By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Two years ago Mountain Grove was the upstart, young team that got hot late and advanced to the district championship game. Last year the Panthers were the favorite that got upset after an incredible regular season.
Now – entering Brandon Rodgers fifth season – Grove is looking to get over the hump and win the program’s first district championship since 2015.
The strength of this year’s group will be on the offensive side of the ball where seven starters are returning led by quarterback Tyson Elliott (6-0, 220).
The SWMFCA Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year, Elliott passed for 1,876 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for 265 yards and four more scores.
He’s entering his third year under center.
“Tyson is a leader on the field and in the weight room,” said Rodgers. “He has developed each of the last two years and looks good going into his senior year. Tyson’s strength and athleticism will make him a threat to run or throw the football.”
Also back are his two favorite targets in seniors Hollen Glenn and Drew Vaughan.
Both All-SCA picks, Glenn is a versatile threat from the backfield (701 rushing yards, 6 TDs) or catching the ball (532 receiving yards, 7 TDs). He’s racked up 2,428 yards from scrimmage over the last two seasons. Vaughan posted 30 receptions for 421 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. He hauled in nine receiving scores as a sophomore.
Both seniors also start at corner.
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“Hollen is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He can score in a lot of different ways. We move him around a lot from a RB type player to a WR,” Rodgers said. “Drew can really cause other teams trouble as a deep threat in the passing game, but has also become very good in his short routes. He can make a lot of plays with the ball in his hands.”
Classmate Ty Gardner will join them at receiver and in the secondary.
Maybe the most important piece to Grove’s success over the last few seasons is All-Everything lineman Hunter Means. He was an All-Area pick on both sides of the ball and earned All-State honors defensively.
He’ll look to lead a group that will include fellow All-SCA senior Jakob Norman (6-1, 245), as well as classmates Brock Byerly (5-8, 245) and Dakota Volner (6-1, 210). Juniors Jimmy Fleetwood, Kaden Richardson, Brody Shelley and Ethan Noe are also in the mix.
“Means will be a four-year starter and really understands our system on both sides of the ball,” said Rodgers. “He is physical and surprisingly quick for his size. We usually try to run behind him. On defense has led our team in tackles the last two years as a defensive tackle.
“Jakob is a big body on the offensive line that moves well and has good hands. Really came on last year on the defensive line and is expected to have a big season.”
Junior Carson Allen (6-4, 235) will look to build off a great sophomore season that saw him earn All-SCA honors. He’ll see time at tight end and linebacker this season.
Juniors Preston Metty, Daiton Hook and Deveyn Martin will see time at running back and linebacker, while classmates Trace DeVries, Kladen Arthur and Alex Kumpula will look for reps at receiver and in the secondary.
Rodgers is also excited about junior Bradley Henry returning after missing his sophomore season. His size (6-2, 215) gives him a wealth of positional versatility. Destin Unger, Devon Martin and Sam Peterson will also see time at linebacker.
The Panthers lost a great senior class but that doesn’t change the goals for the program. This group is eager to be the one that returns Grove to the powerhouse it was in the 2010s.
“We have continually improved over the last few years and we hope to continue that this season,” said Rodgers. “Last season we felt like we had a shot at winning conference and districts but we came up one game short in the conference race and fell in a really close game for the district title. Going into this season our goals haven’t changed.
“The Seneca game in districts last year showed we still had some work to do in the weight room and that has been a major focus for us this year. We have to be ready week to week playing a few tough out of conference teams, and the SCA is always a tough conference schedule. We have a really good group of seniors and expect them to lead us as we overcome some inexperience.”
Mountain Grove will host a jamboree with Willow Springs, Thayer and Houston. The Panthers will host Fair Grove on Aug. 26 to open the 2022 season.
