By Jordan Burton (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Derick Heflin is the new head man at Rolla, getting an opportunity that few ever get by taking over his alma mater.
He takes over the Bulldogs after stacking a 40-35 record in seven seasons at Washington, taking the program to a winless afterthought in 2017 to a program that went 30-13 over his final four seasons, producing several Division One players.
“It is exciting to come and be a part of something that meant so much to me growing up,” said Heflin. “The coaches I played for help make me into the person I am today. This is my chance to do the same thing for the next generation and make Rolla Football into something special.
“The biggest thing we have to get established is our work ethic and weight room program. I feel like those things go hand in hand. We have to be able to win in the weight room and the practice field first.”
Heflin takes over a program that has some things to work with, especially on the offensive side of the ball where Rolla bring back an experienced offensive line.
Seniors Demarii Williams (6-2, 285) and Robert Smith, as well as juniors Easton Brown (6-0, 260), Rio Sherrell (5-10, 240) and Nash Crouch. The Bulldogs averaged nearly six yards per carry last season.
Senior Steve Harris is also back after rushing for 350 yard and six touchdowns. Junior Kayden Kinder rushed for 379 yards as a sophomore, while classmate Mason Delegarza will also see more carries this fall.
Heflin plans on implementing a run-heavy attack, embracing a physical brand of football.
“We will base out of the flexbone and be a triple option team,” said Heflin. “We want to be physical and aggressive at the line of scrimmage.”
Sophomore Easton Smith will take over at quarterback after seeing varsity action as a freshman. Classmate Cameron Brown is likely to be one of his favorite targets as a big, physical and athletic tight end.
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Rolla will be inexperienced defensively but returns one of the most productive linebackers in the Ozark Conference in junior Trustin Richards.
Richards (5-10, 230) totaled 124 tackles in 2022. Senior Brett Montgomery racked up 36 tackles and three sacks last year. Junior Kaden Reedy will join them in the linebacking corps. Senior Ryland Gibson and junior Chase Brown will lead the secondary.
The defense will look a little different than previous years.
“We will base out of the 4-2-5,” said Heflin. “We will have to be multiple in our looks to compete with the high-flying different offenses that you see in the OC.”
Much will be decided as Heflin gets acclimated with a new group and a new league.
While there are many questions going into the season, Heflin is confident that it’ll take a growth mindset for the Bulldogs to compete for conference and district championships.
“It’s an extremely tough league,” said Heflin. “We have to make sure we are just focusing on improving each day and week to week. We will be an extremely young football team, but we just have focus on the process of getting better with every rep.
“We have to focus on getting better every day at what we do on the practice field and the weight room.”
Rolla will kickoff the 2023 regular season and Derick Heflin era on Aug. 25 at Camdenton.
