Smith Cotton has put
together consecutive conference titles earning undefeated records the past two
seasons. Graduation hit the Tigers hard leaving the 2010 race up for grabs
in the West Central Conference. Raphael Spencer and his
O'Hara Celtic teammates hope to end the Tiger conference streak along with
Warrensburg who hopes to a new Tiger on the prowl in the West Central.
West Central Pre-Season Conference Notes:
1. Smith Cotton--
The Tigers earned their second consecutive conference title last season
finishing with an 8-2 overall mark, 5-0 in league. A pair of starters
return on offense, senior Q.B. Dominique Smith(5-8 165) and
senior running back Ramon Arias(5-8 160). Smith
earned second team all-league honors. The Tigers have many holes to fill if they
hope to repeat their 35 points-per-game scoring average of a season ago.
"Dominique Smith returns at QB
which give us a leader to build around", commented head coach Mark Johnson.
"Depth at running back should also be a strength this year. "
On defense four starters
return including a pair of all-conference linebackers. Senior inside linebackers
Billy Gudde(5-10 190) and Addison Foote(5-10
190) return as leaders of the defense which will employ a 3-5-3 scheme.
Arias returns at linebacker along with defensive end Corbin Rowland(6-0 195).
Johnson says his defense will be very aggressive and hopes they can force
turnovers. "Our
defense will need to keep us in games early in the year", added Johnson. We will be looking for
leadership from 2 year starters and All-Conference/All-District linebackers"
2. O'Hara--
Three offensive and four defensive starters return for a Celtic team the
completed a 12-2 mark last season advancing deep into the playoffs. Senior
running back Raphael Spencer(5-9 185) returns as the top
offensive threat for O'Hara. An all-conference runner and return man
Spencer is one of the top returning players in the league. Newcomer D.J.
Jackson(5-11 170), a senior QB/DB is ready to direct the offense.
On defense senior
linebacker Andre Jordan(6-1 180) returns after earning
all-league honors a season ago. "We lost many seniors that took us to the
semifinals and a 12-2 finish. We need he up coming seniors to be ready to
step up now so we can get back to the playoffs", commented head coach Jim
Demarea.
3. Warrensburg--
Central Missouri assistant football coach
Scott Grinde, a 25-year coaching veteran, Grinde has a vast
array coaching in college at several different levels, and in high school
where he was a head coach at Sheridan (Wyoming) High School.
Grinde will inherit a veteran group and several talented players led by senior
quarterback Layton Moore(6-0 170) an all-conference performer. Junior
center Layne Fischer(6-2 255) returns on offense as well.
The defense must improve on their 25 points allowed per game
from a season ago. Senior linebacker Cody Means(5-10 175)
and senior defensive back Alex Kostas(6-0 180) return after
earning all-conference honors.
4. St. Pius X (KC)--
The Warriors hope to turn around their fortunes following a 4-7 campaign with
the return of nine starters on offense. Senior running back
Anthony Zicarelli(5-7 175) is a top returner on offense. Senior
Devon Eberth(6-3 220) is a top returner on a solid offensive line.
"We should have plenty of size and depth at o-line next season", commented Rick
Byers. Byers says a quarterback battle must be settled early and the team
will lean on Zicarelli running the ball behind the talented line.
Five starters return on
defense led by Eberth the anchor of the defensive line.
5. Clinton--
Chris Smoot
takes over in Clinton with the return of five offensive and five defensive
starters. "We will be a team with a good mix of senior leadership and
talented underclassmen who are under new leadership", commented Smoot. "We
expect to compete every day and to improve every day. We don't discuss wins and
losses, we expect great effort, enthusiasm and a competitive attitude. Having
those will be the first step to our success." Senior quarterback
Dylan Stadter(6-0 175) and all-conference tight end Collin
Garvin(6-3 225) return.
On defense defensive back Stadtler, defensive end Corley Fonke(5-10 190), and
senior linebacker Trenton Perry(5-10 185) each earned all-league honors in 2009.
6. Center--
The Yellowjackets hope to get over the .500 mark this season following a 4-6
campaign. WR Oren Lee(5-10 170) and senior offensive guard Dalton
Presley(6-0 280) return on offense. Senior defensive back Alex Taylor(5-10 185)
earned West Central all-league honors on defense.
