Harrisonville swept through the Missouri River Valley Conference West division in 2010 with a perfect record before advancing in the MSHSAA playoffs. With the return of senior defensive end Travis Britz who has given a verbal to Kansas State the Wildcats appear to be the early favorites. Two high profile head coaches join the league that should produce solid games each Friday night.
MOsports.com Predicted Standings
1) Harrisonville--The standard of quality football continued last season for the Wildcats who finished 12-2. Head coach Chuck Lliteras knows this group has work to do to duplicate recent success.
"The Wildcats will have to mature very quickly", commented Lliteras. "Qb is big and strong but untested. By moving people around on defense we have solidified the graduation of some top seniors from last season. Look to be every bit as good defensively as we were last season. Offense will have to mature as the season progresses in preparation for the district playoffs."
Senior defensive end Travis Britz(6-4 280) has given a verbal commitment to attend Kansas State University. Sophomore quarterback Zach Davidson(6-5 200) will be tested early leading an offense that returns 7 starters.
2) Grain Valley-- Jimmy Tucker leaves Bowling Green after a very successful run including a trip to the Show-Me Bowl in 2009 and will replace Forrest Rovello who retired. A young Eagle offense grew up last season, including senior QB Jeremy Maynard(6-2 190) who returns along with junior running back Austin Embrock(5-11 200). All-conference linebacker Tucker Pauley returns on defense.
3) Odessa-- 5-6 a season ago, the Bulldogs finished the season on a high note advancing to the playoffs. Daniel Joiner returns for his second season leading the Bulldog football program with a roster ready to compete. All-conference seniors Collin Baumann and Cody Cox will anchor the lines.
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4) Pleasant Hill-- Hall of Fame head coach Kyle Roach returns to lead the Roosters. Senior quarterback Josh Griffith(6-2 180) returns after passing for nearly 800-yards a season ago. Senior WR Hunter Melies(5-8 165) is a big play threat.
On defense senior linebacker Tully Byrne(6-0 250) returns as a top tackler along with senior defensive back Trenton Roach(6-1 180). Senior linebacker Jared Burge(5-11 180) is a solid defensive contributer along with senior defensive end Dakota Jackson(6-0 255).
A very talented junior class will produce this season for the Roosters. "Should have a little more team speed, which we need to compete with our schedule. Have some nice depth at skill spots", commented Roach.
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5) Oak Grove--Pat Richard leaves Orrick after a very successful run including several Show-Me Bowl titles and direct the Panther football program. Cory Stattelman and sophomore Skyler Hulse return as all-conference lineman.
6) Excelsior Springs-- The 2011 Tigers will need to build on the positive strides they made during a 1-9 season under new Head Coach Andy Sims. Last season the Tigers finished 1-9 with their only victory coming from a 34-28 defeat of Liberty North in week 8. There continues to be a lot of concern this season if the Tigers can compete in a tough district and even tougher conference, but there is also a lot of hope riding on the Tiger's younger players. They return 15 starters from the 2010 squad and of those 15, only 5 will be seniors. Headlining this season will be seniors Trevor Douglas, Derek Pugh, Dan Lockwood and Junior Trey Lawrence and Standout Sophomore Tailback Nick Masoner. All of which, were All-Conference players last season except Dan Lockwood whose season came to an unfortunate end with a broken leg suffered in week 3.
As Sims and his staff continue to try to turn around this struggling program they will be looking deep inside their playbooks for help. "The number one thing we have to do is increase the overall size, strength and speed of the players in our program and unfortunately there is no quick fix to that solution", commented Sims. "In the meantime we will be installing new schemes both offensively, defensively and in the?kicking game. We are going to be relying heavily upon some key returners from the 2009 season, but we are also very excited about our newcomers," Sims added.
Offensively the Tigers will be continue to base out of a multiple pro-style offense, but will feature a lot more of their "Wild Tiger" package that last season produced a 423yd rushing performance in their win over Liberty North. Defensively the Tigers will continue to base out of their 4-2-5 defensive scheme, but will also employ new multiple fronts and plenty of coverage variations. According to Sims, "more importantly than any of the offensive or defensive schemes we run is how we play the game. That's our number 1 goal for this fall. I want to see a team that is very physical, plays with great enthusiasm and loves to compete. If we do those things, then everything else will hopefully begin to fall into place."
MOsports.com Predicted Champion: Harrisonville
MOsports.com Pre-Season Player of the Year: Travis Britz(6-4 280), Sr, DE, Harrisonville
Top returning Missouri River Valley West Conference returning talent includes:
Kole Vittetoe, Grain Valley, OL, Sr
Zach Hoover, Grain Valley, WR, Sr
Tucker Pauley, Grain Valley, LB, Sr
Travis Britz, Harrisonville, DL, Sr
Trey Lawrence, Excelsior Springs, OL/DL, Sr
Trevor Douglas, Excelsior Springs, WR, Sr
Thomas Schlector, Harrisonville, TE, Sr
Zach Leamon, Oak Grove, K, Sr
Zech Blaine, Harrisonville, RB, Sr
Cory Stattelman, Oak Grove, Sr, OL
Collin Baumann, Odessa, OL, Sr
Derrick Dow, Oak Grove, WR, Jr
Dylan Ferrell, Grain Valley, WR, Sr
P.J. Patton, Grain Valley, DL, Sr
Skyler Hulse, Oak Grove, DL, Soph
Cody Cox, Odessa, DL, Sr
Nick Miessen, Harrisonville, DL, Sr
Brycen Mackison, Oak Grove, LB, Sr
Zach Lindsey, Grain Valley, DB, Sr
This post was edited on 8/3 12:18 AM by MOsportsStaff
MOsports.com Predicted Standings
1) Harrisonville--The standard of quality football continued last season for the Wildcats who finished 12-2. Head coach Chuck Lliteras knows this group has work to do to duplicate recent success.
