By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Jon Franks enters his seventh season at Rolla where he’s quietly turned the program into one of the upper echelon school’s in the Ozark Conference with winning seasons in four of the last five years with a district championship in 2017.
The Bulldogs have done it in a variety of ways, early on it was big offense while more recently it’s been a stingy defense.
That will continue to be the case with Rolla returning 11 starters from last year’s 7-4 squad, eight of which are on the defensive side of the ball.
“We definitely felt that our defense played a huge role in the season,” said Franks. “Coach Sneed has a multiple defense that has the ability to be flexible to the OC offensive football schedule, which is different week to week.”
Looking to lead the defense from the heart of the trenches is senior All-Ozark Conference selection Brock Horton-Owens (6-1, 315). Horton-Owens finished his junior season with 40 tackles and 10 tackles for loss to go along with 12 QB hurries.
“Brock has a ton of good football qualities; size, strength, speed, good hands, good motor and football knowledge,” said Franks. “Brock can handle an initial surge and handle double teams to keep linebackers free. He can also make plays from behind. He has a good pass rush for a big man.”
All-OC seniors Gabe Sutton (5-10, 220) and Hayden Crider (6-0, 215) also return to the defensive line. Broc Lyle – who was All-Ozark Conference as a defensive back and running back – is also back in the mix.
Rolla will have one of the most talented offensive lines in the Ozarks with Lyle covering up mistakes on the back end while also seeing a larger role offensively by moving to quarterback.
“Hayden and Gabe are great football players; they both have the ability to totally take over a game,” said Franks. “We as a staff feel that this could be one if not the best defensive line we’ve had yet.
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“Broc is a very dynamic and explosive athlete that can change a game quickly,” said Franks. “He played quarterback as a freshman and now he’ll be moving back to that role to fill the void.”
Aaron Cook gives the Bulldogs a veteran cornerback with a high IQ. Junior Brett Montgomery and sophomore Trustin Richards will look to make an impact with their speed at linebacker.
Franks is also excited about the development of juniors Robert Smith and Demarii Williams on the offensive line. Sophomore Nash Crouch will see time at tight end.
Junior Steve Harris is a candidate to have a breakout season after having his sophomore campaign cut short by injuries.
Last year two of Rolla’s four losses came by one possession to Glendale. The other two came on the road to Class 6 Kickapoo and state-ranked West Plains. Rolla beat Bolivar on the road and upset ranked Lebanon and Camdenton in back-to-back weeks.
This program is on the rise and the next step is to make a push for a conference championship.
“To compete for an OC title we will have to stay healthy and become a cohesive unit on offense quickly,” said Franks.
Rolla will host Waynesville, Union and Capital City in a jamboree on Aug. 19 before hosting Camdenton on Aug. 26 to open the 2022 regular season.
