By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Branson will usher in a new era with Aaron Hafner taking over the program. No stranger to the Ozarks, Hafner has had stops at Webb City and Republic prior to moving on to the college ranks.
Hafner now takes over a program that hasn’t been over .500 since 2010 and returns seven starters.
The Pirates will have a more run-heavy system, which should merge well with the returning personnel.
Senior Cade Grimm is the only returning All-COC player from last year. The standout linebacker will likely see a larger role on offense at running back. He’ll be joined by classmate Rylan Cornelison and juniors Marshall Storm and Will Thornton as guys who should see a lot of carries.
All four backs could also see time defensively.
Kylar Lankton and Daniel Giles, both juniors, could also see time in the backfield.
Junior Javen Finkbone will be looking at sliding under center at quarterback while also seeing time in the secondary. Senior Cole Matthews and sophomore Luke McCormick are also in the quarterback battle.
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Senior Parker Garrison will look to galvanize an inexperienced offensive line. Juniors Ethan Kennon and Issac Leeper, as well as sophomores Eric Campos and Xavier Albers-Milstead will compete for reps on the offensive and defensive lines.
Junior Ben Matthews and sophomore Skylar Slaton will compete for tight end reps while also being on the defensive line. Sophomores TJ Storment and Ryder Schroeder will look for time at receiver.
Hafner acknowledges there will be some changes in scheme.
“We will be transitioning from a spread offense to running the option,” said Hafner. “This will be a big change in philosophy from the past five years. Defensively, we will be pretty similar to what they’ve been doing so hopefully our players will be more comfortable on that side of the ball. Our players have done a great job this summer with the changes we have made. We love our attitude and effort heading into the season.”
Branson will jamboree with Lebanon and Reeds Spring. The Pirates will visit Joplin on Aug. 26 to open the 2022 season and Aaron Hafner Era.
