Despite back-to-back 1-9 seasons, the outlook for the 2015 season for the McDonald County football team is optimistic by the players and coaching staff.
"We were coaching attitude and effort last season," said coach Corey Henry, who is in his second year as head coach of the Mustangs. "This year we are actually getting to coach football. We are far ahead of where we were at last year at this time."
Number##Name##Grade##Off.##Def.##
2##Dagan Stites##12##WR##DB##
3##Peyton Barton##10##WR##DB##
4##Mark Kailvoun##11##WR##DB##
5##Marty Jennings##12##WR##LB##
6##Daniel DeSantiago##12##WR##DB##
7##Dylan Hughes##11##WR##DB##
8##Shiloh Jackson##9##QB##DB##
10##Elijah Curtis##12##QB##DB##
12##Cole Delassontos##10##WR##DB##
13##Jamie Hanke##11##TE##LB##
14##Blake Barratt##12##WR##DB##
15##Kennedy Hodson##10##QB##DB##
18##Billy Leach##12##WR##DB##
20##Jake Will##11##RB##LB##
21##Caleb Spears##12##TE##DL##
25##Issreal DeSantiago##10##RB##DB##
33##Dylan Teague##10##RB##DB##
44##Jarrett Sanny##12##TE##LB##
52##Seth Shockley##11##OL##LB##
53##Joeh Delacruz##11##OL##DL##
56##Bronnie Kinser##10##OL##DL##
57##James Shaw##11##OL##DL##
58##Carlos Sanchez##11##OL##DL##
59##Nathan Stramel##12##OL##LB##
60##David Williamson##10##OL##DL##
65##Creed Lindquist##10##OL##DL##
68##Jordan Reynolds##12##OL##DL##
70##Mathew Calhoun##10##OL##DL##
71##Corvin Black##11##OL##DL##
72##Bucky Harrell##10##OL##DL##
73##Brian Hilldagas##10##OL##DL##
74##Elliott Wolfe##9##OL##DL##
75##Kyle Hall##11##OL##DL##+##
76##Will Dean##11##OL##DL##
77##Seth Atkins##12##OL##DL##
78##Jesse Metcalf##11##OL##DL##
82##Jon Blevins##12##WR##LB##
83##Zach Speppard##10##WR##DB##
84##Timber Bowers##10##RB##LB##
87##Rylan Hobbs##10##TE##DL##
Head Coach: Corey Henry######
Superintendent: Dr Mark Stanton##
Assistant Coaches: Travis Rhatigan, Heath Alumbaugh, Trent Barratt, Jared Green, Dennis Millican, Dave Alumbaugh, Ryan Woolard, Mabely Teodocio####
Managers: Bethany Stanton, Journey Sanny, Chloe Morris, Chloe McCool, Patrick Thorton##
Principial: Greg Leach, Assist Principal: Jeff Wilkie##
Assistant Principal: Will Gorden##
Athletic Director: Nick Martin
Freshman And JV Football, Fall 2015
Day^Date^Opponent^Level^Home/Away
Monday^8/24/15^Neosho High School^JV^Away^6 p.m.
Monday^8/24/15^Neosho High School^9th^Home^6 p.m.
Monday^8/31/15^Aurora High School^JV^Home^6 p.m.
Monday^8/31/15^Aurora High School^9th^Away^6 p.m.
Tuesday^ 9/08/15^Cassville High School^9th^Away^6 p.m.
Monday^9/14/15^East Newton^JV^Away^6 p.m.
Monday^9/21/15^Carl Junction^JV^Home^6 p.m.
Monday^9/21/15^Carl Junction^9th^Away^6 p.m.
Monday^9/28/15^Lamar^JV^Home^6 p.m.
Monday^9/28/15^Lamar^9th^Away^6 p.m.
Monday^10/05/15^Seneca^9th^ Away^6 p.m.
Monday^10/12/15^Mount Vernon^JV^Home^6 p.m.
Monday^10/19/15^Monett High School^9th^Away^6 p.m.
Henry greeted nine returning starters from last season, including eight spots on defense and four on offense (three players started on both sides of the ball last year). Defensive returnees include Nathan Stramel, defensive end; Seth Shockley, linebacker; Jarrett Sanny, linebacker; Daniel De Santiago, defensive back; Peyton Barton, defensive back; Will Dean, linebacker; Corvin Black, defensive end; and Elijah Curtis, defensive back.
Offensive returning starters are Dean at center, Stramel at guard, Shockley at guard, and Issreal De Santiago at running back.
Henry said the three returning offensive linemen are the strength of the team.
"With three returning starters on the line along with our starting tailback we should be able to run the ball," Henry said. "We have some newcomers out this year that gives us some athletic ability on the outside. Dagan Stites (senior wide receiver), Mark Kailvoun (junior wide receiver) and Jaime Hanke (junior tight end) are all good athletes and will help us greatly."
Henry said that defensively the kids are a year stronger and a year faster.
"We will be a lot more physical this year," Henry said. "We will get 11 guys to the ball on every play. We are just a lot more sound than we were last year."
Henry said offensively the Mustangs look to run the football.
"Our key is to work our running back duo (Issrael De Santiago and Jake Will) every week," Henry said. "I expect our line to get us a huge push. We are going to be physical and hit people in the mouth."
When the Mustangs do take to the air, it will either be Elijah Curtis or Kennedy Hodson throwing the ball to Stites, Kailvoun and Hanke. Curtis also is a threat at wide receiver when Hodson is at quarterback.
Both quarterbacks will also be expected to carry the ball because McDonald County plans to use more triple option in the running game.
"Our numbers are up this year," Henry said. "We have 42 varsity players and 30 freshmen. That is a big help. We are two deep at every position. We will be able to keep guys fresh and it allows us to open up the playbook."
Henry said the kids have put in a lot of work over the summer and in pre-season practices in order to be successful.
"I was very pleased with how things went in the off season," Henry said. "But we are tired of hitting each other. We are ready to hit a different colored jersey on the other side of the ball."
That opportunity came Aug. 21 when McDonald County hosted the Neosho Wildcats to open the 2015 season. McDonald County begins conference Aug. 28 at Aurora before returning home Sept. 4 against Cassville and Sept. 11 against East Newton for homecoming.
Sports on 08/27/2015