By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Cody Hilburn has successfully righted the ship at Seneca.
The Indians went from one district title from 2009 to 2020 – the year before Hilburn took over – to winning three straight district championships in his three seasons.
Seneca has increased its win totals from eight to 11 to 13 in each of Hilburn’s first three campaigns, seeing offensive output increase and the defensive numbers getting even stingier.
All of this culminated in last year’s Class 3 state runner-up finish with a 48-34 loss to Central Park Hills; Seneca’s lone loss of the season.
“I know I sound like a broken record, but Seneca is a special place to coach football at,” said Hilburn. “Coach Hodge as well as many others helped build the tradition that we have today and to be able to hopefully add to that tradition is something we talk about frequently. Making it to the title game was a step in the right direction but wasn’t the ultimate goal.”
Now Hilburn and Seneca prepare for a rebuild after graduating a senior class that included eight full-time starters and 20 letterwinners.
While there will be plenty of inexperience all over the field for Seneca, that won’t be the case in the trenches, where Seneca returns all-state two-way linemen Nolan Napier (6-1, 210) and Jace Renfro (5-8, 210). Just a junior, Renfro is already one of the best interior linemen in the Ozarks while Napier and fellow seniors Dom Brown, Lane Scribner, Diego Amaya and Landon Commons return a ton of experience at the point of attack.
Juniors Brock Pendergraft, Connal Truluck and Gentry Barnes are also in the mix.
“This needs to be the group we hang our hat on this year,” said Hilburn of his linemen. “We return six offensive lineman that started football games for us last year. We want to be a physical football team that can run the football and stop the run. That starts with this group.”
The skill positions on the offensive side will have the benefit of working behind a talented group.
Senior Kaden Clouse and junior Brodie Probert are both seeing reps under center right now.
Senior Ryan Owens, as well as juniors Roman Miller, Kye Adams and Hunter Hanes are looking for carries in the backfield. Senior transfer Tyrone Harris, as well as juniors Drew Sherwood, Blaze Graham and Daran Macy are looking for roles in the passing game alongside all-area tight end Hagen Ginger.
Clouse and Miller were All-Big 8 on the defensive side of the ball but should see larger roles offensively as Seneca looks to replace a bevy of playmakers.
“I think we have two really good options in Kaden Clouse and Brodie Probert,” said Hilburn. “Both kids were starters for us on defense last year and have a really good understanding of offense.
“Roman got some carries for us last year and looks to take on the lead role at running back but we also have Hunter Hanes and Kye Adams that should see carries as well. At receiver there will be several new faces with Blaze Graham, Drew Sherwood, and Tyrone Harris. Hunter Hanes could play some receiver for us as well. Hagen is a versatile kid that could really help us in the passing game this year.”
The Indians were known for their explosive offense last year, but quietly the defense pitched five shutouts and had four other games holding opponents to two scores or less.
Clouse and Miller will headline that back half of the defense, with Napier setting the tone upfront.
The unit will look to galvanize behind those three.
“There will be several new faces in the back end for us,” said Hilburn. “Some of the same guys will have to turn around and play on the defensive side for us as well. Kye Adams, Ryan Owens, and Brodie Probert will join Roman at linebacker. All of those guys have done a great job in the weight room getting their bodies ready to play at the varsity level. In the secondary, Blaze Graham, Drew Sherwood, Tyrone Harris, and Hunter Hanes will all look to fill some big shoes.”
For Seneca, the goal continues to be making history as the program looks for its third state championship and ninth state title game appearance.
The Indians will look for an unprecedented fourth consecutive district championship, something few programs in the area and even state have accomplished over the last decade.
Navigating the always loaded Big 8 will be a major part of Seneca’s postseason dreams.
“I think we play in the toughest small school conference in the state and that prepares us for the playoffs,” said Hilburn. “Our goal is to learn from our mistakes each week and hopefully be playing our best football come district time.”
Seneca will jamboree at Joplin with the Eagles, Webb City and Lamar before hosting Cassville on Aug. 30 to open the 2024 season.
