The ninth annual All-O-Zone Top 44 Football Team is here.
This team is different than other teams in that we are selecting the top 44 players in the Ozarks regardless of position and placing them on a First 11, Second 11, Third 11 and Fourth 11. This leaves room for multiple players from the same position without having to force a team together based solely on positions and allows us to evaluate players for what they did on both sides of the ball.
To get to these final 44 we used coach nominations and observations along with staff observations throughout the season. In addition, stats, postseason honors and team success played a big role in helping us identify the Top 44 players in the Ozarks from the thousands that played this season.
2023 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2022 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2021 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2020 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2019 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2018 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2017 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2016 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER EXCEPT FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jackson Cantwell, Nixa (Player of the Year)
It was an easy decision to name Cantwell our Player of the Year. He is a one-of-one prospect who is as elite as it gets as an offensive lineman. He was named Gatorade Player of the Year along with region and conference Offensive Player of the Year. Cantwell compiled 158 pancake blocks. With one season left in his high school football career, make it a point to get to a Nixa football game next year so you can say you saw this current and future superstar play in high school. The video above is basically a buffet of pancakes.
STATS: 158 pancake blocks
HONORS: Gatorade Player of the Year & Finalist for National Player of the Year; Class 6 First-Team All-State; Class 6 Region & COC East Offensive Player of the Year
Brock Bruner, Fair Grove
Bruner ended up just eight tackles short of the state’s eighth-ever 200-tackle season with 192. That was good for ninth all-time in Missouri high school history. He was the heart of the Fair Grove defense ranging all over for stops. He was recognized as the Class 2 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Class 2 Region Defensive Player of the Year and Mid-Lakes Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of the area’s top senior football recruits heading to Southeast Missouri State to play FCS football.
STATS: 192 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FR
HONORS: Class 2 Defensive Player of the Year; Class 2 Region Defensive Player of the Year; Mid-Lakes Defensive Player of the Year
Kaden Clouse, Seneca
Clouse was a two-way player on one of the the area’s most dominant teams. At quarterback, he conducted one of the most potent rushing attacks in Missouri history. He rushed for 1,706 yards and 18 touchdowns while throwing for another 1,123 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air. Defensively, he added 61 tackles and two interceptions. Seneca’s offense was truly historic and Clouse was the guy taking the snaps and making it go.
STATS: 58-98 passing, 1,123 yards, 18 TD-5 INT; 173 carries, 1,706 yards, 18 TD; 61 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State ATH; Class 3 Region Offensive Player of the Year; Big 8 Offensive Player of the Year; First-Team All-Big 8 QB & Unanimous DB
Jax Glendenning, Lebanon
Before you go any further, watch the second play on the video above at the 21 second mark and then come back. In that play Glendenning gets pushed eight yards behind the line of scrimmage and turns that eight-yard loss into a 19-yard gain. He was the epitome of a Lebanon running back over his four years running hard every play. This season, he rushed for 2,547 yards on 303 carries with 35 touchdowns. In the process, Glendenning became the 25th running back in Missouri history to rush for at least 5,000 yards in a career finishing with 5,302 which has him at No. 22 all-time in Missouri history for a career and No. 4 in SWMO history. He is heading to Harding University where he will fit right in with the Buffaloes’ flexbone offense that saw the team tally almost 6,000 yards of rushing this season on the way to a 12-2 record.
STATS: 303 carries, 2,547 yards, 35 TD; 5 rec, 169 yards, 2 TD; 24 total tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State RB; Class 5 Region Offensive Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-COC East RB
Kellen Lair, Fair Grove
Two touchdowns were enough for Fair Grove to beat Lafayette County 14-13. This kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half got the Eagles on the board after being shut out in the first half. pic.twitter.com/qLF6YQA5P4
— Ozarks Sports Zone (@OzarksOzone) November 24, 2024
Dynamic. Game breaker. Cheat code. All of those are ways to describe Kellen Lair. He was the most explosive player in the Ozarks this season and a threat to score a touchdown every time he touched the ball. He rushed for 1,651 yards on just 112 carries this season. That is 14.74 yards per carry. The most of any ball carrier in SWMO who rushed for 1,000 yards this season. Only three of the 32 ball carriers who posted 1,000 yard seasons rushing averaged more than 10 yards per carry, and No. 2 was 11.02. Since 2017, the area has seen 253 1,000-yard season-long rushing performances. Only one other area ball carrier in that time has averaged more than 14.74 yards per carry. In the return game, he is unmatched. If you kick it directly to him it is more likely than not going for a touchdown as you can see in the video above. Lair is a special football player who will be fun to watch at the next level.
