By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Mike Mauk is back for his ninth season at Glendale and it’ll have a bit of a different feel.
The Falcons graduated three four-year starters defensively in Cooper Roy, Connor McTague and Gavin Stidham, as well as dynamic three-year starting receiver duo Chris Floyd and Derek Horton.
But it’s still death, taxes and Mike Mauk reloading offensively.
Glendale brings back senior quarterback Cole Feuerbacher (6-3, 185) and two of his favorite targets in classmate Wyatt Andrews (6-3, 185) and sophomore Rex Deeters.
Feuerbacher passed for 3,088 yards and 35 touchdowns while rushing for 484 yards. Over his last four games he threw for 1,332 yards and 17 touchdowns with just one interception.
Andrews is the team’s returning leader in receptions (51), receiving yards (551) and receiving touchdowns (4). Juniors Ryder Dampf and Cayden Shoemaker will also see increased roles at receiver.
Mauk is also excited about the development of Tommas Gilardi, Jackson Yates, Payden Wilson, Alex Clifford and Jaxon Letterman and Darian Washington as part of the receiving corps.
Senior Ashton Davis (6-0, 230) and sophomore Saul Spurgeon (6-3, 325) will look to guide the offensive line after starting in 2021. Saul was an All-OC selection as a freshman.
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Senior Parker Burns (6-0, 325) and junior Robbie Jett (5-10, 210) will also be returning after lettering last year. Senior David Yampanya, as well as juniors Baylen Booker, Luke Holt, Carter Davenport and Jace Hedrick, are in the mix as well.
“Our seniors have set high goals for our team to accomplish,” said senior QB Cole Feuerbacher. “We have been preparing to be the best we are capable of being. Our number one goal is to improve and get better every day.”
All-Ozark Conference senior and three-year starter Jaxon Lockett (6-0, 335) will look to lead a defensive line that returns nearly fully intact. Classmate Brandon Eagleburger (6-3, 325) will be joined by juniors Kellon Lindstrom and Quincey Johnson along the defensive front.
Lindstrom was also an All-OC player.
A trio of juniors – Carson McTague, Asra Smith and Luke Rich – all return to the defensive backfield after starting together last fall. Seniors DeSean Dinkins and Matias Whalen will also be in the mix.
Senior Bryant Booker will look to fill the void at linebacker left by last year’s senior class.
“The success of this 2022 Glendale Football team will be determined by the success of the Glendale defense,” said Mauk. “We need to play much better on defense. With the loss of four key starters, that will be very difficult. We graduated a very talented group of seniors last year.
Glendale will open the 2022 regular season on Aug. 26 at Waynesville. The Falcons will host West Plains the following Friday in the home-opener.
