By Chris Parker
Diamond has a new head coach but a familiar face taking over this season in Matt McKee. McKee has 18 years of coaching experience. He spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Wildcats.
“I’ve been here for two years as the defensive coordinator. I’ve enjoyed the school, community, and the kids I’ve coached. When the job came open, I was excited for the opportunity to stay here and take over,” McKee said.
He takes over a program coming off a three-win season with six starters returning on both sides of the ball.
Payton Marbough returns after throwing for 1,114 yards as a junior. He also rushed for 319 yards. McKee expects him to see time at quarterback and running back on offense.
“He’s a tough kid who will do whatever you ask,” McKee said of Marbough. “I expect him to pick up where he left off and be one of our leaders.”
Landon Adams will also see time at quarterback.
Kaleb Belcher and Kendal King each return to the backfield after leading the team in rushing last season. Belcher turned 166 carries into 782 yards and nine touchdowns. King took 76 carries for 360 yards and five touchdowns.
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“Kendal is a great power runner and lead blocker. He’ll get the tough yards or pave the way running behind him,” McKee said. “Kaleb can run with power but is a little shiftier in the open field so we like to get him is space as much as we can.”
Zach Roughton and Nick Meza will also see carries. Roughton was the team’s leading receiver as a sophomore with 41 catches for 582 yards and six touchdowns.
“Zach is fast and is a smart runner,” McKee said. “If he gets the ball in space, he can be dangerous. A lot of his yards came after the catch.”
Adams will also be a key receiver.
The offensive line is a bit of a question mark, but Cody Neal, Kadin Rodgers, Logan Rodgers and Dilan Manely are expected to be factors.
Defensively, Brayden Clement will lead the defensive line along with Manely.
“Brayden was a huge part of what we did last year at nose guard and I expect him to have a big year for us,” McKee said.
The linebacking corps will be King, Kadin Rodgers, Belcher, Meza and Marbough. Roughton and Adams will be key starters in the secondary.
“We want to be competitive in every game and win or lose represent our school and community in a way they are proud of,” McKee said.
Diamond will travel to East Newton for a jamboree with the host Patriots, Miller and El Dorado Springs. The Wildcats open the regular season on Aug. 25 at Ash Grove.
