voodo indoor team at Mediacom Ice park.
Now, he’s the coach and general manager of the Wolverines.
“We come out here and have a good time," he said. "It is what it is. You can get away from your work and the stresses at home to come out here and hang with the fellas."
Like many startups, Ray started building locally. Ozarks talent on the roster includes Jacob Price (Parkview), Tanner Moore (Willard), Desmond Roy (Republic), Dominick Rodriguez (Hillcrest), and Trevor Vaughn (Glendale).
Moore was a bruising fullback with the Tigers before a brief stint at Division II National Champion Northwest Missouri State. Itching to play again, he hopped on with the Wolverines and recruited good friend Nathan Cox, fellow former Willard student.
"It's that simple," Cox said. "I came out to practive and I'm here to stay. Honestly, I could not have pictured myself back here playing football again."
The kinks are still there. Fumbles, dropped passes, and miscommunication are abound at this stage of the year.
But here’s the thing: they win. They won their inaugural game 72-22 and the next 60-32. Their National Guard sponsorship helps them don flahsier camo uniforms compared to other teams in the league. Organizations at this level often fold due to financial reasons, and it’s hard to predict what the future holds for the Wolverines, but so far, they look part.
"(The playbook) is boiled down to almost Mighty Mites," Ray said. "You can only run certain plays but you just have to get creative with how you run those plays."
It’s certainly not for the glamor. The group practices as Nichols Park in north Springfield with Ray marking yards himself with cones. They play in the outfield of the softball complex by the Willard Recreational Center in front of a few dozen people.
But these guys don’t need much motivation to keep coming back.
“They want to show people they’re athletes," Smith said. "They may not have went anywhere after high school or college, but this is just another step."
