By Chris Parker
Strafford football made a strong run in the district playoffs last season making it to the championship game before falling to rival Fair Grove 26-10. The Indians led by three points at the half of that game. They finished with a 7-5 record overall.
This season, Strafford returns a good amount of experience with just six total starters graduating from last season.
The offense is in a good position with experience all over the unit.
“We have experienced players at every position with five juniors who had significant playing time at the varsity level last season,” Strafford head coach Tim Hester said. “While we may seem young, our strong junior and senior classes will more than make up for it. We’re also returning three starting offensive linemen, which is a huge plus. Additionally, we have some new faces this season who didn’t play last year but are already showing they can contribute significantly to our offensive efforts.”
Things on offense start with quarterback Jourdyn Edelstein entering his third season as the starting quarterback.
His experience will be key to Strafford’s success.
“From his (Edelstein’s) freshman to senior year, the most significant growth I’ve seen in Jourdyn has been in his maturity. I remember his freshman year against Ava where he threw six interceptions. After his first interception, he got frustrated and couldn’t recover, and it was all downhill from there. As coach, we wanted him to experience his failures quickly and learn from them,” Hester said. “Now, as a senior, Jourdyn has corrected many of his mistakes. When he does make a mistake, he gets better and doesn’t let frustration take over. His ceiling as a senior quarterback is incredibly high because he’s not only more skilled but also mentally tougher. He can handle high-pressure situations and lead our team effectively. His growth in maturity and ability to learn from past experiences make him a formidable player this season.”
Edelstein threw for 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 245 yards. The senior was named first-team all-conference and all-district. He also will see time as a defensive back.
His top target in Bradlee Mullins returns. Mullins had 31 catches for 443 yards and six touchdowns on his way to first-team all-conference honors.
“Bradlee will undoubtedly be a big part on both side of the ball this season,” Hester said. “His experience and competitive attitude make him a player we can rely on to anchor the outside effectively. We expect Bradlee to excel once again and play a pivotal role in our team’s success.”
Mullins was also second-team all-conference as a defensive back. He led Strafford with three interceptions last season.
Cody Voysey will also be a key player in the mix all over the field on every unit. Hester listed Voysey as a wide receiver, defensive back and kicker.
“Cody is an extremely athletic and intelligent player,” Hester said. “He’s versatile and likely to see time on varsity as both a defensive back and receiver. His natural abilities, combined with his football IQ, make him a key asset to our team. We expect that the experience he gained last season will position him as a top performer defensively. Cody’s potential to impact the game on both sides of the ball makes him a valuable player for us.”
Lorenzo Mondragon and Gage Bradley are both also returning players who could factor in at receiver. The duo will be important defensively.
Mondragon was a second-team all-conference linebacker last season after he pulled down 65 total tackles and four tackles for a loss.
“Lorenzo is an invaluable asset to our defense,” Hester said. “His combination of speed and aggression at linebacker allows him to cover ground swiftly and disrupt opposing offenses effectively. He’s the type of player who can turn a game with a crucial tackle, a forced turnover, or by shutting down passing lanes. Last season, Lorenzo consistently made big plays for us, and we’re excited to see him continue to develop and contribute this year.”
Bradley will also play linebacker.
“Gage has truly stepped up as a leader, demonstrating a remarkable ability to hold his teammates accountable both on and off the field,” Hester said. “His improvement reflects not just in his own performance but in how he influences team dynamics, fostering cohesion and motivation among his peers.”
Ryder Ross will be a two-way force for Strafford this season at running back and linebacker. Last season, he was the team’s second-leading rusher with 72 carries for 440 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Ross pulled down 65 total tackles with six tackles for a loss on his way to first-team all-conference honors at linebacker.
“Ryder Ross had a standout season as our second-leading rusher last year on our team, and we’re excited about his potential to become a top-tier running back and linebacker in our area,” Hester said. “His commitment to hard work not only enhances his skills but also motivates his teammates to excel alongside him.”
Dylan Frerking is a third returning player who had 65 total tackles last season. He will be at linebacker and tight end this season.
“His (Frerking’s) dedication in the weight room sets a high standard for our team’s preparation,” Hester said. “He’ll be crucial for us on both sides of the ball, bringing strength and versatility as a linebacker and tight end. His work ethic and commitment to improvement are traits that will undoubtedly make a significant impact on our team’s success this season.”
Landen Rhodes rounds out the returning players who have varsity linebacking experience. He also is listed as a quarterback.
“Landen has shown impressive growth both as a linebacker and quarterback since last season,” Hester said. “We’re excited to see him potentially earn a starting role on the field this year and continue to develop. He’s been putting in the work, and his dedication is evident in his progress.”
Up front, Wyatt Tefertiller will play both ways on the offensive and defensive lines.
“Wyatt has shown impressive improvement both in the weight room and on the field compared to last season,” Hester said. “His dedication to strength training has translated directly into enhanced performance as an offensive lineman. Wyatt’s technical skills have sharpened, and he’s become more confident in executing his assignments, which has been evident during our offseason preparations. He’s embraced his role on the team with enthusiasm, consistently striving to elevate his game and contribute to our unit’s success. Wyatt’s growth exemplifies the positive impact of hard work and commitment in football.”
Nate Potter will be at defensive end and offensive line.
“Nate, our defensive end, has shown remarkable improvement on the field,” Hester said. “If he continues to progress throughout the season, he’s poised to become a dominant force. His development will significantly bolster our defense and add depth to our lineup.”
Brady Ripp will look to create havoc from his defensive end spot where he led the team with three sacks and eight tackles for a loss last season.
“As a defensive end, Brady became a standout presence on the gridiron last season,” Hester said. “With his remarkable length and agility, he consistently poses a challenge for opposing offensive tackles, disrupting plays and applying pressure on quarterbacks.”
Offensively, Ripp will play tight end.
Seniors Cooper Easley (SS/WR), Conner Rogers (CB/WR), Prestin Ames (DL/OL) and Gavin Ames (DL/OL) all did not play last season but have played for Strafford before and return for their senior seasons.
Seniors James Sanford (DL/OL), James Grebe (FS/RB) and Jesse Barry (CB/WR) along with juniors Cristian Mondragon (DL/OL) and Alex Edwards (FS/WR) all were strong junior varsity players last season who saw some varsity action. They will all look to carve out significant roles on varsity this season.
It is a bit of a new-look schedule for Strafford this season with Reeds Spring, Springfield Catholic, Hollister and Buffalo all joining the Mid-Lakes Conference. The Indians will play non-conference games at Liberty (Mountain View) and at home against Monett.
“The change in the Mid-Lakes conference will indeed provide a great opportunity for Strafford to improve by competing against larger schools,” Hester said. “This new alignment will not only prepare the team for tougher district play but also help with point accumulation, which can be crucial for advancing in the postseason. It’s a strategic move that will likely pay off in making the team more resilient and competitive.”
