By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Many expected last season to be a rebuilding year for Joplin after losing the loaded 2020 class headlined by all-time greats like Isaiah Davis and Zach Westmoreland.
That was anything but the case, with the Eagles putting together a 6-5 season and district semifinal run. Joplin now returns 14 starters entering Curtis Jasper’s seventh season at the helm.
He’s never been below .500 in his time at Joplin.
“I think last year was important because we learned how importance of being a great teammate, focusing on the process instead of the result and not taking culture for granted,” said Jasper.
Senior quarterback Always Wright is back, giving the Eagles some stability under center.
While he’s currently fielding Division One basketball offers, Wright had a breakout season last year, passing for 2,102 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Wright was an All-COC and All-Area pick in 2020.
“(His) football IQ is really high and he has all of the physical tools,” said Jasper.
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Several targets also return, led by junior tight end Landen Atherton (16 receptions, 290 yards). Senior Bruce Wilbert started at received and totaled 125 receiving yards last season.
A trio of sophomores are also expected to make contributions at the skill positions in receivers All Wright (6-2, 165lbs) and tight end Whit Hafer (6-6, 225lbs). Classmate Quinn Renfro (6-0, 175) returns after rushing for 265 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman.
Senior receiver Isaac Meadows and junior running back Drew VanGilder will also see larger roles this fall.
Senior Dawson Phillips (6-3, 225lbs) and sophomore Dontrell Holt (6-5, 290lbs) return to anchor the offensive line.
“Dawson gained valuable experience last year and should be one of the leaders on the offensive line,” said Jasper. “Dontrell is only going to be a sophomore, but he started every game last season and has a very high ceiling.”
Seniors Zach Harthan (6-2, 285lbs), Stone Karcher (6-5, 240lbs), Jett Steele (6-5, 260lbs) and Trenton Simon (6-2, 250lbs), as well as junior Josh Lowe (6-2, 220lbs), will compete for spots along the offensive line.
A sleeper for Joplin could be the addition of 6-foot-6 junior receiver Hudson Moore. Moore was an All-COC receiver at Carthage last year and is one of the area’s top deep threats.
Eight starters are back for the Eagles defensively, headlined by senior defensive tackle Donovahn Watkins.
He was an All-COC and All-Area selection in 2020.
“He had a great track season throwing the shot and disc and is in tremendous shape. We are expecting a lot from him,” said Jasper.
Seniors Joe Jasper and Gunner Price will again join Watkins on the defensive line. Jasper totaled 52 stops last year.
Robert Kelly returns for his senior season after finishing 2020 with 36 tackles. He’s the lone returning starter in the linebacking corps.
The secondary is loaded with athleticism and experience.
Seniors Donovyn Fowler (55 tackles, INT), Korey Read (59 tackles, INT), Luke Vieselmeyer (24 tackles, 3 INT) and Evan Overstreet (23 tackles) return intact after starting together in 2020.
Senior defensive end Brayden Thomas and senior linebacker Yael Herrera will take on larger roles this fall. Juniors Blake Farmer and Draven VanGilder will see increased reps at defensive end and linebacker respectively, while sophomore Johnny Williams should also see reps at linebacker.
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Senior Ben Williams in the secondary, classmates Ty Beebe and Brylan Patton at linebacker and defensive backs Gustavo Onate and Ben Williams will all add depth to a unit that expects to play several guys.
Even despite Joplin’s inexperience last year, the Eagles were still one of the top teams in the Ozarks.
Jasper believes there are a few things on either side of the ball – in addition to increased consistency – that can help his club compete at a high level.
“Offensively we committed too many penalties that slowed us down at times last year,” said Jasper. “We return a lot on defense this year. The keys will be playing fast, physical, and tackling well.”
Joplin will open the 2021 season on Aug. 20, joining Seneca and Lamar for a jamboree hosted by Webb City. The Eagles and Cardinals will open the regular season just one week later in Webb City.
