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By Chris Parker
Lebanon football finished 7-4 in 2020 claiming the program’s third district title in four years with a 52-18 win over Glendale in the Class 5 District 5 championship game. The Yellowjackets ended the season with a loss to Webb City in the state quarterfinals.
The Yellowjackets must replace a host of key players including first-team all-conference selections Garrett Childers (offensive line), Isaac Ledbetter (running back) and Kordel Zebel (defensive back). Ledbetter led the team in rushing with 890 yards on 76 carries for 11 touchdowns. Zebel was the team’s leading tackler with 87. Childers helped open up holes for a rushing attack that tallied 3,912 total yards on the ground. Antonio Rogers (806 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) and Drew McBride (798 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) also graduated, which means Lebanon must replace its top three running backs. McBride was an honorable mention all-state selection at running back.
There is optimism within the Lebanon football program despite the loss productive players.
“(We are) returning a nice group of kids who have experienced three district championships in the last four years,” Lebanon head coach Will Christian said. “Expectations remain high and we will need to have a great spring and summer of hard work to put ourselves in a spot to be where we want to be come November.”
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Leading the returning players is offensive lineman Tristan Wilson. Wilson, a 6’5, 295-pound right guard, is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2022 in the state. He verbally committed to Mizzou after receiving Division I offers from all over the nation. He started all 11 games last year on his way to a first-team all-state selection. He also started two games on the defensive line.
He will be joined on the line by classmate Caden Brown at right tackle. The 5’10, 235-pound senior earned all-district honors last season after starting 11 games. Seniors Zach Smith (6’3, 280 pounds) and Tim Pruitt (6’0, 225 pounds) both saw starts on the offensive line last year as well.
That quartet will be tasked with opening up holes for leading returning rusher Nathan Bartel to run through. Bartel, a 6’0, 180-pound junior, had 52 carries for 600 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Peyton Mitchell returns are quarterback after starting nine games there as a junior. The 5’7, 160-pound senior completed nine passes for 283 yards and 2 touchdowns last year. Preston Ellingson also returns at quarterback after seeing one start there as a sophomore.
On the edges, senior Drew Truelove (5’10, 160 pounds) and junior Jacoby Fultz (5’10, 180 pounds) return at receiver.
Defensively, Lebanon will have more experience.
“(We are) returning a lot of experience on defense from a year ago. We like our overall athleticism on both sides of the ball,” Christian said.
The Yellowjackets have 14 players that started at least two games returning on defense. Leading that group is junior Cade Muscia. The 5’10, 180-pound linebacker was second on the team with 73 total tackles last year. He earned second-team all-conference honors after starting all 11 games.
Nathan Bartell returns to anchor the secondary after earning all-conference and all-district honors as a sophomore. The strong safety had 38 total tackles and one interception in 11 starts as a sophomore.
Senior nose tackle Zack Rose (5’9, 250-pounds) and junior defensive back Jarrett Sing (160 pounds) started 11 and 10 games last year, respectively.
Austin Hendrix (FS 6’0 170-pound junior), Mason Farris (DB 5’10 175-pound senior), Jacoby Fultz (DB 5’10 180-pound junior), Logan Lybarger (OLB 6’0 200-pound senior) and Jayden Hubler DL (6’0 220-pound junior) all started between four and eight games last year.
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Collin Wilson (DB/P 6’0 165-pound senior), Zach Smith (DL 6’3 280-pound senior), Gunner Williams (LB 6’0 200-pound sophomore), and Caden Brown (DE 5’10 235-pound senior) all started two or three games last year.
“Losing several kids as we do every year, we have some unproven parts that will have to show what they can do on Friday nights,” Christian said.
Sam Cooper (DE 6’3 210-pound senior), Andrew Dent (DB 5’7 160-pound senior), Jamarr Rogers (WR 5’8 150-pound senior), Justin Dameron (OLB 5’10 170-pound senior), Ty O’Neil (DB 5’10 165-pound senior) ,Max Groce (DB 6’0 150-pound senior), Drew Shadel (DE 6’0 190-pound senior), Terrence Jones (LB 5’11 225-pound senior), Bo Rosen (OLB 5’10 150-pound senior), Connor Brand (ILB 5’9 175-pound senior), Sam Haney (DE 6’0 255-pound senior), Trey Alley (DB 5’7 145-pound senior), Kaleb Nail (DB 5’9 155-pound junior), Ryan Heinrichs (LB 5’9 170-pound junior), Hager Hufft (WR 5’8 160-pound junior), Josh Wright (WR 5’10 165-pound senior), Ethan Faircloth (DE 5’9 220-pound junior), Walker Smith (LB 5’7 200-pound junior), Brandon Hutson (OL 5’11 250-pound junior), Adrew Isbell (DB 5’10 155-pound junior), Keaton Mizer (DE 6’2 170-pound junior), Brandon Wehner (DE 6’2 170-pound junior), Dax Long (OL 6’4 200-pound junior), Elijah Elliott (OLB 5’11 185-pound junior) and Quinton Doughty (K 6’0 185-pound senior) are all newcomers who should contribute.
Lebanon will jamboree with Aurora, Branson and Reeds Spring at Reeds Spring on Friday, Aug. 20 at 7 pm. The Yellowjackets open the season on Friday, Aug. 27 at home against Hillcrest.
