By Chris Parker
Last season was a rebuilding year for the Buffalo football program with youth all over the roster. The Bison finished 3-7 overall but grew as a team throughout the season.
“We learned how to play together. We learned that we need to rally together,” Buffalo head coach Ed Phillips said. “It was a rough year because we learned a lot of valuable lessons. The people who stayed with us and the people who made it all the way through the year grew and learned how to be better.”
This season nine starters on each side of the ball return including about 25 total players who saw action in at least three varsity games.
Things start with sophomore quarterback Isaiah Young who started as a freshman.
“He (Young) led us in about every offensive category. He had a great year as a freshman. We look for him to lead this team in a better way this year,” Phillips said. “(The team) respects him, they admire him, and they follow him because of the way he plays. He plays aggressively and he’s tough. He is one of our best football players.”
He will be handing off once again to Bradley Mankey who rushed for just shy of 900 yards last season.
“We are expecting him (Mankey) to be a 1,000-yard back,” Phillips said. “He is a big, strong kid. He’s dedicated more this off-season. He’s been here more running and getting his body ready to play in the weight room.”
Lucas Cole and Owen Phillips are also in the mix for carries. Phillips brings a speed element to the backfield.
“He (Phillips) is the fastest guy on our team. He is starting to develop into a running back who can cut and move and still maintain his speed,” Phillips said. “He (has) straight line speed. He has track speed. He was a little stiff last year, but he’s learning to cut and make a move.”
Matt Skinner was the team’s top outside threat in terms of catches last season.
“He (Skinner) led us in receptions last year with 18. He is a shifty guy. He also went in the backfield and ran the ball, so he had about 300 or 400 yards rushing,” Phillips said. “He had a good season as a sophomore. We are expecting big things out of him.”
Aiden Patrick will play in the slot as a senior.
“He (Patrick) has got excellent hands. He will catch it in traffic, he will catch it as he is getting hit and he does a nice job blocking,” Phillips said.
Blair Abraham will be a big threat at receiver with his 6-foot-8 frame. Tray Aven will also factor in at receiver.
Dalton Bennett started all 10 games at tight end last season.
“He (Bennett) has worked on his speed and gotten faster. He has already shown he has the ability to block,” Phillips said. “He is a weapon out there.”
The offensive line returns five players including four who started all 10 games. Cody Parker leads that unit at right guard.
“He (Parker) is crucial because he is the biggest and strongest guy we have. He is also the most experienced guy we have. He started as a sophomore, so this is his third year starting,” Phillips said. “He leads our line. We are expecting him to open holes.”
Drake Haberman (right tackle), Chase McNatt (center), Kaden Abmire (left guard) and Tavian Sanderson (left tackle) are slated to be on the offensive line. Logan Heglund is also in the mix for snaps on the line.
“They’ve all worked in the weight room. They’ve all gotten better there, so they’ve all gotten stronger,” Phillips said. “We can’t wait to see how strong they’ve gotten, as far as pushing somebody else.”
Defensively, Phillips wants his team to play more aggressively with the experience of nine starters returning.
“We are looking to be a little more aggressive (on defense),” Phillips said. “We are hoping their experience will give them a benefit this year. We have to learn how to get off blocks better than last year. That’s the focus is to be more aggressive, stop the run and get off blocks.”
Haberman, Parker, Sanderson, McNatt and Abmire are all defensive line players to watch.
Mankey can play linebacker or defensive end. Skinner, Heglund, Cole, and Jarryn Choate are also in the linebacking mix. Choate was a second-team all-conference honoree and is the team’s leading returning tackler.
Freshmen Kaison Neal and William Connor will also push for varsity snaps at linebacker.
Drake Hodge returns at cornerback after starting 10 games last season. Michael Miller and Phillips will also play cornerback. Look for Patrick, Young and Aven at the safety spots.
Buffalo moves from the Ozark Mountain Conference to the Mid-Lakes Conference this season. The Bison enter the league with Reeds Spring, Springfield Catholic and Hollister joining existing members Fair Grove, Strafford, Clever and Forsyth.
“We are excited about (joining the Mid-Lakes),” Phillips said. “We feel like this is going to be challenging for us and hopefully we are going to be up to the challenge.”
Buffalo will jamboree on Aug. 23 at Warsaw with the host Wildcats, Eldon and Skyline. Buffalo opens the regular season on Aug. 30 at home against Ava.
“We want to have the identity of playing hard, and they (the players) love football,” Phillips said. “If we work hard every day, and we play disciplined and every day in practice, then what’s going to carry over the games. And the games will matter. Then the scoreboard will matter, I should say. But as of today, all we’re trying to do is win today and be better today. If we can do that, then the scoreboard will take care of itself.”