STATS: 112 carries, 1,651 yards, 20 TD; 25 rec, 497 yards, 8 TD
HONORS: Class 2 Offensive Player of the Year; Class 2 First-Team All-State RB & Returner; Class 2 Region Offensive Player of the Year; Mid-Lakes Offensive Player of the Year
Parker Mann, Nixa
In the preseason, Nixa head coach John Perry referred to Parker Mann as “the bell cow of the defense”. That statement proved to be spot on. Mann tallied 171 total tackles on the season, which was 50 more than anybody else on Nixa’s team. He also affected the game in other ways with four tackles for a loss and two each of interceptions, forced fumbles and recovered fumbles. He earned first-team all-state honors in Class 6.
STATS: 171 total tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INT; 2 FF, 2 FR
HONORS: Class 6 First-Team All-State DB; Class 6 Region Defensive Player of the Year; COC East Defensive Player of the Year
Adam McKnight, Nixa
There are quarterbacks in the area with more yards passing and rushing than McKnight, but the way McKnight played against truly elite competition is what has him in our Top 11. When you watch the tape, you can see the undeniable talent. Specifically, his game-winning drive against Lee’s Summit North in the state quarterfinal game showcased everything to love about his game showcasing poise, leadership, his big, accurate arm and ability to make plays with his legs. He drove the Eagles 79 yards in less than two minutes in a win-or-go home drive on the road that included high-level throws and timely scrambles. In the state championship game, I was consistently impressed with his ability to throw the ball deep with pinpoint accuracy in the face of the best pass rush Nixa had seen all season. Teammate Jackson Cantwell will sign with a high-level college program next season. McKnight, who has D1 ability in multiple sports, could be just behind him a year later.
STATS: 93-136, 1,733 yards, 22 TD-3 INT; 88 carries, 608 yards, 8 TD
HONORS: Class 6 Third-Team All-State Athlete; Unanimous Class 6 First-Team All-Region QB; First-Team All-COC East QB
Trevor Meadows, Carthage
Just like Cantwell earning Offensive Player of the Year honors from his offensive line spot, it is rare for an interior defensive lineman to win Defensive Player of the Year honors that often go to a high-tackle linebacker or safety or pass-rushing defensive end. Meadows was so good he earned both region and conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in addition to first-team all-state honors in Class 5. The 53 tackles won’t jump off the page compared to others on this list but watch the tape. He was elite at getting off blocks and making plays in the backfield. That led to 13 tackles for a loss on the season. He was a game wrecker for Carthage.
STATS: 53 tackles, 2 sacks, 13 TFL
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State DL; Class 5 Region Defensive Player of the Year; COC West Defensive Player of the Year
Roman Miller, Seneca
Miller was a two-way star for Seneca earning first-team all-state honors at running back while being named unanimous first-team all-region at running back and linebacker. He tallied 1,711 yards and 27 touchdowns for one of the best rushing attacks in state history. On defense, Miller added 71 tackles with six tackles for a loss. He is poised for a huge senior season as one of the top returning players in southwest Missouri.
STATS: 191 carries, 1,711 yards, 27 TD; 71 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 FF, 2 FR
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State RB; Unanimous Class 3 First-Team Region RB & LB; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 RB & LB
Dylan Rebura, Nixa
Rebura’s senior season running the ball wasn’t just elite, it was historic. He took 348 carries for 2,785 yards and 48 touchdowns. The yards were good for 19th most in Missouri history according to the MSHSAA website. It is also the third-most yards rushing in a season for a SWMO player behind two seasons from Marionville’s Lee Flood. The 48 rushing touchdowns are sixth-most in Missouri history and second-most in SWMO history behind Flood once again. He ran behind one of the best, if not THE best, offensive lines in SWMO history, but that was not the only reason Rebura ran so well. He is a tough runner with great vision and patience. He will be a steal for whichever college program gets his services.
STATS: 348 carries, 2,785 yards, 48 TD; 11 rec, 139 yards, 1 TD
HONORS: Clas 6 First-Team All-State RB; Unanimous Class 6 First-Team All-Region RB; Unanimous First-Team All-COC East RB
Jace Renfro, Seneca
It was a great year for linemen in the Ozarks and Renfro was one of the most impactful playing both ways. On offense, he was the center for one of the best rushing attacks in state history. On defense, he was an interior defensive lineman that lived in the opposing team’s backfield with 15 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. As you can see in the video above, he was an absolute force off the ball. The Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year posted 15 tackles for a loss with eight sacks earning first-team all-state honors on the defensive line and first-team all-region honors on both sides of the ball.
