By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Reeds Spring is coming off one of the best season in program history, an 11-3 campaign that saw the Wolves play for the Class 3 state championship.
The run was a culmination of Andy McFarland’s first three seasons at Reeds Spring, a span that has seen the program increase its win total in all three seasons.
“The 2022 Wolves had an amazing season that won’t be soon forgotten,” said McFarland. “It was an incredible ride for me as an individual as well as our program as a whole. I was so proud of our staff, our team, and our community. We have a lot of integral pieces of that team returning, and all of those who were a part of the team last season are bringing that experience along with them.”
This year’s group will be headlined by one of the most explosive quarterback-receiver duos in the Ozarks in seniors Blandy Burall (5-10, 175) and James Dowdy (6-1, 180).
Burall passed for 2,506 yards and 34 touchdowns. Dowdy was his favorite target, racking up 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns on 43 receptions.
Both earned All-Big 8, all-area and all-state honors. Burall was the Class 3 Offensive Player of the Year.
“Burall is our school’s passing leader in every category,” said McFarland. “He’s a three-year starter that is looking for a big senior year. Dowdy is a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He’s one of the best players in the area in all classes.”
Dowdy won’t be the only weapon returning.
Junior Jace Bolin rushed for 521 yards last year, while senior Chris Daniels added 310. Both had four touchdowns.
Daniel Fliflet returns as an All-Big 8 and all-area tight end. Senior Zack Preston will see time at receiver along with classmate Miguel Campos.
Reeds Spring also has plenty back in the trenches, with standout seniors Spencer and Sebastian Michaud, as well as juniors Lucas Wattenbarger (6-2, 230), Landon Irvin (6-1, 260) and Jayden Turner (5-10, 215).
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Defensively, there will be several Wolves going both ways, with Dowdy again leading the way.
The all-state defensive back finished with 85 tackles and nine interceptions. He’ll be joined in the secondary by Bolin, Campos and Preston.
Fliflet returns to the linebacking corps after totaling 122 tackles last year with 17 tackles for loss. Sebastian Michaud (122 tackles, 14 TFL), Daniels and Turner will also return to the unit.
The defensive line will be led by Spencer Michaud, Wattenbarger and Irvin.
After last season’s run, this group is eager to get right back to December football and have the top-end talent to compete with the best of the best. McFarland is hopeful last year’s run can be a catapult for this year’s group.
“We are entering 2023 with the understanding that for a team to go the distance, that team must have a growth mindset all season long,” said McFarland. “Last year we never stopped having fun, and never stopped improving from August to December. The guys we have coming back must build on that experience and lead their younger teammates along the way. We have high expectations for the 2023 Wolves, and we can’t wait to get started.
“At Reeds Spring, we also always want to beat the team across the lake, Hollister. We will host them in Week 4.”
Reeds Spring will jamboree at Lebanon with Branson before opening the 2023 regular season at Monett on Aug. 25.
