Football fans have been waiting for this since last November. Week 1 of the Missouri State High School Activities Association starts this Friday night.
Marshfield will play host to Springfield Parkview at R A Barr Athletic Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 and Kickoff is at 7 p.m..
Cody Bull returns to lead the Jays in his 7th season as head coach of the Marshfield squad and looks forward to kicking off the season with a blend of experienced veterans and promising new talent. Senior linebacker Carter Pruitt and senior defensive back Brayden Hicks are set to spearhead the defense. Pruitt, who amassed an impressive 140 tackles last year, and Hicks, a state champion in triple jump with 105 tackles, will be pivotal in bolstering the team’s defensive line. Hicks will also contribute significantly as one of the top returning receivers in the area.
Joining Pruitt at linebacker will be seniors Carter Thompson and Brad Shipman. Thompson is recognized as one of the defense's emotional leaders, while Shipman returns after missing a portion of last season due to injury. Junior Kallen O’Dell will return as defensive end, supported by a trio of juniors—Hayden Swanigan, Leighton Callaway, and Takoda Gritts—who will play crucial roles in the secondary.
On the offensive front, Marshfield faces a reshuffling of its starting positions. Standout quarterback Tyce Jones, a leading dual-threat player in 2023, will transition to running back this season, becoming a key figure in Marshfield’s offensive strategy. Senior Talon Funk and sophomore Gage Harles will also be significant contributors, with Funk's versatility allowing him to line up in various positions and Harles serving as a formidable tight end target. Brayden and Mason Jensen are expected to make a considerable impact on both sides of the ball.
The battle for the quarterback position remains open between Carson Adams and Case Steinbach, both of whom are also capable of contributing in other roles. Junior Auston Croy, standing at 6-2, 260 pounds, will anchor the offensive line, with Malaki Timmons and Blake Richards also playing key roles on the line, either offensively or defensively.
The success of the Marshfield Jays this season will heavily depend on the cohesion and performance of their offensive and defensive lines. Adding to the excitement, a new conference schedule introduces challenging and competitive opponents.
Here is the schedule for other Ozark Mountain Conference teams:
Logan Rogersville hosts Reeds Spring
Bolivar at Osage
Branson at Harrison, Arkansas
West Plains at Mountain Home, Arkansas
Springfield Hillcrest at Springfield Central
Carl Junction at Heritage (Rogers) Arkansas
Other area games of interest:
Strafford at Mountain View Liberty
Fair Grove at Mountain Grove
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