STATS: 67 tackles, 15 TFL, 8 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State DL; Unanimous Class 3 First-Team Region DL & First-Team Region OL; Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year & Unanimous First-Team Center
SECOND 11
Landon Bland, Carthage
STATS: 45 tackles, 5 sacks, 10 TFL
HONORS: Class 5 Third Team All-State DL; Class 5 First-Team All-Region DL; Unanimous First-Team All-COC West DL
Braden Dodson, Mt. Vernon
STATS: 232 carries, 1,589 yards, 25 TD; 13 rec, 182 yards, 2 TD; 105 tackles, 18 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 FF, 4 FR, 2 INT, 2 blocked kicks
HONORS: Class 3 Second-Team All-State RB; Class 3 Region Defensive Player of the Year; First-Team Region LB; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 RB & First-Team LB
Brody Eggleston, Webb City
STATS: 163 total tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 block punts, 3 blocked FG/PAT
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team All-State LB; Unanimous Class 5 First-Team All-Region DB; Unanimous First-Team All-COC West DB
Randy Flint, Nixa
STATS: 46 total tackles; 5 INT, 13 PBU, 1 FR, 2 BLK FG
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State Athlete; Unanimous Class 6 First-Team All-Region DB; Unanimous First-Team All-COC East WR
Eli Hull, Lamar
STATS: 85 tackles, 6.5 sacks
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State OL; Unanimous Class 2 First-Team All-Region OL & Second-Team DL; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 Tackle
Jacob Lile, Nixa
STATS: 75 pancake blocks
HONORS: Class 6 Second-Team All-State OL; Unanimous Class 6 First-Team All-Region OL; Unanimous All-COC East First-Team OL
Preston McCracken, Republic
STATS: 159 carries, 1,262 yards, 19 TD; 459 passing yards
HONORS: Class 5 First-Team Region Athlete; First-Team COC West Athlete
Nolan Napier, Seneca
STATS: 26 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 def TD
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State OL; Unanimous Class 3 First-Team Region OL & First-Team Region DE; Unanimous First-Team Big 8 Guard & DE
Ryder Ross, Strafford
STATS: 238 carries, 2,148 yards, 31 TD; 56 tackles, 5 TFL
HONORS: Class 3 Third-Team All-State RB; Unanimous Class 3 First-Team All-Region RB; Unanimous First-Team Mid-Lakes RB & Third-Team LB
Spensar Seiger, Fair Grove
STATS: 141-220 passing, 2,250 yards, 32 TD-2 INT; 112 carries, 988 yards, 15 TD
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State QB; Unanimous Class 2 First-Team All-Region ATH & Second-Team DB; First-Team Mid-Lakes QB
Alex Wilkerson, Lamar
STATS: 44-83 passing, 694 yards, 11 TD-2 INT
HONORS: Class 2 Second-Team All-State QB; Class 2 First-Team All-Region QB
THIRD 11
TJ Ansley, Lamar
STATS: 132 tackles, 5 sacks, 4 INT
HONORS: Co-Class 2 Defensive Player of the Year; Unanimous Class 2 First-Team All-Region LB; Second-Team Big 8 LB
Bryden Baxter, Fair Grove
STATS: 57 rec, 1,008 yards, 17 TD; 145 tackles, 7 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State WR; Class 2 Unanimous First-Team All-Region WR & DB; Unanimous First-Team Mid-Lakes WR & DB
Landyn Collins, Carthage
STATS: : 227 carries, 1,276 yards, 20 TD; 22 rec, 213 yards, 1 TD
HONORS: Class 5 Third-Team All-State RB; Class 5 First-Team All-Region RB; COC West Offensive Player of the Year
Parker Elliott, Ozark
STATS: 63 solo tackles, 121 total tackles, 8 TFL, 5 sacks
HONORS: Class 6 Third-Team All-State LB; Unanimous Class 6 First-Team All-Region LB; Unanimous First-Team All-COC East LB
Gavin Johnston, Mt. Vernon
STATS: 200-302, 2,850 yards, 28 TD-13 INT; 65 carries, 233 yards, 2 TD
HONORS: Class 3 Third-Team All-State QB; Class 3 Second-Team Region QB; Second-Team All-Big 8 QB
Luke McCormick, Branson
STATS: 132 carries, 1,039 yards, 19 TD, 29-53 passing, 580 yards, 6 TD
HONORS: Class 5 Third-Team All-State ATH; Class 5 Second-Team Region ATH; Ozark Mountain Conference Offensive Player of the Year
