By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
You have to go back to 2016 to find the last time a Stockton team won more games than 2021’s 4-6 edition and even that win total is a little misleading with three losses coming by less than two touchdowns.
Luke Rader has got the ball rolling at Stockton – as he did at Sarcoxie and Lockwood – and the Tigers are looking to take the next step forward as a program as they continue to learn how to compete and win games.
Winning is now becoming an expectation.
“I think that’s a major step in the process,” said Rader. “Not only at the varsity level, but our JV and Junior High combined to go 14-2 last year. That confidence and success has really helped to get the kids excited for this summer and fall. We are hopeful that buy-in leads to great practices that help us continue to improve.”
Stockton has several key pieces back in the mix and – for a run-first offense – it all starts in the trenches.
Junior Canaan Rutledge (5-8, 220) is back after earning All-SWC honors last season as a unanimous selection. He’ll be joined by fellow All-SWC picks in seniors Cade Johnson (5-9, 205), Nick Burns (6-3, 220), Skyler Hunt (5-10, 260) and Jarrett Schies (5-10, 210).
There aren’t many programs that have a more experienced offensive or defensive line than what Stockton will roll out.
“Obviously it’s something we are excited about,” said Rader. “Those guys took some lumps as sophomores, gained experience last year, and now we will need them to continue to improve throughout this season to be leaders.”
Senior Quinn Bahr was an All-SWC selection as a linebacker but also rushed for 435 yards and five touchdowns.
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He’ll likely see more touches while still being counted on to lead a defense that rapidly improved last fall.
“Quinn is kind of a throwback kid,” said Rader. “He’s a physical, and selfless, player. He really brings a sense of toughness to our team that is very important for us. Regardless of what he does stat wise, Quinn makes our team better by raising the physicality of everyone he’s playing with.”
Seniors Beaux Brogdon and Caden Pease will slide in at tight end. Juniors AJ Scott and Aiden Ellifrits will see more action at linebacker and running back, as will sophomores Preston Rains and Easton Hubbard. Junior Lawson Page will look for positional playing time in addition to his All-SWC kicking duties.
Rader has also seen growth from several newcomers.
Juniors Michael Bateman and Trevor Johnson bring depth and positional versatility. Sophomores Jack Rickman, Cale Johnson and Layton Colvin add size and athleticism on both sides of the ball.
It’s been more than a decade since Stockton has won a district championship but that goal is becoming more realistic in each season under Rader.
With so much experience back, this could be a team that surprises people.
“The biggest key is for us to not beat ourselves,” said Rader. “Whether that is tangible things like penalties and turnovers, or just our approach to practice every day. We need to take care of everything within our control, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Stockton will open the 2022 regular season by hosting Marionville on Aug. 26.
