By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Cody Bull has been known for his offense during his time at Marshfield, but the Jays could be one of the better defenses in the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference with eight starters returning on that side of the ball.
Senior linebacker Carter Pruitt and senior defensive back Brayden Hicks will lead the unit. Pruitt totaled 140 tackles last year while Hicks – a state champion triple jumper – finished with 105 tackles.
Hicks is also one of the top returning receivers in the area.
“Brayden has definitely become a leader in the eyes of his teammates,” said Bull. “He is always doing the little things right, and I believe that is what separates him from a lot of other athletes.”
Seniors Carter Thompson and Brad Shipman will join Pruitt at linebacker as well. Bull mentioned Thompson as one of the emotional leaders of the defense. Shipman returns after missing a chunk of last season due to injury.
Junior Kallen O’Dell returns at defensive end. A trio of juniors in Hayden Swanigan, Leighton Callaway and Takoda Gritts will play a major role in the secondary.
On the offensive side of the ball, there are just four starters but it’ll be a shuffling of the deck with where those starters are.
Standout quarterback Tyce Jones – one of the area’s top dual-threats in 2023 – is back but will slide over to running back where he will be a large piece of Marshfield’s offense.
“Tyce will be moving to running back this season to help pick up production from losing Dayvion Harris to graduation,” said Bull. “Tyce has been dynamic throughout the summer and team camps. He is a phenomenal leader and will still have some packages to showcase his ability as quarterback.”
Senior Talon Funk and sophomore Gage Harles are two more players that will see touches this year. Funk can line up in a variety of spots and Harles is a big target at tight end.
Brayden and Mason Jensen will also be two-way impact players for Marshfield.
Who will lead the offense is up for grabs as Carson Adams and Case Steinbach battle for the spot. Both players have the ability to help at other positions as well.
“Carson played quarterback in a few games this past season,” said Bull. “He put in a ton of time in the spring preparing to have an expanded role in the offense. Case can play almost any skill position on offense or defense. He has taken a lot of reps at quarterback as well this summer, and will be a factor in some way this fall.”
Junior Auston Croy (6-2, 260) will lead the offensive line after starting last year. Malaki Timmons and Blake Richards will join Croy at leading either the offensive or defensive lines.
How the offensive and defensive lines come together will largely dictate the level of success for the Jays this season.
“We have some really talented young offensive linemen,” said Bull. “Coach Kaderly has been doing a great job getting them prepared to play on Friday nights. I’m sure there will be some growing pains, but there is a very bright future for this position group.”
A new conference brings a new schedule, which now includes Carl Junction, Bolivar, Branson, Rogersville and West Plains in league play.
Marshfield will jamboree at Glendale with the Falcons and Fair Grove before hosting Parkview on Aug. 30 to open the 2024 regular season.
