By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The SCA will have a familiar face back on the sidelines with Dan Swofford taking over at Mountain Grove.
Swofford returns to the high school ranks after spending the last two seasons at Evangel University. Prior to his time there, Swofford helped turn Ava into a Class 2 football power, winning district championships in four of his last five seasons and totaling 53 wins in that time.
That includes a state runner-up finish in 2014. But Mountain Grove presents a very special opportunity for Swofford.
“I’m from Grove, I grew up in Grove and my mom still lives here,” said Swofford. “I’ve always wanted to come back and coach and it just never presented itself at the right moment; it never worked out.
“I love the challenge of coming here. I love the fact that the program expects conference and district championships. I want to compete at a state level and I’m not young enough to wait on it. I want to do it now and we have a collective expectation that we compete at a high level.”
Mountain Grove returns just nine starters from last year, but this is hardly a rebuild for the Panthers with some of the names returning.
The man in the middle for it all is junior quarterback Aden Estep, who returns as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the area last year.
Estep rushed for 1,186 yards and 24 touchdowns and threw for nearly 1,000 yards as well. He’s a dual-threat in a system that thrives on having a quarterback that can beat you with his legs and arm.
“He’s a special young man in a variety of ways; he’s one of those guys that has so many strengths,” said Swofford. “He’s a playmaker. He’s a great leader. He’s really everything you want in an option quarterback. I think he’s going to have an outstanding career both on and off the field.”
Senior Brayden Haughey also returns and should be one of Estep’s favorite targets this year. He’ll also see time in the secondary and is an All-SCA and All-Region punter. Classmate Wyatt Fry will see time at running back as well as linebacker.
Senior Dustin Unger will could see time at a variety of skill positions offensively and returns 59 tackles from his defensive role last year. Cooper Hoerning, a senior, and junior Kayden Murphy will also see increased roles, specifically on defense.
Junior Damion Martin will look to lead both the offensive and defensive lines. In Swofford’s system there’s nothing more imperative than play at the point of attack. He will be joined by Josh Metty, Wes Pinson and Sam Smith.
“Running the flexbone opens up the opportunity for several guys to have the ball in their hands,” said Swofford. “We have some pretty good athletes all over the field.
“You have to coach what you know. I want to be a part of program that I can believe in, that my coaches believe in and that my players believe in. I’ve been around the game a long time and there are a lot of different ways to do it.”
The swill be several newcomers in the mix for playing time as well.
Senior Jaxson Proctor, juniors Leedy Curtis, Joey Hickcox and Aiden Kumpula, as well as several sophomores could see time in the secondary.
Senior Josiah Schott, junior Ayden Barbe and sophomore Taylor Garner are looking for reps on either the offensive or defensive line.
The SCA is still the same brutal league. Ava ran the table last year and Liberty had just one conference loss, which came to the Bears.
Making the Week 3 Mountain Grove at Ava game more interesting is the fact that Ava head coach Casey Merrifield played for and coached with Swofford, in addition to Garrett Baird being Swofford’s son-in-law.
Swofford is no stranger to SCA play and Grove’s success this year – both in conference and in the postseason – will hinge on its ability to compete with the top teams in the SCA.
“Garrett and Casey are family; so many of the folks in Ava are,” said Swofford. “They’re really good at what they do, and they did so much to help build it. It’s theirs now and they’ve done great. I’m so happy that the program has been able to continue and I’m so proud of those guys. But they’re the ones to beat in the league right now and we know we are chasing them. I have a great respect for all of the coaches in the SCA. Football is important in the league and it’s really the identity of every school and every community; they take pride in what they do. Regardless of if they’ve undefeated or winless they can come in and beat you.
“We expect to have growing pains early in the season but as the season moves on, we anticipate great things happening in Mountain Grove. We know here at Mountain Grove we have a target on our back. We have a lot of wins and there’s a lot of tradition here. I just want to continue that. I am very excited to be back in my hometown and look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Mountain Grove will host Thayer, Willow Springs and Houston in a jamboree before opening the 2024 regular season by hosting Fair Grove. The Panthers travel to Ava on Sep. 13 and to Liberty on Oct. 4.
As for how long he’ll be at it this time, Swofford doesn’t have an answer. He loves what he does and where he has the opportunity to do it.
Fans in the SCA may have to get used to seeing his face on the sidelines for the next (several) years.
“17 years ago, I thought I’d go to Ava, raise my kids and be done when it was all over. But God takes us in different places, and he’s opened up a few doors for me. I don’t know if I have a lot of years coaching but I always admire the guys that have been able to continue coaching over the years and they’re happy guys. Hancock, Ary, Shore, etc. have all been guys that have kept doing and love the relationships they build. I want to do it as long as they’ll have me. My wife is an awesome coach’s wife. We love on the kids and try to make them great people and great players. I don’t know how long we’ll do but we’ll do it for a while.”
