With the 2016 season firing up Friday night we want to know who you the fans think will be this season's "most valuable player". Make your vote, spread the word and join us for the O-Zone Show, Friday night, 11:30 pm on the Ozarks CW as we unveil the results.
Michael Branch, Monett – The 6-foot, 230 pound senior has power and speed. He rushed for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, but could be poised for even more this fall. He's also a key contributor on the Cubs' defense.
Payton Evans, Aurora – The Houn' Dawgs' senior is coming off an all-state season where he led his squad to the Class 3 semifinals. Evans passed for 2,236 yards and rushed for 610 yards with 30 total touchdowns.
Luke Hardman, Lamar – Hardman is a true two-way star for the five time defending state champs. He figures to build on last year's 500 rushing yards and seven touchdowns offensively, but he may be even better on defense where he earned all-state honors as a defensive back.
Keegan Hoopes, West Plains – Hoopes rushed for 1,417 yards and 22 touchdowns last season to earn All-Ozark Conference honors. After packing on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason, he could be in for an even bigger senior season.
Chris Lawson, Kickapoo – Entering his third year starting, the Kickapoo senior quarterback is drawing college attention after passing for 1,578 yards and 20 touchdowns to go with 548 rushing yards and five more scores. Even more impressive, he only threw three interceptions.
Nicos Oropeza, Nixa – Oropeza rumbled for 1,654 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Now a senior, he should get even more opportunities as FBS signees Logan Tyler and Chase Allen are gone.
Carter Otwell, Mtn Grove – Otwell burst onto the scene last fall as a sophomore, rushing for 1,261 yards and 12 touchdowns. He passed for 500 yards on 74% passing. Those numbers figure to increase this season.
Josh Pruett, MV-BT/Liberty – Pruett had one of the most crazy offensive seasons in Missouri history last year, passing for 2,543 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing for 1,015 yards and 23 more scores. The Eagles' senior has most of his weapons back for one more playoff run.
Connor Sechler, Bolivar – The latest in the line of talented Liberator signal callers, Sechler looks to build on his 2,335 yards and 18 touchdowns from a year ago. The Missouri State baseball commit has one of the most imposing targets in the area, 6'6" receiver Brandon Emmert.
Zeke Wall, Carl Junction – Just a junior, the Bulldogs' 270 pound lineman is already drawing D-1 interest. Wall earned all-state honors as a junior, racking up 75 tackles and 10.5 tackles for a loss.