Mason McCurry, Bolivar
STATS: 165 tackles, 20 TFL, 3 sacks; 3 offensive TD
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State LB; Class 4 Region Co-Defensive Player of the Year; Class 4 Region-First-Team TE; Unanimous First-Team OMC LB
Cash Pomeroy, Marionville
STATS: 165 carries, 1,311 yards, 18 TD; 6 rec, 123 yards, 1 TD; 83 tackles, 15 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 FF
HONORS: Class 1 First-Team All-State RB; Class 1 Region Offensive Player of the Year; Unanimous Class 1 Region RB & LB; First-Team SWC RB & DB
Jacob Shinkarevich, Logan-Rogersville
STATS: 181 tackles, 21 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBU, 4 FF; 95 carries, 501 yards, 8 TD
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State LB; Class 4 Region Co-Defensive Player of the Year; First-Team OMC LB
Davin Thomas, Joplin
STATS: 57 rec, 834 yards, 8 TD; 30 carries, 171 yards; 23 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
HONORS: Class 6 Third-Team All-State WR; Class 6 Unanimous First-Team All-Region WR; Unanimous First-Team All-COC West WR
Braxton Wolfe, East Newton
STATS: 121 tackles, 2 TFL, 11 PBU, 7 INT, 1 FR, 1 BLK PAT; 60 rec, 752 yards, 3 TD
HONORS: First-Team Class 3 All-State DB; Unanimous Class 3 First-Team All-Region DB & First-Team WR; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 DB & First-Team WR
FOURTH 11
Landyn Brandt, Monett
STATS: 89 rec, 1,083 yards, 11 TD
HONORS: Class 4 First-Team All-State WR; Unanimous Class 4 First-Team All-Region WR; Second-Team Big 8 WR
Gardner Casey, Bolivar
STATS: 245 carries, 2,010 yards, 19 TD; 16 rec, 312 yard, 4 TD; 3 INT, 2 KR TD
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State RB, Class 4 Region Offensive Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team All-OMC RB
Cooper Clark, Thayer
STATS: 80 tackles, 20 TFL, 5 sacks, 2 INT, 8 PBU, 1 punt block, 1 kick block, 5 FF, 1 FR, 1 defensive TD
HONORS: Class 2 Second-Team All-State DL; Class 2 First-Team All-Region OL & DL; SCA Lineman of the Year
Mario Delapena, Lamar
STATS: 109 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 FF, 1 FR
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State DL; Unanimous Class 2 First-Team All-Region DL; First-Team Big 8 DT
Noah Garrison, Sarcoxie
STATS: 1,787 yards rushing, 21 TD; 118 tackles
HONORS: Class 2 Third-Team All-State RB; First-Team All-Region RB & LB; Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year; Unanimous First-Team SWC LB
Hagen Ginger, Seneca
STATS: 19 rec, 429 yards, 10 TD; 41 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 FR, 1 FF
HONORS: Class 3 First-Team All-State WR; Unanimous Class 3 First-Team Region TE; Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 TE & Second-Team TE
Bryer Guerin, Marionville
STATS: 97-156 passing, 1,480 yards, 16 TD; 120 carries, 735 yards, 14 TD; 77 tackles, 6 TFL, 5 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FR
HONORS: Class 1 First-Team All-State DB; Unanimous First-Team Region QB & DB; First-Team SWC DB & Second-Team QB
Collis Jones, Joplin
STATS: 24 rec, 406 yards, 4 TD; 35 total tackles, 5 INT, 3 PBU
HONORS: Class 6 Third-Team All-State Athlete; Unanimous Class 6 First-Team All-Region DB & Second-Team All-Region WR & Returner; First-Team All-COC West DB & Returner
Drake Murrell, Warsaw
STATS: 78 total tackles, 6 sacks
HONORS: Class 2 First-Team All-State LB
Grady Stewart, Nevada
STATS: 51 tackles, 6 TFl, 3 sacks, 3 FF
HONORS: Class 4 Second-Team All-State DE; Unanimous Class 4 First-Team Region DE; First-Team All-Big 8 DE
Nik Thieman, Lockwood
STATS: 232 carries, 2,489 yards, 48 TD; 104 tackles, 15 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT
HONORS: 8-Man First-Team All-State RB, 8-Man Region Co-Offensive Player of the Year; First-Team 8-Man Region RB & Second-Team LB
