The ability to stay healthy is always a key to the success of a high school football team, but for McDonald County High School under first-year coach John Diehl, it might have never been as key in the past as it will be in 2016.
Coming off back-to-back 1-9 seasons, the Mustangs have just 26 players in grades 10-12 out for football, and the status of four of those is doubtful for the first game due to injuries.
"It's going to be a challenge," Diehl said of the low numbers. "We have to make sure during practice we have limited hitting, but the hitting we do is effective. We also have to make sure we are in shape. I know the Crossfit football program we have is protecting their skeletal system because there are kids who have put on 25 pounds of muscle. Even though we have short numbers, we have good numbers, good kids. It's great to have 100 kids, but you can only put 11 on the field at a time anyway."
The offensive and defensive lines look to be strengths, while a lack of depth in the skill positions is a concern. The line includes returning starters Elliott Wolfe (6-3, 285), Tinker Kinser, (5-7, 275) and Corvin Black (6-2, 245). They will be joined in the starting lineup by returning letter winner Kyle Hall (6-2, 280) and Trey Black (6-2,255). Carlos Sanchez returns as a starter on the defensive line.
Injuries have required position changes for Will Dean and Oakley Roessler. Dean, a starting lineman last year, moves to running back and Roessler movers from running back to quarterback. Joining them in the backfield will be Jake Will at fullback and returning letterman Micah Burkholder as the power back. Cole DelosSantos returns as a starter at receiver while Bucky Harrell mans the tight-end slot.
Kennedy Hodson and Isrrael De Santiago were projected to start at quarterback and running back, respectively, but injuries have sidelined them along with Peyton Barton (defensive back) and Joe Brown (linebacker).
"We have an offense that amplifies the God-given talents our kids have," Diehl said. "In order to win, we are going to have to play mistake-free football. We cannot afford any mistakes in any area, whether it be offensively, defensively or special teams. We are going to run a ball-control type of offense and eat up as much clock as we possibly can. We are going to keep the ball out of our opponents' hands. If they don't have the ball, they can't score."
Defensively, Diehl said the kids are making great strides.
"We have a defense that we have simplified and made less complicated," Diehl said. "The kids are flying to the ball. The kids are aggressive and hitting hard. We are aggressive now and there was a point there we weren't. I am pretty pleased with what I am seeing."
Many of the starters on offense will also start on defense. Sophomore Marshall Foreman, along with Barton -- when he returns -- are expected to start in the defensive backfield.
Joining Diehl on the coaching staff will be defensive coordinator Sean McCullough, Blake Martin and Chris Cain along with freshman coaches Chris Potts, Craig Collins and Daniel Sumler.
McDonald County opened the season on Aug. 19 against Salem. After traveling to Marshfield on Aug. 26, the Mustangs open Big 8 Conference play against Seneca on Sept. 2 at MCHS. All game times are 7 p.m.
Homecoming will be held on Sept. 9 when McDonald County hosts Cassville.
Roster
Name^Class^Position
Tinker Kinser^Jr.^Center
Will Dean^Sr.^Running Back
Trey Black^Jr.^Guard
Marshall Foreman^^Soph.^Split End
Elliot Wolfe^Jr.^Tackle
Creed Lindquist^Jr.^Center
Jesse Cravens^Soph.^Guard
Carlos Sanchez^Jr.^Tackle
Kyle Hall^Sr.^Tackle
Will Gordon^Soph.^Tackle
Dylan Akins^Soph.^Guard
Wil Smith^Soph.^Guard
Wyatt Griffith^Sr.^Guard
Corvin Black^Sr.^Guard
Cole DelosSantos^Jr.^Split End
Bucky Harrell^Jr.^Tight End
Kennedy Hodson^Jr.^Quarterback
Isrrael De Santiago^Jr.^Running Back]
Oakley Roessler ^Soph.^Quarterback
Matt Calhoun ^Soph.^Guard
Jake Will^Sr.^Running Back
Micah Burkholder ^Soph.^Slot Back
Jaxsson Dawdy ^Soph.^Split End
Tanner Harner ^Soph.^Guard
Peyton Barton^Jr.^Quarterback
Schedule
Day^Date^Opponent^Level^Home/Away^Time
Friday^Aug. 12^Jamboree^Varsity^Away^7 p.m.
Friday^Aug. 19^Salem High School^Varsity^Home^7 p.m.
Friday^Aug. 26^Marshfield^Varsity^Away^7 p.m.
Friday^Sept. 02^Seneca^Varsity^Home^7 p.m.
Friday^Sept. 9^Cassville High School^Varsity^Home^7 p.m.
Friday^Sept. 16^Mount^Vernon^Varsity^Away^7 p.m.
Friday^Sept. 23^Lamar^Varsity^Home^7 p.m.
Friday^Sept. 30^Mondayett High School^Varsity^Away^7 p.m.
Friday^Oct. 07^East Newton^Varsity^Away^7 p.m.
Friday^Oct. 14^Aurora High School^Varsity^Home^7 p.m.
Friday^Oct. 21^TBA^Varsity^TBA^TBA
Sports on 08/25/2016