By Brennan Stebbins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
During both tenures as head coach at Nevada, Wes Beachler has always thought the Tigers were capable of winning at least six or seven games a year, with eight or nine wins in reach when the right players are leading the program.
“We’ve had those types of young men the last couple years that do things how we want them done and lead by example and put the team ahead of themselves,” Beachler said. “That’s a quality that’s tougher to come by these days but the young men of this program have done that and it’s led us to some pretty solid seasons. We’re hoping the leadership and unselfishness continue to develop here.”
The Tigers have been on quite a run recently, with back-to-back nine-win seasons and a 25-10 record over the last three years. During last year’s 9-3 campaign, Nevada averaged better than 42 points per game and allowed a touchdown or less in six contests.
The program has been hit hard by graduation the last two years, though, with senior classes of at least 15 players departing. The Tigers graduated three all-state players last season, including Avious Steadman, a third team athlete who was a first team Big 8 West running back and the conference offensive player of the year. He left as the school’s leading career rusher and he did it in just two seasons, totaling 1,831 yards and 23 scores as a junior and 1,472 with 19 touchdowns last fall.
“We’ve got quite a few good players coming back but obviously we lost a lot of depth the last two years,” Beachler said.
Steadman succeeded Eli Cheaney, who rushed for 1,152 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior and then suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener in 2021. Cheaney’s younger brother Jack, a junior, could be set for a breakout season this fall after gaining 318 yards and three scores on 34 carries
Nevada also has seniors Brice Budd and Dezmon Robinson (18 carries, 240 yards, four touchdowns) and junior Bodie Thorpe (six carries, 53 yards) in the mix at wing back, and returns fullback Grady Stewart, a junior.
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It’s a two-person race at quarterback between junior Gabe Smith and sophomore Kellen Braden. Smith completed 3 of 4 passes for 23 yards and a touchdown last year.
“We’ve got some young men talented enough to play,” Beachler said. “We’ll go from having a lot of experience – our entire backfield last year was returning starters – and now there’s not a lot of varsity experience other than mop up time. It’ll be different for us.”
The Tigers will be more experienced on the offensive line. Senior Talan Chandler earned first team All-State honors last season and was a first team selection in the Big 8. He is committed to the University of Colorado. He’ll return to left guard this fall with junior Cam Williams returning at the other guard spot after starting a handful of games. Senior Luke Anderson, a second team player in the Big 8, returns at center.
“We feel pretty solid about the interior of our offensive line,” Beachler said. “After that, we’ve got question marks.”
Senior Tyler Longobardi returns at tight end, but the Tigers still need to replace both tackles and another tight end.
On defense, Nevada’s strength will once again be its linebacking corps, and the team will build its defense around backers Henry Campbell and Longobardi. Campbell earned first team honors in the Big 8 West last season.
Budd returns in the secondary at either corner or safety. Stewart will play at defensive end, senior Kellan Ast could play at linebacker, Smith could play at safety and Chandler could play at defensive tackle.
“We’ve had good linebacking crews the last three or four years and with Henry and Tyler leading that group it will continue to be a strength,” Beachler said. “We’re also pretty athletic in the back end. We’ve got some work to do up front but we have good coaches coaching those guys.”
Nevada will head to Monett with Carthage and Carl Junction for its jamboree, and opens the regular season at home on Aug. 25 against Springfield Catholic.
