This fall, for the first time, every Republic football player will know only Wes Beachler’s way of coaching football. The veteran head coach enters his fourth season at the helm and believes that continuity will go a long way toward success.
Head Coach: Wes Beachler (4th year)
2015 Record: 6-5 (lost to Nixa in district championship)
Players to Watch: Riley Watkins (Jr QB), David Feil (Sr RB), Bryan Cole (Sr. OL/DL)
“There’s a comfort level, but there’s also a little bit of intensity in terms of learning new plays and expanding the playbook,” said Beachler.
Best known for his ground-and-pound double wing offense, Beachler once again has the horses to get it done in the rushing game, but also has the personnel to make some plays through the air.
Jerney Jones set the school’s single season rushing record last fall and is now walking on at Mizzou. Beachler admits you can’t replace a talent like that, but has a stable of backs who can certainly get it done by committee.
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Junior Riley Watkins returns under center after averaging seven yards per carry as a sophomore. He will be joined in the backfield by David Feil, who boasted a five yard per carry average last year with limited carries.
Beachler has plenty of other rushing options for an offense that returns seven starters.
Jake Jones (younger brother of Jerney) and Skyler Owen are ready to step up, along with sophomores Jaden Duvall and Cameron Flood and a trio of fullbacks.
The big difference this season will be size up front. Gone are all-conference tackles Skyler Hale (Evangel) and Tyler Puckett (Northeastern State). While Beachler is looking for replacements on the outside, his interior line is more than solid with the return of center Garrett Presnall, left guard Justice Daniel and right guard Bryan Cole.
Not the biggest group, but Beachler believes it will be the key to winning in the very physical COC Large Conference.
“We’re going to be averaging 230 (pounds) across the line, but I think it’s an average of 230 of young men who will get after you and play hard from the snap to the whistle for four quarters,” said Beachler.
The Tigers return six starters from a defense that surrendered 28 points per game last fall. Beachler and the staff are making some changes to the scheme this year that will allow the team to adjust more quickly to the many different offenses in the COC Large.
“We’re trying to find a way to help our defense without making a lot of changes week to week,” said Beachler. “We also think the changes match our personnel we have now and coming up for the next three or four years.”
Beyond this season the future has a bright outlook as this year’s sophomores were undefeated as freshman. There’s not a lot of size to that group, but a ton of skill.
But first things first, Beachler is focusing on each and every Friday night in a very deep conference.
“If you’re not playing well, there are no games you can sneak by a win. You’ve got to play well every Friday night.”
And it all begins with a matchup of old COC rivals as the Tigers welcome Bolivar to town in the opener on Fri. Aug. 19.
