By Chris Parker
Lebanon football failed to win a district title for the first time since 2019 last season, but the Yellowjackets went 10-1 to post their best winning percentage since 2010.
This season is the dawn of a new era for Lebanon entering play in the COC.
“Our program is super excited for the process of our new journey,” Lebanon head coach Will Christian said. “Obviously, we understand our new conference is going to be very difficult and literally every game will be tough. We also know and believe that we will be the most prepared we have ever been for the postseason with these new challenges. We also understand we have much to prove and plenty of doubters on if we can compete in this new situation. So, without question we will be working very hard to earn respect and improve in our process every day Through our core values we greatly desire to represent our community with class and excellence.”
Lebanon will have one of the best players in the conference on its side with two-way star senior Jax Glendenning leading the way. Glendenning was named Ozark Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Class 5 Third-Team All-State at running back last season after he rushed 207 times for 1,533 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also earned second-team all-conference honors at linebacker where he pulled down 46 total tackles with six tackles for a loss.
Fellow senior Abe Allen also returns to the backfield after starting 11 games. He carried 45 times for 449 yards and four touchdowns last season.
The offensive line should be stout with seniors Caden Crabtree, Kason Woods and Kameron Meyers along with juniors Colin Alford and Eli Jackson all returning with between two and six games of starting experience.
Defensively, seniors Nick Allen, Mason Hendricks, Avery Starnes and Abe Allen all return after starting 11 games on the defensive side last season.
He will be joined at linebacker by Glendenning and junior Brayden Christian who each started a majority of the games on defense last season.
Starnes, an inside linebacker, is the team’s leading returning tackler who had 51 total tackles last season.
Allen and Hendricks are defensive ends who combined for six sacks and nine tackles for a loss last season. Mason Jones is a 5-foot-11, 280-pound junior who started one game on the defensive line last season.
Allen is the lone returning player in the secondary with starting experience.
Seniors JR Zevallos (DB), Lucas Tyre (DE/TE), Fidel Castro (LB), Bodee O’Neil (DB/WR), Bryce Malone (OLB), Eli Wade (NT), Baylor Smith (LB), Blake Coffman (WR/TE), Jason Krejci (LB), Braiden Lamontagne (FS/WR), Kayne McMahon (DL) and Kinnett Lucas (DL) along with juniors Jake Rebmann (OL), Westyn McKinney (QB), Evan Ogle (WR/FS), Carson Hill (LB/RB), Owen Adams (DE), Hayden Perkins (OL), Cameron Rose (SS/WR), Brody Shoemaker (WR/DB), Christian Williams (DE/TE), Robby Garrett (OL), Hunter Fluher (OL/DL), Eric Nichols (RB/LB), Raymond Weaver (DL/OL), Tommy Jennings (OL), Maverick Hewitt (OL/DL), Quentin Hendrix (TE/DE), Oliver Carver (OL), Wyatt Price (DL/OL) and Harrison Cranmer (TE/DE) are the other returning upperclassmen for Lebanon.
“We have a nice core of returners who have been a part of success at each level,” Christian said. “I like our team’s physicality and desire to earn respect.”
The sophomore class includes Beckett York, Terrell Petty, Austin Yakle, Nathaniel Jennings, Chase Carpenter, Ashton Terry, Brody Barker, Bristol Crabtree, Jackson Snyder, Davin Admire, Ayden Montoya, Cash Hill, Dakota Nutt, Charlie Windsor, Joshua Carney, Jaxson Cox, Trevion Simpson, Ikerd Mizer, Kaleb Willis, David Puckett, Huck Headley, Brody McIntosh, Luke Smith, Brady Jackson, Gavin Rodriquez, Carter Bartig, Jack Stephens, Gunner Martin, Luke Higginbotham, Jace Passmore.
Lebanon will travel to Sarcoxie for a jamboree on Aug. 23. The Yellowjackets open their first season in the COC on Aug. 30 at home against Webb City.
