By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Ryan McFarland’s first season as Webb City head coach saw the Cardinals re-start a district championship streak that ended in 2022.
Webb City finished the season at 10-3, losing to COC rival Republic 21-20 in the Class 5 Final Four.
The hardest coaching job to take in any sport is one following a legend and McFarland proved he’s up to the challenge at Webb City.
“We had a great senior class during the 2023 season,” said McFarland, “They were the glue that held our football program together during the transition from Coach Roderique’s retirement through the process of myself becoming the head coach. It was a special class in that they showed up at practice and in the weightroom and worked extremely hard and always put the team first.
“We try to play a lot of seniors in our program, so sometimes our players don’t get Friday night opportunities until their senior season. We played a lot of seniors last season, so we have a lot of competition this summer for positions.”
This group will again be led by seniors but features several pockets of inexperience across the roster; but the strength of the roster is in both the offensive and defensive backfields.
On offense, Webb City returns senior Andrew Elwell (467 yards, 7 TDs) and junior Slade Hurd (349 yards, 3 TDs).
Senior Garrett Powell and junior Isaiah Tela (5-11, 200) will also get some touches.
“Hurd and Elwell return with the most Friday night experience at running back,” said McFarland. “They were both thrown into action early in the 2023 season, due to injuries, and got better and better each week.
“Garrett Powell is a senior running back who has paid his dues and should get an opportunity to play this fall. Isaiah Tela is a junior running back who moved into the district last winter. He is 205 pounds and runs and blocks really well. He is bigger than our traditional running backs, but is really talented. It will take him some time to learn our offensive system, but we are excited to see how he progresses through the season.”
Junior Gabe Johnson (604 passing yards, 1,761 all-purpose yards and 17 TDs) was set up for a monster season after emerging as one of Missouri’s most dynamic athletes, but a torn ACL during basketball season will likely keep him sidelined all season.
Senior Jackson Lucas (6-0, 175) will be under center after passing for 279 yards and three touchdowns, adding 296 yards and three touchdowns from scrimmage.
Webb City also returns senior receivers Joseph Degraffenreid (6-2, 190) and Cohen Epler (5-10, 175). Degraffenreid turned 22 receptions into 358 yards and four scores.
Seniors Derrick Fisher (6-2, 215) and Gus Karnes (6-3, 195) will see reps at tight end.
Gabe’s injury opens up a quarterback battle. What has that looked like in the offseason and what does each guy do that gives you a chance to win games?
“Jackson started one game at quarterback in 2023 and also received a lot of reps at wide receiver. Jackson was a freshman my first year back in Webb City, so I have had the opportunity to coach him his whole high school career. Jackson is a true dual threat player who can beat you running or throwing the football.
“Joseph is a big receiver with great body control. I’m not sure people realize how strong he is. He has good speed, but his gift is the ability to position his body to make big plays. He seemed to always come up with a big play in 2023 to help us win football games. His stats aren’t as impressive as others in the area due to a lack of targets, but I’m not sure there are many wide receivers better than he is.”
The secondary is a loaded one, with Webb City returning a pair of safeties in Brody Eggleston (98 tackles, 2 INTs) and Mason Williams (26 tackles, 3 INTS), as well as standout corners Andrew Young (32 tackles, 6 INTs) and Brayden Ackerman (21 tackles, 3 INTs).
Young and Eggleston were both All-COC selections.
“Andrew and Brody were both key to the success we had on defense in 2023,” said McFarland. “They have both gotten stronger in the offseason, but more importantly they have both taken on larger leadership roles within our program.
“Andrew is one of our best athletes who does everything right… from the weightroom, to the classroom and to the practice field. He is a 3 year starter and a returning all-state player. Brosy is our emotional leader. Our players feed off his passion and enthusiasm. They will both be called upon to lead an inexperienced defense this fall.”
Seniors Jackson Dodson and Brock Renfro will lead the linebacking corps.
Maybe the biggest question on both sides of the ball is in the trenches, where Webb City loses its entire defensive line, 80 percent of its offensive line and both starting tight ends.
McFarland and Webb City are no strangers to retooling units, especially at the line of scrimmage, but it can present some unique challenges specifically in the COC.
Seniors Eric Lathan (6-0, 245) and Brady Belcher (6-1, 260) both return to the offensive line and Noah Duley (6-4, 220) saw significant time on the defensive line.
There are several names on either side of the ball looking to make an impact.
“If there is an unknown on our football team it is definitely on the offensive and defensive line,” said McFarland. “With that being said, we are excited about the prospects we have coming back.
“Riley Parker (senior), Garrett Mathis (senior), Rylan Walker (senior), Louden Bolinger (sophomore), Kayle Chrismon (sophomore) and Xavion Bates (sophomore) will all have opportunities to have big roles on the offensive line this season. Brady Belcher who has played on the offensive line for us the last two years will transition to the defensive line this season. He has a great mix of speed and strength. We are excited to see how well he makes the transition. Cooper Nielson and Heath Logan are two other seniors who have a chance to get considerable playing time on the defensive line. We are always on the lookout for someone who isn’t yet on our radar to step up and earn playing time on the offensive and defensive line.”
While playing as one of the smallest schools in the COC has benefitted WC over the years, it’ll get even tougher this year with Kickapoo, Glendale, Lebanon and Waynesville joining the new COC, things will get even more athletic and physical in the league.
All three losses in 2023 came by just a single possession. Now the goal is to get over the hump in the conference, the district and (likely) in Class 5.
“We have the skill players on both sides of the ball to compete for a district championship this year,” McFarland said. “The key will be how our offensive and defensive lines develop throughout the season. We have a tough schedule, and we will work each week to improve all areas of our football team. I am excited to see how our seniors step up to the challenge and lead some of our younger, inexperienced players who will need to play for us this season.”
Webb City will jamboree at Joplin with the Eagles, Lamar and Seneca before opening the 2024 regular season at Lebanon; a team the Cardinals have beaten twice since 2020 in the state playoffs.
At home against Nixa and a trip to Kickapoo will be Webb City’s next two games.
