By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Jamie LaSalle takes over at Bolivar and he’ll have ample experience with a whopping 25 lettermen and 15 starters back from last year’s 5-7 team.
LaSalle is no stranger to coaching football in the Ozarks, with 21 years of experience, most recently at Miller. He has previous stops at East Newton, Marionville, Greenfield, Fair Grove and Sarcoxie.
“We are really excited. I definitely am getting back into it,” LaSalle said. “We have a really good group of kids that are working hard and seem to enjoy playing football. We’ve had a good turnout numbers-wise. The coaching staff is intact, so that’s helped a lot with the transition.”
The Liberators return six All-Ozark Conference selections. Two of those recipients include senior Boone Shockley (WR/DB) and junior Gardner Casey (WR/DB). Casey racked up 33 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions with 198 yards receiving last fall, while Shockley had 30 tackles and four pass breakups.
“Boone is fast, smart and can play well in space,” LaSalle said. “He had a great offseason and has changed his body in the weight room. I’m proud of the work he’s put in. He has great closing instincts on the football and is a ball hawk. Gardner can play any position. Special teams, defense and offense. He has great speed, hands and spatial awareness.”
Senior Luke Dill (FB/LB) and junior Mason McCurry (LB/RB) come off All-Ozark Conference seasons. McCurry, the team’s leading returning tackler, had 79 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks and four forced fumbles, while Dill picked up 34 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four sacks.
“Luke is a physical, multi-sport athlete,” LaSalle said. “He has a high motor and can fill multiple roles for our team. Mason is a great athlete, instinctive with a nose for the football. He is physical and can run sideline to sideline.”
Up front, two All-Ozark offensive linemen in senior Christian Jenkins and sophomore Owen McCullah return.
“Christian has a mean streak,” LaSalle said. “He is much improved with good hands and feet. Owen led the team in pancake blocks as a freshman. He is a weight room junkie and has great technique with a high motor.”
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Senior Drake Durham returns at quarterback after amassing 525 yards through the air and 394 yards on the ground, totaling eight touchdowns on the season (four pass and four rush). He also plays defensive back.
“Drake is the hardest worker in the room,” LaSalle said. “He is a committed leader and has a good understanding of our system. He makes us go on offense.”
Seniors Brayden Benjamin (DL) and Trenton Patke (RB/LB) and sophomore Taryn Vogan (OL/DL) played big roles on last year’s team. Patke rushed for 416 yards and scored two touchdowns, while Vogan posted 24 tackles (six for loss and had three sacks) and Benjamin totaled 19 tackles (two for loss and one sack).
Juniors Garrett Cook (OT), Brant Sawyers (OL) and Matthew Santos (OL) round out Bolivar’s returnees.
The Liberators have a plethora of newcomers ready to emerge. Seniors include Tate Mashburn (OL/DL), Jason Wilkinson (WR), Seth Martin (LB/WR) and Matthew Booth (WR/DB), while juniors are Maddux Nesmith (LB/RB), Conner Neal (WR/DB) and Daniel Kozlowski (QB/DB).
Sophomores include Evan Nickels (WR/DB), Cael McCurry (LB/RB), Logan Bunn (FB/LB) and Lucas Pock (QB/LB).
“I like what I have seen so far with our depth,” LaSalle said. “For Class 4, I think we have a good talent level. Our offensive and defensive units are capable of doing what we are asking them to do. At every position, we have quality athletes.
“Our skill position experience is good. On offense, we have good linemen depth right now. Last year, they were young and a lot of them are returning. That has helped. I like the depth we have there and the experience we have with our skill guys. Defensively, I like our team speed on defense.”
Bolivar hosts Parkview, Willard and Cassville in a jamboree on Aug. 18 at Southwest Baptist’s Plaster Stadium. The Liberators host West Plains in Week 1, a rematch of last season’s Class 4 District 6 championship game, to open the regular season.
“If we can keep our heads on straight and keep working, we’re going to have a chance to win a district championship,” LaSalle said. “If we are .500 or whatever in conference, I honestly think that still prepares us for Class 4 districts just from the talent we’ll play week in and week out during the regular season.”
