By Chris Parker
Parkview has a new head coach in Cameron Bruffett this season. He will look to turn around a program that hasn’t won more than one game in a season since 2018.
“I was attracted to take over at Parkview because I have seen a ton of potential in the talent that’s there, despite their limited success over the years” Bruffett said. “The challenge of guiding a group with untapped talent and instilling a winning mindset is exciting.”
Bruffett came over from Rogersville where he was the offensive coordinator for the past five seasons. Prior to that he spent a year on staff at Evangel where he also played in college and was a four-time all-conference defensive back and All-American.
He will look to bring the winning cultures he has been a part of throughout his career to Parkview.
“Creating a winning culture through hard work, strong sense of family, and consistently doing the little things right (is the key to turning the program around),” Bruffett said. “This puts us on the correct path and the winning will start taking care of itself. There is no secret ingredient in winning football games, you have to earn it.”
Seniors Caimon James and Dylan Mahan will compete for the quarterback position.
Bruffett on James: Caimon will be competing for the starting quarterback position. He started at wide receiver last year and played all over to help the team where needed. Caimon possesses all the intangibles for the position (leadership/toughness /football IQ), and if he continues to develop over the summer then he could earn the spot and be a crucial part in our success as a team this year. Caimon had a nice showing at Evangel Football Camp, through the air with his arm and on the ground with his athleticism.”
Bruffett on Mahan: “Dylan is coming out for football this year and will be competing for the starting quarterback position. He was a first-team all-conference utility player in baseball. Dylan is a great athlete, and we are very fortunate he joined the team.”
Khayse Highly (sophomore), Rodney Casper (junior) and Nareese Day (senior) will all look for carries in the backfield. Highly is a smooth runner with great size. Casper is a dynamic athlete who is versatile as a pass catcher. Day is a strong and tough runner.
The receiving corps will feature Jamile Johnson, Anthony Nunda, Isaiah Hampton and Daryl Day.
Bruffett on Johnson: “At 6’8, 215 pounds, Jamile has rare traits and talent to create mismatches on every play. We will utilize him out wide and at tight end to get him the ball in various ways. He is an X-Factor for us, and we will look to get him the ball often. He has a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and a senior leader on our team.”
Bruffett on Nunda: “Anthony started at quarterback last year, but we are going to move him out wide as he is a special athlete. He is a threat to score anytime we get the ball in his hands or has one on one coverage. His speed and route running opposite of Jamile will make those two be quite the duo in their senior year of football.”
Bruffett on Hampton: “Isaiah brings a lot to our team in various ways. Only a sophomore, but he is a natural leader on the football field and can back it up with his playmaking ability. He will play a lot on both sides of the ball and will act as a Swiss army knife wherever needed throughout the year.”
Bruffett on Day: “(He is a) track star in the spring and fastest kid on our football team. Daryl showed last week at Evangel Camp that he will consistently be tough to guard on a weekly basis.”
Seniors Jared Johnson and Devonte Trout will return to the offensive line.
“Jared looks like a college offensive lineman already. (He) has the size and athleticism to make every block in the run and pass game. He is a foundational piece that will allow us to move the ball consistently and score points,” Bruffett said. “Devonte is a returning offensive lineman for us alongside Jared. They have great size and work well together. We will look to run behind these two senior linemen whenever possible.”
Tyce Heslin (junior) and Trevor Chrisman (sophomore) will also return on the offensive line.
Six starters return on defense as well.
The defensive line will be led by senior Tayshaun Finley.
“Tayshaun is known as the power forward for the basketball team, but he brings that size and athleticism over to us on the football field,” Bruffett said. “We will turn him lose at opposing quarterbacks from the defensive end position and also utilize him as a tight end throughout the year.”
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
Xzavier Teal (sophomore), Clarence Waite (junior), Jalen Elmore (junior) and Adam Anderson (senior) will also be on the defensive line. Teal brings good size, technique and a motor. Waite is a strong player with good size. Elmore is undersized but brings toughness and a relentless motor. Anderson is a great teammate with good senior leadership.
The junior quintet of Ben Rice, Cameron Whiten, Jayce McGuire, Noah Grauberger and Kaden Woerner will be the linebackers.
Bruffett on Rice: “Ben suffered an injury early in the year and missed most of the season. He was a tackling machine from the inside linebacker position, and we are excited to have him patrolling the run box this year. Very tough player and ready to bounce back in a big way.”
Bruffett on Whiten: “Cameron also missed most of the season due to injury. He has one of the highest motors on the team and will spearhead our new look defense alongside Ben from the inside backer position. Very passionate player and leader on our team that will be all over the field making plays for us this year.”
Bruffett on McGuire: “Jayce is a special player who started playing football only three years ago. Rather it’s at cornerback or wide receiver, Jayce just makes plays. Excited to see him continue to grow and have a big year.”
Bruffett on Grauberger: “Noah is long and athletic. We have used him all over the field offensively and he is carving out a role defensively at outside linebacker. Noah brings a lot to the team with his unique skill set but is quickly becoming one of our leaders as well.”
Bruffett on Woerner: “(He has) a high football IQ and very coachable. Will have a consistent role defensively all year.”
The secondary will feature Zo Black (senior), Jaylen King (senior), Holden Oliver (junior), Jaden Knox (senior) and Jermaine Townsend (sophomore).
Bruffett on Black: “Zo has the size, length, athleticism to match up with the opposing team’s best receiver week in and week out. His competitive nature and abilities will make him a foundational piece to our new look defense. Zo also has a 4.0 GPA and is heavily involved in many clubs. He is a great leader on and off the field.”
Bruffett on King: “Jaylen is one of the hardest workers on the entire team. He never wants to come off the field and will help us on each side of the ball. Matching that work ethic with his rare size and athletic ability. Jaylen will be one of the Vikings to watch this year.”
Bruffett on Oliver: “Holden started at free safety as a sophomore and was one of the team’s leading tacklers. He has great range and is a fierce competitor that we are happy to play center field for us on the back end. Playmaker when the ball is in the air and is not afraid to come up and hit.”
Bruffett on Knox: “Jaden has a very high football IQ and can play all over the field. Great senior leader for us.”
Bruffett on Townsend: “Right there in the mix with the starting defensive group. Tough and versatile player.”
Parkview will travel to SBU for a jamboree on Aug. 18 with host Bolivar and Cassville. The Vikings open the season on Aug. 25 at Lebanon.
“(I want) for us to have the ability to compete each week on the football field, and for our kids to continue to grow and develop as athletes and individuals,” Bruffett said. “We would love for the wins to come, but our focus will be in the small details and our kids having fun playing football. Ending the year known as a tough football team and our kids having a great sense of pride being a Parkview Viking.”