MOsports.com Fearless Predictions
Conference Champion: Smith Cotton
Conference Player of the year:
Senior running back
Raphael Spencer(5-9 185), O'Hara
2010 Top Returning KCI Conference Players
Offense
Position, Player, Year, HT., WT., SCHOOL
RB, Raphael Spencer, Sr., 5'-9", 185, O'Hara
SLOT, Anthony Zicarelli, Sr., 5'-6", 170, St. Pius X
P, Layton Moore, Sr., 6'-0", 165, Warrensburg
RET, Raphael Spencer, Sr., 5'-9", 185, O'Hara
QB, Layton Moore, Sr., 6'-0", 165, Warrensburg
QB, Dominique Smith, Sr., 5'-7", 150,
Smith-Cotton
WR, Oren Lee, Sr., 5"-10", 165, Center
TE, Collin Garvin, Sr., 6'-3", 190, Clinton
C, Layne Fischer, Jr., 6'-2", 250, Warrensburg
OG, Dalton Presley, Sr., 6'-0", 280, Center
OT, Wyatt Ross, Soph., 6'-1", 250, Clinton
Defense
Position, Player, Year, HT., WT., SCHOOL
DE, Devon Eberth, Sr., 6'-4", 220, St. Pius X
LB, Billy Gudde, Sr., 5'-9", 180, Smith-Cotton
LB, Addison Foote, Sr., 5'-10", 170,
Smith-Cotton
LB, Cody Means, Sr., 5'-10", 175, Warrensburg
DB, Alex Taylor, Sr., 5'-10", 185, Center
K, Jacquelen Greer, Soph., 5'-6", 120,
Smith-Cotton
DE, Coley Fonke, Sr., 5'-10", 190, Clinton
LB, Trenton Perry, Sr., 5'-10", 185, Clinton
LB, Andre Jordan, Sr., 6'-0", 180, O'Hara
DB, Alex Kostas, Sr., 6'-0", 180, Warrensburg
DB, Dylan Stadtler, Sr., 5'-8", 150, Clinton
This post was edited on 8/8 8:41 PM by MOsportsStaff
together consecutive conference titles earning undefeated records the past two
seasons. Graduation hit the Tigers hard leaving the 2010 race up for grabs
in the West Central Conference. Raphael Spencer and his
O'Hara Celtic teammates hope to end the Tiger conference streak along with
Warrensburg who hopes to a new Tiger on the prowl in the West Central.
West Central Pre-Season Conference Notes:
1. Smith Cotton--
The Tigers earned their second consecutive conference title last season
finishing with an 8-2 overall mark, 5-0 in league. A pair of starters
return on offense, senior Q.B. Dominique Smith(5-8 165) and
senior running back Ramon Arias(5-8 160). Smith
earned second team all-league honors. The Tigers have many holes to fill if they
hope to repeat their 35 points-per-game scoring average of a season ago.
"Dominique Smith returns at QB
which give us a leader to build around", commented head coach Mark Johnson.
"Depth at running back should also be a strength this year. "
On defense four starters
return including a pair of all-conference linebackers. Senior inside linebackers
Billy Gudde(5-10 190) and Addison Foote(5-10
190) return as leaders of the defense which will employ a 3-5-3 scheme.
Arias returns at linebacker along with defensive end Corbin Rowland(6-0 195).
Johnson says his defense will be very aggressive and hopes they can force
turnovers. "Our
defense will need to keep us in games early in the year", added Johnson. We will be looking for
leadership from 2 year starters and All-Conference/All-District linebackers"
2. O'Hara--
Three offensive and four defensive starters return for a Celtic team the
completed a 12-2 mark last season advancing deep into the playoffs. Senior
running back Raphael Spencer(5-9 185) returns as the top
offensive threat for O'Hara. An all-conference runner and return man
Spencer is one of the top returning players in the league. Newcomer D.J.
Jackson(5-11 170), a senior QB/DB is ready to direct the offense.
On defense senior
linebacker Andre Jordan(6-1 180) returns after earning
all-league honors a season ago. "We lost many seniors that took us to the
semifinals and a 12-2 finish. We need he up coming seniors to be ready to
step up now so we can get back to the playoffs", commented head coach Jim
Demarea.