"The Wildcats will have to mature very quickly", commented Lliteras. "Qb is big and strong but untested. By moving people around on defense we have solidified the graduation of some top seniors from last season. Look to be every bit as good defensively as we were last season. Offense will have to mature as the season progresses in preparation for the district playoffs."
Senior defensive end Travis Britz(6-4 280) has given a verbal commitment to attend Kansas State University. Sophomore quarterback Zach Davidson(6-5 200) will be tested early leading an offense that returns 7 starters.
2) Grain Valley-- Jimmy Tucker leaves Bowling Green after a very successful run including a trip to the Show-Me Bowl in 2009 and will replace Forrest Rovello who retired. A young Eagle offense grew up last season, including senior QB Jeremy Maynard(6-2 190) who returns along with junior running back Austin Embrock(5-11 200). All-conference linebacker Tucker Pauley returns on defense.
3) Odessa-- 5-6 a season ago, the Bulldogs finished the season on a high note advancing to the playoffs. Daniel Joiner returns for his second season leading the Bulldog football program with a roster ready to compete. All-conference seniors Collin Baumann and Cody Cox will anchor the lines.
?
4) Pleasant Hill-- Hall of Fame head coach Kyle Roach returns to lead the Roosters. Senior quarterback Josh Griffith(6-2 180) returns after passing for nearly 800-yards a season ago. Senior WR Hunter Melies(5-8 165) is a big play threat.
On defense senior linebacker Tully Byrne(6-0 250) returns as a top tackler along with senior defensive back Trenton Roach(6-1 180). Senior linebacker Jared Burge(5-11 180) is a solid defensive contributer along with senior defensive end Dakota Jackson(6-0 255).
A very talented junior class will produce this season for the Roosters. "Should have a little more team speed, which we need to compete with our schedule. Have some nice depth at skill spots", commented Roach.
?
?
5) Oak Grove--Pat Richard leaves Orrick after a very successful run including several Show-Me Bowl titles and direct the Panther football program. Cory Stattelman and sophomore Skyler Hulse return as all-conference lineman.
6) Excelsior Springs-- The 2011 Tigers will need to build on the positive strides they made during a 1-9 season under new Head Coach Andy Sims. Last season the Tigers finished 1-9 with their only victory coming from a 34-28 defeat of Liberty North in week 8. There continues to be a lot of concern this season if the Tigers can compete in a tough district and even tougher conference, but there is also a lot of hope riding on the Tiger's younger players. They return 15 starters from the 2010 squad and of those 15, only 5 will be seniors. Headlining this season will be seniors Trevor Douglas, Derek Pugh, Dan Lockwood and Junior Trey Lawrence and Standout Sophomore Tailback Nick Masoner. All of which, were All-Conference players last season except Dan Lockwood whose season came to an unfortunate end with a broken leg suffered in week 3.
As Sims and his staff continue to try to turn around this struggling program they will be looking deep inside their playbooks for help. "The number one thing we have to do is increase the overall size, strength and speed of the players in our program and unfortunately there is no quick fix to that solution", commented Sims. "In the meantime we will be installing new schemes both offensively, defensively and in the?kicking game. We are going to be relying heavily upon some key returners from the 2009 season, but we are also very excited about our newcomers," Sims added.
Offensively the Tigers will be continue to base out of a multiple pro-style offense, but will feature a lot more of their "Wild Tiger" package that last season produced a 423yd rushing performance in their win over Liberty North. Defensively the Tigers will continue to base out of their 4-2-5 defensive scheme, but will also employ new multiple fronts and plenty of coverage variations. According to Sims, "more importantly than any of the offensive or defensive schemes we run is how we play the game. That's our number 1 goal for this fall. I want to see a team that is very physical, plays with great enthusiasm and loves to compete. If we do those things, then everything else will hopefully begin to fall into place."
MOsports.com Predicted Champion: Harrisonville
MOsports.com Pre-Season Player of the Year: Travis Britz(6-4 280), Sr, DE, Harrisonville
Top returning Missouri River Valley West Conference returning talent includes:
Kole Vittetoe, Grain Valley, OL, Sr
Zach Hoover, Grain Valley, WR, Sr
Tucker Pauley, Grain Valley, LB, Sr
Travis Britz, Harrisonville, DL, Sr
Trey Lawrence, Excelsior Springs, OL/DL, Sr
Trevor Douglas, Excelsior Springs, WR, Sr
Thomas Schlector, Harrisonville, TE, Sr
Zach Leamon, Oak Grove, K, Sr
Zech Blaine, Harrisonville, RB, Sr
Cory Stattelman, Oak Grove, Sr, OL
Collin Baumann, Odessa, OL, Sr
Derrick Dow, Oak Grove, WR, Jr
Dylan Ferrell, Grain Valley, WR, Sr
P.J. Patton, Grain Valley, DL, Sr
Skyler Hulse, Oak Grove, DL, Soph
Cody Cox, Odessa, DL, Sr
Nick Miessen, Harrisonville, DL, Sr
Brycen Mackison, Oak Grove, LB, Sr
Zach Lindsey, Grain Valley, DB, Sr
This post was edited on 8/3 12:18 AM by MOsportsStaff
