By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Monett football team certainly went through growing pains while being under new leadership last year.
Case in point: Monett started off 0-5 and scored only 50 points during that stretch. However, the Cubs finished the season on a strong note by winning four of their last six contests before falling at top-seeded West Plains 35-13 in the district semifinals.
Ethan Lewis, now entering his second season at Monett, said the best part of last season was how his team grew from Week 1 to Week 11. It simply took time for his players to acclimate to a new coach, new system and new philosophy.
Lewis hopes last year’s finish serves as a springboard for a successful 2023.
“Getting to play in the month of November was certainly not something people expected after we started off 0-5,” Lewis said. “It was a good finish for us and gave us something to work for this offseason. The kids were excited about continuing that momentum we built at the end of last year.
“Our kids want to get better. They want to be coached hard and held to a higher standard.”
The Cubs return six starters, led by senior Erik Chavez who earned all-conference honors as a place kicker and all-area recognition as a defensive back. Seniors Evan Witt (DB), Diego Baidon (LB) and Aidan Smith (OL) will provide veteran leadership.
Junior Porter Reed is coming off an All-Big 8 sophomore season as a defensive lineman and is expected to do big things this fall. Sophomore Victor Reed will return as a starter on the offensive line as well.
“I’m excited about the guys coming back,” Lewis said. “They played a lot of big-time roles for us down the stretch last year. They were asked to step up in different ways. Erik, Evan and Aidan will be looked to early and often to help lead our team. They gained plenty of experience to help show the expectations that we have set moving forward. Diego, Porter and Landyn Brandt will also be counted on to provide voices for our team.”
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The Cubs secondary will be one of their biggest strengths, Lewis said. There will be no shortage of youth for Monett as over half its roster will be underclassmen.
“With all young teams, your biggest concern is the lack of playing time under the bright lights of a Friday night,” Lewis said. “But our young guys are hungry to get out and compete to show improvement. We are excited about our young guys. We feel they are really talented. I think that will bode well for us.”
To improve each week, Lewis said his team must understand the season is a marathon and his players must take each week in stride, looking to make progress over the course of the season.
Monett hosts Reeds Spring in Week 1 to open the regular season.
“Our kids have worked hard this offseason,” Lewis said. “We’ve gotten faster, we’ve gotten stronger. We’re excited about what is to come. We have been to 7-on-7s this summer. We have been to team camps. We feel like the kids have been tested. They are really looking forward to Week 1.”
