By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For more than a decade, Nixa regularly fielded one of the area’s top defenses. But under John Perry, the Eagles have added one of the COC’s best offenses as well.
After averaging 32.4 PPG in 2020 and increasing that to 33.7 PPG in 2021, the 2022 Eagles could be one of the most explosive offenses in program history.
Nixa returns 14 starters from a group that went 8-3 last season, setting the table for what the program hopes is a long fall.
Senior quarterback Connor Knatcal – an All-COC selection – is back to lead it all. As a junior, he passed for 1,912 yards and 24 touchdowns. While his experience is important, maybe the most exciting part is that he’ll have no shortage of talent around him.
“Connor is a big quarterback that can make all the throws,” said Perry. “Now he has some experience behind him.”
Nixa averaged nearly 400 yards per game last year and many of those horses are back in the stable.
Seniors Ramone Green (5-10, 190) and Kael Combs (6-4, 190) are back in the fold, returning as one of Missouri’s top running back and receiver prospects.
Green missed much of last season due to injury, but rushed for 225 yards and three touchdowns in roughly five quarters of action. As a sophomore, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Combs – also a basketball standout – exploded in his first season of action, turning 44 receptions into 842 yards and 11 touchdowns.
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Junior Spencer Ward (5-10, 180) is back after earning All-COC honors following Green’s injury. Ward is one of Missouri’s top 2024 running backs. He rushed for 651 yards on 113 carries last year.
Perry is also excited about the development of the receiving corps outside of Combs. Senior Austin McCracken and junior Rylan Michel are two shifty receivers that give opponents fits in space. They’ll be joined by senior Noah Engelman (6-4, 180) and sophomore Wyatt Vincent.
Perry called his overall receiving corps the most talented he’s had in 28 years.
And, maybe the most important part of the Eagles, is the returning beef up front with Seniors Garrett Davidson (6-0, 253) and Landon Carson (6-1, 315), as well as junior Ethan Cho (6-0, 250) all returning on the offensive line. Sophomore Jacob Lile (6-2, 270) will likely join them up front.
“Landon is a very strong drive blocker that will play college football,” said Perry. “Garrett is the best lineman we have; a three-year starter that has never missed a game. Ethan is extremely athletic.”
Defensively, All-COC seniors Ty Hartman (LB) and Avry Rutherford (DL) will set the tone. Classmate Tanner Grant will join Hartman at linebacker with seniors Jacob Miller and Jordan Tyler returning to the secondary. Senior Corbin Sparks and junior Jayden Antonelli will look to again start at defensive end.
Senior Brett Cook will step into a defensive line role. Senior Gage Sporleder will see reps at linebacker, while senior Nate Brower and junior Broden Mabe will see action in the secondary.
Senior Kaleb James returns as an All-COC kicker and punter with a national ranking.
Freshman Jackson Cantwell is another newcomer that could end up making waves this fall. At 6-foot-8, 260 pounds, he has a frame and strength that’s already built for varsity football. He also has elite athleticism and explosiveness. It’s no secret that he’s the son of Olympians Christian Cantwell and Teri-Steer Cantwell. Jackson will end up being a name to know in football, basketball and especially track.
Nixa opens the 2022 season at Webb City on Aug. 26. The Eagles will host Neosho the following Friday.