3. Warrensburg--
Central Missouri assistant football coach
Scott Grinde, a 25-year coaching veteran, Grinde has a vast
array coaching in college at several different levels, and in high school
where he was a head coach at Sheridan (Wyoming) High School.
Grinde will inherit a veteran group and several talented players led by senior
quarterback Layton Moore(6-0 170) an all-conference performer. Junior
center Layne Fischer(6-2 255) returns on offense as well.
The defense must improve on their 25 points allowed per game
from a season ago. Senior linebacker Cody Means(5-10 175)
and senior defensive back Alex Kostas(6-0 180) return after
earning all-conference honors.
4. St. Pius X (KC)--
The Warriors hope to turn around their fortunes following a 4-7 campaign with
the return of nine starters on offense. Senior running back
Anthony Zicarelli(5-7 175) is a top returner on offense. Senior
Devon Eberth(6-3 220) is a top returner on a solid offensive line.
"We should have plenty of size and depth at o-line next season", commented Rick
Byers. Byers says a quarterback battle must be settled early and the team
will lean on Zicarelli running the ball behind the talented line.
Five starters return on
defense led by Eberth the anchor of the defensive line.
5. Clinton--
Chris Smoot
takes over in Clinton with the return of five offensive and five defensive
starters. "We will be a team with a good mix of senior leadership and
talented underclassmen who are under new leadership", commented Smoot. "We
expect to compete every day and to improve every day. We don't discuss wins and
losses, we expect great effort, enthusiasm and a competitive attitude. Having
those will be the first step to our success." Senior quarterback
Dylan Stadter(6-0 175) and all-conference tight end Collin
Garvin(6-3 225) return.
On defense defensive back Stadtler, defensive end Corley Fonke(5-10 190), and
senior linebacker Trenton Perry(5-10 185) each earned all-league honors in 2009.
6. Center--
The Yellowjackets hope to get over the .500 mark this season following a 4-6
campaign. WR Oren Lee(5-10 170) and senior offensive guard Dalton
Presley(6-0 280) return on offense. Senior defensive back Alex Taylor(5-10 185)
earned West Central all-league honors on defense.
MOsports.com Fearless Predictions
Conference Champion: Smith Cotton
Conference Player of the year:
Senior running back
Raphael Spencer(5-9 185), O'Hara
2010 Top Returning KCI Conference Players
Offense
Position, Player, Year, HT., WT., SCHOOL
RB, Raphael Spencer, Sr., 5'-9", 185, O'Hara
SLOT, Anthony Zicarelli, Sr., 5'-6", 170, St. Pius X
P, Layton Moore, Sr., 6'-0", 165, Warrensburg
RET, Raphael Spencer, Sr., 5'-9", 185, O'Hara
QB, Layton Moore, Sr., 6'-0", 165, Warrensburg
QB, Dominique Smith, Sr., 5'-7", 150,
Smith-Cotton
WR, Oren Lee, Sr., 5"-10", 165, Center
TE, Collin Garvin, Sr., 6'-3", 190, Clinton
C, Layne Fischer, Jr., 6'-2", 250, Warrensburg
OG, Dalton Presley, Sr., 6'-0", 280, Center
OT, Wyatt Ross, Soph., 6'-1", 250, Clinton
Defense
Position, Player, Year, HT., WT., SCHOOL
DE, Devon Eberth, Sr., 6'-4", 220, St. Pius X
LB, Billy Gudde, Sr., 5'-9", 180, Smith-Cotton
LB, Addison Foote, Sr., 5'-10", 170,
Smith-Cotton
LB, Cody Means, Sr., 5'-10", 175, Warrensburg
DB, Alex Taylor, Sr., 5'-10", 185, Center
K, Jacquelen Greer, Soph., 5'-6", 120,
Smith-Cotton
DE, Coley Fonke, Sr., 5'-10", 190, Clinton
LB, Trenton Perry, Sr., 5'-10", 185, Clinton
LB, Andre Jordan, Sr., 6'-0", 180, O'Hara
DB, Alex Kostas, Sr., 6'-0", 180, Warrensburg
DB, Dylan Stadtler, Sr., 5'-8", 150, Clinton
This post was edited on 8/8 8:41 PM by MOsportsStaff
