By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
New players step up every season. Here are some of the players we think are going to take big steps forward in 2022.
NOTE: Some worthy players may appear on one of our other SEVEN football watch lists. In an effort to highlight as many players as possible, A PLAYER CAN ONLY APPEAR ON ONE LIST.
The football watch lists we have been releasing are: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Receivers, Offensive Linemen, Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, Defensive Backs and Breakout Players.
QUARTERBACKS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
RUNNING BACKS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
RECEIVERS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
LINEBACKERS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
DEFENSIVE BACKS TO WATCH – CLICK HERE
JAMBOREE PHOTOS – CLICK HERE
ALL FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS – CLICK HERE
Destyn Dowd, McDonald County Junior
Kellen Hoover has built McDonald County into a winner and did so quickly with a dynamic offense. Cole Martin is gone but in steps Destyn Dowd, and from his success on the hardwood and diamond, we’ve seen his athleticism on display. He rushed for 508 yards as a sophomore, imagine what he’ll do with the ball in his hands every play.
Jackson Cline, Aurora Senior
Brandon Pitts is taking over at Aurora, and he has an offensive line that averages nearly 260 from tackle to tackle. And, while that line won’t have Cline on it any more, Cline will now see carries out of the backfield. At 6-feet, tipping the scales at 235lbs, Cline is a bowling ball that will give the Big 8 fits behind a mammoth offensive line.
Rolly Fisher, Forsyth Sophomore
Playing as a freshman in the Mid-Lakes is rare. Playing at a high level in the Mid-Lakes as a freshman is nearly impossible and that’s exactly what Fisher did last year, earning All-Mid-Lakes honors. The best part is what is ahead of Fisher. He has a 500-pound squat, 435-pound deadlift and has nearly a 300-pound bench. Expect him to see more carries this fall as well.
Cade Grimm, Branson Senior
Grimm had an All-COC junior campaign at linebacker, so he’s not truly a breakout. However, he has a monster senior season ahead of him. Aaron Hafner is an offensive genius and will feed Grimm as many carries as he can handle. A move to defensive end will see Grimm use his explosiveness at the point of attack. He will be someone to keep an eye on.
Watson Hafer, West Plains Senior
Hafer has more potential than anyone can imagine. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds he has a great frame, but he’s also an explosive athlete with a nearly 10-foot broad jump, 32-inch vert and a 4.8 40. He doesn’t really have a position but likely projects best as a tight end with some Chase Allen-like qualities.
Cael McCarville, Kickapoo Senior
No Zaide Lowery, no problem. McCarville showed flashes of his ability throughout 7v7 and a great connection with Kylan Mabins. Kickapoo is expected to have a resurgent fall and McCarville should be the guy seeing the lion’s share of the targets.
Carter Pruett, MV-BT/Liberty Junior
Injuries derailed his sophomore season, otherwise he might’ve put up Jaelon Acklin numbers. Acklin will forever be Jaelon Football and have his place on Liberty Football’s Mount Rushmore, but Pruett has some big-time potential. He had a big freshman year and showed flashes last year before the injuries. He’s healthy and Liberty is loaded. Watch out world.
Drew Ripko, MV-BT/Liberty Senior
Last year injuries forced Ripko to play everywhere offensively. This year, game planning will allow him to do the same thing. He’s a big-play threat that will be an absolute nightmare with carries out of the backfield, running routes on the outside and in the return game. He’s a threat to lead the Ozarks in all-purpose yards.
Russell Roweton, Willard Junior
Roweton came on strong at the end of last year, finishing his sophomore season with 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns. Now, with another offseason getting acclimated to Frank Tristan’s offense and working with former college quarterback Blayne Armstrong, Roweton – who has football in the genes – will take another sizable step forward this fall.
Jonathan Williams, Joplin Junior
Williams earned All-COC honors as a sophomore, but what’s ahead of him is big time. The junior linebacker had 76 tackles and seven tackles for loss as a sophomore. He has a great frame and super high football IQ. Playing alongside Draven VanGilder, Williams should see an uptick in production.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Jayden Antonelli, Nixa Junior
Trey Atkins, Cabool Junior
Gage Depee, Ozark Junior
Braden Dodson, Mount Vernon Sophomore
Jourdyn Edelstein, Strafford Sophomore
Whit Hafer, Joplin Junior
Omari Jackson, Webb City Junior
Cooper Jadwin, Carthage Senior
Dexter Merrell, Carl Junction Junior
Henry Schnelle, Lockwood Sophomore
Spencer Seiger, Fair Grove Sophomore
