By Chris Parker
Logan-Rogersville enters the fifth season with Mark Talbert as the head coach coming off back-to-back seven-win seasons.
This year’s version of the Wildcats is looking for even more.
“Our expectation to continue to improve and continue to take a step forward. When I first got the job in Rogersville we had some building to do. We have had back-to-back seven-win seasons, and we would like to see improvement on that,” Talbert said. “I expect this team to really try to prove that we have taken that next step and try to get over that hump. The seven-win seasons are great, but the message for us all off-season has been ‘when is seven wins not going to be enough.’”
The Wildcats return 14 starters in total, but will have to replace some key graduated players including three players who continued their football careers in college in JJ O’Neal (Missouri State), Carson Combs (Evangel) and Mason Grable (Cornell).
Seniors Caleb Cole and Luke Hauer will key the offense at running back. Cole carried the ball 134 times for 770 yards as a junior on his way to second-team all-conference at running back honors. Hauer had 64 carries for 323 yards and was named honorable mention all-conference.
“We are really excited about the size and physicality they (Cole and Hauer) bring to our backfield,” Talbert said. “They bring experience with them, but also a lot of size and power.”
Junior Kolbey Ballowe could also see carries.
The trio brings a bruising running style.
“They are all very similar. They are all big, physical, bruising running backs that have nice moves. (There isn’t) a real home run hitter with any of them with speed. They are just consistent, good-vision running backs,” Talbert said.
Junior Thessen Prenger will take over at quarterback this year. He threw for 397 yards and three touchdowns in limited action last year.
“He (Prenger) throws the ball really well. He is a very accurate quarterback. We are looking for him to come in this first year, with the help of Luke and Caleb in the backfield, to be able to manage our offense and keep the chains moving. And then be able to take shots down the field when we get the opportunity,” Talbert said. “I think Thessen will develop into a very good quarterback for us and one of the better quarterbacks in the area as he gains confidence and starts to really understand what we are trying to do. I saw some things at SBU (football camp) with his accuracy that were pretty encouraging. I felt like he was throwing exceptionally well.”
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The offensive line will be keyed by the senior trio of Keegun Daniels, Joey Anderson and Davin Agee. Daniels was a first-team all-conference selection on the offensive line as a junior.
“Keegun Daniels is a guy up front we are really excited about,” Talbert said. “He has got several Division II school looks. He is just a big, physical offensive lineman.”
Agee was honorable mention all-conference on the offensive line and second team on the defensive line.
Rogersville’s top receiver in Logan Cook returns. He had 26 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
“He is an extremely good route runner,” Talbert said. “He played a couple of games at quarterback last year when JJ (O’Neal) was hurt and was the JV quarterback, so he understands offensively what we are trying to with each position.”
Fellow senior Logan White will also be a factor in the passing game after hauling in eight catches for 139 yards last year.
Brady Buckman will play tight end in his senior season.
“He (Buckman) is a big, physical tight end. He has done a great job getting himself in shape and making sure that he is ready to go,” Talbert said.
Defensively, Rogersville will be a bit younger.
Daniels, Agee and Anderson will be factors on the defensive line. Agee led that group with 33 total tackles last year.
Luke Hauer will be at defensive end where he was a menace in the opposing team’s backfield last year. Hauer pulled down five sacks and seven tackles for a loss to go with his 59 total tackles.
“Luke moved to defensive end about game three last year, which coincided with our run of wins,” Talbert said. “Luke is, in my opinion, a special defensive player. He carries load offensively right now. He plays defensive end and running back and doesn’t ever seem to wear down.”
Ballowe and Carter Athen will be key linebackers. Ballowe had 34 total tackles last year.
“Both kids are extremely long and physical and aggressive outside linebackers,” Talbert said.
Jacob Shinkarevich will also start at linebacker in his sophomore season.
The secondary returns first-team all-conference defensive back Cameron Wray at free safety. He did a bit of everything for Rogersville last year with six interceptions, five pass breakups and a sack to go with his 63 total tackles.
Wray has had a strong summer which concluded with being named the defensive MVP of the SBU team camp. The award was selected by the SBU coaches.
“We look for him to be the leader on our defense out of that free safety position,” Talbet said. “He sees things really well, and he is as aggressive as any free safety that I have ever coached.”
White, Cook and Garret Carlson will all also see time in the secondary. White had 71 tackles and eight pass breakups last year on his way to honorable mention all-conference honors. Cook pulled down 23 total tackles with four pass breakups. Carlson contributed 28 tackles.
Rogersville starts the season with three consecutive Big 8 crossover games starting at home against East Newton in Week 1 before traveling to face defending Class 2 state champion Lamar in Week 2. The Wildcats finish their crossover schedule with a visit from McDonald County in Week 3.
Talbert and his coaching staff are focused on getting out to a strong start in Week 1. The Wildcats haven’t won a Week 1 games since 2017.
“We haven’t been prepared for a week one game since I have been here. That is a big deal to us in our off-season approach is making sure we are ready to win a week one game,” Talbert said. “I expect these guys to come out this year with a lot more focus early in the season. As our coaching staff has progressed and we have added some really good coaches, I expect us to be more prepared week one. We match up with Lamar week two. We will have a barometer and see where we are at. See if we are ready to compete with a powerhouse program or if we still have a lot of growing left to do.”
Rogersville will travel to Hillcrest for a jamboree on Aug. 19.
