By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Heading into the 2020 season, Logan-Rogersville head coach Brett Wubbena said he wasn’t sure what kind of team the Wildcats would have after graduating several talented players from the year before.
“Our 2020 season was stressful and full of a bunch of uncertainties (COVID) – probably the same as what this season is going to be like,” said Wubbena, who started the program at Logan-Rogersville 13 years ago. “As it turned out, we had a good year, scored more goals from more players and ended up with a record number of wins for our program.”
The Wildcats finished the 2020 season with an overall record of 18-6 and a Big 8 Conference record of 6-1, finishing as co-champions with Springfield Catholic. They earned the top seed in the Class 2 District 4 tournament, but were upset by second-seeded Monett, 3-2, and had their fifth-straight winning season.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL SEASON SCHEDULE
Lost to graduation are decorated players in Peyton Prenger, Jon Fetters and Kobe Fisher.
Peyton Prenger, defender, was a Class 2 All-State second-team, Class 2 All-Region 3, Class 2 District 4 first-team and All-Big 8 Conference first-team honoree. According to Wubbena, Prenger “stopped everyone! In my mind, he was the best defender on the field in every game that we played last year. Fast, smart, outstanding player.”
Jon Fetters, midfielder, scored 11 goals and had eight assists, and earned all-district first-team and all-conference second-team honors. “Very technical and loved to control the ball. Scored one of the best goals last year from about 40 yards out.”
Kobe Fisher, goalkeeper, played all but 8 minutes and stopped 2 of 6 PK chances, and was named all-district second team, all-conference second team and co-keeper of the year. “Solid goalkeeper. Never was rattled and could make the save when we needed it most.”
The Wildcats have six players back to lead the way in 2021 in all-stater Sage Ballard, Rylen Ballard, Stewart McDonald, Calvin Jones, Caleb Vogt and Brady Goodson.
Sage Ballard, senior, forward, earned Class 2 All-State first-team, Class 2 Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year, all-district and all-conference first-team honors – “Best ballhandler I’ve seen,” Wubbena said. “Loves to be in tight spaces and dribble three people at once.”
Rylen Ballard, senior, midfielder, all-district and all-conference first team. Already is the program’s single-season assist leader and could break the career mark this season. – “Sees the field really well and would rather get an assist than a goal.”
Stewart McDonald, senior, midfielder, all-district and all-conference second team – “He was a really good player last year and has gotten much, much better this past offseason. Totally, a lead-by-example type of player.”
Calvin Jones, junior, defender, all-district second team – “He kind of took a backseat to Peyton (Prenger) last year in the defense, but I think he could have been the most improved player. I think that he is able and willing to lead the backline this year.”
Caleb Vogt, sophomore – “He was a ‘hustle’ freshman last year that played because he would never give in or give up. He has improved so much this past offseason and gotten stronger. I think that he will help us a lot this season.”
Brady Goodson – “He was our JV goalie last year, pretty much because we had Kobe (Fisher) playing varsity, and Kobe was a great goalie. Brady worked every day with Kobe, and then all offseason played a lot more and has grown and improved. He is very technical and I think will be outstanding this year.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
APPLE – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
ANDROID – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
A couple of players who Wubbena is looking to make an impact are brothers Conner and Tyler Stewart.
“Conner Stewart, an incoming freshmen, is a fast kid that can play,” Wubbena said. “He comes from a soccer family and has an older brother Tyler (junior) that I’m looking to have help out the varsity team this year, too.”
The Wildcats will be participating in a jamboree at Greenwood with Marshfield and New Covenant Academy on Aug. 20 before opening the regular season in the Lebanon Kickoff Tournament on Aug. 27-28.
“We lost a lot of players and now we have to move players around and find where they all fit,” Wubbena said. “Our midfield and forwards should be our strength this season. I also think Brady in goal will be a strength.
“I think we can compete this year. I actually think that we should be better than last season even with the players we lost. We have added a lot of intensity.”
