By Chris Parker
Bolivar football won three games in the regular season last year, but showed up strong in the district playoffs by winning their first game before falling in triple overtime to Nevada in the district semifinals.
Nine All-Ozark Conference selections graduated from last year’s team that finished 4-7.
Leading the returning players is senior Keelan Jordan. Jordan rushed for 1,117 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to Second-Team All-Ozark Conference honors.
“Keelan has great vision on the football field and gives everything he has to his teammates. He stepped up for us last year after our senior running back went down Week 1 and really took advantage of his opportunity,” Bolivar head coach Glen Johnson said. “Keelan got better and better as the season went on last year. We have huge expectations for him and will rely on him to be great for our team.”
He will be joined in the backfield by Blake Goodman who earned all-conference honors at both running back and defensive end last year.
“Blake brings a toughness to our team that is inspiring for all of us,” Johnson said. “He finished state runner-up in the 195-pound MSHSAA Class 3 State Wrestling tournament and a very competitive runner for our track team. I think you can expect a big senior season out of Blake Goodman for the Liberators.”
Goodman and Berry are a strong tandem that complement each other well.
“Blake and Keelan are a great complement to each other and want what’s best for the team,” Johnson said. “They will both be relied on to carry the ball this year and both have strengths as a running back. They are competitive and bring a dynamic backfield for us into our fourth season in the Ozark Conference. We will need both to be competitive in our league.”
Junior Trenton Patke and sophomore Gardner Casey are two other running backs Johnson is excited about.
“The wild card will be junior Trenton Patke. He is the future of our backfield and is a natural runner that finds the end zone often,” Johnson said. “Keep an eye on sophomore Gardner Casey as he has quickly made a name for himself in our program. He is new to us this season and brings a year of varsity experience from his previous school and we are excited to mix him in with our talented backs.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
Up front, two offensive linemen in Cael McCullah and Quincy Jensen return.
“Cael and Quincy return experience for our offensive line and they are not foreign to being a leader and communicator for our big guys up front. We are confident in what these two bring to our group and we expect that confidence to rub off on our new faces,” Johnson said.
As a whole, the offense returns four full-time starters with five others returning after starting a game or more.
Junior Drake Durham will take over at quarterback.
“He has had a great summer and is very competitive athlete that will bring a dual threat attack for us. He has a big arm and runs well. He has put in the work to help us compete this fall,” Johnson said. “Durham has been very impressive this summer and he is a learner. He is hungry to know the why and is a winner. His growth as a leader and realizing this is his offense and growing with his teammates. Look to hear his name a lot this year.
Senior Kahl Berry will also see time in the backfield.
Senior Kaydon Stanley along with juniors Brayden Benjamin and Christian Jenkins will join McCullah and Jenson on the offensive line.
“Our linemen have great pride at Bolivar and don’t take it lightly that it all starts with them. We are only as good as our Hogs up front,” Johnson said.
Seniors Sam Pulsipher and Jake Banner along with junior Boone Shockley will be at wide receiver. Senior Ryder Hall will be at tight end.
On defense, five starters return with four more that contributed last year.
Things start with Berry in the middle of the defense at linebacker. He was a second-team all-conference selection at the position.
“Kahl is a natural leader. He works hard and plays with an intensity that makes everyone around him better,” Johnson said. “He is a sure tackler and a smart football player. His football IQ sets him apart. He is committed to preparing for games and understands what it takes to be great. We will look to him to be our coach on the field and we couldn’t ask for a better young man to lead our defense.”
He will be joined at linebacker by Goodman, Pulsipher and sophomore Mason McCurry.
Up front on the defensive line will be Seniors Haden Crellin, Kaydon Stanley, Ryder Hall and Toby Bunn along with juniors Luke Dill and Brayden Benjamin.
The secondary will feature seniors Jake Banner and Braidyn Spiegel. Newcomers to that unit will be sophomore Gardner Casey and senior Devin Norton.
“Physicality and speed (will be a strength on defense). These guys flat get after it. Their greatest attribute is they trust the process of preparing for games. They study the scouting reports and film. They are ready each week to be successful,” Johnson said. “We have new faces that will need to catch up to the speed they will see soon. Our conference is fast and athletic. They will need to be able to adjust from run heavy teams to all out passing attacks.”
Bolivar will host Cassville, Parkview and Willard for a jamboree on Aug. 19. The Liberators open the regular season on Aug. 26 at West Plains.
