By Tyler Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the El Dorado Springs football team, the era of rejuvenation and rebirth takes midfield this fall.
The Bulldogs have a new man in charge in head coach Johnathan Stark, who takes over a team coming off a 2-8 season.
Stark comes to Missouri from its neighbor to the west, Bourbon County, Kan., where he served as the head coach at Uniontown High School for the past three years.
Stark said he has been impressed with the senior class and its leadership capabilities over the summer.
“We will have seven kids in our senior class. The seniors have done a really good job of buying in and being here every day and working hard. The seniors, as a group, have missed very few days throughout the summer. A couple of them have not missed a single day,” Stark said.
Senior Aiden Reeves is new to the program and will suit up this fall.
Last season, the ‘Dogs fell 41-6 to East Newton during Class 2, District 4 opening-round action.
This season, the team returns solid talent in junior running back Landon Murry (660 yards on 129 rushing attempts and 7 total TDs; 232 yards receiving on 26 receptions). Murry also netted 3 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery.
Murry was Second-Team All-District last fall as a running back.
Also, back in the fold are Rees McCullough (LB), who tallied 38 tackles and 22 assists; Randy Baker (LB), who finished with 32 tackles, 19 assists, and 2 fumble recoveries; and defensive lineman Jake Cooper who, in just five games, amassed 26 tackles, 2 sacks, and 19 assists.
The Bulldogs averaged 15.2 points per game, rushed for 171 yards per game, and averaged 68 passing yards per game.
Once again, the team will compete in the Ozark Highlands Conference.
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The team had 10 lettermen last season, losing the likes of Payton Green, the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year; wideout Devun Salazar; linebacker Preston Smith, quarterback Logan Speer, and running back Mike Hart.
Green is now suiting up for Ottawa (NAIA) and Speer is playing at Missouri Southern (D-II)
Now, the 5’9”, 175-pound junior, Riley Massie, takes over the quarterback position.
But Aidan Rotert is showing promise and currently is giving Massie a run for his money as the signal-caller.
Rotert is a 5’11”, 160-pound sophomore.
Strong play by the offensive line is one asset this season.
“We have good leadership along our offensive line with seniors Cooper and Montana Hacker, and junior McCullough. Junior Matt Esparza and sophomores, Ryland Brower and Brandon Garner-Sims, are also in the mix to earn some playing time on the offensive line,” said Stark. “In the backfield, we will look to Massie, Murry, and Sam Margrave to get the majority of carries. There are some younger guys like Aiden Rotert and Justin Brown (sophomores) who are talented players and are working hard for playing time.”
Defensively, it will be a 4-3 for the Bulldogs, who allowed 36.4 points per game, allowed 120 passing yards per game and 187 rushing yards per game.
McCullough looks to anchor the 4-3 attack this fall.
Added Stark: “We will be a football team that plays with great effort and intensity on defense. We may not be the strongest or fastest team, but we will be prepared, and we will tackle. McCullough is a returning starter at middle linebacker and will be the leader of our defense. [We will] look to Cooper to set the tone on the defensive line. Both Jake and Rees were recognized as honorable mention All-Conference players last fall. Wyatt Vangordon and Murry and Margrave provide speed and physicality to the linebacking group. Rotert and Justin Brown are promising, young, and athletic defensive backs.”
Up close with the starters and lettermen
The following players make their return to the gridiron this fall, after producing solid seasons in 2021, some of which were named to postseason teams (all-district, all-conference, or academic all-state).
Senior Jake Cooper: (OL/DL; Honorable mention all-conference and academic all-state.)
Senior Montana Hacker: (OL/DL; Second-Team All-Conference.)
Senior Aiden Walker: (RB/DB; returning starter).
Senior Wyatt Vangordon: (WR/LB; returning starter).
Senior Austin Hart: (RB/DB; returning starter).
Senior Truman Ledbttter: (OL/DL; returning starter).
Junior Rees McCullough: (OL/LB; All-Conference honorable mention, all-district and academic all-state).
Junior Landon Murry: (RB/LB; Second-Team All-Conference, honorable mention All-Southwest Missouri Coaches’ Association, all-district).
Junior Riley Massie: (QB/DB; returning starter).
Junior Sam Margrave: (RB/LB; Academic all-state).
Junior Randy Baker: (RB/LB; returning starter).
Junior Matt Esparza: (OL/DL; returning starter).
Junior Juris Leroux: (WR/DB; returning starter).
Junior Jedidiah Simpson (OL/DL), sophomore Aiden Rotert (QB/DB), Justin Brown (WR/DB, Soph.), Brandon Garner-Sims (OL/DL, Soph.), Ryland Brower (OL/DL, Soph.) and Russel Ferguson (OL/DL, Soph.) are returning starters.
Players to watch in ’22
Blake Esparza, Dennis Hail, Maverick Mitchell, Noah Steward, Ben Schmidt, Trey Beisley and Grady Crews.
Preseason jamboree
The Bulldogs will head to Sarcoxie Aug. 19 for the annual preseason jamboree. The annual preseason scrimmage will include the host, the ‘Dogs, Pierce City, East Newton, Cabool, Ash Grove, Stockton, Aurora.
